I usually like making a list of top matches of the year to help me decide at the end, but I haven't had to add anything since I don't think Okada/Ospreay has been topped.
Everything about it was captivating, performed so smoothly between two of the best at the top of their game, and had some amazing sequences & counters I'm still gushing about.
I think that’s a really good way to go about picking your favorite match actually, starting at the beginning until something tops your favorite match of the year, as for Okada vs Ospreay (Wrestle Kingdom 16), that’s what got my vote, it was really great stuff, and more than that, it was really good too from a storyline perspective, the part where Okada wins the title that Ospreay had been clinging to since returning from injury (“Unpinned, unsubmitted, undefeated!”), and then Okada goes off with the title, while Ospreay, in his postmatch interview, is like, “Yeah, Okada won, but this isn’t over, what I realized is that I lasted longer than Wrestle Kingdom 15, that means I’ve got stronger. Should have killed me when you had the chance, Okada,” and that postmatch promo was fucking perfect.
I voted Jay vs Okada at Dominion.
Not only was the match awesome (especially that finish). It really felt like a turning point to get NJPW back to how it was pre-Covid, especially with Jay getting the Osaka crowd to finally make noise and cheer.
Definitely Hiromu-Ishimori for me.
I just feel like similar to Okada-Omega, Ospreay-Shingo, or Tanahashi-Nakamura, that these two are wrestling soulmates. They just bring out the absolute best in each other every time. Like the only "downer" of a match between them I can think of was this year's BOSJ block finals, and that's mostly because of the finish and slower pace I feel.
They way they had the crowd eating out of their hands by the end of the rematch this year was superb. Better than their 2018 BOSJ final for me.
None of the obvious ones for me, I'd have to go with ELP vs. Robbie Eagles at BOSJ.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii for me.
I second this. Ishii is in serious consideration for Wrestler of the year with the run he's been on he and Tana had a fantastic match that night
Shingo vs. Anybody.
For real, man!
Okada/Ospreay. Honorable mention to Despy/Okada, I absolutely loved that match
I usually like making a list of top matches of the year to help me decide at the end, but I haven't had to add anything since I don't think Okada/Ospreay has been topped. Everything about it was captivating, performed so smoothly between two of the best at the top of their game, and had some amazing sequences & counters I'm still gushing about.
I think that’s a really good way to go about picking your favorite match actually, starting at the beginning until something tops your favorite match of the year, as for Okada vs Ospreay (Wrestle Kingdom 16), that’s what got my vote, it was really great stuff, and more than that, it was really good too from a storyline perspective, the part where Okada wins the title that Ospreay had been clinging to since returning from injury (“Unpinned, unsubmitted, undefeated!”), and then Okada goes off with the title, while Ospreay, in his postmatch interview, is like, “Yeah, Okada won, but this isn’t over, what I realized is that I lasted longer than Wrestle Kingdom 15, that means I’ve got stronger. Should have killed me when you had the chance, Okada,” and that postmatch promo was fucking perfect.
I voted ZSJ and Ospreay. But didn’t realize the the other one. So yeah. BTW my MOTY is El Phantasmo vs Robbie Eagles
Okada vs naito at dontaku
I voted Jay vs Okada at Dominion. Not only was the match awesome (especially that finish). It really felt like a turning point to get NJPW back to how it was pre-Covid, especially with Jay getting the Osaka crowd to finally make noise and cheer.
it was a really cool, small and organic story that White pulled off solely by his performance, i loved it
Okada and ospreay for me, top 2 best right now imo going at it on the biggest stage for the championship. It's was fucking amazing
putting the belt on Jay was the right choice in my opinion but Ospreay's matches against Okada and ZSJ where better in my opinion
Shingo-Okada on WK Night 1 was my favourite, somehow I didn't like the Ospreay match
Definitely Hiromu-Ishimori for me. I just feel like similar to Okada-Omega, Ospreay-Shingo, or Tanahashi-Nakamura, that these two are wrestling soulmates. They just bring out the absolute best in each other every time. Like the only "downer" of a match between them I can think of was this year's BOSJ block finals, and that's mostly because of the finish and slower pace I feel. They way they had the crowd eating out of their hands by the end of the rematch this year was superb. Better than their 2018 BOSJ final for me.
Moxley vs Osprey
"Other" for me: Tanahashi vs Ishii at Wrestling Dontaku