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#1 Kota Ibushi becomes a God in back-to-back all-time classic Tokyo Dome main events (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15)
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Coming into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15, Kota Ibushi had two insurmountable obstacles to overcome. On Day 1, he met one of his career rivals in Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. With Ibushi never winning in the semi- or main-event spot in the Tokyo Dome, this was going to be a mighty challenge for the Golden Star.
In an over 30 minute encounter, Ibushi and Naito had a simply amazing match that told a captivating story, using their history of dangerous contests to draw emotion from the Tokyo Dome crowd on Day 1 of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15. The two marvelous performers built and built the drama of their IWGP Dual Gold bout before ending on a crescendo that saw Ibushi finally hit the Kamigoye for the win.
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The post match with both men passing out and Naito then showing respect by handing Ibushi the two belts and raising his opponent's hand only added to the impact of this NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 closer. Ibushi set the bar high for the following night's main event, but he somehow outdid himself.
Ibushi and Jay White put on an outstanding, flawless match that was nothing short of an epic encounter. In one of the greatest battles in the promotion's history, the two men set the Tokyo Dome record for the longest match ever. For over 48 minutes, Ibushi and White delivered compelling action, superb storytelling and edge-of-your-seat drama.
Kota Ibushi came into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 weekend with the goal of becoming a "God." His two-night performances totaled over 80 minutes of in-ring action and delivered early candidates for Match of the Year. He has also put in an early bid to be the 2021 Wrestler of the Year by winning and retaining the IWGP Dual Gold.
The Golden Star has now requested to unify the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles to become one. Regardless of what happens with the belts, Kota has achieved another level of greatness after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15. Ibushi has looked up to Tanahashi and Nakamura as Gods in the past, but he can now put himself on their God-like tier after these events.
