Top 10 best NJPW matches of 2021 so far

#4 Shingo Takagi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NEVER Openweight Championship (NJPW New Beginning in Nagoya)

SHINGO vs TANAHASHI tomorrow!Go Ace? No, Ace? Shingo Takagi laid down the challenge to Hiroshi Tanahashi after New Year Dash, and the Ace was quick to comply. 👀https://t.co/e5ar5CaJdWLIVE in English on @njpwworld!https://t.co/zyKTxq3LAG#njpw #njnbg pic.twitter.com/N3VziQ8YaH

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 29, 2021

NJPW New Beginning in Nagoya was the first major event following Wrestle Kingdom 15 two-night event. To further the push of the NEVER Openweight Championship, the title match between Shingo Takagi and Hiroshi Tanahashi headlined the show.

Takagi and Tanahashi drew each other's ire as The Ace wanted to prove that he could still keep up with the best in NJPW. Meanwhile, The Dragon wanted to beat one of the greatest stars in company history. This made for a battle of styles and ideologies.

Tanahashi focused on Shingo's leg and had a steady assault of dragon-screw leg whips throughout this main-event clash. At every turn, NJPW's Ace would hit low dropkicks and batter the leg to put Takagi down. However, Shingo would not stay down.

What a war! And another to come in our main event!Shingo vs Tanahashi is NEXT!LIVE in English:https://t.co/oxrz0jp3dL#njpw #njnbg pic.twitter.com/clNa2jpsid

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 30, 2021

Shingo had a deviant attitude, kicking out at the one count after a Tanahashi slingblade, but Hiroshi responded kicking out at one after a lariat. The action became fast and heavy down the stretch with both men trading big moves. Tana hit a bridging German Suplex for a nearfall, then followed it with a High Fly Flow to win the NEVER Openweight Championship.

It was an excellent war of attrition that showcased stellar chemistry between two of NJPW's very best. Shingo Takagi proved why he is an undeniable top-of-the-line talent, while Tanahashi proved that he still had what it takes to stand up with any wrestler in the world. Over 36 minutes long, this is a thrilling bout that stands with any main event seen in 2021 so far.