10 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14

8. Anarchy In The USA

Jon Moxley Lance Archer
NJPW

While the idea that Juice Robinson can walk into an IWGP United States Title shot one night after Jon Moxley and Lance Archer had killed each other in a Texas Deathmatch was a little off, Wrestle Kingdom 14's US Championship offerings comprised of one great match, one decent-to-good match, and an absolutely blistering angle, making a positive whole.

Archer vs. Mox was the t*ts. This was two crazy, crazy bastards working a heated fight around plunder spots, rather than spamming the weaponry of the 10-count gimmick. Sure, there were plenty of knockout teases, but little slowdown. They made the most of their limited runtime with great moments like Archer literally Chokeslamming a young lion into Moxley's goddamn face, and the finish - a Death Rider off the apron through two tables - left big Lance bloodied, broken, and out for the count. What a war.

The following night's clash between Robinson and Mox wasn't as satisfying, particularly when considering the two bangers these guys wrestled in 2019. This was reflected in the surprisingly lacking crowd investment, though the post-match angle, in which furious murder grandpa Minoru Suzuki ripped off his tracksuit and sent Moxley to the shadow realm, more than salvaged it. This was an awesome challenge from MiSu after Mox DDT'd him in the build to the Archer match.

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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.