When people think of wrestling, they think of WWE. Vince McMahon’s global brand is easily the most popular wrestling company in the world, and many fans are WWE-exclusive, giving no other wrestling promotions a chance to show what they can do. However, wrestling fans are missing out on some incredible action in other wrestling promotions.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is currently dishing out the best wrestling in the world, with their most recent big shows receiving a ton of praise with a bunch of amazing matches. This hasn’t just been the case recently either as for years, NJPW has been producing some of the best matches you’ll see.
This is obvious when looking at the star rating system of Dave Meltzer (from the highly respected Wrestling Observer), with Meltzer giving eleven matches from NJPW the highest possible rating of 5 stars since 2013, and one match a special 6-star rating (we will get to that).
Unsure on which matches to watch first? Here are 5 NJPW matches you must watch as a new viewer.
#5 Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii, G1 Climax 23, Day 4
One of the best aspects of NJPW is the variety of styles they bring to their matches. Most WWE matches feel the same, using a very similar style. In NJPW, there is a unique style for every big match, and for this particular match, it was strong style.
Ishii and Shibata attempt to kill each other in this all-out war, a brutal and insanely hard-hitting contest that had the crowd losing their minds. Both men are known for their incredible matches, and they definitely did not disappoint in this absolute battle.
This is just simply a unique match, something you will not see outside of NJPW. This bout is almost guaranteed to amaze you, and it is the perfect place to start as a new viewer of the promotion.
#4 Kenny Omega vs Tetsuya Naito, G1 Climax 26 Semi Final
Out of all the exhilarating matches of last year, this was arguably the best.
With a special heel against heel dynamic, Omega and Naito clashed in an instant classic that saw the perfect mix of psychology, selling, atmosphere and spots.
Naito viciously targeting Omega’s knee was brilliant, and Omega’s selling was absolutely fantastic. The crowd was deeply invested, and they were on fire for all the big moves and near falls. The finishing stretch in particular in this match was just phenomenal, with amazing counters, sequences and drama that will leave you out of breath.
While other matches on this list may have the better spectacle and speciality, this was just an excellent wrestling match that is a must-see for any new viewer.
#3 Kazuchika Okada vs AJ Styles, Dominion 7.5
For those of you who are viewers of WWE, you will recognise AJ Styles in this match. While Styles has been nothing short of spectacular in WWE, his best work is in NJPW, and this is his best match from his time there.
This sensational match is capped off by one of the craziest and best finishing sequences to a match ever. The storytelling in this match is captivating, with Okada defined perfectly as the babyface fighting the odds while Styles is the heel faction leader doing what he can to retain his title. While there is some interference at the start, that soon disappears, and the incredible counters, sequences and moves begin.
Two of the best wrestlers in the world at the time (and still today) going back and forth in front of an incredibly hot crowd, with an absolutely amazing finishing sequence. It was magic, and it is certainly worth watching as a new NJPW viewer. This match got a 4.75 star rating.
#2 Ricochet vs Will Ospreay, Best of the Super Juniors XXIII Tag 6
This match is truly something special and differs from everything else on this list. The athleticism and non-stop action in this match are mesmerising. Both men are two of the best high flyers in the world, and when they met here, expectations were high.
Somehow, they exceeded those expectations and wrestled one of the best sprint matches in recent memory.
The spots and sequences in this match are just insane, and the crowd absolutely loved it. While this isn’t particularly a wrestling match, it is a spectacle, and a match that is a must see. Some fans criticise this for its lack of selling and storytelling, but there is no denying that this is a match that every fan should watch, whether it is their cup of tea or not.
#1 Kenny Omega vs Kazuchika Okada, WrestleKingdom 11
Yes, there are two of Kenny Omega’s matches on this list. That is no coincidence – he is truly one of the best wrestlers today, and his matches over the last year and a half have been some of the best wrestling of 2016 and this year so far. Kazuchika Okada is the best big match wrestler in the world and is easily having the best year of any wrestler so far.
This match between the two, of course, was incredible. This match happened in earlier this year in January, yet it’s almost guaranteed to be MOTY. Unless they top themselves in their rematch which is set for June 11th at the Dominion show. For me, this was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen. This was just the perfect pro wrestling match, an instant classic that had everybody in awe.
The video package, the entrances, the big fight feel, the atmosphere, the stage, the slow build and start, the insane spots, the amazing counters and sequences, the incredible finishing stretch – this really was just pure wrestling gold. Taking place as the main event of WrestleKingdom 11 (NJPW’s version of WrestleMania), it delivered more than anyone could imagine. While it may start off slow, it is structured incredibly well, and the entire forty-five minutes that it goes for is definitely worth watching.
Receiving six stars (out of the usual five) from Dave Meltzer’s highly respected Wrestling Observer, this is a match that is one of the best you will see in your life. This is truly a must-watch for any fan looking to get into NJPW.
