10 Best Wrestling Pay-Per-Views Of 2019 (So Far)

3. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13

Cody Dustin Rhodes
njpw1972.com

Highlighted by four unreal pro wrestling matches and enhanced by glorious, big-time and charmingly bizarre production values, NJPW on January 4, 2019 reinforced the impossible legend of the Tokyo Dome.

Hiroshi Tanahashi's IWGP Heavyweight Title win over Kenny Omega was something else: a very unique, meta approach to the modern NJPW masterpiece in which Omega smirked at the danger to which he subjected Tanahashi and his strict, traditional mentality. Tanahashi had to betray it to stay in the fight by unleashing, in an awesome Holy Sh*t moment, a poison rana. Rich and spectacular - the perfect realisation and subversion of the dynamic - this was the work of two masters.

Tetsuya Naito in the semi-main bumped dangerously but perfectly for Chris Jericho's ultra-violent smoke and mirrors onslaught in a match that, in flow and unyielding intensity, was among the best-worked of the Alpha's legendary career. Jay White entered a defensive performance of prodigious psychology in a shocking, effective win over Kazuchika Okada.

Kota Ibushi and Will Ospreay set the tone in a gripping psycho opener, following which an almost perfectly-sequenced and diverse undercard converged to create a show awesome in pacing and content.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!