8 Ups & 6 Downs From NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2019

5. Despy & Kanemaru Trump Roppongi 3K

Speaking of El Desperado, his match (w/ Yoshinobu Kanemaru) against Roppongi 3K was a fun, breezy opener that doesn't require any kind of in-depth analysis.

While far from the two teams' best match against each other, the bout ticked every box it needed to and Despy looked particularly strong throughout, though it'll likely be a while before he's back in full fighting shape. He and Kanemaru ended up profiting off a textbook Suzuki-gun referee bump. With the official down, Kanemaru spat the whisky mist, Desperado hit the Pinche Loco, and that was that. Game over.

This was preferable to any six-man combination NJPW could have thrown here and it would be great to see more pay-per-views opening with sharp, brisk tag bouts instead.

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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.