10 Things WWE Doesn't Want You To Know About NJPW

5. It Isn't Rematch City

Okada plays the Crystal Maze
NJPW1972.com

Kenny Omega was disgruntled at revisiting his ****** über-classic with Kazuchika Okada just five months later at Dominion. He felt it was too soon to revisit such a momentous match, and was worried a sequel would dilute its mega aura. It didn't - Omega and Okada arguably bettered it with their 60:00 draw - but the mere fact it wasn't repeated the very next month underscores Gedo's main event mentality. Less is more. Familiarity breeds contempt.

In WWE, unless there's a part-timer involved, there are so many hours to fill on television across the entire card that the endless rematches and trilogies are virtually necessitated - and because the deadening emphasis on heels and heat necessitates cheap finishes to prolong programmes, few truly resonate with the fanbase. With the obvious exception of Omega, Okada's fourth, record-breaking IWGP Heavyweight Title reign has offered matches as thrilling as they are diverse. With no cheap automatic rematch clause in place, operating under what is virtually a clean pin-only policy, there exists zero risk to lazily rehash or prolong feuds because it's simply easier to do and f*ck it, it's not really pay-per-view anymore.

Elsewhere, there is repetition within the midcard and doubles scenes - but just enough to evoke a sense of realism and avoid the feeling that any given card is a series of disconnected exhibition matches.

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!