13 Ups & 3 Downs From NJPW Dominion 6.9 2019

Okada, Jericho, Naito, and Ibushi pushed NJPW back to wrestling's forefront.

NJPW Dominion Press Conference
NJPW

The months leading up to this week of shows had left New Japan Pro Wrestling lost in the sport's increasingly chaotic shuffle.

All Elite Wrestling's continued growth, Double Or Nothing's buzz, NXT TakeOver's enduring quality, and a general feeling of post-Elite staleness had left a company long considered the sport's vanguard promotion struggling to keep the pace. Fortunately, the past four days have put all that in the rearview.

A blistering Best of the Super Juniors finals yielded Jon Moxley's gloriously violent debut and a bonafide Match of the Year contender in Shingo Takagi vs. Will Ospreay, making it the perfect appetiser for Dominion 6.9's entree. Traditionally one of the best wrestling shows of the year, today's event in Osaka-Jo Hall was crammed with stunning highs that popped the audience, scratched any and all creative itches, and pushed NJPW back into the headlines.

Chris Jericho and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada met in the main event, Tetsuya Naito and Kota Ibushi continued their high-risk Intercontinental Title Series, and BOSJ winner Will Ospreay challenge Jr. Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee. Elsewhere, three wrestlers declared themselves for the G1 Climax, Katsuyori Shibata introduced New Japan's latest signing, and Jon Moxley's puroresu voyage continued against Shota Umino.

Let's dive into it.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.