When discussions of the best intervals of wrestling in Japan happen, three eras are introduced up greater than another: Pillars Period All Japan, Mid-00s NOAH, and the New Japan growth interval of the 2010s. Not solely was it an aesthetic marvel, with matches and wrestlers who stack up favorably in opposition to the very biggest of all time, nevertheless it coincided with a interval of sustained enterprise progress that not solely firmly cemented New Japan as the highest promotion within the nation however set many enterprise information for the now over 50-year-old firm. It was created by an ideal confluence of things: two all-time skills rising in Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito, peaking veterans placing the whole lot collectively considerably late of their careers than is regular and being selfless in utilizing that star energy to place over the subsequent era, the best overseas expertise changing into out there on the proper occasions, formidable new possession taking up the corporate, know-how reaching a degree the place worldwide real-time entry to the promotion was out there like by no means earlier than… All the things needed to come collectively to create the magic interval that we bought, and we must always really feel grateful it did.

The interval got here to an in depth with Tetsuya Naito defeating Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 14, briefly earlier than the world of wrestling was drastically upended by a worldwide pandemic. Its begin date is a bit more up for debate; relying on who you ask it could possibly be Wrestle Kingdom V, the place Hiroshi Tanahashi firmly positioned himself forward of the earlier era kicking off a historic title reign, Wrestle Kingdom VI the place Okada returned from tour, or the month later on the New Starting Rainmaker shock. What just isn’t up for debate is the interval’s significance.

The model, beats, factions and after-tremors of this period of New Japan could be seen all over the place you look on this planet of wrestling at the moment, and close to definitely lengthy into the long run. – Robin Reid

Match #47
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
New Japan Invasion Assault

Watch: NJPW World
Testimonial by Robin Reid

Of the various nice feuds of the trendy New Japan period, for those who ask followers who skilled all of it in real-time what they felt was the principal feud the most typical reply can be Hiroshi Tanahashi versus Kazuchika Okada—the illustrious established Ace of the Universe in opposition to the cocksure prodigy Rainmaker. From Okada’s return at Wrestle Kingdom VI and post-main occasion title problem in early 2012, to Okada’s victory on New Japan’s greatest stage in 2016, the feud between the 2 greats was the definitive thread that ran by all of New Japan.

When Okada confronted Tanahashi for the primary time, it was coming off of bombing in his return match. He was an extremely extremely regarded younger lion, however to say their was doubt in him coming into their first match was an understatement. When the core of the feud completed 4 years later, Okada was firmly and undisputedly established as one of many premier stars on this planet of wrestling, and the highest man within the sphere of New Japan. It’s virtually inconceivable for a feud to be extra profitable than this one, it’s clear intent was to create a megastar in Okada and it delivered in spades, with little issues like enterprise progress and extremely acclaimed matches introduced alongside on the facet.

To drag the curtain again a tad, it was a difficult feud to choose which of their many matches to be highlighted within the challenge. Moreso than the bottom for many feuds, the Tanahashi-Okada feud is one greatest skilled in its entirety. So to cheat barely, I’ll begin by saying you most likely ought to simply watch all of them if in case you have time, at the very least the 2012-2016 editions. There have been arguments the notorious Rainmaker Shock at New Starting 2012. Their Wrestle Kingdom match that produced the long-lasting crying Okada image had its case. The aforementioned end result in 2016 had its declare. In the long run, although, for a collection outlined by how extremely regarded the standard of its in-ring was although, we elected to pick out the match that the majority followers with a connoisseur’s eye imagine to be their greatest. Invasion Assault 2013, typically known as ‘the arm match’ conversationally; a match that stands out amid greatness.

At Invasion Assault, Okada was coming in off a profitable streak that led him to victory within the New Japan Cup. These victories have been achieved off of the again of the Rainmaker Lariat, Okada’s signature transfer that had by no means as soon as been kicked out of. That was the identical transfer that achieved his sole victory to that time over his Ace rival simply over a 12 months prior. Two consecutive victories for Tanahashi of their final two encounters may need had the boldness of Okada shaken, however he got here in with the assumption that if he might hit his transfer then victory would comply with because it at all times had.

Tanahashi was out to vary that. From the opening bell, he focused his offense to Okada’s Rainmaking arm. Ripping, twisting, slamming, hanging: Tanahashi’s clear purpose was to take away the Rainmaker lariat from Okada’s offensive arsenal. It created a novel dynamic to this particular encounter amidst their myriad, resulting in essentially the most distinct and memorable match of their collection.

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Match #48
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi
New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 9

Watch: NJPW World
Testimonial by Andrew Wealthy

January 4 is a big day for professional wrestling followers.

Since 1992, New Japan has held its premier occasion on that date in entrance of tens of hundreds of individuals in Tokyo Dome. It’s had many monikers—Tremendous Warriors in Tokyo Dome, Unbelievable Story in Tokyo Dome, Battle 7, Wrestling World—however Wrestle Kingdom I in 2007 began the naming custom that is still to this present day.

Referring to the large baseball stadium as Japanese professional wrestling’s greatest stage is true on a literal degree, but in addition on a symbolic one. That is the place among the biggest matches of all time happen, matches that may flip wrestlers into megastars in a single evening. With New Japan’s rising recognition and elevated degree of accessibility within the West within the 2010s, the mythos of Wrestle Kingdom as this wrestling holy day has solely gotten stronger with time. If you wish to watch the very best of the very best in skilled wrestling, you watch Wrestle Kingdom on January 4.

2015’s Wrestle Kingdom 9 was a landmark occasion for the promotion in additional methods than one. Not solely was this the primary January 4 present to be broadcasted reside on New Japan and TV Asahi’s model new streaming service New Japan World, it will even be out there on PPV in the USA and Canada with English commentary from Jim Ross and Matt Striker, all due to a partnership with Jeff Jarrett’s International Pressure Wrestling.

The present itself was a crucial and industrial success. In entrance of a reported 36,000 followers in attendance, the principle occasion noticed one other chapter within the epic rivalry between IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. The youthful Okada, contemporary off his second G1 Climax win, was cocksure that he would beat Tanahashi on January 4, reclaim his title, and cement his place as firm ace. The aftermath of the defeated Okada strolling away in tears as Tanahashi taunted him from the ring grew to become one of many defining photographs of this period. However it was the match that passed off proper earlier than the principle occasion that captured simply as a lot, if no more consideration that night.

IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was in the midst of his fourth reign. As one of many New Three Musketeers alongside Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata, Nakamura spent years discovering his method earlier than hanging gold with the “King of Sturdy Fashion” gimmick. Armed with a seemingly bottomless nicely of charisma, Nakamura’s recognition skyrocketed. The Intercontinental Title he so typically held was elevated right into a 1B title, in a position to headline reveals by itself with out the necessity for a heavyweight title match. The truth that Nakamura had not held the IWGP Heavyweight Title since 2009 didn’t matter; the IC Title was Nakamura’s kingdom and he used his starpower to make that throne really feel simply as essential.

Nakamura’s challenger was one other dynamo of kinds. “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi, initially from DDT Professional-Wrestling, spent a number of years as a part of New Japan’s junior division earlier than making the leap to heavyweight in 2014. Ibushi’s devil-may-care wrestling model (for each himself and his opponents) made him a stunning favourite amongst wrestling followers. Wielding a twin contract with DDT and New Japan, Ibushi was about to wrestle the largest match of his life in opposition to Nakamura within the semi-main occasion of Wrestle Kingdom. He and Nakamura had clashed as soon as earlier than in the course of the 2013 G1 Climax with Ibushi on the dropping finish. For the rematch, the setting and the stakes have been significantly greater.

A duet of pageantry and brutality is how I’d greatest describe what we see between Nakamura and Ibushi.

The entrances present the previous. Ibushi doesn’t stroll onto your display screen, he jumps onto it by a gap within the stage like Rey Mysterio, a bustling ball of vitality that shortly walks to the ring, able to combat. Then there’s Nakamura. He additionally doesn’t simply stroll out. As an alternative, he slowly rises up onto the stage on a platform, decked out in an enormous spiked crown and blood pink cape. Flames shoot off as the gang rapturously cheer him. Nakamura strolls down the ramp like a beloved king amongst his topics, including little theatrical actions right here and there till WHOOSH he takes off his cape and goes full Nakamura, wildly gesticulating, gyrating, twirling, sneering, smiling, enjoying to the gang. If Ibushi is a ball of vitality, Nakamura is a boulder of charisma, able to crush his opponent like Raiders of the Misplaced Ark.

As for the brutality, that comes about quarter-hour into the match itself. The story up to now is kind of easy: Ibushi attempting to show that he can out robust model the “King of Sturdy Fashion.” That’s not to say that Ibushi abandons the strategies that made him well-known. His pace, agility, and aerial acuity are nonetheless on show all through the match, similar to his trademark Golden Triangle Moonsault to the skin or a springboard hurricanarana off the highest rope. However Ibushi is a heavyweight now and he desires to show himself as a heavyweight. He desires to out-strike Nakamura, he desires to out-grapple Nakamura. He desires to beat him at his personal sport, and that turns into fairly literal at occasions when he steals a few of Nakamura’s trademark strikes and taunts for his personal. Nakamura, at first toying round with Ibushi, begins to comprehend that his opponent is rather more harmful than he thought.

However it’s at that 15-minute mark, when Ibushi misses a Phoenix Splash and Nakamura hits a Bome Ye to the again of his opponent’s head, {that a} swap is flipped inside each males. Eschewing any semblance of showmanship, Nakamura begins viciously stomping and kicking Ibushi’s head. Ibushi, who had returned from a concussion only a few months prior, rises up just like the Terminator and begins hitting Nakamura proper again. Nak shoves the referee out of the best way, then punches Ibushi proper within the head. Ibushi strikes again with a Bome Ye of his personal, however a defiant Nakamura kicks out at 1.

The ultimate minutes of the match are a combat for survival. The pageantry is out the window. Laborious strikes. Laborious kicks. Laborious stomps. Neither man giving in. At one level Ibushi stands on the highest rope and pulls Nakamura from the apron again into the ring with an enormous German suplex. And whereas all of this is happening, the gang is dropping their minds. It’s the type of environment and match that elicit what I can solely name the “Wrestle Kingdom feeling,” while you’re awake within the early hours of January 4 with tons of adrenaline, pleasure, and emotion pumping by your veins. How will you sleep while you’re watching one thing this particular?

A high rope Boma Ye from Nakamura sees Ibushi rising just like the T-800 as soon as once more, a sadistic smile on his face, however a Landslide and one other Boma Ye lastly put the younger challenger away. The king will keep on his throne for a short time longer.

Eight and a half years later, this match nonetheless produces that Wrestle Kingdom feeling. It’s earned numerous reward as one of many biggest matches in not simply New Japan historical past, however of all time. Wrestling Observer E-newsletter readers named it the 2015 Match of the 12 months, whereas the 2015 Voices of Wrestling Match of the 12 months ballot ranked it #1. Extra importantly for Kota Ibushi, it was a significant stepping stone in establishing him as one of many subsequent high stars in New Japan. He might have misplaced the match, he might have now been 0-2 in opposition to Nakamura, however he was now on the trail to superstardom.

Sadly, we by no means bought the third match within the Nakamura-Ibushi collection. Ibushi re-injured himself late in 2015, after which just a few months later Nakamura introduced his departure from the corporate after Wrestle Kingdom 10. You possibly can by no means say by no means in professional wrestling, but when that ebook actually is closed for good, then the match Nakamura and Ibushi had on 1/4/15 was one hell of a closing chapter.

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Match #49
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tomohiro Ishii
New Japan G1 Climax 23

Watch: NJPW World
Testimonial by Kevin Hare

Generally the very best story in wrestling is the only. Two males suppose they’re the very best and combat till one can now not stand. There doesn’t must be an elaborate backstory or lengthy feud. Simply two rivals within the ring leaving each ounce of will and sweat they’ve.

Tomohiro Ishii and Katsuyori Shibata did precisely that on the fourth evening of the 2013 G1. The G1 is a grueling yearly match held within the lifeless warmth of summer time. The winner overcomes a brutal schedule in opposition to the very best within the firm. By the tip, our bodies are banged up, and never each man reaches their final match. With a 30-minute time restrict, every match is intense and livid.

When folks discuss a G1 dash or a G1 model of match, that is the match of their head. Each males had related fast-paced and hard-hitting types. They’d by no means confronted one another earlier than. As quickly because the bell rang, every sprinted on the different with reckless abandon. Each began throwing forearms on the different’s jawline. Shibata gained the higher hand first, throwing Ishii into the nook and touchdown an enormous kick. However Ishii retaliated instantly, following up together with his personal forearm into the nook. And so the match went. Each time one man had the sting, the opposite got here again. They’d invite the opposite to strike unblocked, hoping that they might be the one standing final. Shibata would get down on one knee and pleaded with Ishii to cut his chest. Ishii took an analogous knee and begged Shibata to kick his. This was about survival. There wasn’t any eager about comply with up matches within the match. They knew that they only needed to get by this one. 

The blows have been vicious. Shibata landed a flush dropkick to the face of a dazed Ishii mendacity within the nook. Every kick delivered reverberated like a shotgun by the constructing. Ishii, an all-time vendor, scratched and clawed to his ft. Because the match progressed, you possibly can visibly see the well being meter’s of each decline at a speedy tempo. Ultimately, each have been blinking pink. However nonetheless, neither would give up.  Each staggered, throwing any blow they may. Ishii kicked out at one. Shibata kicked out at one. Neither was keen to surrender.

Ultimately, headbutts have been thrown by each. After Shibata’s landed, every collapsed on the opposite instantly, draped over the lifeless physique of their opponent earlier than both hit the bottom. Shibata bought up first and choked the life out of Ishii. Foam poured from his mouth. However he was in a position to attain the ropes. Ishii gained one final burst of vitality, hit two lariats and his patented brainbuster and completed off his opponent. 

The match solely lasted 12:17. It was a particular 12:17. The thrills, the agonies, the desperation, the nearfalls, the story have been all laid completely in these 12 minutes. Two males went to conflict in opposition to one another. Neither returned dwelling the identical. 

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Match #50
Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay
New Japan Better of Tremendous Junior XXIII

Watch: NJPW World
Testimonial by Kelly Harrass

There’s loads to be mentioned concerning the present state of media literacy and the shortage of it in at the moment’s world. Increasingly more subtext is ignored and textual content is barely consumed on a floor degree. It’s the case for all storytelling mediums, skilled wrestling isn’t any completely different. We hear so typically how matches are made in a sure Elite promotion which can be written off as cool matches for the sake of cool matches with no story. This completely reductive take ignores that the wrestling match itself can inform a narrative fairly than simply being a chapter in a bigger story. The followers of one other firm might argue that the “cinematic” in-match dialog is how a narrative is instructed within the ring, however as I mentioned earlier, that is solely a floor studying. There’s a bigger level to be made concerning the storytelling of these firms, however that’s not why I’m right here at the moment. They’re only a preamble for this dialogue of a contemporary New Japan basic. 

On Could twenty seventh, 2016, Ricochet and Will Ospreay met in Korakuen Corridor in the course of the Better of the Tremendous Juniors and had a match that might completely dominate the discussions of the wrestling world for weeks. The match is an unbelievable athletic show, that a lot can’t be debated. Whether or not you get pleasure from it or not relies on your style in wrestling. Personally, I discovered this match to be wonderful, and I clearly wasn’t the one one as a result of phrase of this match unfold like wildfire, however most significantly, it wasn’t simply the phrase that unfold: it was GIFs. 

Ospreay vs. Ricochet hit on the absolute good time for the match to be chopped up into little bits and shot out onto social media for the world to see. The attain this match had was insane. It felt like all wrestling fan that was on-line had seen a clip of this match as a result of it was all over the place and everybody had an opinion on it. Some folks noticed all of the flips and the flops these youngsters have been doing and began carving out the tombstone for the wrestling trade. Professional wrestling had been killed by these two goobers in Japan. 

This brings me again to my earlier level about media literacy. A large majority of individuals commenting negatively concerning the match had zero context for what they have been seeing. Broad proclamations have been being made about how these youngsters didn’t know how you can work a maintain or inform a narrative. Within the context of the match and the broader careers of each wrestlers, the story of this match is abundantly clear. In 2016, no person was higher than Ricochet at excessive flying. He was the undisputed king of this model (the again of his tights will let you know so). On the opposite facet of the ring was Will Ospreay, a wrestling prodigy (a time period I discover to be overused when describing younger expertise, nevertheless it’s plain that it matches right here) that was rising by the ranks and wished to usurp the throne. What adopted was a match the place these males flew and flipped all around the ring, continually attempting to high each other.  Your complete match was an train in displaying off. You do a flip, I’ll too. You hit me onerous, I’ll hit you tougher. You counter me, I’ll counter you. The story was there, it was clear, and for those who adopted the promotion or the wrestlers in any respect, you knew that. 

For this reason media literacy is essential. It’s best to be capable to acknowledge that one thing is happening within the ring outdoors of the feats of athleticism. I’m not damning those who don’t look after this model of wrestling, however I’m calling out those who make hyperbolic statements with zero context for what they have been watching. Ospreay and Ricochet introduced hundreds of latest eyes to New Japan’s product with that match. Whereas it might have appeared to only be an eye-grabber of a match, those who actually appreciated it are those that noticed Ricochet’s progress from his awkward Chikara days to him actually placing all of it collectively in Dragon Gate. This was for the followers that watched Will Ospreay enter the scene and develop tenfold as a wrestler throughout his matches with Matt Sydal. This was a match for folks taking trip of there day to learn a column about this match seven years later. Most significantly, this was a match for the folks in Korakuen. They lived and died for the whole lot these two did. The gang is on hearth from bell to bell and rightfully so. When it first occurred, I gave the match a full five-star score and going again to it at the moment I can’t actually disagree with that. 

In these seven years that adopted, Ricochet and Ospreay went their separate methods and have become large stars. Within the fast aftermath, the 2 males engaged in a Twitter feud with Vader, which finally led to a match between Vader and Ospreay (Vader was a type of “the match has no story” guys, however at the very least he bought a match out of it). Ospreay went on to win that 12 months’s Better of the Tremendous Juniors. Ricochet adopted his desires to the WWE. Will Ospreay remained in New Japan and rose to the highest of the corporate. The wrestling trade didn’t shrivel up and die due to a single match in Korakuen Corridor. This match continues to be a basic.  The previous males nonetheless yell at their clouds.

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Match #51
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 11

Watch: NJPW World
Testimonial by Andrew Sinclair

True greatness is difficult to elucidate and troublesome to understand.

Once I first watched Kazuchika Okada defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in opposition to Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 11, I assumed it was the very best match I’d ever seen.

I hesitated to name it the best match of all time as a result of, frankly, my wrestling data didn’t really feel deep sufficient to make that call. Actually, I wanted a collection just like the Wrestling 101 then to flesh out that training. 

Having rewatched the match for this challenge and seen much more within the six years since my preliminary viewing, I really feel comfy saying that, for my part, that is the best match of all time.

In some ways, it’s the proper encapsulation of what made trendy New Japan so widespread and made their foremost occasions really feel so particular. The long-term reserving was distinctive, the individuals have been made to really feel like particular sights and the matches have been dramatic, intense, storytelling masterpieces. The promotion at all times managed to domesticate a way of event and massive combat really feel that bought you shuffling up proper to the sting of your seat by the point the opening bell rang and sometimes had you standing and pacing by the point you noticed Purple Footwear’ hand slap the mat for the third time. 

Having recreated the trailer for The Terminator in his entrance video and marched to the ring shotgun in hand, Omega delivered a machine-like efficiency on this match. Good in each side {of professional} wrestling, Omega’s displaying featured no wasted movement and is an illustration of what being on the pinnacle of your discipline appears to be like like. Okada, to his credit score, was unbelievable too, main the dance in some of the exquisitely dramatic and dynamic closing stretches you’ll ever see. Nobody is aware of how you can end matches like Okada.

What makes this match actually particular, for me, is the storytelling. For all these goobers that say that ‘simply having good matches’ isn’t an excellent story, you couldn’t be extra incorrect. Right here, Okada and Omega weave an enchanting, complicated image. Omega presents himself as the long run in juxtaposition to Okada’s current and to ensure that the latter to merely keep away from a altering of the guard, he has to completely empty the tank, surviving Omega’s greatest weapons for 47 minutes and touchdown his personal fastball 4 occasions simply to recover from the road.

Omega, in the meantime, by no means hits his instantaneous kill, the One-Winged Angel, regardless of approaching it in a number of alternative ways and getting Okada in place a number of occasions. As you watch, the transfer carries this urgency, intrigue and drama that may solely be afforded by the very best reserving. What would have occurred if he’d hit it? Would Okada have been the primary to kick out or would the champion have succumbed identical to everybody else? You as a fan simply didn’t know and that burning query left the door open for these two to have one of many biggest collection of matches ever seen.

This match is particular and simply watching it once more has invigorated me as a fan and critic. This match is what true greatness in wrestling appears to be like like.

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The Wrestling 101

The Wrestling 101 is a Voices of Wrestling group challenge headed up by Kevin Hare and Robin Reid. You possibly can talk about the collection with them on twitter @stan__hansen (Kevin) and @TheRDouble (Robin) or be part of the dialog over within the Voices of Wrestling Discord.