10 Things New Japan Does Better Than WWE

Kayfabe has taken such a gruesome beating since the dawn of the internet that you’d be forgiven for thinking a wrestling promotion could never promote itself as a legitimate sports company ever again. WWE gave up on that dream a long time ago and to their credit have done well navigating the ‘pulling back of the curtain', producing captivating documentaries and giving people a glimpse into the real lives of their favourite wrestlers.

Maybe Japan is just a very different market, but if you take a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun you’ll see that kayfabe is alive and well. The in-ring work is often stiff to the point that you can feel an acute sting on your chest just watching an Ishii chop, and most promos are cut directly to reporters post-match or at press conferences. WWE went through a bit of a press conference phase (remember that ‘Ambrose-face-down-on-the-table' meme?) but it didn’t stick, whereas the Japanese audience have bought into the legitimacy of New Japan and while they do come to be entertained, they graciously allow New Japan to continue the traditions of yesteryear.