John Wayne Murdoch

[10.0] "John Wayne Murdoch is a Mount Rushmore figure in American deathmatch wrestling. Like most from IWA Mid-South, he has a strong wrestling core and a strong aptitude for hardcore brawling. But he truly shines in full-on ultraviolent deathmatch where he's become an all-time figure, winning the style's most prestigious world championships and tournaments. What really makes Murdoch so excellent is his complete aptitude of every role. He's been a compelling top anti-hero face, a compelling top chickenshit heel, a brilliant tag team wrestler, the Ace at several top promotions, and occasionally he's been a midcard veteran taking major prospects under his wing. He's among the select few whose work will be discussed for as long as there's interest in the style."

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers going today in deathmatch and independent wrestling in general. From his insane hour long iron man matches to his unrivaled American Deathmatch Championship run in ICW, The Duke is one of a kind. I can't begin to understand how anyone can call themselves a fan of hardcore wrestling and hate on him, just comes off as entirely fake and disingenuous. If you haven't watched JWM change that immediately."

[0.0] "It's crazy to think that this guy has a higher rating than actual wrestlers when he's just another hack and slash deathmatch wrestler. Does not have an intimidating physique unless fat guys with skinny arms intimidate you. Sadly, the bar for deathmatch wrestlers is so low than being able to roll out of a wristlock is considered having technical wrestling skils. Does not know how to get over without weapons and doing Canadian Destroyers off balconies for 2 counts. Speaking of which, a guy is now paralyzed from the neck down thanks to him because of this very same spot. Calling it a botch is being too kind. It was a stupid game and one guy won a stupid prize, the other should have been banned from wrestling but sadly there are people who continue to support this garbage and romanticize it."

[7.0] "Murdoch is primarily a death match guy who has had a long career and has a lot of respect in that area. Some deathmatch guys cannot wrestle in a regular match but Murdoch does well with regular matches. GCW crowds seem to love him."

[0.0] "I'm not a fan of death matches. Specifically, having a death match just to have one. If it fits a long running feud and is used as a blow off to it, that works. Anyone and I mean ANYONE can put on a cut off t shirt, shorts, and sneakers and get in a ring and hit someone with a light tube or fall on glass. There's no skill to it, no psychology, no athleticism, nothing. I guess jumping off the top rope and landing on a door with glass underneath takes the skill of jumping, so there's that. When that's all you can do in a ring it doesn't mean anything."

[9.0] "My personal favourite current deathmatch worker. Much more versatile than most people give him credit for, JWM has shown big improvements in the character work over the past few years, whether it's as a hard-working babyface or a 1995 Cactus Jack style shit-eating heel. He's been very consistent in his match quality and seems to always be in the "deathmatch of the year" conversation every year. Murdoch has proven himself as a DM main-eventer through his work in GCW, ICW NHB and IWA-MS - would be interested to see him put in a higher position on the card in a non-deathmatch as I think he'd still thrive without the ultraviolence. I feel like it's worth mentioning too that he seems to be the only person in indie wrestling right now who can pull off fire spots without them going wrong."

[10.0] "If you think JWM is just a deathmatch guy, you are dead wrong. Murdoch can seriously go in nearly any style. He can really wrestle. He just happens to favor the deathmatch style and he is one of the all time greats at that style. He is, in my opinion, one of the best wrestlers around today."

[9.0] "The best American deathmatch wrestler right now. He takes incredible amounts of punishment and crazy bumps, but yet he can still wrestle regular matches. He also wrestled more matches than anyone in 2021 and can have a good match with just about anyone. I have seen him many times and never sen him have a bad match. He was 2020 IWTV Independent Wrestler of the year and could have won the 2021 IWTV Independent wrestler of the year. I am surprised he didn't. He has been great as ICW No Holds Barred American Deathmatch Champion and he is also the Horror Slam Deathmatch Champion."

[10.0] "The elite of southern violence inspired Deathmatch wrestling. Willing to throw hands or break glass with anyone at any time. The incredible spotlight that has been shone on him inside the ICW No Holds Barred world has pushed Murdoch to another level in his game. Great worker, knows how to wrestle first and then takes his opponents into the deepest of waters in the Deathmatch realm. Much love and respect for what The Duke of Hardcore puts himself through for our entertainment."

[9.0] "John Wayne Murdoch has been consistently killing it in the deathmatch world for 5+ years now and is showing no signs of slowing down."

[9.0] "Severely underrated and should be considered one of the best in the world. Murdoch can have a good match with anyone. Could be a flagship worker for any promotion If given the chance."

[10.0] "John Wayne Murdoch is the greatest American Death Match wrestler, if not the best in the entire world. This guy lives and breaths the death match aesthetic. He could be performing in front of 12 toothless bums or hundreds of smart marks and shed the same amount of blood. His creativity, psychology, and physical toughness stand out in the death match field. I hope this man makes it to Japan when travel goes back to normal."