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Completely horrible stat I've figured out based on some stuff I've been working on for a long time. I'd give jelly beans to person who could guess the closest to the real number if I could but here goes.
If you wanted to have collection of every single title match, gimmick match & otherwise notable (good or bad) match that exists as footage compiled as collection, how many matches clipped+complete would you have in this collection by the end of 2020? Going back as far as possible
So pre-1980 we'll do first. The oldest match that I know of that exists on tape is a clip from Denmark in 1899. From there until the end of 1979, there are around 3500 partial or complete matches from around the world where footage is available following above criteria.
Then we get into the 80s. Even accounting for gaps that we all know are there, especially in lucha libre, there are about 12,000 partial or complete matches from around the world where footage is available following above criteria.
Into the 90s, footage picks up considerably. There are still gaps, but much less so. There are also more competitive US TV matches and more 1st run programming, which partially offsets death of territories. Overall, you're looking at about 20,000 matches following above criteria.
2000s has more US companies producing notable stuff again and more splintering in Japan (which started in 90s but increases here). Lucha/Europe footage plentiful. This gets us about 28,000 matches following above criteria.
2010s has almost everything (but not everything) recorded. Following above criteria, we're looking at close to 35,000 matches.
So yes, when we get to the end of this year, it's very possible that we'll have 100,000 matches that meet above criteria. It's insane & proves how much wrestling is a hobby that keeps giving and giving.
