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It has been another incredible year when it comes to pro wrestling as the caliber of in-ring matches just continues to leave fans in amazement. When it comes to in-ring action for me New Japan Pro Wrestling will take top honors in 2019. While, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi can all make strong cases for wrestler of the year, it was the emergence of The Arial Assassin Will Ospreay who has left fans in amazement.
From winning his 2nd Best of the Super Juniors tournament to delivering countless memorable matches in his first G-1 Climax, Ospreay showed why he's not only the best IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion but has made his claim for best wrestler of the year. So where does Ospreay's best matches rank on my list? Well without further adieu here are my top five favorite NJPW matches of 2019.
#1 IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13
This was such a tremendous match between two amazing wrestlers and what really helped was the announcing team of Kevin Kelly, Don Callis, and Chris Charlton as they did such a great job presenting the match from both champion and challenger's perspective.
They traded huge slaps and vicious chops early. Kenny Omega hit a Terminator dive which looked awesome on replay. Omega went for a moonsault but his knee gave out as Hiroshi Tanahashi hit a dragon screw. There was a great spot as Tanahashi switched from a Texas Cloverleaf position and hit a Styles Clash to a big reaction. Tanahashi delivered a Slingblade on the ring apron. Tanahashi thought about tossing Omega into the ring but instead placed him on a table. The commentators did a great job questioning Tanahashi for using the table and going against his way of having a traditional wrestling match. Omega moved as Tanahashi went crashing through a table. Omega hit a triple powerbomb but Tanahashi wouldn't stay down.
Omega hit a Slingblade and a High Fly Flow but Tanahashi kicked out at one. Omega hit a Poisonrana and a V-Trigger. He went for the One-Winged Angel but Tanahashi countered into a Poisonrana. Tanahashi hit a Slingblade and a pair of High Fly Flows but the champion wouldn't stay down. Omega hit a crazy looking avalanche Dragon Suplex but luckily Tanahashi flipped over and landed on his face.
Omega was on the verge of victory as he hit a V-Trigger, went for a One-Winged Angel but Tanahashi countered with a Slingblade in mid-air. The momentum switched again as The Ace hit a second Slingbalde and followed with a pair of High Fly Flow to capture his 8th IWGP Heavyweight Title. This was an incredible match on NJPW's biggest stage.
#2 G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
The fireworks started early as Will Ospreay delivered a huge chop as Kazuchika Okada fell to his knees. Okada made a comeback by hitting a Woo dropkick and a flying elbow drop. Okada hit a Tombstone, went for a Rainmaker but Ospreay countered into a Victory Roll into a near fall.
Ospreay leaped off the barricade and hit an OzCutter on the floor. Ospreay hit a second OzCutter but Okada kicked out as the fans were buzzing at this point. Ospreay went for a Super OzCutter but Okada countered into a German suplex. There was an incredible spot as Okada went for a Rainmaker but Ospreay countered into a Spanish Fly for a great two count. Ospreay hit a Shooting Star Press for another two count.
There was another awesome spot as Okada avoided a Storm Breaker, maintained control and hit the Rainmaker twice which got a huge reaction. Okada went for a third Rainmaker but Ospreay broke free. Ospreay went for a Storm Breaker but Okada broke free and hit a pair of Rainmakers for the win. This was just a sensational match between two amazing wrestlers.
#3 NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Finals: Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
Shingo Takagi hit a crazy Tope Con Hilo as his leg clipped the guardrail. Will Ospreay made a comeback with a handspring kick, a 619 and a running shooting star for a two count. Ospreay hit a Space Flying Tiger drop to the floor. Shingo blocked a springboard and hit an avalanche Death Valley Bomb for a two count. Ospreay landed on his feet from a Pumping Bomb attempt and hit a Liger Bomb for a great near fall.
Ospreay hit an OzCutter on the ring apron. There was a great spot as Ospreay hit a coast-to-coast dropkick just as Takagi entered the ring. Ospreay hit a 630 and followed with a Shooting Star Press for a two count. The crowd cheered at every near fall because Takagi came into the match with an undefeated singles record. Ospreay delivered an OzCutter but only got a two count. Takagi deadlifted Ospreay and hit Last of the Dragon but only got a two count.
At the 30-minute mark, Takagi hit a pair of Pumping Bombers but only got a two count. Takagi went for Last of the Dragon but Ospreay countered with a Poisonrana. Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly but only got a two count. Ospreay finally hit a Super OzCutter and followed with a Storm Breaker for the win. Just an incredible match featuring two great wrestlers.
#4 G1 Climax 29 A Block Finals: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi
This was just awesome to watch as Kazuchika Okada is so great at dictating the pace. The champ took control early on after hitting a DDT on the floor. The crowd chanted for Ibushi as he made a brief comeback by hitting a standing moonsault for a near fall. The intensity picked up as Kota Ibushi hit a springboard hurricarana for a two count. There was a scary spot as Ibushi slipped but still hit a Last Ride Powerbomb but Okada grabbed the ropes. The crowd popped as Ibushi blocked a Tombstone and spiked the champion with a reverse Tombstone.
There was a great sequence as Okada transitioned from a backslide and hit a pair of Rainmakers. There was an awesome spot as Okada went for a dropkick but Ibushi countered into a jumping powerbomb for a two count. Ibushi went for a Bomb Ye but Okada countered with a standing dropkick.
Okada went for a Rainmaker but Ibushi countered with a jumping knee. Ibushi hit a Kamigoye Knee but Okada kicked out for an awesome near fall. Ibushi hit a second Kamigoye Knee for the win. A superb match.
#5 G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
After an early feeling out process, Kota Ibushi hit a series of quick strikes and a standing moonsault for a two count. Hiroshi Tanahashi hit a pair of dragon screws. The intensity picked up as Tanahashi went to climb the turnbuckle but Ibushi countered with a springboard hurricanrana for a two count. There was a great spot as Tanahashi went for a low dropkick but Ibushi countered with a double stomp.
The match picked up at the 10-minute mark as Ibushi long darted Tanahashi into the turnbuckle and followed with a deadlift super German suplex for a two count. There was an amazing moment as Ibushi's facial reaction changed after Tanahashi slapped him across the face. Ibushi and Tanahashi exchanged hard slaps. Ibushi hit a Last Ride powerbomb for a two count.
Tanahashi blocked a Kamigoye Knee, hit a triple Twist and Shout and followed with a Slingblade for a two count. Ibushi moved as Tanahashi went for a pair of High Fly Flows. Ibushi hit a Bomb Ye but Tanahashi wouldn't stay down. Ibushi delivered a pair of hook kicks and a Kamigoye Knee for the win. The post-match was awesome as Ibushi and Tanahashi shared some words after the match. Just a sensational match.
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
