Dave Meltzer Gives NJPW Match First Ever 6 Star Rating

Is Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega the greatest wrestling match ever?

Kazuchika Okada Kenny Omega
NJPW World

NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 11 was a blistering card from top to bottom, and nobody made more of an impression than the night's main eventers. 2016 standout Kenny Omega challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but 2016 G1 Climax winner was unsuccessful after 47 minutes of action.

The match's length in particular has caused much debate among pro-wrestling fans, but the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer wasn't shy in showing his approval. Stating that "Omega and Okada may have put on the greatest match in wrestling history," Meltzer awarded the match an incredible 6-star rating in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer's system rates matches from 0-5 stars, and it's rare for a contest to hit 5 stars, let alone 6. The only time this has happened before was for an untelevised Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair match in 1989, making it unprecedented in the modern era.

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The bulk of Meltzer's recent 5-star ratings have come from NJPW in recent years, with Okada scoring six throughout his career. Whether breaking the 0-5 system is justifiable or not, Omega and Okada left nothing on the table at WK11. Their main event more than lived up to the hype, and we can likely look forward to more classic battles between the duo over the coming years.

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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.