11 Ups & 2 Downs From NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2018

4. KUSHIDA Sends Scurll Back To The Future

Marty Scurll KUSHIDA
NJPW

The conclusion of NJPW's ongoing IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title tournament demanded a great match. Almost everything on the KOPW card up to that point worked, and either enhanced the participants or pushed an important storyline forward, but the pay-per-view had yet to yield the high-workrate banger fans pay their money for. Fortunately, they got it in KUSHIDA vs. Marty Scurll.

Though a disruptive banter wrestler at his worst, 'The Villain' is over, and not just among his core Bullet Club Elite fanbase. If he wasn't, Sumo Hall wouldn't have filled with "woop-woops" whenever he took control, and fortunately, he left the bullsh*t at home. This was Serious Marty - the limb-snapping, jaw-smashing bastard the indie scene fell in love with pre-BC affiliation - and he meshed well with KUSHIDA.

The former JHW ace came through with his usual blend of athleticism and technicality, working a surprisingly stiff striking exchange, before taking Scurll off the top rope with a Diablo Armbar. There were counters aplenty, but worked to hurt each other, not just win, and a dramatic closing stretch eventually culminated with KUSHIDA hitting two rolling Back to the Future drivers for the victory

Having lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Will Ospreay on the same event last year, KUSHIDA triumphed over 'The Aerial Assassin's' greatest rivalry. He's now a six-time champion, and will likely carry the belt into Power Struggle, and beyond that, Wrestle Kingdom 13.

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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.