Top 5 Matches from night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14

We are just a few days into 2020 and NJPW has already delivered two of the best matches of the year. The first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 took place in front of 40,000 professional wrestling fans at the Tokyo Dome as the main event featured Kazuchika Okada defending the IWGP Heavyweight Title against G1 Climax 2019 Winner Kota Ibushi in an incredible match.

The other show-stealer featured Hiromu Takahashi returning to challenge Will Ospreay for the Junior Heavyweight title. The show also featured huge championship changes and so much more. So without further adieu here are my favourite matches and moments from night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14.

#1 IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi

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This was just tremendous as the match started slow with an early feeling-out process. There was a scary spot as Ibushi was supposed to counter a Rainmaker with a backflip kick but missed as he spiked his head on the mat. Ibushi hit a Golden Triangle and a Last Ride Powerbomb but only got a two count. Ibushi called for a Bomb Ye but Okada countered with a dropkick and then hit a Tombstone.

The match picked up here as Ibushi's facial reaction changed after he no-sold a Woo dropkick and decked Okada with a closed fist. The fans booed Ibushi has he kept stomping away on a downed Okada. There was a scary sequence as Ibushi teased a long-dart but Okada countered with a Tombstone on the ring apron.

At the 30-minute mark, Ibushi hit a Swandive German suplex but Okada refused to stay down. Ibushi hit a pair of Bomb Ye and a Kamigoye Knee but couldn't put Okada away. There was an awesome spot as Ibushi teased a second Kamigoye Knee but Okada countered with a picture-perfect dropkick.

Okada avoided a Phoenix Splash and hit a pair of Rainmakers but Ibushi kicked out for an awesome near fall. The match reached all-time greatness at this point. The crowd popped as Okada hit another Rainmaker, maintained wrist control went for a second but Ibushi countered with a hook kick.

Ibushi hit a V-Trigger, went for Kamigoye Knee but Okada countered with a sit-out Tombstone and followed with a Rainmaker for the win. This was just sensational as the last 10 minutes was pro wrestling at it's finest. An instant classic.

#2 IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi

Ospreay vs. Takahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 14

This was just an incredible spectacle as Ospreay and Takahashi worked a tremendous match. The action picked up early as Takahashi went for a flying hurricarana but Ospreay countered with a double stomp and then hit a draping DDT for a near fall. The match slowed down here as Ospreay worked over Takahashi's neck. Takahashi fired up as he made a comeback with a wheelbarrow flatliner and a Falcon Arrow for a near fall.

There was just a crazy sequence as Takahashi avoided a Sasuke Special, went for a German suplex but Ospreay landed on his feet. Takahashi hit an overhead suplex but Ospreay landed in the ring and followed with a Sasuke Special and followed with Pip Pip Cheerio for a near fall. This was just incredible. Ospreay hit a double stomp and followed with a missile dropkick. Ospreay went for Hidden Blade but Takahashi collapsed.

Takahashi made a comeback by hitting a Sunset Bomb and a Dynamite Plunger for a pair of near falls. Ospreay hit Made in Japan but Takahashi kicked out. This was great as Ospreay hit a Shooting Star Press and an OzCutter as Takahashi kept kicking out. Takahashi blocked a handspring as he hit a Canadian Destroyer but Ospreay kicked out. Ospreay caught Takahashi coming off the ropes with a Spanish Fly for a two count.

Ospreay drilled Takahashi with a Hidden Blade, called for Storm Breaker but was countered into Yoshi Tonic for a near fall. Takahashi hit the Time Bomb but still couldn't put Ospreay away. Takahashi debuted his new finisher as he hit an elevated Emerald Flowsion spiking Ospreay on top of his head for the win. This was just tremendous as there were some awesome sequences and then storytelling was fantastic.

#3 Texas Death Match for the IWGP US Heavyweight Title: Lance Archer vs. Jon Moxley

This was just pure brutality as Jon Moxley wasted no time tossing a stack of chairs into the ring. The fireworks started early as Archer tossed a chair into Moxley's face and then delivered some vicious kendo stick shots. Archer went for the Derailer but Moxley countered by swinging a trash can lid into his face.

Moxley suplexed Archer in-between two chairs and followed with a Regal Knee. Moxley went for a plancha but Archer countered with an apron bomb. Archer took to the skies as he hit an Undertaker Dive onto Moxley and a bunch of Young Lions. Archer delivered a Blackout sending Moxley crashing onto a stack of chairs which looked brutal.

Moxley got up at nine. Archer went for a Chokeslam but Moxley countered with a Dirty Deeds DDT. Archer got up at nine. Archer blocked a Death Rider DDT as he sent Moxley flying with a Derailer. Archer planted Moxley with a Chokeslam onto a chair. Moxley got up at 9.

There was a crazy spot as Archer grabbed a bag and applied the EBD Claw as he tried to suffocate Moxley who refused to quit. Archer grabbed a pair of tables. They battled on the ring apron as Moxley hit a Super Death Rider DDT sending Archer crashing through a stack of tables and got the win.

This was superb as it had a big fight feel and the use of weapon was very effective. This was the right decision for Moxley to win as he has the presence of a superstar.

#4 IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito

Let me just say I'm not a fan of outside interference and referee bumps as the match dragged early. However, this was a very good match because of Jay White who plays the perfect unlikable heel. White stalled early as the crowd booed. White caused a distraction as Gedo smashed Tetsuya Naito's leg with a chair.

White hit a complete shot/German suplex combo. Naito tried to make a comeback with a Swing DDT but his leg cramped as White hit a uranage for a two count. White hit a Blade Buster and followed with a Kiwi Crusher but Naito kicked out.

White applied an inverted Figure-4-Leg Lock but Naito refused to quit as he grabbed the ropes. The crowd cheered as Naito made a comeback by hit a Swing DDT, a Super Frankenstiner and followed with Gloria but White kicked out. The crowd furiously booed as White shoved Naito into the referee.

Naito hit a Dragon Suplex on White and gave Gedo a low blow. With the referee down White threw a chair into Naito's face. White hit a pair of Sleeper Suplex but Naito no-sold it and delivered Destino. Naito delivered a Poison Hurricanrana and followed with Destino but White kicked out for a great near fall.

There was a great counter exchange as Naito avoided a Blade Runner and hit an Emerald Frosion. Naito followed by hitting the second Destino of the match for the win which got a big reaction. The match went long but the storytelling was great with Naito selling through but making the heroic comeback and overcoming the top heel.

#5 Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match

Jyushin Thunder Liger's retirement match

This was a basic match but the overall presentation was awesome as Jyushin Thunder Liger came out last to a huge reaction. Liger started the match against Naoki Sano who hit a tope as Otani followed with a running boot in the corner.

The crowd cheered as Liger made a comeback by hitting some shote. Takaiwa delivered a Death Valley Driver and a flying elbow onto Tiger Mask for a two count. Tiger Mask delivered a Tiger Driver onto Takaiwa as they were both down..

The crowd cheered as Fujinami tagged in as he delivered a series of dragon screws and then placed Takaiwa in a Dragon sleeper. Sasuke went a Swanton Bomb but missed. Sano gave Sasuke a Superplex.

The crowd cheered again as Liger tagged back in and hit a Super Frankenstiner on Taguchi for a near fall. Taguchi hit a pair of enzuigiri's and followed with a Bomb Ye but Liger kicked out. Taguchi finally hit the Dodon and pinned Liger as the crowd didn't like this.

After the match, Liger bowed and showed respect to his opponents. They played Liger's music as Sasuke and Tiger carried him on their shoulders. This was great as Liger was treated as a legend even in defeat.

Edited by Alan John