10 Reasons To Get Into NJPW In 2019
9. The Philosophical Shift?
Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi's Wrestle Kingdom 13 headliner could and should be a battle for the ages between two of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the organisation, but an increasingly strong current of disrespect and disdain runs underneath the hugely anticipated IWGP Heavyweight Championship clash.
Omega continues to have matches that exist on a plain beyond most of his contemporaries, but it's a space 'The Ace' occupied during his most successful spell saving the company yesterday so it could prosper today. Their mutual understanding of that rarified air is the only aspect of this philosophical war they'll share the same opinion on, with IWGP Title itself effectively vindication for whichever man gets the last word.
Kenny's reign has been divisive and subjectively devoid of matches that meet the standard of Tanahashi and especially former titleholder Kazuchika Okada thanks to an over-reliance on working with his friends first, but 'The Best Bout Machine's mission to "change the world" involves a transformation of the style he openly admits won't be for everybody. Tanahashi's incredible G1 Climax victory made him the Number One Contender, but he was already front row in opposition of what Kenny Omega: IWGP Heavyweight Champion is and continues to be.
Whoever walks away with the richest prize in the industry on January 4th will take forward too their view of how New Japan Pro Wrestling's entire output will look and feel as a result. There are few greater responsibilities for a champion, but few performers as great to carry the load.