Kota Ibushi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

[9.0] "Very compelling match overall, with a consistently exciting pace and an incredible atmosphere. The presentation, action, and physicality are highly believable throughout, with a great deal of nuance. Structurally, it plays out more like an MMA fight or a wild brawl, which is both its greatest strength but also what keeps it from being a perfect match--as it lacks the broader architecture of a true epic. Even so, it remains highly memorable, standing out as one of the finest examples of striking used as the central engine of in-ring storytelling."

[10.0] "This match was fucking brutal, fast pace, & fantastic. Both just beat the shit outta each other, both were ruthless and stiff. That one kick Kota did knocked Shinsuke the fuck out, when they zoomed onto his face, he looked gone, that kick was fucking nasty. The MMA stuff they did was brutal and physical. Both didn't hold back once during this whole thing. This is my first Shinsuke Nakamura match that isn't WWE, and all I can say was this was incredible. Kota's own version of the Kinshasa was brutal as shit. This match was pure wrestling and pure brutality at its finest and I loved it."

[10.0] "[5.0*] This match is the 2nd I've watched of Shinsuke, the 1st being the one vs. AJ at WK10, which I left not liking Shinsuke, the match was alright but overrated IMO, but I really like Shinsuke's presentation, I want to get into him more. So, I watched him vs. Kota, who is probably my favorite wrestler inside the ring to watch. These two beat the shit out of each other, this match was fantastic. it flowed really well, Shinsuke's antics were great in this match, and it really felt like the build-up mattered towards the end. All-in-all, 100% on the Shinsuke train now, and I'm definitely rewatching this again."

[10.0] "With how they were working here you'd think Nakamura and Ibushi despise each other's guts, when it's actually the opposite. This was a fantastic showcase between two performers who have exceptional chemistry with one another and respect each other beyond belief. Ibushi is one of the best in-ring companions to have around, and is surely to acclimate to his opponent's shape and style. I loved how Ibushi stole from Nakamura's skillset because of how stiff his strikes were, but the pretentious snob heel that was Nakamura managed to get the win after a picture perfect falcon arrow into a bomaye that looked devastating, when it was no different than the previous ones in this match. Nakamura is such an excellent crowd worker that the whole stadium were behind Nakamura's victory, despite a heroic Ibushi laying down on the canvas. Fantastic stuff. (Rewatch)"

[9.0] "That was fucking awesome. It just kept on climaxing and climaxing I didn't know when it would end. That was a fucking experience what a match. 4.5/5"

[10.0] "That second half of the match was just pure madness. It started out alright but the level just kept rising and rising and the climaxes of this match was just simply art between two amazing performers. Shinsuke really was a king in NJPW and it's always a nice reminder of how he can put on a classic whenever."

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches that i have ever the chance to see in my entire lifetime, followed by an enormous main event but yeah wow nakamura was such a beast back in the day, their climax match is also very good but under this one"

[10.0] "this match is too crazy. stiff mma strikes just how i like it and superhero like no sells. recommend this match to anyone and everyone."

[10.0] "Without a doubt one of the greatest matches in Wrestle Kingdom history, but also, very likely an easy top 10 best match in New Japan history. That being said... Ibushi should have won. The power of hindsight is many things I guess. This was also the very first New Japan match I had ever seen in my life. Still in college in 2015, starting to befriend another guy who was super into wrestling, I had only ever really watched WWE and TNA and a lot of attitude era stuff. My new wrestling friend showed me new japan, though I had heard them talk about it a few times on TNA and Jeff Jarrette kept up relations where he could and this was the first English Commentary Broadcast for a New Japan even I think ever? So yeah, love at first sight with Nakamura, he just felt like a mythical god of a wrestler, and I think he still can be, but he's chilling making old man money now I guess. Ibushi should have been crowned as the future right here with a title run, just for a minute, instead it would be another 5 years because of injuries and butting heads with New Japan management. This match though has everything. The best matches start hot, pace well in the middle and then some how outdo themselves in the final stretch and that is exactly what this match does. The look on Shinsuke's face when Ibushi Boma Ye's him is an all timer wrestling free frame. Watching it again after 10 years it still holds up completely."

[10.0] "If i ever need a match to cheer me up i can always turn to this. Everything about it works and its only a shame we never got more"

[10.0] "They beat the absolute shit out of each other. The second half of that match was just nuts, they would not stop kicking each other in the head and punching each other in the face. The amount of knees to the back of their necks. An incredible match. I forgot how good Shinsuke was and it was nice to be reminded."

[10.0] "A completely insane match between two people who only wanted one thing: to kill each other. The number of strikes and face kicks they threw at each other, each as brutal as the next, was incredible. Two exceptional performances, I loved this match. Special mention to Nakamura's entrance, it was magnificent, it's maybe the second match of his I've watched in NJPW, and I couldn't stop thinking about it: Why didn't he stay with NJPW? The monstrous talent he had, it's sad."

[6.0] "Perfectly acceptable wrestling, very nice finishing stretch, but ultimately nothing that sticks out, memorable or distinctive in what they put together. There's far better versions of the "exchange strikes and kicks, till they up the ante, and the drama is entirely isolated in what will it take to put this guy down" template."

[10.0] "At first I was like "Yeah, this is pretty good. Solid match." then Murder Ibushi came out and instantly matched (maybe even went above) Nakamura's intensity and I was sold. Nakamura was fucking amazing, ain't he. Every strikes, every kicks feels so impactful and satisfying to watch. There's something that makes me feel like this is such a perfect parallel match to the Okada V Omega feud, I couldn't explain why. Also, that entrance tron for Nakamura? Oh my lord. Matches like this remind me why I love pro wrestling, especially the mid card scenes."

[9.0] "[4, 75 Stars] This match proves that NJPW in the 2010s was unbeatable in terms of quality. Yes, this match isn't New Japan's best of the decade, it may not even be top 10, but it's a precursor without it the future would have been very different. I'm sorry, but to put on a match of such quality in just 20 minutes is crazy. This match is a must-see (****.75)."

[10.0] "[4.75*] One of the craziest matches I've ever seen. The best decision I could've ever made was to watch this one alongside my friends, this is just the perfect match for a watch party. This match is almost perfect, honestly. Emotionally, physically and athletically, this was impressive in every single possible way. I know NJPW matches usually follow a linear path, specially the big ones. But this one didn't. It didn't need to follow a pre-determined structured, they just entered the ring and started to fight. This had shoot fighting, tons of kicks and fists to the face, but it also had crazy moves and sequences that made my jaw drop. The ending stretch was where the whole thing peaked. The drama, the emotion, the heart, the soul and the fighting spirit. When the match was done we were just speechless. What an experience. How did they manage to work such a complex, high-stakes match in just 20 minutes? Oh my God. Bravo!"

[10.0] "I figured I'd give this a rewatch considering the first time round I didn't feel I watched it properly. Anyways, this could easily be on anyone's top 10 list. It felt like a superhero fight between two arch rivals, but these two just wanted to see who was better and murdered each other for the hell of it in the process. 5 stars easily."

[10.0] "Outstanding performance of both guys and probably the highest point of Ibushi's athletic abilities. Countless tough strikes were very enjoyable too."

[10.0] "WHAT A MATCH! I now understand the high praise around this match, it was entertaining from beginning to end. Two guys that can step in the ring and create magic, and that is exactly what they did here. Some of the spots were brutal and the selling was on point from both men. Honestly, this is a must watch classic, you just can't go wrong."

[10.0] "Outstanding. Two wrestlers that complimented each other so well and displayed such a rough style of wrestling that was incredibly enjoyable and tough to watch. Obviously 5 stars! Will have to watch again and again and again so it will probably end up being even higher than 5 stars!"

[10.0] "Really stiff wrestling with absolute BANGER moments like that lariat countered with a flying armbar? Absolutely crazy stuff."

[10.0] "One of the best matches of all time. It helped boost Wrestle Kingdom as the premiere wrestling event and has endless positive things to be said about it."

[10.0] "These two were locked in to the highest degree. The storytelling was off the charts in this match, with Shinsuke Nakamura disrespecting Kota Ibushi in the early parts. Ibushi kept shining though, and fired back at Nakamura with his own kicks and kinshasa. You see Nakamura's disrespect turn into frustration as he starts taking Ibushi seriously, and then to top it all off you got the most f'ed up german suplex I've ever seen. The crowd exploded and were highly into this match, and the sign of respect in the post-match was beautiful. Ibushi still hadn't peaked yet at this point, but was already amazing, and Nakamura was one of the best in the world. Pretty much the perfect 20-minute match."

[10.0] "Early in the match, Nakamura had underestimated Ibushi, and yet Ibushi came back and created a masterpiece. The two wrestlers were just looking to win and destroy each other's heads in any way they could to win the match. I really liked the ending of the match."

[9.0] "This match left such an impact on Kota Ibushi going forward. Kota would try to replicate Shinsuke's knee strikes throughout the rest of his career because of how effective they were against him, eventually culminating in his finisher, the kamigoye. While Nakamura was given a run for his money, he highlighted how far Ibushi still had to go before he was ready to be a main eventer."

[8.0] "This was a hard-hitting classic, lots of very stiff moves here, a nasty match, pure wrestling and strong style vibes. This match might not have been wrestled in a style that I personally freak out about it, but I definitely can understand the cult surrounding it. Nakamura's entrance was phenomenal, shows that the guy has a huge aura that was lost in the subsequent years, but he's a star and this entrance was iconic. Kota Ibushi was great here, a lot of athletic moves. This was a good match, no doubt about it, but I just feel that looking at the full picture, it had many moments that didn't quite connected with me, the kickout at 1 and no-sells didn't worked, and when they don't work with me it's a huge problem, rating-wise. Definitely a great match though, very unique, this one was for the purists of NJPW - {****}"

[9.0] "Shinsuke í just all style here from the get go. Leg kicks started by Ibushi blocked by Shinsuke. Nakamura goes for a takedown but gets caught in a headlock, tied up in the ropes and as they break theres a little taunting by Nakamura that Ibushi takes offense to, and then these guys are off, nice fast sequence including a missed dropkick by Ibushi. Good quick and hard action. Nakamura goes for a handshake and then hits Ibushi with some kicks including a scissor kick to the back of the head. Ibushi then gets the upper hand and mocks Nakamura with his own taunts. Nakamura fires back with some shit of his own including the running knee to Ibushi while hes draped over the turnbuckle. Running knee from Nakamura to Ibushi on the apron and then a driving knee to the back of the head from the apron to the floor. Ibushi tries to roll back in but falls back, rolls back in finally and is worked over by Shinsuke. Shinsuke with a knee to the face pin which is kicked out of, then works over Ibushis head in the middle of the ring. As hes working him over he puts him in some pins without breaking the hold that Ibushi gets out of, then Ibushi gets his foot on the rope for a full break. Nakamura eats some of Ibushis offense and just taunts him, hits him back with some strikes of his own and then slaps him a half dozen times before throwing a big kick thats ducked by Ibushi, and then some big slaps by Ibushi, Nakamura ducks one and hits a backstabber. Ibushi lands on his feet from a back body drop, hits a Rana and then dropkicks Nakamura from the apron to the floor. Ibushi hits his moonsault from the top rope, almost looks like he hits the ring there but its gorgeous. Ibushi rolls Shinsuke back in the ring, then hits him with a huge springboard dropkick. Ibushi ducks a strike and hits Shinsuke with some great strikes of his own, then a running shooting star press, pin on Shinsuke but kick out at two. Kota winds up going for another springboard but its cut off with a one legged dropkick by Nakamura. Shinsuke hits Ibushi with a follow through after a missed spinning kick, then hits Ibushi with his knees to the skull. Shinsuke misses the Boma Ye, Ibushi gets him up to the top rope, they battle it out up there, Ibushi falls to the apron. Then pops up and hits a springboard hurricanrana from the top rope, Shinsuke kicks out of the pin at two. Ibushi gets a nice dragon mare suplex, then hits a standing phoenix splash on Shinsuke, kick out at two. Ibushis just at his physical peak here. After another sequence and another pin/kick out, Ibushi hits a big spinning heel kick, then hits a giant powerbomb on Shinsuke, kick out again. Ibushi goes up for his phoenix splash from the top rope but misses it, Shinsuke rolls out of the way and then hit the Boma Ye to the back of Ibushis head, they both are collapsed on the mat. Shinsuke is first to his feet and kicks Ibushi to the other side of the ring then pummels his head with kicks. Ibushi powers through with his invulnerability gimmick and then starts pummeling Shinsuke with straights. Shinsuke pushes red shoes into Ibushi, then hits Ibushi with a big right, Ibushi hits him with a right of his own that Shinsuke rolls through into an armbar. Ibushi gets out of it after a bit of time then taunts Shinsuke back, hits him with a big half nelson suplex, does the Shinsuke corner taunt and hits Shinsuke with a KILLER Boma Ye, Shinsuke kicks out of the pin attempt at two. Shinsuke gets up and hits some big strikes of his own and starts getting more pissed off, putting his boot in Ibushis mouth. More stiff traded strikes by both guys, theyre both making contact at the same time. Shinsuke goes to take out Ibushis knees and Ibushi jumps through it into a double foot stomp. In another crazy move, Nakamura is outside the apron, Ibushi springboards up, grabs Nakamura, and German suplexes him to the inside of the ring. Pin attempt and kickout at 2 again. Ibushi struggles to get Nakamura up but tries to get a cradle powerbomb in, Shinsuke gets out, climbs up and hits a middle rope Boma Ye, Ibushi no sells it, then cuts off another kick of Nakamura with a kick to the shin, Shinsuke then hits a falcon arrow and a Boma Ye, pins Ibushi for 3. Very very good match. Its worth consideration for a 10, but unfotunately theres just too many unconvincing near fall pin attempts throughout the match, and think Ibushi no sold too close to him being defeated. I really did think therer was incredible chemistry and individual spots all over the match that were fucking excellent, but it lacked the top level of storytelling that makes a match a 10."

[10.0] "(****3/4) Put it this is basically a Japaneese style type of match you would see, and this slapped, easily Shinsukes best title defense, one of my favorite match of 2015. it was so unpreditcble, you would have thought Ibushi would win, but Shinsuke came out on top. Great Match."

[10.0] "This match went back and forth hard hitting Japanese style. Both of them were on their A game. Ibushi showing off his athleticism and Nakamura and his charisma. Awesome match 10 out 10"

[10.0] "What a blast this match was. Ibushi was on a whole another level with his athletic ability. Pure stiff, hard hitting, no holding back. It had me on the edge of My seat. Ibushi can do it all so he's able to mesh well with nearly everyone goes up against but it was something special with Nakamura. The pop Shinsuke got as he's walking to the ring was unexpected. I didn't know how over this guy was in NJPW. I could argue it should've gone longer but it felt right. Terrific wrestling match."

[10.0] "Move for move, probably the best match of Shinsuke's career. Ibushi wrestles unlike anybody else. His striking paired with his fluidity on his feet makes him feel like an action movie star and it makes anyone facing him have a more interesting match. Ibushi is insane and flawless here, Shinsuke's style perfectly complements Ibushi's. Really, really special, and a shame this is the last match the two ever had."

[6.0] "Decent match, but it's structured really weirdly. It takes awhile for the match to get going and when it does there are still moments where I felt like the match was sort of awkward paced. Despite this, I do like how stiff and hard hitting this match was a times. Also think the ending was a bit weird as well, could have went on for longer in my opinion as it was just getting really good."

[9.0] "Incredible stuff. Nakamura always brought his A-game from Wrestle Kingdom, and this might be his most legendary match. It's a violent, hard-hitting encounter that is much more of a fight than a wrestling match. If you've ever been confused about why people are so disappointed with Nakamura's time in WWE, show them this. 4.75 Stars."

[10.0] "First New Japan match I've ever seen and still a personal favorite to this day. I've always seen Shin as my favorite wrestler ever because of the ridiculous hype kavorka he had when I was first becoming a wrestling fan, and this might just be his magnum opus. Pure strong style action to its deepest extent, and as an American fan, this match had me ready to get a NJPW World account. One of the best matches ever. 10/10 / *****"

[10.0] "This is my favorite match of all time. I sometimes wonder why I rank it so high, and then I rewatch it and remember. It's just perfect. Everything is done exactly as it should be. The perfect combination of storytelling, coordination and raw power."

[10.0] "On the 4th night of the 23rd G1 climax, these two warriors clashed for the first time, the match was an instant classic and even won the Tokyo Sport MOTY award (although it wasnt even the best match of the night) The rematch at the 24th G1 was highly anticipated until a concussion injury put Ibushi on the shelf which led to an even grander stage for the rematch at Tokyo Dome. The unique dynamic is that Ibushi came into the wrestling business up idolising Nakamura and Tanahashi. So Ibushi doesnt take too kindly to Nakamuras antics to start. Ibushi then even steals the shaking vibrations taunt from Nakamura. Nakamura dominates in both striking and matwork so Ibushi has to pull out his spectacular high flying offense to get back into the match. However the match goes into second gear when Nakamura starts laying in those kicks to the head sending Ibushi into murder death mode. Its Ibushi who breaks the rules first with closed fist strikes and from there this match just turns nasty. Nakamura shoves the ref into Ibushi to launch his own closed fist punch. The stomps to the head gets more vicious. Ibushi outright steals the inverted suplex/Bom-ba Ye only for Nakamura to kick out at 1 refusing to be put down by his own move. The finishing sequence is so good. Ibushi immediately pops up from a top tope Bom-ba Ye, they both go for the knee strike at the same time and collide with their knees before Nakamura lands a final one to put Ibushi away. At the end Ibushi was trying just too hard to emulate his hero. *****"

[9.0] "All the moves in this match were brutal and everything was hit so cleanly. The pace was fast, but steady and never out of control. As the match progresses Kota gains confidence while Shinsuke grows more frustrated and intense. Kota looks like a star. beating Shinsuke with a variety of styles, but his confidence becomes too much and costs him the match. Perfect in-ring action with a very good story as well."

[10.0] "Amazing match. MOTY 2015. Nakamura is such a great character; from his epic entrance to his obnoxious attitude in the ring, everything about him screams 'megastar'. Nakamura took the lead in the match, he dictated the pace of the match, His offense was mocking and playful, He didn't take Ibushi seriously and was acting like a douche. To his surprise, Ibushi was more resilient, tough and violent. Ibushi went strike for strike against Nakamura; At one point, He went into a sort of berseker mode and just slaughtered Nakamura with a bunch of violent and unprotected shots. The ending sequence was an adrenaline rush, all out no nonsense slugfest between two of the most vicious strikers in professional wrestling. These two skillfully tread the lines between a street fight and a professional wrestling match. This was no technical masterpiece, it was a violent, vicious and physical war between two of the best in the world. *****"

[10.0] "Everything about this match is incredible. The violence on display from the hits and kicks, to the display of athleticism from Ibushi. When Ibushi began using Nakamura's moves and mocking him, only to anger Shinsuke Nakamura even further, you knew he had to teach the young man a lesson. Remarkable match and story. *****"

[10.0] "This was incredible. Their G1 match in 2013 is one of my favourites, and this one is right up there (maybe a tick below that one for me). Both men played with their dynamic so well, Nakamura with his usual antics trying to toy with the younger wrestler, and Ibushi showing cockiness and downright arrogance with how he mocked Nakamura's moves and mannerisms. I felt that this was a little standard in the first half, with both men hitting moves that you would expect them to (high-flying offense from Ibushi, various knee strikes from Nakamura), but it kicked into a whole other gear once Ibushi, once again in an attempt to mock the older wrestler, hit the Bomaye knee, leading to an emphatic kick out at one from Nakamura. From there the strike exchanges got brutal, as they went from trading vicious palm strikes, to full on close-fisted punches. The spot where Ibushi, from the middle rope, lifted Nakamura from the ring apron to the ring with a german suplex was legitimately jaw-dropping. The ending of this match was a perfect wrap up, as Nakamura fought out of a phoenix-plex attempt with headbutts and ground strikes, then going for a diving kick that Ibushi got up from immediately, and while Ibushi was smiling like a madman, Nakamura hit the Bomaye knee for the win. Sensational match (****3/4)"

[7.0] "A good hard hitting match with some good moments, with athleticism from ibushi and good sudden reversals from nakamura"

[9.0] "I dont think its aged very well, unfortunately, but the match still holds up as an epic one. The strikes are brutal and make me cringe every time. It would make for a very good long-term story of Kota finally going over Nakamura. That never came to fruition though."

[7.0] "The Rockstar Shinsuke Nakamura v the underdog from the smaller promotion really makes for a compelling story. Ibushi ultimately fails to win due to copying Nakamura's offence instead of believing in his own. The striking here is excellent, and Nakamura's character work is great."

[9.0] "The strikes in this match were violent as one would expect, and these two had an excellent match. Nakamura once again tries to bully Ibushi around here again, but Ibushi isn't having it and dishes out some cold blooded offense to Nakamura here. I did enjoy that here Ibushi beats the shit out of Nakamura with a ton of ruthless offense, because he just wasn't going to let Nakamura lil bro him like he did in the last match. Ibushi stealing Nakamura's moves when they were in the closing stretch of the match was cool since Ibushi said that he had looked up to Nakamura, and Nak kicking out of the bomaye at 1 was also good stuff. Nakamura still ends up winning here after a landslide, and a bomaye but Ibushi made sure that Nakamura had to put in some work to win this one. This isn't quite as good as the 1st match they had but these two still delivered a very well done epic.****3/4"

[10.0] "This is by far the greatest match in Japanese wrestling. It's not even close. I do not care about Omega vs Okada. I do not care about AJPW tag team classics. I do not care about....well actually I do care about Kenta vs Misawa at Noah but this is such a good match. Nakamura in Japan hits different like I'm not suprised he's not tripping over the charisma he has I mean this match is basically his match where he basically proves that he is HIM. I don't really remember Ibushi during this match because he was being dominated throughout the entire thing. Nakamura is literally in control the whole time here and Ibushi is basically squashed in a 20 minute match but I also see why he's considered one of Japans best wrestlers too. I love when Ibushi hits Kinshasa and Nakamura just gets up and beats the ever loving god out of this man and kicks him with some stiff ones on the ground. Great moment. This has to be the best Japanese wrestling match I have ever seen and anything below this comes MILES below this. I can confirm that Nakamura in NJPW hits so much more differently."

[9.0] "I will have to rewatch this soon. Nakamura was incredible to watch in this match with Ibushi, they had great chemistry. It felt like they were bringing the best out of each other."

[10.0] "One small thing Nakamura does that I love is when he checks Ibushi's leg kicks. A very minor detail that's only at the start of the match, but it adds such an important sense of reality and atmosphere to the match."

[9.0] "I'm somewhat surprised that this match is regarded as the better of their two bouts. While it was an excellent match, it lacked the atmosphere created by the molten hot Osaka crowd and the bonkers finish that their 2013 bout had. Don't get me wrong, this is still an beyond well wrestled match, and I very much enjoyed Nakamura countering Ibushi's lariat into the armbar, as well as Nakamura kicking out at one after being struck by the bomaye, as both built upon their 2013 match. Ibushi going murder mode is always fun to watch as well, especially in this match, as it played well into the story of Nakamura not really taking him seriously as a contender at the beginning. Nevertheless, I did not buy all of the near falls, and I would have liked a finish that built upon and upped the intensity of the 2013 match's exciting finish. Overall, definitely check out this bout. ****1/4"

[9.0] "Great match, but I expected more, MUCH more by the way, the reputation that this match carries I expected something Okada/Tana level from WK10, but even so it remains a great match that just didn't live up to my high expectations (incredible how WWE wasted a guy as charismatic as Nakamura) (****1/2)"

[10.0] "Ibushi's bubble burst when he had had enough of Nakamura's arrogance and lost his cool. One of the better matchups to show to someone who has never seen NJPW."