NJPW had an eventful year with Tetsuya Naito prepping for his final chance for the IWGP World Championship. He started off the year as Keiji Mutoh’s last opponent. NJPW focused on the future with the creation and development of the Reiwa Musketeers. Yota Tsuji, Ren Narita and Shota Umino all have been showcased and presented as the future. Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega were having their last matches in the company.
Below is all of the matches that I have personally watched and rated for Wrestling Republic.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom Jan 4th:
GREAT Catch 2/2, Francesco Akira and TJP Vs CHAOS, Lio Rush and YOH – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships:
Results: TJP by Pinfall via Small Package Roll Up on YOH.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Tam Nakano Vs KAIRI – IWGP Women’s World Championship:
As suspected Mercedes Mone does show up. She struggles to take out KAIRI with a gory special like DDT move. Before cutting a promo for Battle In The Valley as Mercedes makes the challenge for the San Jose event.
Results: KAIRI by Pinfall via Insane Elbow Drop
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GREAT Bishamon, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI HASHI Vs FTR, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood – IWGP Tag Team Championships:
Results: YOSHI HASHI by Pinfall via GYR
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GOOD Ren Narita Vs Zack Sabre Jr. – NJPW World TV Championship:
Results: Zack Sabre Jr. by Submission via Cross ArmBar
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT Karl Anderson Vs Tama Tonga – NEVER Openweight Championship:
Results: Tama Tonga by Pinfall via Gun Stun.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD Bushi, Sanada, Tetsuya Naito Vs Keiji Muto, Shota Umino, Hiroshi Tanahashi:
Results: Shota Umino by Pinfall via Double Underhook DDT on Bushi.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
AMAZING Master Wato Vs Hiromu Takahashi Vs El Desperado Vs Taiji Ishimori – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship:
Results: Hiromu Takahashi by Pinfall via Time Bomb 2 On Master Wato.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
PERFECT Kenny Omega Vs Will Ospreay:
Results: Kenny Omega by Pinfall via One Winged Angel.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 5.00 Stars
MUST WATCH Kazuchika Okada Vs Jay White – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship:
Results: Kazuchika Okada by Pinfall via Ripcord Rainmaker.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
NJPW – Wrestle Kingdom 17 In Yokohama Arena:
GREAT Hiromu Takahashi Vs Hajime Ohara:
Results: Hiromu Takahashi by Pinfall via Timebomb 2
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
MUST WATCH Katsuhiko Nakajima Vs Shingo Takagi:
Results: Shingo Takagi by Pinfall via Last Of The Dragon
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
AMAZING Tetsuya Naito Vs Kenoh:
Results: Tetsuya Natio by Pinfall via Destino
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
