13 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13

9. Heavyweight Tag Exceeds Expectations

EVIL SANADA
NJPW

Would a single traditional tag match have been too much to ask from this show? Rather than taking the easy route, New Japan decided to book a couple of three-ways instead. Both suffered for it, but neither were bad outright, and some might even argue that each exceeded lukewarm expectations anyway.

The heavyweight clash was the lesser of the two. Running 10-and-a-half minutes, it was a good, solid, well laid-out wrestling match, with Matt Jackson's stellar back selling once again coming into play, and a handful of big spots unfolding towards the end, before an emphatic finish ended the Guerrillas of Destiny's reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions.

A botched Bad Luck Fale interference led to The Young Bucks taking control of G.O.D., before Tama Tonga interrupted the Indie Taker and nailed a Gun Stun. In came EVIL and SANADA. Cue a Magic Killer, 'Cold Skull's' beautiful low-arcing Moonsault, and Matt Jackson took a clean pinfall loss on what may turn out to be his last ever New Japan match - a bigger story than the titles changing hands.

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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.