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#3 Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1)
The main event of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 was Tetsuya Naito defending the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against Kota Ibushi. After Ibushi's loss of his G1 Climax 30 Right To Challenge Contract, there were some fans who did not think that he deserved this opportunity. However, the match quality alone made the destination worth the journey.
Using their established history of dangerous encounters as the platform for a compelling narrative for this bout, the two men put on a superb storytelling-based contest that built and built to an exciting closing sequence. Although some of the bumps once again focused on the two stars almost breaking their necks, the risks were much safer on this occasion at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1.
Fans witnessed a German suplex on the entrance ramp, an eye popping avalanche Poison Rana and a stunning Frankensteiner off the apron to the floor. These moves, sequences and near-falls were deeply engaging and drove this contest to its emotional finish. Ibushi finally hit a second Kamigoye to Naito to finally win the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles after 31 minutes.
This battle was amazing to watch unfold with the two men consistently building drama. Kota Ibushi's quest to become a God at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 passed step one by beating his career rival in Tetsuya Naito. He also gained his respect in the process with the Los Ingobernables de Japon leader handing him the titles and raising his hand after the match.
Star Rating: ****3/4
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