8 Ups & 2 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

Ups...

8. The Feel-Good Rumble

Masahito Kakihara
NJPW World

While effectively NJPW's take on the Royal Rumble, the New Japan Rambo exists primarily to provide a few light-hearted pre-show pops before the real action kicks going, and isn’t given the same prestige as WWE’s signature match. Fun and nostalgia, not star ratings, are the only objectives, and this year’s was a success.

The line-up comprised of the usual mix of NJPW veterans (Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Liger, & co.), oddball surprises (ROH’s Delirious & Cheeseburger), and unoccupied midcarders (TAKA Michinoku, YOSHI-HASHI), with a few young guns thrown into the mix too.

The villainous Suzuki-gun stable dominated the early stages. Liger and Tiger Mask couldn't break their stranglehold, but Australian freelancer Gino Gambino did, and the match opened up. Out came Kojima, his partner Hideyoshi Tenzan, and 'Burger, and shoot stylist Masahito Kakihara to complete the final four, with New Japan delivering a sweet feel-good moment with the conclusion.

Kakihara only returned from a life-threatening battle with cancer last August, but was able to put the plucky Cheeseburger away to notch the victory. It made him the first outsider to ever win the Rambo, and the crowd lapped it up, particularly as he paid tribute to the recently paralysed Yoshihiro Takayama in his post-match promo, lending the Rambo some unexpected emotional heft.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
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.