Ranking NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 11 Matches From Worst To Best
2. Tetsuya Naito Vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
Another match which surpassed the hype which preceded it. Tanahashi is the absolute king at effectively laying out classic main event matches, while Naito is arguably the best all around worker in the business today. Unsurprisingly then, these two had a barnstormer of a bout in the co-main event of the evening for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
The backstory leading into the match was a rich one, with the video package which aired before the bout giving a great insight into their history as friends turned enemies, and of Naito's character change and jealousy of Tanahashi. Tanahashi even debuted new entrance music as he attempted to recapture his old fire after a difficult year and become the 'Ace' once again, although he was outdone by Naito's snazzy purple suit.
The match itself played off Naito and Tanahashi's history brilliantly, telling a great slow burner of a story as the crowd heat was off the charts given the love for both guys. In the end, Tanahashi passed the torch as Naito won clean following several Destinos, which was the correct call going forward.
LIJ ended the show all with championship belts, Naito exercised the demons of his past, and Tanahashi continues into 2017 searching for redemption. Incredibly, the WK 11 main event managed to go one better than the absolute barnstormer Naito and Tanahashi put on, which is really saying something.