Top 10 best NJPW matches of 2021 so far

#7 Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in the Second Round of the New Japan Cup 2021 (NJPW New Japan Cup 2021)

Best of BritishZack Sabre Jr. & Will Ospreay advance to second round of New Japan Cup in Yamanashi.New Japan Cupdate:https://t.co/dE4AL6tlPf#njpw #njcup pic.twitter.com/rTfmWXp7OV

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) March 7, 2021

The NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 would set up the next challenger for Kota Ibushi. With Ibushi's quest to take the company to new levels, he combined the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships to make it one World Heavyweight Championship. This decision was met with a lot of criticism, but it also led to many brilliant matches in the tournament.

Will Ospreay was looking to establish his United Empire group as a force in NJPW. He wanted to use the tournament to propel himself to the upper echelons of the promotion. Zack Sabre Jr. was the 2018 New Japan Cup winner and looked to repeat the feat this year.

Ospreay and Sabre Jr. have a history as the two elite British wrestlers in the world. ZSJ has mostly dominated their multiple encounters, but Ospreay defeated him last year to win the Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship. This second round match in the New Japan Cup 2021 would be a showdown to remember.

It is time for your main event!An all British affair, as Will Ospreay meets Zack Sabre Jr. with a spot in the last eight at stake!LIVE: https://t.co/SLeNQtMmeY#njpw #njcup pic.twitter.com/eshufIl7jF

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) March 14, 2021

On this occasion, Zack Sabre Jr. played the babyface technician, while Will Ospreay was more cocky and arrogant. The two men started off at a blistering pace early, focusing on counters, showing how well both men knew each other. They had a breathtaking exchange ending with the Zack Driver for a nearfall that left the NJPW audience gasping.

ZSJ attacked Ospreay's right arm and elbow deliberately throughout this contest. The strikes were stiff as well, with Ospreay getting his nose busted and causing blood late in this NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 second-round war. In the final minutes, they exchanged PKs and superkicks until Ospreay blocked the Zack Driver and hit Stormbreaker for the win.

This was another great chapter in their rivalry.