The 10 most memorable NJPW matches of 2021

Despite the global pandemic hitting the company hard, NJPW produced many memorable battles.

#7 Shingo Takagi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NEVER Openweight Championship (NJPW New Beginning In Nagoya)

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Shingo Takagi's NEVER Openweight Championship reign led him to rise up the card and become an unquestionable top star for NJPW. Following a match of the year candidate at Wrestle Kingdom 15, The Dragon followed this up with another defense against "The Ace" Hiroshi Tanahashi. The fact that Tanahashi wanted a shot at the gold said a lot for its prestige.

Takagi and Tanahashi put on a sensational war-of-attrition that felt like a struggle. Shingo was in top form, bringing his arsenal to get the better of his opponent. However, The Ace came in with a game plan and broke down his opponent. He finally paid off on all his work, hitting the High Fly Flow to win the NEVER Openweight Championship at NJPW New Beginning In Nagoya.

#6 Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi in the New Japan Cup 2021 Finals (NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 Finals)

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Heading into the NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 Finals, Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi had put on two phenomenal encounters over the course of the past two years. Their Best of Super Juniors 26 Finals clash was one of the best in the tournament's history, while their G1 Climax 30 contest was incredible.

This New Japan Cup 2021 Finals had a big match feel and intensified throughout. The sequences were amazing to watch, including Ospreay reversing Shingo's Pumping Bomber lariat with a backflip into the Oscutter. He defeated the Dragon with the Stormbreaker to win the tournament. This felt like a statement that Will Ospreay was the man after a dominating performance.