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Top 5 NJPW matches to watch at Wrestle Kingdom 14

By Sonal Lad

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 05: Will Ospreay and Hiromu Takahashi pose for photographs during NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome press Conference on November 05, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 05: Will Ospreay and Hiromu Takahashi pose for photographs during NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome press Conference on November 05, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Jyushin Thunder Liger & Naoki Sano v Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee (Liger Retirement Match II) – 5th January

When the legend Jyushin Thunder Liger announced that he was retiring from wrestling in March 2019, there was a collective gasp from wrestlers and fans around the world. However, if Liger has to go out, his Wrestle Kingdom matches are the best way, especially this one on the second night at the Tokyo Dome. After the special 8-man tag match on night one, bringing together wrestlers from Liger’s past, this match blends the old and the new in the best way possible.

Teaming with the man himself, we have another Japanese legend in the form of Naoki Sano. After returning from his own New Japan excursion, Sano cemented his legacy in the company with the rivalry he had with Liger battling for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight title before heading out and cementing his legacy in other worldwide companies.

These two wrestlers were pioneers of the division and made it what it is today. On the other side, we have another two men whose rivalry for the illustrious Jr title is also one for the history books. Like Liger and Sano, Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee have this amazing history stemming all the way back to Hiromu’s days in Mexico and CMLL. Both men have a very similar high-risk style, but also an out-of-ring chemistry that is based on mutual respect and adoration. It’s a very odd relationship, but entrancing.

So, you’ve got the veterans of the Jr division fighting the newest generation of Jr Heavyweights which is so significant and pretty beautiful. You’re bringing together the old and the new. Also, all four will have very distinct styles blending Japanese Strong Style, Mexican Lucha Libre, high flying and also solid mat-based wrestling.

Unlike all of the other matches, the winners of this match doesn’t really matter. It’s all about celebrating the career of a wrestling legend and bidding him a farewell on the grandest stage possible. By getting one of his most famous rivals and two of the most popular men in New Japan, it’s really the best thing for Liger and a fitting way to say goodbye.

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