NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 13 | My Casual Coherent Review.

If you haven't figured it out already, I barely watch New Japan but was Wrestle Kingdom 13 a great way to make me watch NJPW full time? Unfortunately no. This was overall a decent show that had some gems in it and here's why. By the way, I thought that it was very interesting that none of the competitors in their respective matches actually retain their championships. 

(photos courtesy of NJPW) 

Kota Ibushi vs Will Ospreay for the NEVER Openweight Championship 

This was a solid opener. Earlier in the match, Will Ospreay did a dive to Ibushi on the outside and minutes later, Kota Ibushi delivered a twisting Moonsault to Ospreay on the outside. 

After that, they went back and forth with near falls until Ospreay hit a sick elbow on Kota’s head, delivered the Stormbreaker finish and won the match. Will Ospreay is the new champion. Not match of the year contender to be honest but it was a good way to start the show. 

Sho and Yoh vs Bushi and Shingo Takagi vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

Decent match. There was a lot of outside shenanigans during this tag team bout. Not familiar with either of these tag teams but again, they put on a decent match. Shingo Takagi and Bushi won with I’m assuming a Death Valley driver from Shingo? 

Zack Sabre Jr vs Tomohiro Ishii for the British Heavyweight Championship

Solid match. At one point, Sabre did a submission on Ishii and Ishii tried to reverse it but Sabre somehow countered it into a sunset flip. Throughout this match, Zack was aiming at Tomohiro’s arm and because of it, Zack Sabre Jr won the match and is the new champion. 

I haven’t seen a Zack Sabre Jr match or a Kota Ibushi match since WWE held the cruiserweight classic in 2016 so it was nice that I get to see them wrestle 2 years later. 

The Young Bucks vs Sanada and Evil vs Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa for the IWGP Tag Team Championship 

An okay match. The Young Bucks even with an okay match like this are always fun to watch. Unfortunately, they didn’t capture the titles because Sanada and Evil won the match with the magic killer followed by a moonsault by Evil. 

Cody vs Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States Championship 

There were moments in this match that both guys stole each other’s finisher and they kicked out which is typical in wrestling matches these days. The match ended with Robinson hit Cody with a left hand followed by two pulp fictions and just like that, he won the match. Juice Robinson is the new IWGP United States champion. The weakest match of the night in my opinion. 

Taiji Ishimori vs Kushida for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight championship 

First off, cool entrance by Kushida. Secondly, the match was very good but it could’ve gone a bit longer in my opinion. By the end of the match, Kushida did a small package driver to Ishimori and was going for a second one but Ishimori somehow prevented it. 

After that, Ishimori delivered a knee strike to Kushida followed by a powerful punch from Kushida, then Ishimori hit a double stomp to Kushida and a body cross to win this match. Taiji Ishimori is the New Jr Heavyweight champion. 

Kazuchika Okada vs “The SwitchBlade” Jay White 

This is the storyline I’m familiar with considering that I watched a video on the History of Okada and Gedo on YouTube and how since he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, he went on an identity crisis. 

Because of that, I got excited when Okada brought back the rainmaker entrance and gear. Anyways, the match was decent but the Tokyo crowd went crazy for Okada during this match. Jay White took the W in this match after both men tried to hit each other’s finish. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jay White takes the biggest prize in NJPW this year. 

Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship 

For a No DQ match, it was pretty slow until the closing moments of this match. Chris Jericho tried to hit Naito with the championship belt but Naito reversed it into the Destino and Jericho kicked out. Then, Naito delivered the Destino to Jericho for the second time and won the match. Tetsuya Naito is your new IWGP Intercontinental Champion. 

After the match, he put his thumbs on the ref’s eyes and as he exits the ring, one of the ring crew guys gave Naito the championship belt and spat on his face. Naito acting heelish there (No shit, Omar). 

Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 

Kenny Omega’s entrance inspired by the game “Undertale” was amazing and so was the match itself. This encounter was a lot more brutal than the Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito match. 

The match ended with Kenny going for the one winged angel but Tanahashi reversed it and then he delivered the high fly flow to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the eighth time. The match of the night right there. Is Omega coming to the WWE? I say probably but anything is possible. 

So to recap for all you slow mofos:  

Like: Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi vs Will Ospreay, Taiji Ishimori vs Kushida. 

Didn’t like: Cody vs Juice Robinson. 

Sound off in the comments on what do you think about Wrestle Kingdom 13 and follow the blog for honest pro wrestling opinions. Anyways, stay safe smarks and happy new year.