13 Ups & 1 Down From NJPW's 47th Anniversary Show

1. Champion Versus Champion

It feels like the phrase "this was the best match of Jay White's career" gets trotted out every time 'Switchblade' works a big singles bout these days. Allow us to continue the trend, because this was the best match of Jay White's career.

Outdoing even the Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada bouts, this was spectacular professional wrestling. It pitted the best heel in wrestling and his cowardly, shortcutting ways against Heavyweight Ospreay, whose 2019 journey has been just as compelling as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion's. It wasn't perfect, and could certainly have done without the WWE-style manager spots, but it's hard to complain too vociferously when guys like White and Ospreay are delivering at such a high level.

The NEVER Openweight Champion was allowed to show more offence than he was in last year's similar exhibition with Okada. He's closer to IWGP Title level after moving to Heavyweight, and while he won't be taking NJPW's top belt anytime soon, he can now push a guy like 'Switchblade' to his limits. It'd be nice if he calmed down on the overwrought screaming while he's selling, though.

Much of the bout was built around Ospreay's ribs, and they ultimately proved his downfall. After a long, hard battle, during which he almost took victory on several occasions, the Englishman fell to heel shenanigans and the Blade Runner. 'Switchblade' wins again. Confronted by Kota Ibushi in the aftermath, there's a real chance he may have locked eyes with his Madison Square Garden opponent too...