10 Best Wrestling Matches I've Seen Live

By late 2014, Shinsuke Nakamura had cemented himself as New Japan's perennial Intercontinental Champion and one of the most exciting wrestlers on Earth. 

After a successful title defense against Katsuyori Shibata, though, "The King of Strong Style" was surprised by a challenge - and a German Suplex - from former Junior Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi. Ibushi had made the move to the heavyweight division in prior months, and he wanted to make an immediate splash in his new weight class.

Nakamura accepted the challenge, but belittled Ibushi at every opportunity. Prior to the showdown at the Tokyo Dome, Nakamura unveiled a hype video which showed New Japan wrestlers' pictures adorning a deck of cards - Nakamura was the king, "Ace of the Universe" Hiroshi Tanahashi was the ace, and Ibushi was the Joker. Still, "The Golden Star" played it cool... until the match got underway.

Ibushi tried to get under Nakamura's skin by stealing the Intercontinental Champion's moves, including the vibrating foot choke, the reverse powerslam, and the Boma Ye. 

He also unloaded some very innovative offense of his own, nailing Nakamura with a double foot stomp when "The King of Strong Style" tried to slide under his legs and hitting an unforgettable German Suplex from the apron, over the ropes, to the inside of the ring.

Unfortunately for Ibushi, none of that was able to put Nakamura away. After a beautiful flipping cross arm-breaker, Nakamura hit a Boma Ye to score the pin. 

The fans knew they had just seen a classic, and they weren't the only ones - after the bout, Nakamura shared a fist bump with Ibushi, finally showing him respect.