The 10 most memorable NJPW matches of 2021

#9 Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in a New Japan Cup 2021 Second Round Match (NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 Day 8)

After an awesome clash in NJPW, Will Ospreay defeated Zack Sabre Jr. to win the Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship in the UK just before the pandemic began in 2020. The two men didn't face each other again until this year's New Japan Cup tournament. Many fans believed the winner of this second-round matchup would be a favorite to make it to the finals.

The two Brits delivered an absolute gem that was arguably the best match of the entire tournament. It was a nice blend of crisp technical wrestling and thrilling sequences that kept the fans invested. Ospreay has been able to adjust his arsenal and add enough hard-hitting offense to overwhelm his opponents. He beat ZSJ with the Stormbreaker to advance in the New Japan Cup 2021.

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#8 Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championships (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1)

The first night of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 in the Tokyo Dome saw Tetsuya Naito defend the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against Kota Ibushi. These two men battled in an insane trilogy over the IC Title in 2019. They put their bodies, most specifically their necks, in an unforgettable exchange of violence.

Most fans expected that same level of brutality on this huge stage, but they used these expectations to craft a great story. Both stars used one or two dangerous moments to shift gears and escalate the drama. Ibushi achieved his destiny of becoming a God by defeating Naito to win the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at the said event.