4 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 (Night 1)

1. Naito & Ibushi Bump & Bomb

The build to Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito was silly, with Ibushi receiving a double title shot despite losing his G1 Climax briefcase to Jay White early in the build. Regardless, their history all but guaranteed this would rip. Ibushi and Naito mess each other up and flirt with disaster - and they did it again here.

This rivalry is all about determining who can inflict the most punishment on the other without relenting. There are few barriers to what they won't do to each other (and themselves). Operating so close to the edge of control creates heart-in-mouth moments with potentially career-shortening bumps, so no, the style isn't for everyone. You need a strong stomach to get through these things.

Worked at a more deliberate pace rather than swirling as an all-out violence storm, this was another story of gripping head and neck punishment. It pulls you in as the threat of escalation keeps growing. Desperately, you pray your favourite won't get jacked up by the other, and knowing their lack of limitations means nothing is off the table. It's brutal, compelling stuff.

Naito's two Kamigoye kickouts and Ibushi's duo from Destinos were earned by the occasion and their extreme familiarity. In the end, it took Ibushi lowering his kneepad, countering out of a third Destino, hitting a V-Trigger, then knocking Naito down with another Kamigoye for the 1-2-3, and his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship win.

What a relief.

And what a match.