Top 10 New Japan Matches Of 2020 So Far

7. Kazuchika Okada, SHO and Toru Yano (CHAOS) vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) – Summer Struggle – August 9, 2020

In the final of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man title tournament during the recent Summer Struggle Tour saw a final match which was one of the best tag matches from New Japan this year. It was faction vs. faction as six members of CHAOS fought against each other for the newly vacated titles.

This match showcased some of the best that CHAOS has to offer with two very different teams consisting of different wrestlers. On one side, there was the strength of SHO, the athleticism of Okada and the Sneaky Style of Toru Yano. Their opponents had the determination of YOSHI-HASHI, the power of Ishii and the Warrior mentality of Goto. The six would usually work together, but this was every team for themselves.

We saw the Stone Pitbull Ishii and the Gold Standard of Roppongi 3K lock up and, despite a significant size difference, SHO managed to hold his own in a match full of heavyweights. Okada managed to maintain his composure and show why he is the leader of CHAOS and Yano managed to bring some fun the bout.

In the end, what made this match a top 10 Match of the Year contender was the outcome. The crowds got to witness a fairy tale ending as Ishii pinned SHO and YOSHI-HASHI won his first New Japan title after 12 years in the company. It was enough to melt even the coldest heart.


6. SHO vs. Shingo Takagi – New Japan Cup – June 22, 2020

As soon as Shingo Takagi and SHO first stepped into the ring with each other for the first time, the rivalry was hot and intense. Ever since Shingo Takagi arrived in New Japan in 2018, SHO had never been able to get the win over The Dragon whether it was in tag or singles matches.

From the moment the bell rang; this match was as dynamic and brutal as any other encounter the two have had. There was a mix of Jr style, submission-based wrestling and even some more martial arts style offence. What was always exciting about these two locking up was the similarities between Shingo and SHO in their style of wrestling. Both are extremely strong and powerful. However, they are also deadly quick and athletic. This meant that there every moment was full of action.

In the end, at just over 15 minutes, SHO managed to hit one more Shock Arrow to get the win. Although making it to the second round of the New Japan Cup by beating a Heavyweight was amazing, it wasn’t the most important thing.

After two years of frustration, SHO was finally able to slay the Dragon.


5. Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL – Dominion – July 12, 2020

After EVIL betrayed Los Ingobernables de Japon and joined Bullet Club after winning this year’s New Japan Cup, the stage was set for Dominion and a battle between two former Parejas.

The match started with EVIL trying to dictate the pace attempting to stall the bell being rung to allow him to inflict more damage on Naito. However, the Ungovernable One wanted to get straight into the fight and get revenge on his former stablemate. For Naito, this wasn’t just for the title; it was for pride and retribution.

In terms of actual wrestling, the styles varied throughout with Naito using his fast-paced and almost wild offence compared to EVIL’s more power-based and methodical move set. What could not be avoided was the number of shortcuts EVIL took which cemented his new allegiance to Bullet Club. As well as the presence of the likes of Taiji Ishimori and Jado, someone came out in a BUSHI mask which was later revealed to be Dick Togo. All of this interference helped EVIL hit Everything is EVIl for the win.

Despite the ending, there was no escaping how good this match was. Some fans thought it was too long, but it worked in the match’s favour focusing on the story it intended on telling. It is far from the end of EVIL and Naito’s story.


4. Zack Sabre Jr vs. Will Ospreay – The New Beginning in Sapporo – February 2, 2020

For the first time in New Japan’s history, two British men were fighting for the Rev Pro British Heavyweight title in a New Japan ring. However, for Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr, they were more focused on the fact that it was a match between two long-time rivals dating back years.

The majority of the match seemed to follow a very British-style wrestling match with a lot of it taking place on the mat and consisting of lock-ups, transitions and submissions. However, it did not take long for the Aerial Assassin within Will Ospreay to come out as he started flying across the ring and adding some flash to the match.

When it seemed as if Ospreay was going to beat Zack, the Vegan Hydra came back to gain the advantage. The history between the two was also evident as ZSJ found a counter to everything that Ospreay had. It almost seemed as if he was two steps ahead of the CHAOS high-flier.

Using his bendy frame to get himself out of some sticky situations, ZSJ managed to trap Ospreay in his submission. However, Ospreay refused to tap out and the match ended in just over 27 minutes via referee stoppage. It was the perfect way for Zack to win and also the way he wanted it to end.

4 years ago by Sonal Lad

@Wrestling_Chat

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