5 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 (Night 2)

Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay FINALLY settle the IWGP World Heavyweight Title issue.

by Andy H Murray
Kazuchika Okada Tetsuya Naito
NJPW

NJPW's long-running IWGP World Heavyweight Championship saga was finally resolved on Wrestle Kingdom 16's second night, as Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay contested the belt.

The question of who NJPW's "real" IWGP Champion was had hung in the air since last May. Returning home to the United Kingdom following a neck injury, Will Ospreay was forced to vacate the belt, allowing Shingo Takagi to rise up and claim New Japan's top prize in his absence. When Ospreay returned three months later, he was quick to declare Takagi an "interim" champion - and himself the real deal.

Okada, meanwhile, took to carrying the classic IWGP Heavyweight Title belt around after his G1 Climax, before bidding it "goodbye" upon defeating Takagi on WK's first night. But now, finally, there can be no debate over who the true World Champion is. Three have become one. The issue is resolved.

Wrestle Kingdom 16's first night was a disappointment. With Okada vs. Ospreay, KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito vs. Jeff Cobb and more, could the second of three fare any better? Let's find out.

For more NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 analysis, check out 4 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 (Night 1).

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Channel Manager

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.