WWE Vs. NJPW: Head To Head

3. Accessibility/Streaming Service

Daniel Bryan Kazuchika Okada
WWE

Both WWE (Network) and NJPW (World) boast streaming services priced at similar points—£9.99 and £7.74 per latest conversion, respectively.

One is this strangely inaccessible mess of code that makes deeply ironic the hidden, cult archive material. In addition, the inexplicable search algorithm contrives to spew out long-forgotten midcard moments and not the desired, electric main event promo segments, even if the match listing has since corrected itself.

The other is clumsily translated from Japanese.

The WWE Network’s update has largely annoyed the diehards that make up its subscriber base by compacting retro content deeper into its bowels. But, with perseverance, there is an effectively limitless wealth of both sports entertainment and pro wrestling magic to be found, owing to WWE’s expansive tape library. New Japan World is also incredible, but, and this is hardly a complaint, there isn’t a great deal of use for its (incomplete) archive because the current product is so relentlessly outstanding.

The Network is more diverse, it’s deeper, it has manifested dreams long thought just that, and the best of the original content succeeds, where the creative team ritually fails, in allowing the audience to connect to the current roster.

Scorecard: WWE 2-6 NJPW

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!