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New Japan Pro Wrestling's biggest events of the year, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, delivered on lofty expectations and gave the wrestling world plenty to talk about. NJPW presented two high-quality events that featured five different match of the year candidates over the two nights. With multiple performers delivering their best performances ever, it is something that will looked back on for years to come.
There were titles at stake and careers changed across NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Days 1 and 2. With over 20,000 fans in attendances over the two nights, this became the most-attended wrestling events since the start of the global pandemic. The shows nearly did not transpire due to the State of Emergency in Tokyo currently, but NJPW persevered through adversity.
There was a lot that occurred, with 13 matches aired on NJPW World inside the Tokyo Dome this week. With many historic matches and moments, there was plenty to remember from the two shows. Here, we will take a look at the five biggest takeaways from NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15.
#5 Hiromu Takahashi performs like a top star and looks to make history next year (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
The Best of Super Juniors 27 winner Hiromu Takahashi set forth on the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 two-day event with a goal of proving himself as the top junior heavyweight in the promotion. His challenge of the 2020 Super J Cup winner El Phantasmo on Day 1 in the Tokyo Dome was to leave no question behind of who was the best.
Takahashi and ELP had a fun opener with high-flying and fast-paced action to kick things off proper for the main show of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1. Phantasmo had very good heel work, mixing his athletic ability and work a smart game plan of attacking the hand of his opponent. However, Hiromu countered ELP at the right times to take advantage and pull out the victory.
On Day 2, "The Ticking Time Bomb" took things to the next level against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori. The two men worked at a breakneck speed with awesome pacing throughout the 25-minute contest. The moves and reversals were awe-inspiring and kept fans on the edge of their seats.
In front of a bigger crowd, this would have been considered the greatest junior heavyweight match in Tokyo Dome history. However, even with the social distanced and restricted crowd, this was a spectacular encounter that showed off the skills of both men. Hiromu breaking out Time Bomb 2 for the win, gained him his fourth reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
After the match, Takahashi expressed his desire to perform in the main event of the Tokyo Dome next year with the junior heavyweight title on the line. Following his NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 win over Ishimori for the championship and being in the highest position that a junior match has ever had in the Dome, Hiromu's goal is not out the question. He has proven to be a top star in the entire company with this two-day event as an exclamation point.
#4 Jeff Cobb delivers the best match of his NJPW career (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
Heading into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, many pundits considered Shingo Takagi vs. Jeff Cobb for the NEVER Openweight Championship to be the sleeper match of the two-day events. However, no one was prepared for the insane quality of this battle of two legitimate heavyweights.
From the opening bell of the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 contest, Takagi and Cobb battled each other in a hard-hitting affair that picked up in intensity and physicality over the course of the 20-plus minute duration. Cobb's display of remarkable strength was shown immediately with a huge belly to belly suplex on the floor to the 220-pound Shingo.
Shingo Takagi has been one of the best performers in all of the promotion since his introduction in 2019. On the other hand, Jeff Cobb has had a slow start out of the gate. With the Guam native being officially signed to the company last year, he has seen an increase in his exposure and importance to the roster. At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, he was given his biggest opportunity yet.
The Empire member produced one of the greatest matches of his entire career at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. This was an absolute banger that showcased the power and athleticism of both men in an excellent heavyweight slugfest. Even with many looking forward to this encounter, Cobb and Takagi exceeded any and all expectations.
#3 Okada-Ospreay steal the show on Day 2 in the Tokyo Dome (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1, Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay provided the Tokyo Dome crowd with a memorable contest. The two men had a bitter rivalry that has developed in animosity since the Commonwealth Kingpin turned his back on his CHAOS stablemate at the G1 Climax 30 Day 17 event. That conflict came to a head here.
For over 35 minutes, Okada and Ospreay produced exhilarating sequences and breathtaking counters in a fantastic matchup. Proving themselves as two of the best wrestlers in the world, the former friends put on great performances at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 that were worthy of Okada's legendary Tokyo Dome legacy.
With history that includes a legendary series of matches vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi as well as a contest with Kenny Omega that put NJPW on the map, Kazuchika Okada has made a habit of putting out unforgettable matches on the huge stage of the Tokyo Dome. This was no different at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 with Will Ospreay meeting his high standard in tremendous fashion despite the loss.
From Ospreay driving Okada through the announce table at ringside to Okada finally using the Rainmaker for the first time in over a year, this was a truly historic battle that more than stole the show on NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1. This was a simply stellar match that was driven in increasing physical intensity and eye-popping sequences.
#2 "Switchblade" Jay White puts on one of the greatest heel performances in-ring and on promos (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
Earning the opportunity to call his shot at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, "Switchblade" Jay White looked to leave the Tokyo Dome as the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champions. The Bullet Club leader has long been considered the top heel in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but the questions remained if he could live up to standards set by Okada, Tanahashi and Naito.
Facing a man that he had defeated three straight times since last year in Kota Ibushi, Jay White believed that he had developed the perfect game plan to overcome the Golden Star. Using tactics that helped him be victorious in the past against Ibushi, White did everything precisely right to accomplish his goal. Attacking the ribs and legs of his opponent, Switchblade was on another level.
Proving himself to be the complete package as a wrestler at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2, White was top notch in terms of storytelling and creating drama in a suspenseful 48:05 contest that is easily among the greatest Tokyo Dome main events in history. Matching Kota Ibushi in every way possible, this was a terrific showcase for the 28-year old superstar.
If the match itself wasn't enough to prove that "Switchblade" Jay White was among the best in the world, he then produced the early promo of the year candidate in a magnificent post-match interview. Displaying a Shakespearean effort in showing a range of emotion following his loss to Ibushi at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, White put on an Oscar-worthy performance.
His declaration that he was retiring following the biggest loss of his career had the wrestling world talking. However, everyone is speaking of Switchblade because he proved himself to be an unquestionable top star in the promotion after years of build at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15.
#1 Kota Ibushi becomes a God in back-to-back all-time classic Tokyo Dome main events (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
Coming into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, Kota Ibushi had two insurmountable obstacles to overcome. On Day 1, he met one of his career rivals in Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. With Ibushi never winning in the semi- or main-event spot in the Tokyo Dome, this was going to be a mighty challenge for the Golden Star.
In an over 30 minute encounter, Ibushi and Naito had a simply amazing match that told a captivating story, using their history of dangerous contests to draw emotion from the Tokyo Dome crowd on Day 1 of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15. The two marvelous performers built and built the drama of their IWGP Dual Gold bout before ending on a crescendo that saw Ibushi finally hit the Kamigoye for the win.
The post match with both men passing out and Naito then showing respect by handing Ibushi the two belts and raising his opponent's hand only added to the impact of this NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 closer. Ibushi set the bar high for the following night's main event, but he somehow outdid himself.
Ibushi and Jay White put on an outstanding, flawless match that was nothing short of an epic encounter. In one of the greatest battles in the promotion's history, the two men set the Tokyo Dome record for the longest match ever. For over 48 minutes, Ibushi and White delivered compelling action, superb storytelling and edge-of-your-seat drama.
Kota Ibushi came into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 weekend with the goal of becoming a "God." His two-night performances totaled over 80 minutes of in-ring action and delivered early candidates for Match of the Year. He has also put in an early bid to be the 2021 Wrestler of the Year by winning and retaining the IWGP Dual Gold.
The Golden Star has now requested to unify the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles to become one. Regardless of what happens with the belts, Kota has achieved another level of greatness after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15. Ibushi has looked up to Tanahashi and Nakamura as Gods in the past, but he can now put himself on their God-like tier after these events.
