9 Satoshi Kojima Matches AEW Fans Should Watch

6. Satoshi Kojima vs. Genichiru Tenryu – AJPW Excite Series Day 10 2002

5. Satoshi Kojima vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – NJPW Wrestle Kingdom V

Hiroshi Tanahashi has gone on to pass the torch as the face of New Japan Pro Wrestling to Kazuchika Okada, but who did he get the torch from? Satoshi Kojima.

Tanahashi had been IWGP Heavyweight Champion before in his career, but capturing the title in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom V from Kojima was a true passing of the torch moment.

If “main event of Wrestle Kingdom” doesn’t give you reason to go watch it none of my words will. This is another in the long line of superb Wrestle Kingdom main event matches and one of the most significant matches in Kojima’s career.

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4. Satoshi Kojima vs. Kazuchika Okada – NJPW Destruction 2013

A few years after his Wrestle Kingdom match with Tanahashi, Satoshi Kojima once again found himself challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This time, however, his opponent was from the next generation, Kazuchika Okada.

Okada had made his place in New Japan as the best wrestler in the world and more than a formidable champion. At Destruction, Kojima put on an incredible match against wrestling’s greatest prodigy.

There wouldn’t be many main event matches left in Kojima’s singles career but at this stage he proved he could still keep up with the very best in the world.

• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• satoshi kojima
• NJPW
• AEW

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