10 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14

9. Kota The Killer

Kazuchika Okada Kota Ibushi
NJPW

Same fans may balk at Kota Ibushi's 0-2 record coming out of Wrestle Kingdom weekend, though it looks like this is the start of something new for the 'Golden Star.'

Ibushi entered a fugue state against both Kazuchika Okada and Jay White. A blank, expressionless mask adorned his face as his babyface spirit left his body. Brutality followed. The stiff, concussive blows he rained down on 'The Rain Maker' were particularly impactful. They came from a man seemingly out to murder rather than pin and though the White bout was sullied by overwrought f*ckery, the loss should only escalate Ibushi's descent into madness.

This is needed, as Kota's two losses push him further away from IWGP Heavyweight or Intercontinental contendership than he has been in a long time. A shift in character is necessary and by the looks of things, Wrestle Kingdom 14 will go down as the catalyst that turned Ibushi from pure wrestling force to straight-up murder machine, crippling all before him.

Look out for this as the year progresses: it is immediately one of 2020's most interesting arcs.

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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.