New Japan Pro Wrestling has just had their biggest shows of the year with their Wrestle Kingdom 16 event.
Despite some concerns about the quality of all the matches, there were still excellent matches.
With some of the best wrestlers in the world, each match was unique and showcased how talented they were. However, some stood out more than others.
Here is a look at the top six matches from this year’s Wrestle Kingdom show.
6. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Ren Narita – Night One
One of the matches fans were most looking forward to going into the event was the return match for Katsuyori Shibata.
Nobody knew who he was going to face. It was revealed to be the Young Lion Ren Narita, who joined the LA Dojo as part of his excursion.
From the minute he made his entrance, viewers thought Ren was the perfect opponent as someone who Shibata has trained.
The meaning behind the match was terrific, the bout itself was outstanding.
From the minute the bell rang, both Shibata and Narita gave it their everything, putting experience aside and treating each other as equals.
It was a bout that stayed mainly on the mat and showcased the staple offence of Shibata with his submissions and strikes.
Ren Narita also showed how much he’s grown since going to America. He has a more comprehensive and more focused offence.
Unsurprisingly, Shibata got the win, but that didn’t matter. Both men shined throughout the match and were praised by fans worldwide.
Not only did it showcase that Shibata is as strong as ever, but it proved that the future of New Japan is brighter than ever.
Although it was short, it was perfect for Shibata’s first match back and was worth the wait.
5. Starlight Kid and Mayu Iwatani vs. Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano – Night Two
For some New Japan viewers, this year’s Wrestle Kingdom was the first time they had a chance to watch the STARDOM wrestlers.
Although wrestlers from the company have appeared at the show, it was the first time the match was televised, and it was worth the wait.
Although the match had even more significance for those aware of the relationship between the four, it was a fantastic spectacle for anyone watching.
The four wrestlers threw everything, and the kitchen sink into the match.
Not one wrestler stood out more as Starlight Kid and Mayu Iwatani showcased their agility and Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano had this unrivalled speed.
If you even blinked, there was a huge chance you would miss something. In the end, the team of Saya and Tam got the pin, but all the women were winners.
After the match finished, viewers couldn’t stop praising the wrestlers and everything they had showcased at the Tokyo Dome.
However, for many who know all about the promotion and these wrestlers, it reaffirmed why the company is such a force to be reckoned with.
There is no doubt that many New Japan fans will now subscribe to STARDOM to witness even more amazing bouts.
4. El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – Night One
One of the most iconic feuds in New Japan is between Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado.
Over the years, the two have had some great matches and their bout at Wrestle Kingdom 16 was no exception.
With Hiromu as the Best of the Super Jr winner and El Desperado as the IWGP Jr Heavyweight champion, the stakes were higher than ever before.
Unlike their other meetings, this bout was quick from the bell and continued at a fast and dangerous pace.
Hiromu thrives in these kinds of matches and his unpredictability was on show from the very beginning.
Yet, even El Desperado, known for his mat-based offence, became a true high-flier. It showcased the urgency to win from both wrestlers.
Both inside and outside the ring, Hiromu and El Desperado had fans wincing as they threw caution to the wind.
The final minutes consisted of several near falls with roll-ups and finisher attempts.
In the end, El Desperado finally managed to conquer the Ticking Time Bomb with his Pinche Loco, which he hit several times to emphasise his dominance.
Desperado’s win was unexpected considering Hiromu’s record at the Tokyo Dome. Yet, it was a welcome surprise in a match that was spectacular.
3. Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Night Two
After Kazuchika Okada beat Shingo for the title, he still had one opponent to conquer to cement his status back at the top of the company.
After being stripped of the title due to injury, Will Ospreay was adamant that he was still the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
Alongside the title, there was also a lot of history between the former CHAOS teammates.
As soon as the match started, it was high risk and fast. At one point, Ospreay took a trip down memory lane and jumped off a lighting rig, similar to what he did at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
If that wasn’t dangerous enough, it continued in the ring with Ospreay showcasing offence we haven’t seen since he was a Jr Heavyweight.
It was mixed with his newfound strength and power, which seemed to have an advantage over the battered Okada.
Yet, the Rainmaker wasn’t going to lose his title so fast and countered everything Ospreay had.
Once again, the final moments had fans on the edge of their seats. Both wrestlers had a considerable amount of energy and were putting everything into the match.
Like Takagi, Ospreay tried his Rainmaker, which could’ve been his downfall. Okada suddenly had a new breath of adrenaline, and it took one Rainmaker to get the win.
Like the first night’s main event, the match between Okada and Ospreay has been dubbed a possible MOTY candidate.
With a beautiful mixture of amazing wrestling and storytelling, it was the perfect way to end New Japan’s biggest event of the year.
Also, although he lost, Ospreay lost no momentum and still cemented just how talented he is.
2. KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – IWGP United States Championship – Night Two
Nobody knew what to expect from KENTA and Hiroshi Tanahashi in the “No Disqualification” match for the IWGP United States title.
On the first night, Tanahashi proved that he was willing to break the rules, making the match even more exciting.
As soon as the match started, KENTA and Tanahashi proved that they were taking this match seriously and for many, it was a standout.
The “No DQ” stipulation was put to work as chairs, kendo sticks, bins, tables, and even ladders were brought into the ring.
No matter how full the ring was, it seemed like both wrestlers just wanted to add more danger.
In particular, the ladders became a massive danger as they got bigger, and the spots became more dangerous.
One moment that had fans hiding was Tanahashi’s high fly flow from a lighting ladder onto KENTA, who was rested on the table.
That final and dangerous spot was enough to give Tanahashi the win against a bloodied KENTA.
It was another match where fans were shocked by the outcome. With the determination and risks both were willing to take, either man would’ve been deserving of the title.
Considering how brutal the match was and the damage inflicted, these matches might not become a norm in the company.
1. Shingo Takagi vs. Kazuchika Okada – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Night One
After winning the G1 tournament, Kazuchika Okada was on a mission to make it back to the top of New Japan.
However, after cementing himself as the workhorse of New Japan, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi wasn’t going to let his title go so quickly.
Going into the first night’s show, this was the match that everyone was anticipating.
As expected, the match started very quickly, with Okada and Shingo trying to showcase their dominance.
Yet, it wasn’t just a match that stayed at one speed. They could be flying off the barricade. The next, they would be chopping each other.
At one point, Shingo did his Rainmaker pose, which made Okada snap and more determined.
It was the closing sequence that really caught the attention of fans. After a match that changed in pace, the finishing minutes became a sudden flurry of action.
Each wrestler became more determined, with a series of reversals, kick-outs, and finisher attempts.
Yet, in the end, one final Rainmaker by Okada got him the main event win.
As expected, Okada and Shingo put on another possible MOTY candidate even though we are only a few days into 2022.
Two of the toughest wrestlers put their hearts and bodies on the line for the title. The result was a phenomenal match that fans couldn’t stop talking about.
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