10 Best NJPW Matches Of 2020 (So Far)
4. Hiromu Takahashi Vs. Ryu Lee - New Beginning In Osaka
Hiromu and Lee have such an intense history going through from their days in Mexico to the infamous San Francisco match where Hiromu got his neck broken by the former Dragon Lee. This match took place just after Hiromu’s reclaiming of the Junior belt and could have easily been a blood feud match, but instead it was a display of friendship, as two old friends relished the opportunity to be in the ring together again and chop each other for 10 consecutive minutes. It’s honestly quite beautiful; they just look so happy to be able to work with each other for the first time since that tragic night.
This makes for a more unconventional NJPW match, as the act of winning or retaining the title seemed to play second fiddle to both men's unique displays of affection. It escalates by the end for sure, with jaw-dropping reversals and potentially the greatest Canadian Destroyer anyone's ever pulled off, but most of this match is two juniors slapping each other's chests until both are blood red.
It is maybe the best display of in ring friendship that I've ever seen in professional wrestling, and was the real moment that we knew that the idiosyncratic Hiromu Takahashi was back with us. It provides a brilliant feeling within the heart of every fan, and leaves plenty of room for a more barbaric rematch between the two in future.