Best In The World: The Best NJPW Matches Of All-Time

What's the word kind people?!  In case you haven't noticed, I'm doing a salute to all the major promotions in the game and their best matches.  We featured ROH last time, but now we're featuring arguably the best promotion in the world, possibly ever, in NJPW, or New Japan Pro Wrestling.  Since 1972, NJPW has been looked upon as one of the preeminent promotions in the world, but over nearly the last decade in particular, this promotion has been better than ever before with stars such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kenny Omega, and Tetsuya Naito really propelling the promotion high into the stratosphere.  Seen as the best wrestling on the planet, putting together a list of the best matches ever was VERY arduous, as this organization constantly spills out classic matches and way above average showcases of athleticism.  This could've been a list of one hundred, but I shortened it down to twenty, with numerous honorable mentions.  Without any more stalling, let's get into the list.

20. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tomoaki Honma/NEVER Openweight Title

New Beginning In Sindel '15

Honma is that guy that tends to lose, and lose a lot, but his perseverance and overall cheerful attitude just tends to win people over.  He had a match against resident brute, Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Title (this belt has compared to something along the likes of the NXT Title to WWE).  Ishii is a super tough-as-nails stiff hitter, but Honma displayed grit and heart to where he nearly scored one of the biggest wins of his career, however it was not to be this particular night.  This was an exceptional match and showed that Ishii had to give it all plus a lot more just to keep Honma down.

19. Riki Choshu vs. Shinya Hashimoto

G1 Climax Finals 6

The most honored and revered wrestling tournament in the world is the G1 Climax tournament, a three-week round robin tournament to declare the winner and who will compete for IWGP Heavyweight Title.  In '96, Choshu and Hashimoto competed in a BATTLE for that top spot.  These guys gave it all they had in a fantastic match that has been considered one of the greatest G1 final matches ever.  A human chess game was this match.

18. KUSHIDA vs. Kyle O' Reilly

Best Of the Super Juniors '16

American fans may be very familiar with former ROH Tag Team and World Champion Kyle O' Reilly, but we rarely had a chance to see KUSHIDA in the states before this time.  These two outstanding young athletes competed in the prestigious Best Of the Super Juniors tournament in 2016, and arguably had the best match of the entire tournament.  Both guys are great strikers and are even better submission specialists, and their match was one of showing the best of both those traits against each other.

17. Kenny Omega vs. Tatsuya Naito

G1 Climax 26

These two are considered two of the finest and most revered wrestlers in all of NJPW.  The interesting note of this match was that they're both leaders of significant factions.  Omega leads the ever polarizing Bullet Club and Naito leads the defiant group, Los Ingobernables de Japon.  Both leaders displayed why their both hated and arrogant guys, but also why they are in the upper echelon of NJPW with an incredible match that made people stand and sit on the edges of their seats almost all throughout.  Although "The Cleaner" came away winning the tournament, this may have been his toughest opponent in the entire tournament.

16. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

G1 Climax Final 25

Before he was "The Artist" in WWE, he was simply the "King Of Strong Style" in NJPW.  I'm talking about Shinsuke Nakamura.  His electric charisma is unlike anything else in the business, but his in-ring capabilities are second to none.  Likewise, Hiroshi Tanahashi is among the greatest champions of all-time in Japan, and considered the John Cena of the far east.  These two men engaged in a highly memorable match to conclude the G1 Climax of 2015.  The crowd was split down the middle but gave both men a long standing ovation afterwards and rightfully so. They had just witnessed an amazing match.

15. Big Van Vader vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen

Super Fight In Tokyo Dome '90

Talk about a match of infamy.  This is a change up from the technical and dazzling athleticism in this list, as this was a fight.  Not a wrestling match, a fight.  A damn brutal one at that.  Hansen is known as the most famous American to ever compete in Japan, but Vader was almost just as known and respected.  These two men were involved in one of the most memorable brawl in NJPW history.  These two were stiffing the entire match.  So much so that Hansen beat Vader so badly at one point, Vader's eyeball was literally hanging on by an eyelid or two.  What did the SOB do?  Pushed it right back in and kept fighting!  Absolutely ungodly stuff.

14. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazuchika Okada/IWGP Title

Sakura Genesis '17

Katsuyori Shibata is known as one of the most feared and toughest men on the planet.  His MMA background plus his practical inability to even crack a grin makes him appear as an indestructible robot.  He's also a very respectable workhorse, and he earned himself a World Title opportunity against Okada at Sakura Genesis '17.  This match was such a hard hitter, as one would expect from Shibata, but it got a little too real for him when he delivered a near fatal head butt that has subsequently ended his career.  However, if this is indeed his last match, he went out performing in arguably his greatest match ever against arguably the best in the world.

13. Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay

Best Of the Super Juniors '17

In 2016, two of the most phenomenal highflyers in the world took to the stage at the Best of the Super Juniors tournament and had a dazzling exhibition of acrobatics and athleticism.  Unfortunately, many were also scoffing over it, referring to it as more of a circus than a wrestling match.  In 2017, they reappeared again facing each other, in what was an even better match than before, plus it incorporated more of a story in it, as Ospreay looked to avenge the loss to Ricochet in 2016.  He did just that, but not without putting his body and soul on the line along with Ricochet in what has to be considered a career best for both men.

12. Kazuchika Okada vs. AJ Styles

IWGP Heavyweight Title

Dominion '15

On paper, Kuzuchika Okada and AJ Styles colliding is a virtual dream match, and it did in fact live up to every expectation.  Before Styles was wowing people in WWE like he had done everywhere else he had gone, he delivered a phenomenal (pun intended) encounter with another guy considered one of the absolute best in the world.  It was magic. It was competitive.  It was everything.

11. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kazuchike Okada

G1 Climax 26

Okada was just on fire in 2016.  He won the IWGP Title and was putting on incredible matches left and right.  On this night, he met up with "The Stone Pit Bull" Tomohiro Ishii in a HELL of a match.  Okada had to have been thinking, "What in God's name do I have to do to keep this big man down for three seconds?"  On this night, the answer was simple: nothing.  Ishii would not be denied and took it all from "The Rainmaker".  As complete of a wrestler as Okada is, the toughness of Ishii stands out every bit as much, and this match was just another level in excellence.

10. Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs. The Great Sasuke

Super J-Cup '94

Th esteemed wrestling journalist, Dave Meltzer, pinned this night as "the single greatest night of wrestling ever", and for great reason.  This night was basically perfection on every level.  Not one match was underwhelming.  One of the more standout matches involved one of the all-time greats and a dynamic up-and-comer: Jushin Liger and The Great Sasuke.  Both guys were innovators of the high-flying style that has completely enraptured global wrestling to this day, sans lucha libre.  These two delivered in quite a unique but exceptional match, as Liger was in an unfamiliar role as heel here.  The ending sequence was so excellently played out and Sasuke became an instant superstar.

9. Michael Elgin vs. Tatsuya Naito/IWGP Inter-Continental Title

New Beginnings in Osaka '17

American fans are very familiar with ROH's Canadian powerhouse, "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin.  The former ROH World and TV Champion challenged Tatsuya Naito for the IWGP Inter-Continental Title and these two competed in a match that was nothing short of AWESOME.  Elgin is a freak of nature.  His beyond scary strength mixed with his quickness and his athleticism for a guy his size is incredible.  However, Naito is likewise a wonderful athlete, and although he's extremely defiant and disrespectful, he can go all night long, and these two delivered in a major way.  If one doubted how Elgin would do in a match against someone the caliber of Naito, this match silenced any and all naysayers.

8. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

IWGP Inter-Continental Title

Wrestle Kingdom 10

There wasn't a better place for these two world-class athletes to compete at than New Japan's version of Wrestlemania, Wrestle Kingdom.  At this one, a dream match was unfolding as I-C Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura was facing "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.  Needless to say, this match was magical.  A true testament to the uncanny abilities in both men and they put on a show that will still be talked about a decade from now.  While we wait with anticipation to see them collide in WWE at some point, we can have a big taste of what may be to come by seeing this classic whenever possible.  This match nearly stole the entire show at WK10...NEARLY!

7. Dynamite Kid vs. Tiger Mask

Sumo Hall Show '83

This is the match that put the junior heavyweight/cruiserweight division on the map worldwide.  The intense and passionate style of The Dynamite Kid and the finesse of the original Tiger Mask met in a match that was way ahead of its time.  This was phenomenal wrestling and showed that smaller guys could take the show from bigger ones.  We all know DK went on to become one half of the legendary British Bulldogs with the late Davey Boy Smith and Tiger Mask would be the most imitated wrestler possibly ever, but what they put on in '83 was something of a blueprint of how to wrestle your ass off as a junior heavyweight.  An all-time classic.

6. Kota Ibushi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura/IWGP Inter-Continental Title

Wrestle Kingdom 9

Besides Tanahashi and Okada, there wasn't a more talked about wrestler in all of New Japan than "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura.  At WK9, he put his I-C belt on the line against junior heavyweight wrestler, Kota Ibushi.  Ibushi was a former multi-time Junior Heavyweight Champion, and a competitor in the over-the-top DDT promotion, but this was arguably the match of his career.  He took the eccentric Nakamura to the limit and delivered a career-best performance.  This match showed that Ibushi was a definite player with the big boys, but that also Nakamura, was just, to quote Triple H, "that damn good!"

5. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

IWGP Heavyweight Title

Wrestle Kingdom 9

The rivalry of rivalries, not just in Japan but perhaps in the entire sport.  Our modern-day Steamboat/Flair for our generation is the "Ace of New Japan" Tanahashi and "The Rainmaker" Okada.  There's no such thing as a bad match or average match between them.  Each one is above average at least and has defined the greatness that is NJPW over the past decade.  Their match at Wrestle Kingdom 9 was another astonishing example of this, as each man brought their complete A-game.  The seven-time champion Tanahashi got the best of Okada in this one, and it was enough for Okada to show unscripted, genuine emotion as he wept going to the locker.  These men gave of their complete hearts in this one.

4. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

IWGP Heavyweight Title

Wrestle Kingdom 7

Oh yes!  They made it one slot further up.  The match they had at Wrestle Kingdom 7 was every bit as incredible as the one previously mentioned.  Okada was the young gun.  The kid looking to earn his spot as the top guy against the red how "Ace" of NJPW.  While Okada was still finding himself in the ring, he still came off as a worthwhile challenger willing to stand up to the task of going toe to toe with the great Tanahashi, very similarly to when Sting faced Flair at the Clash in '88.  This was just the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries of all-time in the sport.

3. Pegasus Kid vs. The Great Sasuke

Super J-Cup Finals '94

Way before he was "The Canadian Crippler", Chris Benoit was The Pegasus Kid, and what he and The Great Sasuke put on at the historic Super J-Cup of '94 was unbelievable.  This match was just all about wrestling.  Plain and simple.  No acrobatics. No chair shots. No excessive high risk moves.  Just a brilliant display of pure wrestling.  Capping off a truly special night in the sport with the J-Cup, these two really exhibited their incredible talents.  There was no "sports entertainment" here folks.  These guys competed as if this was an actual and factual competition and the best man needed to win.  The end sequence was a thing of beauty, and this match deserves its place an all-time classic. 

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

IWGP Heavyweight Title

Wrestle Kingdom 10

Of all their classic matches throughout their highly storied rivalry, it was their match as Wrestle Kingdom 10 that may be the best one match they've ever had.  These guys were virtually perfect the entire ride and mistakes were few and far between.  This match was just breathtaking, as these guys just did not stop.  The main point coming out of this match was that this match was seen as a passing of the torch to Okada from Tanahashi, as the forty-year-old 'Ace" is being seen as having a winding down career while Okada is nearing the peak of his career.  The performances from these men will be forever remembered, and Okada, as a result, became the new "Ace" if you will.

1. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP Heavyweight Title

Wrestle Kingdom 11

The match that turned wrestling upside down.  There are no words to describe the feeling you have after witnessing history like the kind of match Okada and Kenny Omega put on at Wrestle Kingdom 11.  None.  Omega had won the right to compete for the title after winning the G1 Climax of 2016 and we knew going in that this match would be extraordinary.  We did not expect the kind of flawlessness we saw that night.  Brilliantly executed psychology, this match put NJPW on a whole new level of superiority.  Dave Meltzer went so far as to give the match six stars out of five.  This was also the longest match in NJPW history, clocking in at not far from an hour.  Okada proved why he's the best in the world today, but Omega became a Bonafide superstar the world over with his performance.  These guys did more than tear the house down.  These guys delivered a match for the ages and one that will never be forgotten.  The new bar has been set in the sport and may not be duplicated for quite some time.  This is, without question, the greatest wrestling match in the history of NJPW, and arguably the greatest main event of the past two decades in the sport.

Honorable Mentions

Tanahashi vs. Naito (Dominion '11)
Tanahashi vs. Suzuki (King Of Pro Wrestling '12)
Tanahashi vs. Okada (Dominion '12)
Tanahashi vs. Okada (King Of Pro Wrestling '13)
Omega vs. Goto (King Of Pro Wrestling '16)
Omega vs. Goto (G1 Climax 26)
Elgin vs. Omega (Dominion '16)
Tanahashi vs. Nakamura (G1 Climax 25)
Okada vs. Styles (Dominion '15)
Ibushi vs. Styles (Invasion Attack '15)
Okada vs. Nakamura (G1 Climax 24)
Ricochet vs. Ospreay (BOSJ '16)
Ishii vs. Shibata (Wrestle Kingdom 10)
Kanemoto vs. Samurai (BOSJ '97)
Mutoh vs. Vader (G1 Climax 14)

In all honesty, there are SO many more awesome matches that could've made this list and, as I said, this was a very hard list to compose.  This promotion is heralded as WWE, only with far better matches at a more consistent rate.  New Japan continues to show their critical dominance within the sport and with them expanding into the U.S., Vince will officially have a lot of problems.  New Japan truly is the best wrestling in the world.  Until next time!