10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2021 (So Far)

4. Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi (NJPW New Japan Cup - 21 March)

Shingo Takagi is the one sure-thing left standing in this era of New Japan Pro Wrestling, but Will Ospreay is only a hair behind him.

Either man is a credible pick for 2021's most consistent in-ring performer thus far. Choosing between the two is almost splitting hairs, frankly, and largely comes down to personal preference (on the performers and NJPW's balletic house style). That Will's heel character as part of the United Empire typically isn't reflected in his ring work will dull his shine to some but not others, particularly not in pre-injury form, when his critical acclaim was matched only by a man who has now become his career's greatest rival.

Takagi and Ospreay wrestled two matches at the highest level before Will went down to injury earlier this year. For its superior portrayal of the duo's stylistic parity and greater suspense (Wrestling Dontaku's outcome was never in doubt), their New Japan Cup bout gets the nod.

Building to the kind of ethereal closing stretch synonymous with NJPW, Takagi's late defiance almost terrifying Ospreay into submission will go down as one of the year's most memorable pro wrestling images. Expect the rivalry to be paid off in full when the Englishman returns.