NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2019: Results, Highlights and Analysis
Final Thoughts
Okada and Ibushi are set to clash at Wrestle Kingdom 14 this January. Maybe someday EVIL and SANADA will get their wish to fight against each other at the main event in the Tokyo Dome, but not this year.
Despite the card mixup at the last minute, I think every match told the story it was trying to. And Lance Archer certainly can’t argue – he went from one in a six-man tag match to becoming New Japan’s new IWGP US champion.
Overall, there was a recurring theme to this year’s King of Pro Wrestling, and that was the breaking down and rebuilding of rivalries, friendships, entire personas. It was unveiling the person under the mask. It was letting go of the bluff in favor of vulnerability.
It was Liger overcoming his rage to confront Suzuki properly and Suzuki, in return, finally bowing low to the man he’s been tormenting for weeks.
It was SANADA eschewing the stoicism in the middle of an arena filled with people cheering his name and thanking him.
It was Juice Robinson fighting past the pain of a broken hand to give Archer all he has.
The act of coming back.
The endless thirst for revenge.
Legacies, determination, and solidarity.
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These are stories and emotions that resonate with us, and King of Pro Wrestling 2019 delivered.