With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full force, 2021 has been another year for New Japan Pro Wrestling which has seen its booking impacted by restrictions.
However, fans have still found the company to be a form of escapism through their bouts despite all the issues.
From Wrestle Kingdom in January to the recent Best of Super Junior tournament, the company has provided fans with top-quality matches.
With so many diverse bouts, here is a look at the eight best matches from NJPW in 2021.
8. Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – New Japan Cup
When it comes to iconic feuds over the years, one of the biggest and most known, especially in the UK, is between Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr.
In both Japan and worldwide, the two have had wars and their New Japan Cup match was no exception.
Even with Ospreay’s new personality, the two still clashed and showcased a match of contrasting styles.
The match started quickly with Ospreay wanting to dictate the pace and win as soon as possible.
He hit offence that resembled the aerial assassin from CHAOS. However, Zack is a veteran and has faced Ospreay before.
They both decided to change the pace throughout, which continued to change throughout.
Yet, with Ospreay’s weight gain and Zack’s newfound versatility, both men showcased the unexpected.
Ospreay and Zack had to adapt to new styles but it was still clear that they knew each other so well.
As each man hit their offence, it felt like a battle between two children who know each other very well!
Yet, when it seemed like Zack finally had the upper hand and was ready to hit the Zack Driver, Ospreay managed to reverse the move.
With a Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker, Will got the win! It was yet another great chapter to the story between two of the best in the business.
7. Shingo Takagi vs. Jeff Cobb – Wrestle Kingdom 15
Since its creation, the NEVER title has always been an afterthought for matches.
Yet, after Shingo Takagi won the title, his match at Wrestle Kingdom against Jeff Cobb brought it to the forefront of the card.
When this match was announced, everyone had high expectations.
Shingo Takagi and Jeff Cobb are phenomenal athletes and produced one of the best matches from the two days.
Throughout the match, Shingo and Cobb showcased why they are two of the most diverse athletes in professional wrestling.
One minute, the men were hitting lariats left, right, and centre but would quickly change pace by hitting moonsaults and Tope Con Giro outside the ring.
Despite being in The Empire with a personality change, the match was clean and focused on the true Lion Spirit New Japan is known for.
It was a brutal fight and took over 20 minutes of pure offence for Shingo to win.
It showcased just how talented both wrestlers are and that NEVER is a division that can thrive when put into the right hands.
In the midst of so many fantastic top title matches, NEVER held its own and set a precedent for the year.
6. El Desperado vs. Kota Ibushi – NJPW Anniversary Show
One of the year’s biggest events is the NJPW Anniversary show and the highly anticipated bout between the IWGP Heavyweight and Jr Heavyweight champion.
Yet, this year had more meaning as El Desperado and Kota Ibushi crossed paths again.
Many fans might not have been aware of the two wrestler’s history, but it went deep and balanced between love and hate.
The company hyped up this match and it was well deserved and met all expectations.
Ibushi went into this match very cocky and even as Desperado started throwing everything he had, the Golden Star knew he had the advantage.
Yet, after seven years, Desperado wouldn’t let this opportunity go and continued to fight even harder.
As his confidence grew, the match went more on a level playing feel. It seemed as if Ibushi knew he could be in trouble, especially after some close near falls.
Despite Desperado’s heart, Ibushi got the win, but fans had hope that Despy could’ve just clinched it.
Yet, the win didn’t matter as El Desperado showcased just how much he’s improved since debuting and tagging with Ibushi all those years ago.
Even with entirely different styles and personalities, the two had the best chemistry and it was a match that stole the show by far.
5. Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii – G1 Climax 31
Whenever you need a match that will consistently deliver, the best two people are the workhorses of New Japan: Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii.
In the first main event of the first night of G1 action, fans were treated to a match that deserves to be a MOTY candidate.
Since their first meeting in 2019, Tomohiro Ishii and Shingo Takagi have had an intense rivalry.
Yet, with Shingo holding the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, the stakes were higher than ever in their G1 match.
From the start of the match, both men started the power battle with the intensity they are known for.
From shoulder tackles to exchanging elbows, it quickly became a brawl both in and out of the ring.
Yet, the power and strength were intertwined with speed and athleticism that shouldn’t be seen in two men of that size.
From lariats, enziguris and suplexes, both men were both worn out, but each time they were knocked down, it only made them more determined.
Many hoped that Ishii would finally break through and succeed in the G1. Yet, a Last of the Dragon was enough to put a halt to those chances very early in the tournament and cement Shingo’s dominance.
This match also showed why fans love watching them wrestle because they bring the best and worst out of each other.
4. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado – Best of the Super Junior
In 2020, Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado had a MOTY candidate in their BoSJ final match.
Although it wasn’t the match of this year’s tournament, it was still one of the best of the year.
As expected, with Desperado holding the Jr title, the stakes were even higher, with both men having something to prove.
As expected, from the very beginning, it was a war of attrition and urgency. It seemed like both were willing to put their bodies on the line and brought something out of their opponent.
Yet, it was also the storytelling that made this match unique. Both men have always been connected, whether they like it or not.
Their relationship blurs the lines between love and hate, disdain and desire.
Yet, as the match went on, it didn’t seem like it was ending anytime. Although time limit draws are rare in New Japan, it was the perfect possible outcome for this match.
3. Hiromu Takahashi vs. YOH – Best of the Super Junior Final
In a year where the Heavyweights dominated New Japan, the Best of the Super Junior final proved that the Jr Heavyweights shouldn’t be ignored.
In particular, one match that stood out was the final match between Hiromu Takahashi and YOH.
Going into the final, most fans thought that the result between YOH and Hiromu would be easy.
However, the reality showcased just how good all of the wrestlers are.
Although the match started slowly with YOH and Hiromu wrestling a more mat-based offence, it didn’t last long.
Within the first 15 minutes, both wrestlers threw everything into the match and still seemed to have a surge of adrenaline.
Even after SHO came out to try and ruin the match, with the help of CHAOS and LIJ, the match continued to shine and showcased how diverse the Jr talent is.
Yet, it was the final moments of the match that seemed to capture the attention of fans the most. With a series of roll-ups, near falls and kicking out of finishes, it seemed like either man could win.
It took 38 minutes for Hiromu to hit the Time Bomb II for the win. For many, it was not only one of the best Jr matches of the year but also one of the company’s best.
YOH and Hiromu couldn’t be more different in the ring, but their chemistry was unrivalled.
2. Shingo Takagi vs. Kazuchika Okada – Dominion
If two people would undoubtedly put on a MOTY candidate, it had to be Shingo Takagi and Kazuchika Okada.
Unsurprisingly, they did exactly that in their match for the vacated IWGP World Heavyweight title at Dominion.
It was more than just a rubber match between two of the best athletes in the world.
Okada and Shingo are athletic and strong, and this was exactly what the match gave fans.
Starting slowly and methodically, the speed and danger quickly increased, with both men finding ways to dictate the match’s pace.
It was indeed an unforgettable match that showcased how diverse the wrestlers were.
As the match continued, neither Okada nor Shingo seemed to have any plans of slowing down and found some way to counter it or use the momentum in their favour.
In the end, after one Last of the Dragon, Shingo got the win and his first taste of IWGP Gold.
After working his way up through the company, he had finally claimed the spot as best in New Japan, and it couldn’t be more deserved.
1. Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi – Wrestle Kingdom 15
It seemed as if New Japan had some of their MOTY candidates within the first few days of 2021.
One that will always stand out is the second night main event match between Jay White and Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental title.
Going into the bout, there was so much history between the two, and it was also a classic babyface vs. heel match between two men with different styles, personalities and ethics.
What stood out the most to fans was that the match was a clash of styles. White is an outstanding defensive wrestler who uses the surroundings while also being precise.
On the other hand, Ibushi is known for his speed, strength and agility. With this style, other men gained an advantage over their opponent at some point.
It also led to a series of near falls that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The final moments consisted of both White and Ibushi kicked out of their opponent’s finishers. However, one final Kamigoye got the win for Kota Ibushi.
As the longest Kingdom main event in history at just over 48-minutes, both men came out looking incredible and why they deserved the spot closing the Wrestle Kingdom event.
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