10 Best NJPW Matches Of The Year
6. Omega Vs. Elgin (Dominion 6.19)
New Japan is an old school promotion. Their reliance on singles bouts, their tight structuring of the roster and their almost complete rejection of gimmick matches have been the NJPW framework since their inception. In 2016, however, they made a major stride in capturing new audiences by putting together their first ever ladder match.
Western audiences have suffered from the over-exposure of this match type, but it was impossible to avoid getting caught up in the hype surrounding NJPW's first attempt. At this point Kenny Omega was on his way to becoming one of the top performers in the world, and Michael Elgin was establishing himself as a new powerhouse babyface in the promotion.
The match was intense, with numerous weapons and outside interference as Elgin and Omega brutalised each other in the name of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and the promotion was able to prove that they can put on exciting gimmick matches when they want to. Think less Cena vs Orton TLC 2013, more TLC II at 'Mania X7.