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

Downs...

5. Everything On The Pre-Show

Master Wato El Desperado
NJPW

Just when you thought you were going to get away with only enduring a single bland trios match on WK16's second night, NJPW added three to the pre-show prior to going on air, none of which felt like more than typical Road To fodder.

Master Wato submitting IWHP Junior heavyweight Champion El Desperado as he teamed with Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan to face a Suzuki-gun group was a notable moment, at least, and sets up a future title fight. It was the kind of development that would typically take place at New Year Dash if that show still existed. Regardless, the bout yielding this outcome was as routine as routine gets.

Los Ingobernables de Japon beat another Suzuki-gun trio in an attempt at rebounding Shingo Takagi ahead of night three, when NJPW goes head-to-head with Pro Wrestling NOAH. In the opener, Jado, Gedo, and Bad Luck Fale fell to Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma, and Togi Makabe in a nothing bout.

Skip ahead one hour if watching Wrestle Kingdom 16 on demand. Nothing on the pre-show requires your attention.

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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.