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

2. Ibushi & EVIL Succumb To Predictability

Kota Ibushi
NJPW

It takes an outstanding worker to capture the imagination and recover any level of drama when a match outcome isn't in question. Kota Ibushi is absolutely of this calibre, though he couldn't do it against EVIL. His opponent was way too overmatched to buy into here.

That's a shame, because the layout was very strong. Had Ibushi been going up against a more legitimate foe then it would've been easier to hook onto spots like the Darkness Falls two-count and that particularly starchy late-bout Clothesline. It wasn't, though. EVIL is pretty good. He's a promising brawler, a great tag wrestler, and much improved from his early days, but he's still a midcarder, and midcarders don't headline the Tokyo Dome - tournament or no tournament.

The sheer effort put forth into making this thing work almost warrants an Up on its own, though this was negated by your writer's inability to get sold by a single slither of EVIL's offence. The drama was non-existent and perhaps it's time to rethink these briefcase challenges.

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.