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

Ups...

5. Minoru Suzuki vs. CIMA vs. Toru Yano vs. Chase Owens

Toru Yano Minoru Suzuki
NJPW

The 2022 New Japan Ranbo winners worked the best KOPW trophy match in the division's short history here.

That's a low bar, admittedly. NJPW's designated screw-around division is usually based on Yano-centric comedy. Rarely is it a light-hearted break from Very Serious Wrestling elsewhere on the card, instead serving as a nightly lowlight, but this was easy-going, fun, and watchable, making it a gentle Up - but an Up nonetheless.

CIMA's STRONGHEARTS cohorts El Lindaman and T-Hawk coming out with their stablemate in GLEAT gear was a fun touch before Yano was ganged up on by the rest of the participants. In this Bizarro World, YTR is a genuine threat, having only been defeated once in KOPW matches throughout the year. He was a constant pest throughout this match, too, stopping many a near-victory, though the most dangerous man in the match eventually thwarted him. Suzuki took the win via Gotch-Style Piledriver.

The beatdown continued after the bell, but the jester struck when Suzuki had him locked in a sleeper. A fun comedy spot saw Yano reach into his trunks, grab a pair of handcuffs, and fasten Suzuki to the rope to escape his fate.

The prospect of Suzuki mucking it up in this division long-term isn't ideal. Nonetheless, he'll be good as a grumpy, murderous foil for the KOPW's comedic fodder.

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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.