5 things New Japan Pro Wrestling does right

The world wrestling scene is more exciting than ever, even though some companies such as Impact has been struggling, NJPW and ROH have taken advantage! With indy wrestling being the hottest it's ever been, with the internet taking them around the globe, there is no shortage of good wrestling to watch.

And NJPW has had a breakout year in terms of global reach, with the company being named 'The Promotion of the Year' at the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Year-end Awards (2017)

There is no doubt that NJPW is the best promotion in the world in terms of pure wrestling and in-ring storytelling, and has been appreciated by fans and critics alike. Here are five things that New Japan dLong-term!

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#5 Long-term booking

Gedo - NJPW Head Booker

For a promotion regarded as the best, it comes as no surprise that the booking is absolutely world class.

With Gedo winning the best booker award at the aforementioned W.O.N's year-end awards, it is clear that he, along with Jado and his other staff, do things right.

The obvious difference between NJPW and WWE's booking lies in the long-term planning. It's a common thing to hear how Vince McMahon changes his mind often, but the Japanese promotion put in a lot more effort to build up feuds.

While WWE would have repeated a WrestleMania match the very next PPV, New Japan waited about half a year to book Omega/Okada II.

#4 Protecting Championships and Champions

Kazuchika Okada - The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion

Some may say that championships and champions do not hold the prestige as they once used to, like Bruno Sammartino or the NWA championship. While this may be true for WWE and TNA/Impact, it does not hold true for NJPW.

For instance, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship has been held by only four men (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, AJ Styles and Tetsuya Naito) since Wrestle Kingdom 5, that's nearly 7 years!

While many champions elsewhere fall prey to 50-50 booking tactics (think about Sasha Banks and Charlotte's feud from last year) New Japan's champions, especially the 'higher' belts such as the heavyweight, intercontinental rarely change hands.

This goes for the champions as well; Okada is now the longest reigning IWGP heavyweight champion in history! Note the way he is booked, protected heavily, except for a few intentional and minor blemishes in the G1 Climax.

#3 Managing Veterans and rookies

Goldberg defeating Kevin Owens at Fastlane 2017

Roles of wrestlers have to be understood well in order to execute them to their full potential. WWE has quite a liking for part-timers and Legends of days gone by. Guys such as Goldberg went over young and talented guys such as Kevin Owens, for nothing but a cheap nostalgia trip, while TNA has been a 'retirement home' for departed WWE stars.

On the other hand, NJPW uses their legends perfectly, by not putting them in a high stakes match or a match that will make them look bad. NJPW veterans like Jushin Liger, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Kojima are often seen in tag matches and undercard bouts. This keeps them relevant, and at the same time, grants the audience a trip down nostalgia lane.

The same goes for the rookies; Fandango defeated Chris Jericho at the Grandest Stage of Them All, but he's now a comedy act due to poor booking. But guys such as Jay White battled Tanahashi and then went on to win the US Championship from Kenny Omega.

#2 Camerawork and Production Style

The rainmaker pose

This may well be the least talked about aspect of NJPW, but it surely isn't a topic to be swept underneath the ring.

Shaky camerawork and random zooms and cuts have been a constant complaint of WWE viewers; New Japan keeps its camera shots simple but engaging. The smooth panoramic shots, the uniformity in the captures with the occasional break from the formula for special moments such as Okada's Rainmaker pose or wrist control.

Also, the crowding of cameramen to capture an epic spot makes the move even more epic, giving it a boxing/MMA feel. The same goes for the promo work, where the wrestlers deliver their promos after the match not before it, like in WWE. The backstage interviews too, are shot in the style of a press conference making it feel less scripted and more real.

#1 The wrestlers

NJPW roster

The wrestlers are essentially the soul and spirit of any promotion. While WWE has a wide range of talented personalities, the talent is rarely tapped into, whereas NJPW knows who their stars are and how to get the best out of them.

Unlike wrestlers like Roman Reigns and Jinder Mahal being shoved down the throats of fans weekly, NJPW books Superstars the fans love.

Tanahashi as a true brave babyface, Okada as a dominant face who often uses heelish tactics, Naito as the charismatic heel, Suzuki as the unforgiving one, have been booked perfectly.

One more factor in making the wrestlers and the promotion incredibly popular is the factions that are present in NJPW. Being in a certain faction will help fans understand what a certain wrestler's ideals are, whether they are heels or face, whether they fight with honour or dishonour.