13 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13

5. A Red-Hot Wrestle Kingdom Opener

No Wrestle Kingdom 13 match had a bigger chance of being a complete and utter letdown than Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay.

'The Aerial Assassin' has only just come off a months-long injury absence, and had wrestled just once singles bout since October. That they'd been thrown into the opening slot raised concerns, too, as there was every chance NJPW would shortchange the talented duo with an 8-10 minute runtime. Then, of course, were the dangers of expectations, with many pinpointing this as among their most anticipated matches of the night (your writer included).

Fortunately, Ospreay and Ibushi went out and had an excellent 18-minute match. That it wasn't the all-timer some had expected will have left a small portion of the fanbase disappointed, but their NEVER Openweight Clash delivered the anticipated elite-level athleticism soaked in major heat, physicality, and of course, a strong element of danger.

Ibushi and Ospreay beat the piss out of each other. It never got to the stage where it became uncomfortable to watch, but the Neck Stuff came hard and fast, with both men putting their long-term health on the line for what is ostensibly NJPW's fourth-tier singles belt. More power to them.

Will, in victory became the first Junior Heavyweight to win the strap in years, and his match-ending Strormbreaker saw Ibushi leave on a stretcher. Let's hope his injury is a work, but 'The Golden Star' once again proved his mettle as one of the absolute best wrestlers in the world, and his selfless performance minted Ospreay as a potential heavyweight star.