5 Best Wrestling Matches of 2009

#3. Keiji Mutoh vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - Wrestle Kingdom III

This match a perfect contest of master vs. student, past vs. future, the veteran passing the torch to the new ace of the company. And it was glorious.

This match was the perfect example of wrestlers getting so much out of so little. Neither Tanahashi nor Mutoh used a wide variety of moves in this match; Mutoh, in particular, used maybe seven different moves in total. One of them was the Dragon Screw Leg Whip, which he used more times than could be counted.

Now, normally, a wrestler using the same moves over and over again is a quick way to get the crowd to turn on you (see: Brock Lesnar). But not here; Mutoh’s limb targeting made perfect sense, given Tanahashi’s tendency to fly and jump.

With one leg virtually demolished, Mutoh didn’t have to worry about Tanahashi hitting his big moves with as much power. On several occasions, Tanahashi hit a big move that could’ve ended the match, but couldn’t capitalize because his legs had been damaged by Mutoh earlier on.

That is perfect wrestling psychology and is a prime example of why Mutoh is considered one of the smartest wrestlers ever.

But Mutoh wasn’t alone in wrestling greatness here. Tanahashi showed the entire world that he was ready to take the reins and become NJPW’s new ace. He put on a spectacular performance, showed unbelievable dynamism in the ring, and even pulled a Rob Van Dam by turning in mid-air while hitting his High Fly Flow.

This match was the perfect harbinger of what was to come with Tanahashi as company ace, and signaled a critical turning point in NJPW’s history.