5 Best Moments from NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13

New Japan Pro Wrestling had their annual puroresu extravaganza on 4th January, setting a benchmark for all the shows that will follow. Yes, every title changed hands on the show with some great matches and very few dull moments.

Stiff suplexes, gravity-defying athleticism, engaging storytelling and jaw-dropping moments studded the biggest event in New Japan's yearly line up. With its eyes on the global stage, this was a very important show and it delivered on almost all categories.

Chris Jericho battled Tetsuya Naito in a no disqualification match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, "The Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada had a personal affair with the Switchblade and Gedo's new protege Jay White and the main event saw the IWGP Championship being contested between the Best Bout Machine Kenny Omega and New Japan Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi.

So, here are 5 most memorable moments from the 13th edition of Wrestle Kingdom!

Honourable Mentions- The echoing chants of the 40,000 strong Tokyo Dome for Juice Robinson, in an otherwise disappointing match, against Cody.

#5 Will Ospreay winning the NEVER Open weight championship

Will Ospreay emerged victoriously! — Will Ospreay emerged victorious!

The opening contest was between the Aerial Assasin Will Ospreay and the Golden Star Kota Ibushi. And boy did it live up to the expectations!

A quick paced match that was much more than impressive athleticism, the story of Ospreay admiring Kota Ibushi and building the match like a dream bout not only for the fans but Ospreay himself.

Ibushi's moonsault being countered with a kick on the apron, a stiff elbow shot to Ibushi's head and the culminating Stormbreaker, the match was full of exhilarating moments.

Even an unfortunate bump to the chin atop the ring post which seems to have legitimately injured Ibushi. Aside from that, the youngster overcoming his hero was a heartwarming tale to open the show!

#4 The Beginning of the Switchblade era

Kazuchika Okada donned the Rainmaker attire once again for his heated affair with Gedo and his new protege Jay White. The match was the only non-title bout on the entire main card.

The return to the Rainmaker gimmick was quite a surprise but it was inconsequential in the final result. An entertaining match with many memorable moments like the crossbody over the barricade onto both Gedo and Jay White.

There were a plethora of counters, Rainmaker clothesline into the Blade Runner, sling blades into dropkicks and much more. We all know the drastic changes that association with Gedo brought to Okada and Jay may be in for similar changes.

With victories over Tanahashi and Okada in the G1 Climax, win over Kenny Omega earlier in the year, and now a big-time win over the Rainmaker again hints to the high aspirations New Japan has for the Switchblade Jay White!

#3 Reign of the Bone Soldier

Bone Soldier became the new Junior Weight Champion!

The junior division has been one of the biggest selling points of New Japan, especially for a global audience. And the current roster is stacked!

2019 for the junior weights looks very bright with the recent acquisitions of the Bone Soldier Taiji Ishimori and Dragon Gate's top talent Shingo Takagi.

Taiji always seemed like destined for great things evident by his dominating run in the Best of the super juniors. Even the well-rounded fan favourite KUSHIDA seemed like a paper champion waiting for the Bullet Club member to dethrone him.

The match itself began with a wonderful Back to the Future-inspired entrance (with Ryusuke Taguchi playing Dr Emmet Brown!) and a typically high octane action filled match.

With Shingo on the borderline of Junior weight and Heavyweight, Ishimori seems like the top guy in the division for the new year!

#2 Final Appearance of Chris Jericho?

Jericho lost his IWGP Intercontinental championship!

The double main event, the prestigious IWGP Intercontinental championship on the line and two of the world's greatest wrestlers battling for it!

The DDT on the announcers' table was the most memorable moment of the match, with Naito seemingly suspended vertically on top. Even though age is catching up to Jericho, his theatrics, manipulation of the surroundings and exploitation of all the weapons makes him one of the most exciting wrestlers on the world stage.

The beginning of the match had Naito blindside and attack Y2J, taking a page out of his opponent's book. Codebreakers by both parties led to some close near-falls.

A No Disqualification match is a rarity in New Japan- unlike other promotions using extreme stipulations excessively, watering it down eventually- which leads to it being a fresh dose of violence in a card which usually contains pure strong style wrestling.

#1 Ace Again!

Tanahashi is a record 8- time IWGP Heavyweight Champion!

This is an answer to all those who said the time of Hiroshi Tanahashi has gone!

While last year's Wrestle Kingdom had the fans split between Omega vs Jericho and Okada vs Naito for their favourite, this year though, there is an undisputed best bout.

A nearly fifty-minute encounter, the longest for a Wrestle Kingdom Main event, resulted in a record eighth title reign for the once in a century talent.

The story of old ways and traditions against the radical and the modern had their representatives in Tanahashi and Omega respectively.

Kenny Omega's defeat was a hint at his decision of jumping ship to the newly announced All elite Wrestling. That gives way to, perhaps, a final run at the top for the undisputed ace of the promotion.

The upcoming feuds of the IWGP Heavyweight champion look promising, Jay White seems like the front-runner considering his challenge at January 5th's New Year Dash event!

So that's it for the list, what were your other favourite moments. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below:)

Edited by Israel Lutete