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

3. If You Want Blood...

Jushin Liger Minoru Suzuki
NJPW

... you're probably pretty disappointed right now.

NJPW sold Minoru Suzuki vs. Jushin Thunder Liger as a blood feud. The buildup saw Liger openly say "this isn't going to be a match, we're going to kill each other." In Korakuen Hall, his Kishin alter-ego attempted to murder 'The King' with a spike, only for Suzuki to dash out of the way. They'd bash, batter, and bludgeon each other with chairs on ensuing shows and with King of Pro-Wrestling looming, the insinuation was that they were going to end this in brutal, bloody fashion.

They didn't. Rather than "trying to kill each other," Liger and Suzuki had a wrestling match. A stiff, torturous wrestling match befitting most other feuds, but a wrestling match - not even a fight.

The bout itself was excellent, of course, but New Japan advertised a certain level of violence then delivered a match largely built around nasty grappling. That's disappointing. It almost veers into bait and switch territory and while nobody should have expected two fiftysomethings to go out and have a deathmatch, that the most heated feud in the company was paid off this way is a shame.

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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.