10 Most Incredible Wrestling Moments Of 2019 (So Far)

4. Tanahashi Regains The Throne

Cody Dustin Rhodes Double or Nothing
NJPW

Wrestling Kingdom 13's main event was built around a compelling narrative of old versus new. As put by WhatCulture's Michael Sidgwick, it was the essential battle for NJPW, with Hiroshi Tanahashi, the subtlety-driven storytelling genius who'd dragged New Japan from its darkest hour in the early 2000s, out to save the promotion from Kenny Omega and his risky approach to pro-wrestling.

'The Ace of the Universe' earned his IWGP Heavyweight Title shot with an age-defying G1 Climax run that concluded with a victory over Omega's tag team partner, Kota Ibushi. An imperfect build followed, with the reckless 'Cleaner' seemingly out to put the ageing dog down, though the Tokyo Dome didn't play host to an Old Yeller story on 4 January.

Though Tanahashi came close to selling his values out and succumbed to the risks he claimed to rage against, a riveting main event concluded with a One Winged Angel reversal, the Slingblade, and a final High Fly Flow for the pin. Tanahashi's philosophy had triumphed over Omega's. The legend's body wasn't built to sustain a long reign and he dropped the strap to Jay White a month later, but his WK triumph was beautiful.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.