Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay

[10.0] "I am famously not a fan of Ospreay but this was the best match of his career by a mile. Almost everything after the blade job is perfect, and Omega is truly one of the best wrestlers in the world when working this cruel, intense style. Ospreay needs to quit the hard man Essex gangster heel gimmick which he can't convince at in the slightest, and embrace being a great seller who can take a brutal beating, create some excellent hope spots but ultimately fall up short. This was the exact way to use him and I hope he leans further into this aspect of his wrestling, as I would like to be positive towards him more often."

[10.0] "Kenny's return to NJPW couldn't be better! Dude is just different in the Tokyo Dome, don't matter if he's older and slower, he hill steal the show. This match was stiff, may more than I antecipated, and I loved every second of it. 2023 Match of the Year. (*****)"

[9.0] "Auf vielen Ebenen ein unfassbar gutes Match. Das Setting jaja ich weiß Meltzer, WK und Dome aber es ist halt einfach das beste und epischte Setting für so ein Match. Kenny ist so back wie seit 2019 gefühlt nicht mehr. Anfang erstaunlich schnell dafür dass beide nur ein Singles Match vor 8 Jahren hatten, wenig abtasten, direkt Action. Bis Ospreay durch den Turnbuckle und Tisch gekillt wird ist das Match unglaublich. Danach finde ich Kenny einfach zu dominant. Ich konnte einfach nicht mehr glauben dass da noch irgendwas von Ospreay kommt, auch wenn es Momente gibt die das vielleicht glauben lassen, daher ist das Finish schon fast das schwächste am Match insgesamt. Kenny endet das am Ende mit nem Kamigoye und OWA, wobei ich genau da vielleicht noch an einen Kickout einen Moment gedacht hab. (****1/2)"

[10.0] "Great Story, Great match, Ospreay the GOAT he proclaims to be comes into this cocky feeling hes already won Omega though brings a new fight to him the best gaijin NJPW has ever had some would say, he works Ospreay and Ospreay almost looks out of it Table bumps Ospreay would get a bit in then collapse , Commentary mentions red shoes not ending it due to what Ospreay did to his son Umino, and for a while of this your feeling bad for the bad man Will Ospreay he can barley move hes bloodied Omega put his head through a table, then out of nowhere Ospreay fires up hitting a hidden blade then got caught but another hidden blade, Opreay remains defiant with his Arm held to but Omega gets a armed trapped superplex for a 2 into the move of his golden lover Kota Ibushi a Kamigoye, then lastly the OWA, Ospreay you can see he grasps for something in the air life you assume any escape like hes been able to do all year but in the end hes dropped with it and Kenny Omega leaves the Dome that he entered as champ 4 years ago came out as a loser that night, but tonight the men that ended the man that reminds him of himself was Omega now a 2x US Champ"

[10.0] "A phenomenal match in every respect, with incredible pace, physicality, precision, and drama. While it may not have surpassed Kenny's two best matches with Okada, it was compelling to see him in the dominant role, with the added blood and overall brutality giving the match a distinct edge. Although both men delivered outstanding performances, Will's felt particularly transformative--on par with WrestleMania 13--in that, even in defeat, he reached a new level."

[10.0] "I've loved this match since the first time I watched it. This along with their other match at Forbidden Door are already classics and this match is so brutal. I'm hoping for another match between these guys at some point because wow these matches are phenomenal."

[10.0] "Wild how hard people have to convince themselves that Will Ospreay is bad when they could just be enjoying themselves like everyone else. It comes off forced. I like most genres of the sport, lucha, deathmatch, shoot-style, ext. This style of prolonged spots and big moves with kick-outs and frantic momentum shifts is a genre in its own right and Omega and Ospreay are likely the two best at it. There is so much to love about this match. Thirty-five minutes and it never once feels dull or dragging. I thought there were very good moments throughout, like Kenny countering the Spanishfly attempt into the DDT on the turnbuckle and Will gushing blood from there on out. Kenny upped his brutality and Will's selling was great. The guys did a really good job not allowing any of the hug spots to look performative. Even the capture avalanche german suplex came off as organic. Will's hidden blade is such a good move and is a legitimate threat to change the tide of a match, which happened several times here. His come back was on the work of the hidden blade spots and Kenny's desperation spots relied on the V-Trigger. Both moves are devastating and perfect for those roles."

[10.0] "One of the best matches I've ever watched, period. I'd call it an all-time classic. When two of the best wrestlers face each other, it's obvious we're in for something special. No matter what you say about this match, it will never be enough. Pure magic in the ring!"

[10.0] "I enjoyed this even more on a second watch. This match was flawless and in my top ten all time. The storytelling was masterful with Ospreay trying to prove himself as the company ace to the former one. This was paced extremely well, being much slower than a standard Ospreay or Omega match. Despite that fact, it never felt like it dragged at any point. The spots were absolutely brutal and Ospreay's selling was incredible. Omega played the role of bloodthirsty savage to perfection. The final five minutes were just excellent with Ospreay giving us a few hope spots that fall short. The finish was beautiful with the Kamigoye call back to Ibushi and then the One-Winged Angel to finish the match. This was a work of art and one of those matches that I might show to a non-wrestling fan to help explain what makes pro-wrestling great. Absolutely love this match."

[6.0] "It was rather dull and slow. I didn't feel any tension, and there were no explosive moments either. If it had been shortened by 20 minutes, it would have been fine. But as it is, it's just plain boring."

[10.0] "Was honestly surprised Kenny won this, but he's my GOAT so no complaints here. This one really showed off Ospreay's skill at selling and just how brutal Omega's offense can appear. Omega hitting him with the Kamigoye as revenge for Ibushi's injury from years ago was the icing on the cake."

[10.0] "This was more than a wrestling match -- it was a story of pride, pain, and perfection. From the moment the bell rang, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay created an atmosphere that felt larger than life. Omega's entrance alone screamed "final boss, " and Ospreay came in like a man ready to prove he belonged on that level. Every move had weight. The pacing was masterful -- slow, methodical control from Omega early on, breaking down Ospreay piece by piece, followed by Ospreay's explosive, emotional comebacks that made you believe he could pull off the impossible. The table spot, the exposed turnbuckle, the blood, the defiance -- it all built to something real. This wasn't just flips and counters; it was storytelling through violence. Ospreay's selling, the emotion in his face, and Omega's cold precision made this feel like a war for respect, not just a title. The final stretch had me on edge -- every near fall felt like the end. The crowd's energy was electric, and both men fed off it perfectly. By the time it ended, I knew I had just watched something special -- the kind of match you remember years later. It's everything pro wrestling should be: athletic, emotional, brutal, and unforgettable. A flawless performance from two of the best in the world."

[9.0] "Had no idea how well this would hold up on rewatch but this is still pretty phenomenal. Probably my favourite Will Ospreay match ever, and that's mainly down to Kenny controlling the pace here. This is a lot slower than most big Ospreay singles matches and that definitely works in its favour here. Kenny controls most of this, brutalising Ospreay's back and managing to bust him open with a brutal DDT on the top turnbuckle. Ospreay actually does a great job selling here and doesn't just pop up and not register anything which is a problem I usually have with his matches. This makes his eventual comeback even better and he brings a lot of fire and energy during it too. Ospreay also makes all of Kenny's offence look super brutal which is something I think he's always been really good at. While this isn't one of the greatest matches ever for me personally, it's still an incredible bout nonetheless. Both guys put in excellent performances here, especially Ospreay who put in a career best, and managed to tell an extremely gripping story over the course of a pretty breezy 34 minutes. If Will always wrestled like this I'd probably enjoy his work a lot more. ****1/2"

[9.0] "Doesn't get a 10 out of me, but that doesn't really matter. It's a hell of a match, one of Will Ospreay's best. I still think Omega works better with guys like Danielson, ZSJ."

[9.0] "[4.5*] On rewatch it is even funnier how much this one just slaps their Forbidden Door rematch. The second one indeed had more flashy-spots, faster pacing and is prettier to a casual, my girlfriend would have liked it a lot more. However, this one had much more antecipation, storytelling, drama, brutality it was so more deep and had much more meaning. They even did the Tana/Okada holding hands spot with the camera zooming in, and Ospreay spitting on Kennys body before the One Winged Angel was pure cinema. At this moment he knew he has failed his biggest challenge ever. The match was very brutal, stiff and the pacing was excellent. This was the best selling job I have ever seen Will do."

[6.0] "I don't get this style of wrestling. Let me be clearer: I don't particularly like what NJPW's main event style has become as a whole, but I have specific gripes about this match that make me rate it lower than most. I'd say it has to do mostly with Ospreay. Not with the guy, he seems like a normal fella. I have a problem with Ospreay's comebacks. He's eating shit most of the match. Omega gets vicious and works a more grounded style than usual, which is to the benefit of the bout. He uses the environment to his advantage, he's mean with it. Then Ospreay comes back. He's back is suposed to be in the gutter, he's grabbing it like he's really hurting. But he does a perfect tornillo backflip from the top rope to the floor. I get the point of being battered and choosing to go for a high risk move. But why the flip? Wasn't his back hurting? He is still grabbing it, he's still "selling", but he can pull off the tornillo without a hitch. It really throws the whole psychology of the match off. It's not a modern lucha type of ignoring the worked over part of the body to make your comeback. He sells it, he grabs it; but he doesn't show the effects of it on his offense. I don't want to be harsh, it's just not for me."

[6.0] "I found this one to be nowhere near as great as their match at Forbidden Door.(which I think is 5 stars) This one just doesn't do it for me for some reason. I personally wouldn't put this in either guys top 15-20 which I guess is incredibly complimentary to how many great matches both men have had."

[8.0] "Still has the problem of too many V-Triggers but I enjoyed it. Ospreay sold the ass beating he got most of the match and only hulked up in the final minutes, even then he was still out of it half the time. Omega looked like a fucking psycho and I love how dirty it got. It did raise a question though: what constitutes a DQ in NJPW? I'm not as familiar with where the line is drawn on that but all of the table shit and ripping the turnbuckle padding off should have definitely gotten this match thrown out if you ask me. English commentary covered up for it by saying that typically there was more leniency in Omega matches? Commentary overall was dreadful, if I do rewatch this I'm switching to Japanese commentary if possible. 4.25 stars."

[6.0] "Im just not huge on either of these guys tbh? They work well when balanced out by other opponents like Okada or Danielson but together their styles don't feel grounded, it just doesn't hit right for me like their other bouts might. There's not much of a thing as a "bad" match from either and it's still very impressive, but it doesn't strike me as a 9.75"

[10.0] "[10.0] "This wrist is the classroom of professional wrestling. Not because Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay are in it. But for the efforts of those two and their cruelty in this match and feud. The wrist is so attractive that you will not notice the passing of time at all. The one-sided wrist by Omega and Ospreay's attempt to regain control of the wrist was commendable and the techniques performed were very rough, beautiful and professional. Like the final scene of a cinematic masterpiece, the match ended in the best way possible. Even better than their wrist in Forbidden Door.""

[10.0] "Dieses Match ist ein Kunstwerk und strotz von In-Ring-Psychologie. Es gab einfach fantastische Aktionen und tolle Tempowechsel. Beide Worker haben sich nichts geschenkt und es gab einfach Aktionen, wie mit dem Tisch, die zudem wahnsinnig kreativ waren. Die Spannung war komplett in Peak obwohl es keine Near Falls Parade gab. Ungewöhnlicherweise gab es kaum Standoff, wie sonst. Vielleicht kein Top 5 Match aller Zeiten, aber trotzdem Höchstnote"

[10.0] "FINALLY got around to watching this one, i was truly blown away, it was a brutal and slow-paced dogfight, and i loved every last second of it. The DDT on top of the turnbuckle stuck with me, as well as the many V-Triggers Omega gave to Ospreay. This was a certified classic, end of story."

[10.0] "I heard about this match and I've never been able to watch it.I finally got to watch it and holy shit this was brutal. Again, I'm new to watching NJPW match and I'm not used to some of the slow pacing they do, but once it started to get going, I loved every second of it. That DDT on the turnbuckle was insane. Omega and Ospreay were just beating the shit outta each other"

[10.0] "I was kind of critical/skeptical about this match when I saw it the first time, but after a rewatch I understand it, masterful double turn, perfect execution and a crazy babyface performance by Will, taking the beating of his life, still fighting back, but coming up short to sephiroth himself, unbelieavable stuff, 10.0"

[10.0] "This is definitely one of the greatest professional matches ever. One of those matches where you just think "I love professional wrestling." Kenny Omega returns to New Japan as the foreign invader heel, taking on his successor in Will Ospreay, whose babyface performance is one of the best I've ever seen."

[10.0] "I don't know if this is the best match ever, but it's certainly my favourite, and one I return to every time I want to reaffirm to myself what wrestling can be. Apart from any of the moves, it's the intense sense of drama, suspense and buildup throughout that make this so incredible. This is as good as wrestling gets."

[10.0] "A very very good match. Will Ospreay bleeding after that enormous spot on the turnbuckle added so muych intensity to the match. Both wrestlers gave their all for the IWGP US title, it was amazing. If anyone ask me why do I love wrestling, I'll show them those kind of match."

[7.0] "A great match for the opening 20 minutes or so but in the second half once Ospreay was cut the match slowed down considerably and dragged. I understand what they were going for and acknowledge my opinion is firmly in the minority on this one, but I felt the match lost its momentum there and never really got it back. I've seen this match a few times now and went into it again hoping I'd feel the same as so many others but I am still left admiring the performances for their objective skill rather than loving the match they created. 3.75 Stars."

[10.0] "....Wow. Such a excellence here that it's even hard to talk about it, you know? I mean...it's hard for everyone to rate the 10 best matches ever, for example. There's a lot of wrestlers to think about, a lot of wrestlers to remember, it's not easy, you need to remember the pro wrestling most famous in the US but also you can't forget the indies, neither the lucha libre in Mexico or even the amazing Puroresu, but come on...I think this is a top 10 best match of all time in every possible list, and I don't have a single doubt about what I'm saying. The thing I love in this match...it's how amazing everything it's executed. We are seeing probably the best wrestlers of all time when it comes to talent, and in just some minutes, they did...this. It's another level of greatness when even Jim Cornette, a huge negative critic of both wrestlers, praised this match and think it was good. The storytelling on this is outstanding, Kenny beating the shit out of Will Ospreay, the heel gaijin of the company after the heel gaijin Kenny Omega leaves it, showing that Ospreay it's still not in his levels, Kenny is just better. Kenny Omega knows it. Ospreay also knows it. When Omega holds his wrists to execute the Kamigoye and them the One Winged Angel, he knew it. He knows that he failed the hardest challenge of his life. He wasn't able to win Kenny Omega. He didn't take the torch, nor took it from him like he said he'll do. This was a Russia vs Ukraine, but Will Ospreay was not the Russia. Will Ospreay have a lot of "hate" on the internet and he'll ALWAYS have, cause it's painful to the people around him to see him in that position. He's a human with mistakes, of course, no one is a perfect wrestler, we need to know that, but people can't understand this, and every "mistake" of his is 30 times more criticized than anyone else. It's painful to see him being the fucking amazing performer he is, a autistic, dyslexic and ADHD guy, performer in that type of level. He's one of the best wrestlers to ever live, and I don't have a single doubt about it, and I'm pretty sure that even his haters know it, cause no matter how much an asshole you is, no matter how much you try, you can't deny talent, you can't ignore greatness, you can't act like he don't exist, you can't see the things he does in the ring and think it's normal, sorry, you can't. He's motherfucker Billy The Goat, and it's a real inspiration for a dyslexic guy like me. If he with even more "conditions" can perform like this and be one of the best ever, why I can't? He's inspirational, unique. He's rarer than a Halley's Comet, I'm pretty sure that we'll need to live more than 100 years to see another wrestler like him, and I'm so fucking proud about it. Sadly, I'm pretty sure people will only know it when he retires. Now, talking about Kenny Omega...what I can say about him? I'll put something I find in his Wikipedia page here:Regarding his life outside of wrestling, he said in 2016 that he had no time to think about relationships because he was completely focused on wrestling. He has such a passion for pro wrestling that he doesn't even focus on his personal life, cause his personal life is wrestling. I can imagine how painful it was for him to recover from that hernia and knee injuries he had before this match even existed. But well, he's the GOAT for a reason, he's the GOD of pro wrestling for a reason. I said that we'll need to live more than 100 years to have another Ospreay? Well, that's kinda good cause...we are not going to be able to see another wrestler and another performer like Tyson Smith, aka Kenny Omega. Never. This was one of the greatest matches I ever saw, and I can only thank Kenny, Billy and NJPW for making that happen. And of course, I'll not forget to say, for me, this is obvious a fucking five stars match, and I don't have a single doubt about it."

[10.0] "Insanely excellent match. Wasn't expecting Kenny to be the heel here since it's his return to New Japan match. So I was expecting a babyface vs babyface encounter. But thanks to this dynamic, we got an even better match and story telling within. The highlight of the match for me was the turnbuckle DDT. The Shining was pretty cool as well. Every time I watch a Kenny Omega matches these days, all I can wonder is whose going to get the privilege to kick out of the One Winged-Angel. I thought Ospreay for sure was going to be the first to do so but thankfully he didn't especially with Kenny being the eventual winner. Easily my top 5 matches of all time this."

[10.0] "This match was perfect, there are no other words to describe it. Matches like this are the ones that remind me why I love wrestling so much, a masterpiece. The only thing to say is watch it, enjoy it because it is a spectacle for the eyes."

[8.0] "I love Ospreay and i like Omega, but i dont Understatement why so many people rated this Match so high. The other one From Forbidden door 2023 was ez better."

[10.0] "This match is almost perfect I preferred there forbidden door match more but that this is bad, it has the spots, the feud, the crowd + it made their 2nd match so much better having Ospreay lose the first time. 9.75/10"

[10.0] "Omega is the guy who got Western Audience to tune in for NJPW and explore Japanese Puroresu. Ospreay was the perfect successor they could find after Omega left for America. This match was in ring classic with two beautiful performers giving you. The best Wrestling match with a very simple storytelling of who's the best while Omega seemingly teaching Ospreay how it's done in a violent and harsh way"

"it is the 2nd best match between these two. i think their forbidden door match is better but it is so damn great aswell. a real 7 star match. emotional, technical and violent"

[10.0] "The rare dream match to fulfill every expectation. Omega destroying Ospreay with the table and turnbuckle DDT, a violent encounter. I look forward to and almost dread what comes next."

[10.0] "[*******] The real seven star match, a fight without mistakes, that brings emotion until the end, technical movements and with a lot of clarity, blows that land, that sometimes even bleed, a fight really worthy of seven stars for me, much better than omega vs okada."

[10.0] "This match was absolutely insane and deserves to be right up there with the Omega/Okada series in terms of quality. This was Kenny Omega's return to NJPW after four years away, while Will Ospreay was looking to defend his IWGP US Championship after kind of stepping in as the "new Omega" during Kenny's absence. The match as a whole ended up feeling incredibly personal with both guys beating the hell out of each other. There was a long stretch of Kenny just brutally destroying Ospreay, including a nasty DDT onto an exposed top turnbuckle, a double stomp through a table, and an especially horrific moment where Will had his had smashed into the table over and over again. Just pure madness. *****"

[10.0] "Perfect match, unreal stuff from both guys but dang Will flipping out of the snap dragon off the top into the flipping kick, then the cutter is a hell of a sequence. His selling was amazing too - he is a generous star like very few. Kenny is truly the best and nobody feels like a bigger deal in big matches in this era. This match had some incredible phases, building to the defiant finish which was fun to see after seeing Omega vs. Kidd last weekend."

[10.0] "These two just went out there and delivered an incredible match. Great story, Omega's return to New Japan and an amazing in-ring performance from both guys. The bumps Ospreay took from the exposed top turnbuckle made me wince."

[10.0] "Kenny's return to Japan after 4 years away against the man that New Japan tried to replace him with, and Kenny reminded us all that he can never be replaced. Everything about this match is perfect, Ospreay put over Kenny big time and sold big time for him. Kenny came in with a big time entrance and was back in the iconic blue canvas ring like he never left. It's impossible for these two to have a bad match, especially in the Tokyo Dome. 5 stars"

[10.0] "One of my favourite recent matches and an easy contender for MOTY. Loved the final boss aura that Omega gave off and I was legit worried about their health at a couple of spots. I'm really looking forward to whatever rematch they can pull off."

[10.0] "Omega really deserved to win. He worked great on Ospreay head and didn't lose momentum at all. He officially destroyed Ospreay head with his heavy spears and set him up nicely to finish the job with a finisher. Ospreay selling was also very, very good. Ospreay also made a comeback and did some great moves and in that short comeback period, he made very good sequences and completed the process of the match."

[10.0] "Other matches have more psychology or more physicality, but no match I've seen has more skill and talent on display than this match. It's a match filled with incredible, breathtaking spots, and yet it doesn't feel like a spotfest because Omega and Ospreay have the experience to know how to put those spots together to build a compelling story. The image of Kenny repeatedly slamming Ospreay's head through the table is one of the most captivating images from a match in recent memory."

[10.0] "This is by far one of the greatest matches I have ever seen even no matter how many times I watch it I love it even more. The Story, the physicality, the aggression, and the ring work is all top tier and sets up for an equally amazing story of Ospreays road back to the title."

[10.0] "An absolute masterpiece of a match. Kenny coming home to NJPW to face one of their top guys who was meant to fill in Kenny's shoes since his departure from the company. Ospreay is easily one of the best in the world with one of the biggest match catalog and pairing hi with a wrestling legend like Kenny Omega worked out perfectly."

[10.0] "[6.5 Stars] This match is just amazing, it's my second favorite match of all time. A battle between two of the greatest wrestlers in history in the greatest arena. Everything was perfect: the incredible in-ring, the crazy suspense, the charisma, the aura, everything. Omega's return to New Japan was more than a success. A must-see match! [******.5]"

[10.0] "This match is still a go to for me, from bell to bell, move to move, spot to spot. It answers the question to anybody who has never watched Pro Wrestling. what i mean is this match right here... THIS IS PRO WRESTLING. If I had to make my top 10 match of all time this is Top 3 for sure."

[10.0] "This is a PERFECT wrestling match. Its one of a few matches EVER that IMO are legitimate and acceptable answers for "what is the greatest pro wrestling match of all time? " This, Hart/Austin WM13, Omega/Okada WK11, HBK/Taker WM25, Misawa/Kawada SPS1994, and Kobashi/Misawa NFE2003...in no specific order....are the 6 matches that i believe are all in that conversation. And after those 6 there's a slight drop until you get to the next "tier"(which includes the rematch between Omega/Ospreay at FB2023) IMO. The best way for me to describe why this match is "perfect"....is that its a spotfest that doesn't actually feel like a spotfest because of how perfectly everything flows together. This is so, SOOOOO hard to pull off. As there are many great spotfests but only a very select few that are booked so flawlessly that nothing feels forced/unnatural. This is one of those. Its an honor to watch it. Its like watching poetry in motion. The 2 men pull off so many incredible spots and the structure is so unique. You have the first half of the match which is even/back-and-forth, with Ospreay showing off his amazing abilities and keeping up with Omega at just about every turn. Then, a twist, as Omega delivers a NASTY DDT on the top turnbuckle....and from there the pace slows rather brilliantly as Omega starts to take his time brutalizing the now bloodied and seemingly helpless Ospreay, which in turn gradually starts to make the viewer feel bad for Ospreay, adding to the drama as it agonizingly goes on and on we want more and more as an audience to see Will somehow battle his way out of this. Eventually he succumbs to the legendary OWA. But not before a final burst where he ALMOST pulls off a crazy comeback victory. Its during this closing sequence that we witness JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT of near falls/finishers/finisher attempts without overdoing it. Another master stroke in the booking process of the entire match as a whole. Omega holds on for the win, and Ospreay earns respect despite suffering a massive beating. Its a relatively one-sided match in the end(especially after the top rope DDT), but not TOO one-sided to where it loses its perfection. A classic of the highest order that will forever go down as a candidate for best pro wrestling match EVER. EDIT: Looking back and reading through the rest of the comments....its extremely telling, if you want a good measuring stick, just how many comments/different fans there are that use the word "perfect" or "perfection" when describing this match(including myself before i even realized i was basically copying what everyone has already said). I mean its in the opening statement of just about every other comment it seems. The masses agree. Its definitely worthy of the praise it receives."

[10.0] "Second singles match for these guys, first since Wills entered his prime. Just an aggressive lockup. Shoulder tackle by Omega is reversed by a kip up by Ospreay. Ospreay reverses a head scissors with a cartwheel, a head scissors of his own sends Omega out, then a crossbody from the ring to the outside, Ospreay sends Kenny into the guardrail and Kenny just FLIES into it. Ospreay goes for a springboard, Kenny stops him, then pushes him hard off the apron and Ospreay goes flying back into the guardrail himself. These guys are going nice and slow in the beginning, despite the big moves, for these guys its basically a snails pace just building. No escape hit by Kenny, very early. Match picks up a bit more when Omega goes under the ring and brings out a table, slams it onto Wills spine. Kenny already kicks the table while its on Wills back and breaks through it, so its probably a gimmicked table, then Kenny does the double stomp and just puts a hole right through it. Over and over the damage just keeps going to Wills spine. Will fights back and throws Kenny into the guardrail, fires up, hits Kenny with punch after punch, then drops him with a vertical suplex on the underside of the table. Ospreay gets up on the top rope and then hits a corkscrew moonsault on Kenny who is standing on the ground beneath. Ospreay sends Omega back into the ring, hits a forearm to the back of Kennys neck while hes sitting on the mat, goes for an Oscutter, Omega stops it, hits a v-trigger after sending him off the rope then a reverse Rana, and a northern lights neckbreaker, pin attempt on Ospreay and then a kickout. Omega looking for a snap dragon suplex now, cant get it so he hits Will with a forearm to the lower back, gets him up on the turnbuckle while still working that lower back and the neck, goes for a dragon off the top rope, hooks it in but Ospreay lands on his feet, hits the Robinson special, hits the Oscutter, Kenny kicks out just before three. Theres a nice spot where Kennys tied up in the top turnbuckle and Ospreay keeps trying to kick his face, Kenny has his hands up at first before Ospreay is able to get him flush. Then after some back and forth theres a crazy move where Will gets DDTd onto the exposed top turnbuckle. Wills cut open and theres just a puddle of blood on the mat. As Will gets to his feet, Omega hits him with a dropkick through the ropes, then hits his tope con hilo. Ospreays blood is all over Omega at this point, then Kenny drives Wills head through the table. He had previously and is now kinda set up. Back in the ring Kenny hits a sit out piledriver and goes for the pin but Will somehow gets his shoulder up. Omega just revels in it, Red shoes is trying to get him to stop so Ospreay shoves him out of the way, then Omega hits a dragon sleeper suplex, then another. Ospreay is totally out of it now, so Kenny taunts him to set up the v-trigger but Ospreay grabs his leg so he cant go, Kenny just beats him silly, then hits him with another piledriver, pin attempt but Ospreay gets his foot on the rope. Omega hits a V-trigger on Ospreay while hes in the ropes that just melts Ospreay onto the ground beneath the apron. Ospreay is back in the ring while Omega gets up the top rope and he stumbles to the rope and Omega spills onto that exposed turnbuckle. Ospreay is trying to get on the ropes but cant find his footing, slaps himself to regain his composure, gets up on the top rope to attack Kenny, and Kenny just drags him down so that Ospreays face hits the exposed turnbuckle, Kenny goes into the opposite corner and then hits a gigantic v-trigger while ospreays face is next to the exposed middle turnbuckle. Kenny gets him on his head and teases the one winged angel, instead does a clutch German from the top rope. He pinned Ospreay but pulls him up before the three himself to rotate him over for a v-trigger, pin attempt kick out by Ospreay. Omega just hits Ospreay with v-trigger after v-trigger, on the third Ospreay holds the boot, Kenny beats him with punches, Ospreay powers up from it as Kenny mocks him, then chops and Ospreay hits Kawada kicks, eats a V-trigger, then takes the momentum from a big lariat and flips out of it, liger bomb on Omega but he kicks out. Forearm to the back of the head by Ospreay, goes for a hidden blade but doesnt hit all of it so he hits it from the front. Big Oscutter by Ospreay, Omega kicks out of the pin. Ospreay goes for a stormbreaker, Omega gets out, goes for a One winged angel, roll up pin by Ospreay, he stops it himself to hit the Styles Clash. Hidden blade that isnt so hidden as Omega just faces it. Stormbreaker attempt by Ospreay, Omega gets out and hits a ripcord V-trigger, Kenny maintains wrist control and Ospreay hits a hidden blade with his other arm. They are still locked by Kenny holding the wrist so they trade forearms with each other while still linked. Ospreay comes out on top on this, but then Kenny ducks and hits a straight jacket German Suplex, turns Ospreay around, Ospreay spits in his face as Omega hits a Kamagoye, hits the one winged angel, and pins Will Ospreay for 3. Extraordinary match. Just an epic chapter in an incredible rivalry, the right man won seeing as Kenny is the veteran here. If Im nitpicking, there were too many pin attempts in the first half of this match that didnt mean enough, as they didnt amount to false finishes. I think just erasing those five or so superfluous pins would have cleaned up the match just a little bit more. I loved the psychology of the match and they told a great story. Obviously a 10, but just a few things here that I think keep it from being best of all time level, since the match is SO good that it deserves that splitting of hairs."

[10.0] "The dream match delivered. Going into the match, I was expecting it to be a one-off match for Omega to pass the torch to Ospreay as the top gaijin in the company. I never expected this to become an actual feud with a rematch down the line. I rank this match higher than the rematch due to the lack of interference and NJPW production making this feel like a major sporting event."

[10.0] "What a great match, this was an instant classic. They developed through the match a deadly hatred between them, with so many brutal and punishing moves, especially by Omega. Kenny in Japan is a completely different beast, it's his best version by far, he was flawless here, he did an all-timer heel work. I was feeling pity for Ospreay here, he was getting the beat of his life, his expressions were incredible, it felt so damn real. This whole experience is truly cinematic and captivating, and the progression is perfect - {*****}"

[10.0] "This match was one of the few one would dare to consider perfect. This doesn't mean, however, that I believe it is the greatest wrestling bout ever, but rather that, given the ---excellent--- wrestlers and the circumstances the contest took place in, they couldn't have made anything better than what they produced. While it could have very easily become a storytelling-less spotfest, they crafted the match so ideally that the mere thought of it would seem ridiculous when talking about the actual thing. It begins with Ospreay very aggressive off the gate, going after Omega, who has barely wrestled two singles matches in the previous year. Then, the 'Cleaner' slowly starts to get a hold of the champion, making for an exquisite wrestling contest. When it seems that the challenger has, indeed, taken over the bout, the heavy hitting begins, with the 'Kingpin' desperately trying to prove to everyone he is the actual best gaijin to have wrestled in New Japan. It is perhaps that recklessness which allows the Canadian to completely demolish Ospreay, with a clever use of bleeding to further reinforce that feeling. When, alas, it looks as if the 'Aerial Assassin' might be coming back, Kenny steps in to put out the fire and ends it with a somewhat anticlimactic finish (because he hits two finishing maneuvers back to back: his best friend's, Kota Ibushi's kamigoye; and then his own One Winged Angel), which I dare say perfectly fits the overall shock the match produced, seeing Ospreay so badly beaten. In summary, an extraordinary fight with a perfectly told story by two of the best to have ever stepped into the squared circle. I would say it deserves *****1/2."

[10.0] "Woke up at 3 am to specifically see this match and it did not disappoint. Seeing two wrestlers become wrestling soulmates right in front of your eyes is special. Just great stuff all around. Loved the pacing of this match, the character work, Kenny playing the heel here was great, Ospreay actually took the time to sell, it was all good. [*****1/4]"

[7.0] "Okay, going back and watching this match gave me a greater appreciation for it but not enough for me to ignore the flaws. This went from a 10 to a 7 because of the last 10 minutes when they go from actual, really great wrestling to spamming finishers and signatures. Ospreay takes 15 V triggers and Kenny takes about 8 Hidden Blades before the thing is over and done but the wrestling before that point is some of the best wrestling ever with very good high spots. I like it better in this rewatch."

[10.0] "I have a lot to say about this perfect match. Let's change our perspective and discard the ideas given by Omega and Ospreay (so-called G.O.A.T, the best young wrestler...) to find another path. For me, this is a feast of ring psychology (perhaps only comparable to the match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart). This match showcased the murder scene where Ospreay was on the brink of death. In this sense, I think it's an "educational match, " where Omega teaches Ospreay how to truly use ring psychology and how to sell (before 2020, Ospreay performed like a video game character using a cheat code). Omega has also discussed this issue; the match is not just about spots, but also about a kind of ideological veil (in the Marxist sense), to cover up the "fake" nature of wrestling. This match has other inspirations, that is, "selling" can largely promote "storytelling, " as we saw, Ospreay had to be bloody and injured for Omega to legitimately (I mean Ospreay could not resist) apply the next violence to him. If we consider Omega as the "troublesome guest, " then it is precisely because Ospreay himself is not strong enough, still indecisive and hesitant (he tried to counterattack at the most dangerous part, but lost the initiative). Although he tried to find a way to remedy during the match - he was still overturned by Omega. I might have to talk about will? First, let me explain, the will I am talking about... is such a force that humans exert and use in politics or history. Just like this: people can break free from the shackles of the past and create and build a new society, which illustrates this point, and even guarantees it. We can piece it into the match to analyze: "Ospreay can fight back against Omega with his own will (so-called breaking free from the shackles of the past)." We must admit this theme of the match, that is, Ospreay's determination to fight against fate, even if his fate is firmly controlled by Omega. The rhythm of the match goes from determinism (Omega will definitely defeat Ospreay because Omega has turned the ring into his own murder scene). To the role of human agency: "Ospreay uses his will to try to fight against fate/fate... and teleology." But in the end, Omega brought the match back to reality, or back to determinism (I mean, Ospreay's mistake completely determined his own fate, even if his will is strong, he can't deal with fate). On this philosophical level, Omega has become the servant of determinism and used determinism to kill human agency."

[10.0] "It wasn't a match, it was the Kenny Omega's murder scene, he killed Will Ospreay before our eyes. But it was great!"

[9.0] "Match wouldve been perfect in my opinion, but they dragged it on, and the finish shouldve happened about 8 minutes earlier. Apart from that, this match is amazing."

[10.0] "This match had a really cool build up around Ospreay not being good enough to fill Kenny's shoes, and it leads to so many cool call backs. They batter each other and give each other their all (the spot where Omega smashed Will's head into the table looks nasty) and Ospreay looks great in defeat, especially after getting his win back later. The strikes and big moves look excellent and there's never a moment where these two don't both look amazing."

[6.0] "I'd say that I'm somewhat disappointed by this match, but I'd still say that its good. I'm a little mixed on the start of the match until Ospreay gets busted open with that top rope DDT. There are some really cool moments in here and Ospreay does do a good job at selling his back. But also he falls back to his usual problems of having some inconsistent selling, although it wasn't too major. Also I didn't see what the point was in going the outside and having both slam each other on the guard rails, I think it happened a bit too early. After Ospreay gets busts opening, he genuinely sells like he's never sold before, he looks like a completely different wrestler and its great. Even is fighting spirit is a bit believable, although near the end of the match he falls back to the same problems I had with him at the start. Some of his kickouts are really good as well but some kind of made me question it as well. I'm honestly not too sure how to feel about this match, but I at least will say that I think Ospreay's selling in this was better than I expected."

[10.0] "Two of the greatest wrestlers putting on one of the best matches of all time. Their chemistry was tremendous. High flying and hard hitting match. The match was just perfect"

[9.0] "You knew this was going to be good, but they took it in such a violent direction, and they sold the story of Kenny being in Will's head so well. There are some vicious bumps in this match, and you're convinced Ospreay is done but he just keeps coming back until he can't take it anymore. Someone said below, "This time though, it wasn't the Best Bout Machine, No, this was THE CLEANER." I disagree. This was BOTH. 4.75 Stars."

[7.0] "Overrated match in my opinion, the first 20 minutes, basically before Ospreay bled. this match was very fun and exciting, but right after he bled this match became dull and very boring, dont get me wrong this match is great and they put on a banger, but after that this match become a toilet break, i feel like it was also predictable as well, the build up and story was awsome to me, but the actually match could have been great great. ****"

[10.0] "One of the best matches of all time. From bell to bell just a brutal and beautiful affair. Both men brought the athleticism and then the physicality as one would expect between these two. Eventually, Kenny Omega starts to really take control and beat down Ospreay and it is just beautiful. Kennys star power has ever felt bigger than it did in this moment. The DDT to the unexposed ring buckle was my favorite. And the table spots on the outside were brutal. Kenny walking away with the victory as Ospreay can only reach out was a beautiful amazing story."

[10.0] "Its perfection. What else could be said about it? Spectacular reality-based storytelling, god-tier wrestling from two of the best in ring workers ever on earth. Kenny Omega wrestling at the Tokyo Dome is always special and Will Ospreys truly did have the fight of his life in this untouchable match. Perfection FULL STOP."

[8.0] "I feel like the bar is so high for these two that this just felt like any other match. Which is to say the wrestling was superb, but there wasn't anything that made me need to watch this again. Their second interaction was much better."

[10.0] "Not much I can really add that other comments haven't already covered. Kenny's return to Japan against the wrestler who took up his mantle in his absence, just a great story that sells itself."

[10.0] "This was basically a perfect wrestling match. The pacing, and drama were great, but the actual in ring work between the two was where this match stood out. Omega would brutalize Ispreay, who always found a way to counter Omega, until he didnt and fell victim to a One Winged Angel and lost his title."

[10.0] "I have to say it is such an amazing match.I was literally shocked when I saw the crazy DDT on the buckle. Only these two greatest wrestlers in the world could give us this fantastic performance. To be honest, I would say that this match is even better than the "7-star match". No offense but this is actually what I think."

[10.0] "Das war ein herrausragendes Match, an das auch der Main Event nicht mehr herankommt. Allerdings in meinen Augen nicht, wie viele hier schreiben, in der Verlosung für das beste aller Zeiten."

[10.0] "An awesome match here, as expected. Omega winning the title was cool and I think the match and story together perfectly sets up a rematch down the line at Forbidden Door. Both guys looked absolutely great and I enjoyed Omega just beating the hell out of Ospreay throughout the whole thing. Hopefully the eventual rematch lives up to this."

[10.0] "It's just the perfection of a wrestling match. Every exchange, every move, every strike was perfect. I loved the dynamic between these two men, as Omega wanted to prove that he is still the greatest wrestler alive, destroying Ospreay in a kind of heelish way, and Will wanting to keep his title and position in Japan by fighting against everything that Omega threw at him. A perfect 10/10 match."

[10.0] "A match that lived up to and exceeded the massive expectations going into it. Omega & Ospreay are two of the best in the world (possibly of all-time) and they laid out a perfect match here. Omega, back in the Tokyo Dome, absolutely brutalized Ospreay throughout showing the disparity between the two. Ospreay fought on, showing no quit even after being bloodied up. Some wonderful callbacks to moments from both men's careers (especially the table spots). The turnbuckle DDT was one of the sickest spots of 2023. Ospreay really sold well and his facial expressions, as well as Kenny's, told the entire story. They set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the year. A true modern day masterpiece. (*****)"

[10.0] "I will debate with anyone that this match is better than the Okada Omega match at Dominion that Melts rated 7 I don't care that they went an hour and they were cooking this match is THE GOAT match. Will is goated and in my opinion is the GOAT Wrestler and Kenny is probably right behind him. Their match at FD was good too but not as good as this. They are incredible against each other and if you haven't had the experience of watching this or any match between these two are DIFFERENT."

[10.0] "(*****) One of the few perfect wrestling matches. Not only is everything perfect but it goes beyond that. Any kind of wrestling fan can watch this and say that this is a masterpiece."

[10.0] "Very unlike what I was expecting between these two and I mean that in the best way possible. Such a brutal beat down on Will Ospreay, especially Kenny Omega bashing Ospreay's head into the table, the two DDTs from the top turnbuckle, and the multiple v-triggers. But even in defeat, Ospreay looked so fucking strong throughout all of this, and was able to have moments that made you think he was going to retain. Of course, as always, some insane spots between the two from both men, but the story these two is incredible. You genuinely begin worrying for Ospreay until he was able to get some strength back in and try to lay some offense against Omega. Not my favorite match from either of these men, but it's still a 10. I don't know how they keep doing it."

[10.0] "If I have to describe this match with one word is perfection. The storyline, the entrances, the spots, the storytelling during the combat and a lot of things. Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay have the best movesets in the industry, at least the movesets that I like, every single move that they made was perfect, moonsaults, ddt's, suplexes, flips, kicks and every maneuver that these wrestlers did it. This combat has to be in the top 10 of matches in the history of Pro Wrestling without a doubt. It is very special for me this match, watching Kenny at the Tokyo Dome again was spectacular. And is going to be something that I will never forget."

"10/10 Awesome match between Will and Omega, this match cooked on a different level and Omega winning was the right call."

[10.0] "This was such an amazing piece of storytelling. Kenny was in control for almost all of the match, almost playing the heel while Ospreay was totally the underdog, putting Ospreay through some crazy bumps. Ospreay would get offense, only to be shut down immediately. Kenny got the win."

[10.0] "A late career masterpiece by Omega and almost certainly the best match of Ospreays career so far. The build to this match with Ospreay cutting a scathing promo on Omega elevated this from an exciting dream match to a blood feud. There was also history between Ospreay and Omegas golden lover, Kota Ibushi. There was a nod to this as Omega hit Ospreay with a Kamigoye before finishing him off with a One-Winged Angel. (10/10)"

[10.0] "A perfect match with grandiose storytelling. Omega focuses on Ospreay's back and dominates him for a large part of the match. Magnificent spots and a successful finish. Great near falls of Ospreay. (5*)"

[10.0] "One of the greatest match of all time and my MOTY. Kenny and Ospreay are the greatest wrestlers of this generation and they made all time classic. It was better than their Forbidden door match. This match was very brutal and violence. Omegas attacks were brutal and Ospreays blood job looked sense. Counter attacks were great and fast. And I liked they used some moves to respect other wrestlers. I hope Omega come back heelthy and fight with Ospreay once again."

[10.0] "[5.25*] This match was an all-time classic, all the anticipation and what this match was like was insane. Ospreay certainly did the best work of his career in this match. Omega was totally aggressive from start to finish, the sequence in which he made Ospreay bleed was insane, the top rope DDT, the Piledriver, everything was incredible especially the knees. The ending was perfect, the transitions were incredible, Ospreay reversing Onega's moves in Powerbomb and Styles clash, and the finish was the highlight of the match, Ospreay and Omega reached their limit and Omega managed to capture the victory, the impression I What I had is that this whole match served Omega to show Ospreay that he is still the best in the world."

[10.0] "One of my favorite matches of all time. Amazingly paced and has a awesome mix of big moves and brutality, as well as incredible storytelling. Ospreay's babyface selling was perfect and made you feel for him, trying his best to hold on to his title and prove that he is the best in New Japan, but there's only so much you can do when you're gushing blood and your opponent being Kenny Omega. The final shot of Ospreay on the outside, reaching for his championship that is being held by Omega in the ring is one of my favorite shots in wrestling. I could go on and on about this match but I'd reach the word limit and it's better to watch this match with limited knowledge about it."

[10.0] "Possibly the angriest professional wrestling match I have ever witnessed? It truly felt like Omega was trying to tear out the throat of Ospreay while simultaneously grappling with his own sanity. Ospreay has hope spots here, but they are quickly shut off by a Sparta kick to an exposed turnbuckle or a snake eyes to an exposed turnbuckle. This is all while Omega is also attempting to turn the face of Ospreay into mush by slamming it though a table or trying to make the neck of Ospreay have the same consistency as Play-Doh. - *****"

[10.0] "This is one of the best matches I've ever seen, with a very good story of Kenny just punishing Ospreay with forearms, kicks, stomps, and chops to the back. He aims for the back for most of the match, and Ospreay has a babyface comeback using his high-flying moves to counter Kenny's hard-hitting offence, showing his aggression, especially in the latter half of the match. They had some clever counters to each other's moves, a back-and-forth exchange, and a compelling sequence. This match had a lot of memorable spots, such as a flying forearm to the back of Kenny's head, a diving double foot stomp on a table that was on top of Ospreay's back, and then Kenny grabbing the table to pull a funny face, which popped the crowd. Other memorable spots include a DDT on the exposed top rope causing blood to pour out of Ospreay's face, an electric chair to a German Suplex from the top rope, stiff V-Triggers, Kenny driving Ospreay's face first into the exposed corner causing him to get busted even more open, the kickouts of the Piledriver and the Tiger Driver 97, a Dragon Suplex from the top rope, with Ospreay countering into a flip into his Robinson Special, multiple Cheeky Nandos in the corner, a Styles Clash as a homage to AJ Styles, STIFF Hidden Blades, and the conclusion with Ospreay spitting in Kenny's face, saying "F*** you, " followed by an One-Winged Angel to end the match."

[10.0] "I actually saw the Forbidden Door match first before this one and I loved it until the end which became much too messy for my taste with Callis's interference and the kickout of that gnarly-looking Tiger Driver 91. But this match was fantastic! Intensity, fluidity, strategy, and a satisfying ending to put a bow on what was an incredible match. Kenny's intensity and Ospreay fighting so hard to overtake Kenny's spot, the story was immaculate. This felt built for the dome. This was the first match to break the rating rubric I've put together recently and I got it at a 10.5. Incredible stuff!"

[10.0] "The MOTY for 2023 without a doubt. Worthy of the praise of nearing the top spot on this website. Omega vs Ospreay is one of those matches that you know is special as youre watching it. What you couldnt know is how brutal this match was going to be. Omega returns to Japan in all the final boss pomp and circumstance as possible while Ospreay leads the charge to defend the company hes called home and grew up in. An incredible story where both men pull out everything they can and lives up to the dream match hype that it was billed as"

[10.0] "Oh no a murder! Or at least it felt that way for most of the match. Kenny absolutely batters Will with everything he has but Will just keeps pushing through and keeps fighting. NJPW had been battered over the past few years as the pandemic hit them hard. This was their great comeback, their return, even for just one night, to what they used to be. Kenny returned to being the "The Cleaner" and Will returned to being "The Aerial Assassin". Will was beaten down and bloody but never quit. Even after every increasingly violent thing Kenny hit him with (including an exposed turnbuckle top-rope DDT), Will would fire back up with a "Cheeky Nando's Kick" and keep going. Fantastic match that simueltaneuosuslsysyslsustslty (f**k that word) made me appreciate everything these two just did and also make me crave a rematch."

[10.0] "This. Match. This one will always be one of my favorite matches of all time because it carried a lot of weight for me and signified NJPW returning to it's glory days, even if only for one night. The return to packed houses of cheering fans. The pandemic clap crowd era of NJPW was rough but now we are finally free and Wrestle Kingdom is Wrestle Kingdom once again. Only Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay could put on a match of this caliber in this situation on this big a stage. This match is everything we love about pro wrestling. Pageantry via extravagant entrances; Omega's Sephiroth entrance marking the return of the "Best Bout Machine" and Will Ospreay's entrance marking the return of the Aerial Assassin. Immediately our perceived face and heel situation was switched up. Brilliant. Athleticism by way of insane spots like Omega attempting the dreaded "top rope dragon suplex" only for Ospreay to land on his feet. Or Omega actually hitting "Croyt's Wrath" off the top rope, ridiculous. Brutality by way of violence and Omega's desire to destroy Ospreay by smashing his head into a table. Or Ospreay repaying violence with violence through a series of "cheeky nandos" kicks that defined the word "stiff" and caused Omega's eye to swell shut. Ospreay's comeback was electric; the story of the young hotshot who had sworn he'd surpassed and replaced the absent legend only for him to return and remind the world that he is still the best. This match was violent, it was athletic, it was dramatic, it was incredible. Omega and Ospreay never "kind of" hit their moves, everything is so precise which is wild, considering the athleticism that is on display here. One of my favorite matches of all time and my definite MOTY for 2023."

[10.0] "Kenny Omega's return to NJPW, facing the very man who took his place as the top gaijin in Japan. Ospreay proudly defended the title he carried for the past few months, and through his style in this matcha hybrid between what he did in the junior heavyweight division and the style he adopted upon transitioning to heavyweighthe appears to be very close, if not already at the peak of his career. However, Kenny Omega is a different kind of beast, showcasing it both in kayfabe and in the ring. An exceptional match that I didn't think could be surpassed so quickly."

[10.0] "The return of the best bout machine Kenny Omega to a New Japan Pro Wrestling ring, with the aura of an invencible videogame final boss, facing one of the finest and most talented wrestlers in the world, Will Ospreay, defending his prestigious championship in the biggest stage of them all is going down as one of the most iconic moments in the history of this sport. The match is pure brilliance, brutally delivered that expressed such a captivating story between this two wrestlers, magic. New Japan's Omega, probably, is the pinnacle of pro wrestling. Rating: 9.90 / 10. Stars: *****."

[8.0] "I want to preface this by saying that I think I enjoyed this match for a very different reason than most of you may have enjoyed this match. When this match was announced, I was absolutely dreading watching it. I am a tried and true Ospreay hater, and while Omega may have been incredible last time he was in New Japan, it has been a hot minute since then, and had fallen into some of his worst habits in AEW. Omega can get incredibly up his own ass and fall into lame schtick, and Ospreay seemed like the perfect opponent to bring the worst out of him. Ospreay had positioned himself as the gaijin ace since Omega left, along with Jay White. But while White was a cheater who took shortcuts, Ospreay was the big match guy, filling Omegas shoes in that regard. The one who would use sheer wrestling ability and dazzling manoeuvres to win. And Omega was back to have this match and formally pass the torch. What we got, however, was completely different. Omega absolutely annihilates this pretender to his throne in brutal fashion. Ospreay is murdered live, on the biggest stage possible, and it is amazing. The match does ask the viewer to feel sympathy for Ospreay as he undergoes this beating, but it never demands it of the viewer. The match is not diminished for the viewer not being in Ospreays corner. This is a marvelous thing, as Ospreay is one of the least likeable wrestlers on the planet, so the viewer is free to experience the pure joy of seeing him get decimated like this. Omega is perfect in his role as this unconquerable obstacle, shutting down Ospreays rallies at every turn with great-looking offence. Ospreay is good here, too. He bumps like a freak and lets himself be ragdolled all over the place. Hes still a bit frustrating with some of his selling and offence, but what he actually gets to do is so limited, its hard to care too much. The viewer is forced to just accept the carnage and the brutality before anything else. I said at the time this match concluded, that this was the best possible match these two could have. You could not have possibly booked it any better. Their rematch at Forbidden Door proved me right, as while still a very good match, they ended up falling into bad habits and it fell apart at the last hurdle. This match is a massive achievement for taking two wrestlers who can potentially do things so wrong, and pointing them in the perfect direction and ensuring that they do things so very, very right."

[9.0] "my memory was blurry so I had to rewatch it, and it honestly is very very good, I still get shaken by some of the crazy spots. There was a lot of hype behind Kenny returning to New Japan, and the match met its very high expectation albeit didn't go overboard by much, at least in my opinion. I wasn't a fan of Will fighting from under at the time but looking back it makes a lot more sense that his face turn in New Japan was solidified. Both men bruising up added a lot to the match, and Kenny ultimately coming on top wasn't predicted, but nor is it surprising. Definitely not in the greatest match of all time territory, probably in contentions of match of the year, but I can't really rate this lowering than a 9/10."

[9.0] "Alright I might as well watch this since it's the highest amount of votes on any match on the site. I will be upfront, I am not a Will Ospreay fan, and I haven't been for a long while. Ever since 2017 he's just gotten worse and worse to me. Kenny Omega is an incredibly hit & miss performer these days, sometimes his offense just feels too repetitive and he rarely changes his stuff up. So I didn't want to see this match because I knew most people were frothing at the damn mouth, and they already called it the best match of the year before it happened. I'm guilty of doing this too, mostly with Stardom, Astronauts, or Fujita "Jr" Hayato's matches, but the hype for this was too immense and a bit overwhelming for me to watch this at the time. Well, I bit the bullet. and I hate to say it, I really hate to say it actually, but this was fuckin' awesome. MOTY contender? Yeah I can see it, but not for me personally. This match basically has everything for anyone, Hard Strikes, Unbelievable Agility, CTE Spots, Weapons, Blood, Cringey Shit-Talking others may say is Cinema but it's just lame. Everything. Everyone else has gone into detail, but yeah this amazing, one of the best matches of all time though? that's a whole other debate. I will say that the pace of this was quite fast, nothing ever felt too slow, and I was starting to go "Alright guys, wrap it up" they did. I guess my gripes are more so nitpicks. I didn't like how Ospreay ran into the Cobra Twist and fucked it up at the INOKI THEMED PPV, that was embarrassing. Omega & Ospreay are geeks IRL so their shit-talking and facial expressions (specifically Ospreay's before he takes the V-Trigger) just came across as lame. The United Empire & Don Callis arguing amongst themselves was kinda dumb but it didn't last long, so it didn't really hurt the match. I do wish Omega & Ospreay went full force on their punches Inoki-Style, I didn't like that they looked protected. Ospreay's first Hidden Blade didn't look great he made up for it multiple times. But yeah other than those small gripes, this an amazing match that I would say is a certified classic. It's the best Ospreay match in years, and Omega didn't do too many repeated spots. It was everything I didn't expect, and I would absolutely understand if you think this is one of best matches ever, I just personally don't cause of those gripes I mentioned. Fair play to both guys here."

[10.0] "If I could give 20 I would. This is my favourite match, the best match of all time in my book. Two of the greatest wrestlers of all time for my money, at or near the peak of their ability, putting on a damn near perfect showcase of professional wrestling. *******"

"This match was an absolute classic. The storytelling and athleticism here were incredible, making it a must-watch for literally anyone. Omega and Ospreay's chemistry in the ring was electric, and the match showcased the fucking best of professional wrestling. An instant classic that will be remembered for years to come."

[10.0] "I thought this was so so good, it was much more technical than the sequel and was a very good wrestling match. I personally prefer the second match but anytime you get Ospreay and Omega in a ring together its going to be a classic, and im positive the third match of the trilogy will be a classic aswell."

[10.0] "Well, this is one of the greatest matches of all time, isn't it? There are only two people on the planet who could of pulled this sort of thing of, and they are named Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. Everything was so smooth, so perfect, so legendary. As of October this is the match of the year, SIX STARS (******)"

[10.0] "Outstanding match. MOTY 2023 and easily among the best matches of all time. This was so different from what I imagined it was gonna be and I loved it. I thought this was gonna be an athletic contest with the two trying to outdo each other which I was actually very much looking forward to but instead it turn out to be something completely different. Ospreay is one of the best wrestlers on the planet ever but he always looses the big matches in the big events; He lost to Okada at the Dome twice, he also lost to him at the G1 Finale, he lost his Jr. Title at the Dome in 2020 and when he was crowned the World Champion, he was stripped of the title due to a neck injury. Even though he is an incredible athlete and performer, circumstances around him has pulled him from becoming the top guy. That was what Kenny used to get inside Ospreay's head and it worked, Ospreay made one big mistake and a ddt on the open turnbuckle completely change the momentum of this match. It was all Kenny after that, Ospreay had his hope moments but at the end, Kenny took too much outta him and the Kingpin had no choice but to fall the Cleaner. It wasn't just that Kenny beat Ospreay, but the way he did it, the RAW VIOLENCE, aggression, the beating he put Ospreay was remarkable to say the least. We all know Kenny could be a lethal compettitor if he wanted but he always opted to be the showman. This time though, it wasn't the Best Bout Machine, No, this was THE CLEANER and the way he won best illuminated it. Once again, simply Outstanding match. *****"

"One of the only 40-minute matches I will go back and watch on a regular basis. Great match. I stayed up well past I should have to watch it live, I think it came on at 4am where I am in America. One thing I wished happened after the match was, I wish Kenny did something in Japan after it instead of just dropping the belt back to Ospreay at Forbidden Door later the same year. The blood wasn't a huge factor in this match expect to show the true violence, hatred, and battle these 2 men were in. This is my first comment so I cannot rate it right now, but it was a solid 9/10 match."

"Kenny Omega and WIll Ospreay always deliver instant classics. I would've loved to watched this match before and not months after their Forbidden Door 2023 match, which I personally loved. This match is filled with moves that left me speechless, true pro wrestling, just pure art. Really looking forward to see what they do this sunday in Wrestledream."

"What a match this was. Exceptional athleticism, brutal moves, spots that made a lot of sense like the exposed turnbuckle stuff and a great story being told throughout the battle. Definitely one of the best matches I have watched in recent years. These two are pretty amazing. I also preferred this to their match at Forbidden Door because it felt like it had more room to breathe, whereas that match was a bit more like finisher spam and suffered a bit from the interference of Don Callis."

[9.0] "Overall, I thought this match was pretty great. It did drag on a bit longer then it should have for my liking, but I'm willing to forgive that because some of the sequences and exchanges Kenny & Will had here were incredible. Excellent athleticism, fantastic spots, and the use of the exposed turnbuckle made up some of the coolest moments of the bout and was a treat throughout all of it. Not the greatest match I've ever seen, but I came away feeling mostly positive. Also Kenny dominating Will throughout most of the match was pretty fun to witness. Final Rating: ****1/2"

[9.0] "The match length is a little longer than it needed to go but holy fuck, most of the spots are mind-numbingly awesome and logical. I love this dynamic of Omega just murdering Ospreay. Both of them bring their best tropes and the match is structured well."

[7.0] "This match was good, there's no denying that, but there's something I'm not getting that knocks it down a few pegs for me. The table spots here were gnarly and looked fantastic, there were also some great counter spots, but on the whole I feel like Ospreay is always trying to do too much in the ring. Everything he does is over the top. Every move has an extra theatric and every sell is just a bit too much. Here and in the rematch at Forbidden Door I thought that was especially evident. There were also some spots here that just looked sloppy, namely Kenny's DDT from the top (at least I think it was supposed to be a DDT). Overall a fine match, but in my mind not one that belongs in the conversation with the best of all time."

[10.0] "At the end of this match there was no doubt in my mind that Will Ospreay is the best wrestler in the world right now. His performance in this match very much reminded me of Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13. One of the all time great performances in a wrestling match of this type where it really was, for the most part, Kenny just destroying Ospreay. Ospreay's expressions combined with the blood and all-time great selling made this a match to remember, and will likely be the MOTY this year. ****3/4"

[10.0] "Intense match that felt like an eternal rivalry. You know wrestling is good when the wrestlers get so into the role that you really feel like they want to kill each other. Of course, everything within the sporty form within what is indicated, both are machines for making masterpieces."

[10.0] "Probably Match of the year, one of the best matches I have ever seen, omega had a really cool entrance coming out to sephiroth's theme from final fantasy 7, ospreay also had a good entrance bringing back elevated and his assassin gimmick, This was a very brutal match with omega being a fantastic heel and ospreay giving his best performance as a baby face, the highlights were the ddt to the top turnbuckle, a stunning top rope dive from omega, ospreay's head being driven into the table, and the ending being a true 5 star masterpiece with omega slowly gaining control of ospreay's wrists to eventually hit Kota ibushi's finishing move the Kamigoye and then ospreay spat in Kenny's face in one last effort before omega puts him away with the one winged angel. what a unbelievable match from start to finish, the storytelling was amazing, everything was hit to absolute perfection, the visual of ospreay reaching for the championship from the outside after the match and omega looking down on him in a representation that he was still at the top, this match was also bookended by 2 amazing promos from ospreay one from the day before and a all time great promo after the match. Absolutely incredible."

[10.0] "One of the best matches I've ever seen, both these guys are true innovators and working at the top of their games."

[7.0] "Seemed like they struggled to gel to begin with and were going through the motions a bit, and the ending stretch flirted with toeing the line of the NJPW big match formula after they spent all that time putting a unique match together, but everything in between really carries this to a 7/8 level for me. Ask anyone how this would play out and I doubt many would guess a bloody, prolonged beat-down that the victim of doesn't even rebound to win. Kenny cookin in his return to the Dome. ***1/2"

[9.0] "This feels completely wild to say, but the final act of this match just did NOT hit for me in the same way it hit others. The work they did early was tremendous. Kenny getting the upper hand and absolutely demolishing Will. The true highlight for me being when Kenny has demolished him to such a point that when he's ready to finish Will off - just pulling back on Will's leg causes his corpse to completely flop over so he can't be pinned. The match started to lose my thoughts of perfection as Ospreay started making his comeback. I thought it was just too strong for the story that had been told previously. But while I can't go perfect, I see it in the **** 1/4 - **** 1/2 range. For certain one of the best of the year, and knowing that I'm on an island here with my match rating, it will probably be voted *the* best."

[10.0] "This match was fantastic but Ospreay was the star in this for sure. He's facials, his psychology. Omega is a best but he can't hold a candle to Ospreay in terms of being a good pro wrestler. I haven't had a match stay with me like this for a long time."

[10.0] "Eines der besten Wrestling-Matches, welches ich je gesehen habe. Struktur, Aufbau, Spannung, Klasse im Ring: alles war dabei. Gehört definitiv zu meinen Lieblingsmatches. Locker auch in der Top10 aller Zeiten."

"After seeing both the Forbidden Door and Wrestle Kingdom match of Ospreay vs Omega, I think I prefer this one slightly as there was value in everything as Kenny Omega controlling the match felt deliberate. I love this match and I like how refined Will Ospreay was in this match."

[10.0] "It wasnt a match at all, it was a clinic murder ! Omega & Ospreay instead of having a wrestling matchup were just trying to kill each other throughout this freaking war ! Ospreay's bloody face was that sick it made the whole thing ! I never saw something like this done before in wrestling history, what a slayer it has been!"

"My God, what a match. The DDT onto the exposed turnbuckle was amazing and probably my favourite spot from both the WK match and the Forbidden Door match. As good as pro wrestling gets."

[10.0] "Absolutely amazing match. One I think any wrestling fan can just put on and love without having to know anything that happened outside the bells."

[10.0] "This is one of the best matches of all time, it would be asenine to say that it isn't. However, 6 and a quarter is a bit of an exaggeration. As great as both Kenny and Will are, I couldn't help but get the feeling that they held back a bit in this match, possibly to lead to a rematch at Dominion or All In. For these guys though, holding back is putting on one of the best matches you'll ever see. The thing that really put this match over the edge is the last few minutes, which are some of the most enthralling sequences you'll ever see, which is only really seen in spurts throughout the start. There is a lot of iconography here, from the GORGEOUS Osscutters to the turnbuckle ddt to ALL THOSE COUNTERS. Not a top 3 match ever like big DM says, but top 10 for sure. Still not MOTY tho MJF vs Danielson is a hair better in my opinion (Edit: Now this match got overtaken by the rematch at Forbidden Door, but that's not that shocking considering that that match might be my favorite ever at this point in time. This currently sits at 3rd for my MOTY). 10/10 / *****"

[10.0] "Watched this again after their Forbidden Door bout. I think I preferred this one. Incredible battle, some brutal moments and I love the way NJPW presents matches. Its pretty hard to think of anything which could improve about this tbh: 10/10."

[10.0] "I thought I reviewed this match when it happened lmao. Well, there's no way around it: it's the best match of 2023 by a thin margin competing with two other masterpieces: MJF vs Danielson and Omega vs Ospreay II. Stiff and intense, just what a WK's Omega match should be. Two world class talents giving their best performances in a long, long time. The third match needs to happen, that's all, and Ospreay should go over and get the torch he deserves."

[10.0] "This Is simply the the in - ring perfection. Omega did ***** or + star matches with Naito, Tanahashi (WK), Ibushi and many other, he also did four of the best matches aver against Okada and awesome tag team matches with Kota Ibushi. Ospreay also did excellent five star matches against Hiromu, Scurll and Takagi for example. In particulary, the fourth chapter of Takagi vs Ospreay at the Wrestling Dontaku Is one of the best five wrestling matches ever. But this was different. This was better than any match borrow just because this match had somethink of unique: ultra realism. This man go war but this was not Ishii's style. This was serious while It had lots of spot. This Is like Shakespeare wrote It 'cause the narration and the psychology were simply unbelievable, only respect for these two gods. ******1/4 (6.25)/12.5 out of ten."

[10.0] "Perfect. It is just perfect. from the story to the in-ring work. It was awesome. Of course, it was good as a pro wrestling match because it contains nearly the best 2 wrestlers now. but it also had a story going on that helped the rivalry of both guys to continue. now it is time for Forbidden Door and I am so hyped for the rematch"

[10.0] "It might not have been quite the type of match I expected from these two and expectations were sky high, seeing as these are arguably the best wrestlers in the world right now. And with all that, this match exceeded expectations. I've watched this three times at least and I'm still amazed at the physicality and intensity. Might be the best match of the year, unless they manage to outdo themselves at Forbidden Door."

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches Ive ever seen. I woke up at 3 AM just to watch this and was not disappointed. Seeing Kenny back in Tokyo Dome just feels right, especially when he and Ospreay are able to tell a story like this one. Cant believe how much more of this we are going to see in the future, quite obviously being a first match in a long series. Impossible to describe in words the quality of wrestling this has. You just need to watch it."

[10.0] "This was the match of the year by far I will rate this 10 out of 10, great action, great story, great stuff"

[10.0] "Absolute Match of the Year or further the goat, can't wait to see these two in the forbidden door, maybe they can deliver more on their second meet."

[8.0] "Wow, the offence in this match is totally majestically gorgeous. Loved the drama and the fight of both Ospreay & Omega. What I despised though, is the "selling" of Ospreay, his artificial wobbling and stumbling, his laying around - I understand it builds drama and theatricality - but to me, it is not entertaining to witness this. However, if you cut the Ospreay "sell" (the fat of the match), you have an absolute banger of top-class professional wrestling. The style, the substance, the authoritarian demeanour of Omega and the ferocity of Ospreay creates a brilliant contest of pure adrenaline."

"This match is essentially the godfather of modern day wrestling and has already cemented its status as the best match of the year as well as one of the best matches of the decade. You can even make a valid argument if it being one of the best matches of all time! Perfect from top to bottom. 10/10"

[10.0] "What can i say about this that hasn't already been said? Nothing this is match of the year. Hell match of the decade."

"Although I dont believe this is one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time, this is absolutely one of the best matches this year. Very simple in match layout that works out terrifically in a place like the Tokyo Dome and not overly complicated."

[10.0] "Einer meiner absoluten Lieblingsmatches und einer der besten die ich je gesehen habe. Das Match war extrem hart und unterhaltsam. Das Story-Telling was das beste was ich jemals in einem Match gesehen habe und ich hoffe auf viele weitere Matches zwischen den beiden auf dem Level. Es wird schwer sein das noch zu toppen (*****)"

[10.0] "All I have to say about this is that it was one of the greatest and most brutal matches I have ever seen. Anyone giving this less than a 9 out of 10 is a contrarian for the sake of being contrarian. Even just a 9 is silly to me. Like this is literally a perfect match."

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches of all time. MOTN easily and still my MOTY almost halfway through. / GOATED 13/10 / SOTM(Spot of the Match) Kamigoye + OWA combo for Kenny to win."

[10.0] "Very very good match BUT its clearly the first chapter in what will be an epic storyline. It feels incomplete alone. Incredible work rate and story telling by both guys and instantly puts over both guys if you aren't already a fan. Wrestling doesn't get much better than this. That said, Meltz is smoking rocks if he stone face tries to tell me this is significantly better than any of the Okada/Omega trilogy or either of the main Kobashi/Misawa 97 matches."

[10.0] "Best Match of 2023 and Ospeay's Finest Spectacle.This Was Simply Brutal Warfare Enhanced by NJPW Atmosphere. Match Rating - *****1/2"

[10.0] "This one is going to be hard to beat all year. A fantastic match from top to bottom. It s so good that Meltzer is wiping out whole universes to get the stars needed for his rating. Kenny came out to murder Will and they told a hell of a story in the process. Just when you thought one of these guys were done, they threw another big haymaker. It had this nice touch of young star v veteran too with Omega being clever and Ospreay making the odd mistake. Omega going after Wills kidney (a legit health issue last year) was a nice touch. Eventually, Omega put Ospreay away but not before one hell of a fight. Omega as US Champion means more NJPW matches so not a bad thing. Surely, AEW does a rematch at Forbidden Door 2 right? *****"

[7.0] "Good match, between arguably the 2 best wrestlers in the world, and maybe it was the expectations of that that brings the rating down, I just think they could have done more."

[10.0] "The expectations were high, but these two great workers delivered a tremendous match. Even though this took place just four days into the year 2023, it was an early MOTYC. Not only were the moves impressive, the selling and drama were top notch as well."

[8.0] "I wasn't watching much wrestling when this happened so come to it a few months late. I fear the praise it got meant I went in with two high expectations. It was undeniably great and I loved the the storytelling throughout of a defiant Ospreay."

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches in history. It was everything I wanted and expected the match to be, with an incredible crowd and exciting build."

[10.0] "This is quite possibly the most perfect wrestling match I have ever seen in my 20 years of watching wrestling. Literally everything that should've gone right went right. The most perfect blend of storytelling, psychology, physicality, realistic and crisp offense, just everything was perfect from start to finish. One of the greatest matches of all time and quite possibly my favorite wrestling match ever."

[10.0] "Will not be surpassed as match of the year. One of the few "perfect" matches that's actually perfect. Calculated brutality, storytelling off the charts, a relentless but patient pacing that you rarely see in long matches. Omega was and is a superstar. Ospreay is the future of the sport."

[10.0] "A perfect match, intense and brutal. Omega and Ospreay played to their strengths and brought something new. Incredible. An all-time favorite."

[10.0] "It's rare that people hype up a match for as long as this match has been hyped up and it delivers. This delivered, and then some. It delivered so much that I would say it's one of the greatest matches of all time. This was Kenny Omega's best performance since before he left NJPW the first time, and Will Ospreay matched him at every step. I hope there's a rematch in the near future."

[10.0] "The only word I can use to describe this match is war. Brutal, bloody, violent war. Usually I never revisit matches so soon after first seeing them, but I've already had my first rewatch of this masterpiece somehow it was even better than the first time around. The hype around this was enormous, almost so much that I was worried they wouldn't be able to live up to it, but now I see how dumb it was to doubt two of the best wrestlers to ever live. Will Ospreay has set the wrestling world on fire these past few years and when you put him in the ring with Kenny Omega, the man who did the exact same in 2016-2018, this is the result. I've seen doubt on if Kenny still has his old NJPW self in him since in AEW he hasn't been on the level of that run (with a few exceptions), but this match put that to rest soundly; he is still the best wrestler in the world. Here, he played the villain perfectly, being incredibly vicious throughout and delivering the beating of a lifetime to Ospreay, who in turn gave one hell of a babyface performance. The match was topped of with a very fitting finish where Kenny finally gets revenge for Kota Ibushi by hitting Ospreay with Ibushi's Kamigoye, followed by the One-Winged Angel. Without a doubt one of the best matches I've ever seen and I in no way see how anything tops this for the rest of the year. *****+"

[10.0] "What can I say about this match that hasn't been said already. It really felt like a privilege to watch such a match live."

[7.0] "I think both wrestlers involved in this match have tendencies that when they lean into more in matches it becomes annoying to watch, but in this match they mostly kept them to a minimum. I enjoyed Omega's performance in this match a lot, which makes sense as this was mostly a one sided match with Omega being on top for most. I do not think this is an all time classic match, I do not even think it is the best match to happen in January this year, but it is definitely a great match."

[10.0] "Fastest 30minutes of watching a wrestling match I've ever had, an absolutely fantastic match, that was built from Kenny's passive shots, and carried on to the trios match in AEW, then at the conference where Ospreay poured his heart and soul into the microphone and made you feel the emotions and the hardship he's had to endure, and finally, at Wrestle Kingdom which was sure to be his greatest hour in front of his ultimate test, he battles tooth and nails to prove himself to the world as he perceives. This match will remain in the memories of wrestling fans all over. 10/10 Go out of your way to watch this!"

[10.0] "There we go! One of the top-tier matches that's been in the works for a few years met its culmination in a barn burning style. Both men had the poise in their eyes heading inside the Dome for this titular clash and that intensity was felt from the opening bell itself. It broke the stereotypical "mega match" formula of New Japan, had a blitzkrieg pattern of action throughout the 34-and-a-half-minute miracle with a result that a chunk of the fans expected. Apart from the chemistry in fighting, these two had incredible chemistry in displaying their emotions as well. The faces of concern on United Empire after that hazardous DDT off the exposed top turnbuckle mixed with Callis' commentary excellence till the end added many layers of feelings for the story. At the end, it was The Cleaner dethroning the Billy GOAT of NJPW after a stupendous reign. I'm excited to see who steps up for Omega whereas Ospreay's career is about to take a huge turn probably towards the bigger prize because he just lost the contest, not the essence of a leading frontrunner. 5 out of 5 stars!"

[10.0] "One of the most widely anticipated "dream" matches of the past few years for good reason. They could've taken this match in a much more boring direction but I'm glad they didn't, the most violent Omega has been in years with an amazing babyface performance from Ospreay that got the crowd on his side and left us wanting more. Best New Japan match in years."

[9.0] "Kenny back in NJPW form and Will proving why he's one of the best in the world right now. The finish leaves a sour taste in my mouth though, hopefully we get at least one more match in the future so Will can get his win back. Edit: After having sat on this one for a bit, I'm upping the rating. I've only grown more fond of it over time, and it's clear NJPW is still behind Will as a talent. Hopefully we see two more matches of this caliber from these guys."

[10.0] "This match, and others similar to it (e.g. the Omega-Okada quadrilogy) is what I believe all other professional wrestling matches should aspire to emulate. There are no wasted movements here, no pointless and dull grappling, and the moves are executed to perfection. Moreover, the match communicated the story perfectly, with Omega gradually coming to dominate the spirited, but clearly outmatched Ospreay. Without even factoring in an understanding of the NJPW product, I believe any person could watch this and derive a basic understanding of the story being told here. There were of course many exciting moments and sequences, including a gnarly DDT into the turnbuckle. Personally, my favourite was Omega smashing Ospreay's head through the already broken table. Overall, this match is a perfect mixture of athleticism, spectacular spots, and an expertly communicated story. Although the match is over half-an-hour long, it only left me wanting more, and I am eagerly anticipating the rematch. *****"

[10.0] "The perfect pairing of electric offence and god-tier bumping and selling. Kenny's offence looked like it was designed to kill, and Will threw it back in spades. Top two moments for me were the knee out of the ring, and the second-rope Croyt's Wrath. Set a ridiculously high bar for MOTY."

[7.0] "I really dislike Ospreay, but this is most likely a career match for him. All of his annoying tendencies are at a minimum here, he finally hit a Hidden Blade that looked as good as when Ibushi sold it like death, and he took some ridiculous bumps here. I'm not too big on either guy (I think Omega's fine and hate Ospreay) but this wasn't as obnoxious as I thought it would be."

[10.0] "Is this match one of the greatest of all time? Possibly. I? ve never seen a match that made me want to look away and I watch deathmatch wrestling, this made me wince like nothing else due to the fact that I went into this expecting a wrestling match and not two men beating the absolute tar out of each other, and that only made me love it more. If I had to rate it, its 5 stars. I loved it."

[10.0] "Can't go any higher than a 10. Watching that match while struggling to stay awake at 6am made it feel like a fever dream and it was even better on repeat viewing. But the drama and tension these two weave into every segment and move is astounding. Truly a masterpiece from two of the best who will ever do it."

[10.0] "This is one of the greatest matches I've ever seen. It was absolutely flawless. Definitely deserving of the 6.25 stars Dave gave it"

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches I've ever seen wrestled. From the minute these two first lock up and Kenny starts slapping Will in the back of the head the tone for this is set. These two are amongst the most athletically gifted pro wrestlers in the world so it goes without saying that the physical action was damn near flawless however what truly elevated this match was the brutal story it told of the Final Boss of pro wrestling returning to teach Will Osprey a lesson. I've seen both of these men have incredible matches but this is amongst the most special they will ever have."

[10.0] "This match had it all. The storytelling throughout the match kept you on the edge of your seat. Seriously might be the greatest match I have ever seen."

[10.0] "Matches like this are why I get up in the middle of the night to watch wrestle kingdom. It was amazing."

[10.0] "Using Daves barometer Id have this a touch under his rating at 6 stars - truly wonderful even though I generally am not a fan of Omega. Ospreay was probably the best Ive ever seen him. Looking forward to the rematch."

[8.0] "The novelty of seeing Kenny Omega in an NJPW ring overshadows some of this match's flaws. Omega can perfectly structure an NJPW main event and the exchanges of strikes were crisp as hell and really played into both men's strength. The final stretch was a bit overkill but still the best match in NJPW in years. ****1/2"

[5.0] "Needlessly high risk violence for the story they were telling. Tons of head drops, a near table shard through a kidney that just had been infected, it wasn't necessary and there could have been a great match without it. Beyond that, there was seemingly a cadence to the false finishes late in the match which sucked out any drama that was there. I beg for a cap of 2 counts that can be done in a match. Let's make the KOPW rule official and call a match at 30 counts, I don't need to see 15 2 count kickouts."

[9.0] "Squaresoft couldn't have animated a better match than these two lads out on. The fact that so much still feels left for them to explore in ring despite the magic on display here is a testament to just how insanely talented both of these guys are."

[9.0] "What an impressive bout between these two men! It's truly as good as it gets. It was like nothing I expected, and was surprisingly difficult to watch with pretty intense physicality and violence. Was no doubt the best match of the show, and well done to both wrestler's very convincing performance. Ospreay's getting so much better at selling."

"Saw the results before the match and Wasn't sure about the ending but once I watched the match it was a perfect way to go. Both men came out looking great, Ospreay can easily climb back up that ladder to the top. What a great show to start off the year in general."

"They set the bar for 2023. This will be the match to beat going forward and it looks like with the story they set up that they'll be the ones that top themselves."

[10.0] "Es ist kein Match sondern ein Kunstwerk! Und zwar eins der besten das ich je gesehen habe. Jeder Wrestling Fan muss es gesehen haben."

[8.0] "Far from this epic classic we will never forget that this is being billed as. It was good though. Pretty good Id say but I dont even think it was the best match of the month let alone a year. There were a couple of times they started to lose me, but they always got my attention back. I liked that the finish was definitive and came at a good time too, without running into overkill territory. It was one of Ospreay's best matches in years and one of Omega's best as well. Even with some underwhelming bits early where it felt a bit unfocused, they compensated with a fun second half. I just do not buy Ospreay as a face, he has done nothing to show me that he is worth cheering for, and Omega across from him is not a despicable enough heel to make me route for him in opposition even though I thought it was one of his better performances seeing how aggressive he was. I was dreading at the fighting spirit spot. Play to your strengths Will. This just isnt it. All in all, yeah I enjoyed it despite its flaws. I think the positives outweight the negatives here, so Ill give it an 8."

[9.0] "Amazing match. The DDT on turnbuckle was awesome. A masterpiece, from the entrances to the OWA. MOTYC!"

[10.0] "Probably best singles match of the last 3 years for WK. Both wrestlers played their role perfect, Osperays selling that turnbuckle bump was amazing. Kenny show the world why they call him god of pro wrestling. Simply amazing match."

[10.0] "I was so excited for this match and it exceeded even my wildest expectations, everything from the entrances to the match finish was brilliant, two of the best performers in the history of independent wrestling have once again set a high bar and is arguably the best match in the companys history"

"Rarely do you look forward to a match for so long, and when it happens it delivers more than you were expecting. Cannot wait to see what they do in the follow up matches."

"I was lucky enough to see this live in the Tokyo Dome and it's definitely in contention for one of the best matches of recent, but I think it was just a little short of being one of the best of all time. Omega dominated Ospraey for long sections of the matches works great in longer term storytelling, but as an isolated match, I think this detracts from potential best of all time territory."

"Wow, Incredible match and athletes This was a burner and could be rewatched ad nauseum Ospreay showcased as the new gen (vs. 10 years senior OG Kenny) adds to expectations of innovation in future matches"

[10.0] "What an awesome match, i don't think it's one of greatest match of all time but for sure this one is one of the MOTYC [*****]"

[10.0] "One of the best matches I've ver seen, if not the best. Even with all the expectations they managed to beat them, and create this masterpiece."

[10.0] "Wonderful match. This match was instant classic! The match quality, and storytelling was fantastic. Crowd got energetic. I just hated one thing. Omega gave ospreay a brutal beating. But ospreay somehow made a comeback and Didn't show the previous damages. If ospreay won, it would be the worst thing of this match. But after all omega won and saved the psychology. Five star classic match. (*****)"

[10.0] "For me this is a 10/10 must watch wrestling match. I've never been so off my seat in years, and it kinda reminded me how wrestling felt years ago! I'm glad Meltzer was generous with the number of stars it got; like I said, 100% recommendable to watch :)"

[9.0] "I was going into this match with very high expectations. Those expectations were met and exceeded. What a beautiful battle these two put on in the Tokyo Dome. Kenny Omega killing Ospreay's momentum by dropping him face first into the exposed turnbuckle... chef's kiss! This was not Ospreay's night... but I also believe they will meet again in 2023."

[10.0] "I generally haven't bought what main event Ospreay is selling, but for this match I bought in, and I think having such a long spaced-out build helped a lot. The opening sequences of this were very nice, nothing more than you'd see from your average match from either guy, but very smooth of course. The stomp through the table followed by Ospreay's suplex to it a little later was a great way to crank the intensity up for the rest of the match. Once they start hanging onto the corner though, the match really starts to heat up. The buckle DDT into the bladejob was great, and man Kenny's work over the cut/head after that were incredible stuff; the use gotten out of a single table in this match was really something, and the Super Croyt's Wrath looked awesome. Ospreay's comeback started in a fashion that most wrestlers probably dream to be able to pull off, and he laid in his offense harder than I think he ever has before, with an insane front-facing Hidden Blade that gave Kenny a shiner being the main one. There's some of that patented NJPW Major Singles Match WRIST CONTROL at one point that didn't really lead to much, but the finish with the spit from Will into the Kamigoye to OWA finish (after Kenny entered as Sephiroth) was really excellent. I still think NJPW singles matches in top spots take too long to get going, but this didn't really have that much filler besides the opening act; at 34 minutes and change I think this would've been optimally like 28-30 total and that's not much filler by New Japan standards. A really excellent match that deserves a 10 even if it's not as mindblowing to me as it is others. ****1/2+"

[10.0] "I've given very few 10's on this site and never have I ever felt compelled to be able to give more but this match has done that. I absolutely loved this match."

[10.0] "This match was a multidimensional masterpiece. Beneath the flawless sequences and transitions, high impact strikes, terrifying risks, mind boggling athleticism, and physicality of stunning violence, is a story fueled by deep, emotionally-laden, psychology. It is ultimately a tale of a violent struggle for forced succession. Two men who have given their entire adult lives to this most highly competitive and dangerous performance art, and who have now reached the absolute pinnacle of their profession as athletes, entertainers, and artists, meet 1 on 1 to determine if its time for the younger to claim undisputed supremacy from the older or if the older can resist the tides of history and prove the time to relinquish the throne has not yet arrived. The epic unfolds in dramatic fashion as both competitors go to extreme lengths to achieve victory and make enormous sacrifices to avoid defeat. The performance is made all the more poignant by the fact that it takes place on the hallowed ground of the Tokyo Dome in the nation that imported and then elevated pro wrestling to its most strenuous and technically sophisticated form and that also provided the furnace that forged the greatness of both men. Indeed, the older man returns to this almost mystical space with the vengeful goal of reasserting authority over a defiant younger claimant who assumed interim artistic dominance during his predecessors absence. On another level, this is also the story of two men challenging one another in order to strive towards the more exalted goal of competing against all that has preceded them in the history of their profession and, in doing so, to fight against their own god-given limits to achieve glory and define a legacy that will live forever. One can conclude with absolute certainty that Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega achieved this latter goal. In that sense, both men emerged victorious and, as a result of their excellence, we as fans and the professional wrestling industry at large should be forever grateful."

[9.0] "One of the best NJPW matches I've seen in a while. Amazing performances from both of them. Ospreay with the selling of a lifetime here and Omega is just different gravy in a Japanese ring. Absolutely delighted the match got the cheering crowd it deserved. It delivered what it promised to be, but it was more than that. Ospreay was fighting for dear life when I was expecting more of a contest. I really do think the match should have been getting wrapped up after the second turnbuckle spot though. The borrowed moves and imagery of the closing stretch with Ospreay firing up didn't feel like the ending this match should have. They felt a bit too much like simple callbacks rather than essential pieces of the in-ring narrative. Took the wind out of the match just a little bit. That being said, there's the guts of 30 minutes of wrestling here that's just incredibly gripping."

[10.0] "Man this match is one of the best matches OF ALL FREAKING TIME! I loved every second of it. When this match was announced, I didn't believe it could live up to the hype but these two greatly exceeded it. Storytelling, the brutality, the wresting, everything about this match was incredible. The DDT spot onto the exposed turnbuckle and Omega bashing Ospreay? s through a table was both amazing and terrifying. Will watch again, and again, and again. ******"

[10.0] "Genuinely stunning. One of those "you have to see it to believe it" matches. I'd advise anyone to go out of their way to watch it."

[10.0] "This was my first time watching WK live after a few years that I wasnt interested in the matches after Kenny leave. I have to be honest and I admit that my expectations were not as high because this was Kennys first single match after coming back and I can seriously say that this may be the best match that I have ever seen. The chemistry between Ospreay and Omega is off the charts and they made feel every exchange as a fight, the best part is that the eventual rematch is going to be of epic proportions. Cant wait to see if the 2 promotions make a really big supercard for Forbidden door, specially after last year so many injuries hur the card at the last minute and still was one if not my favorite ppv of last year."

[10.0] "Fantastic match, expectations where high and they reached and possibly surpassed all off them, the hyper athletic and fast pace moves along with the drama was guaranteed but didn't think it would get as brutal as it did, I'm glad it did added an extra edge to the match. Omega's entrance was worth it alone."

[10.0] "Why do so many people think they are Meltzer? To say it is 5.75 or 6 stars out of 5 is ludicrous. If the scale was out of 12, would those people go the full rating? Of course not lol. They'd say 14 out of 12. Come on! Regardless, It's already been said. Phenomenal match. In my personal opinion, Omega vs. Okada IV is still the very best pro wrestling match I've ever seen. But I'll be damned if this isn't a close second."

[10.0] "Perfection... Absolute perfection. It truly doesn't get any better than this one. Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay are arguably the two best professional wrestlers on the planet today and they just showed everyone why."

[9.0] "Verdammt starkes und überraschender Weise auch sehr brutales Match. Zwar nicht der große All Time Klassiker, aber immer noch ein nahezu perfektes Aufeinandertreffen. ****3/4"

[10.0] "They brilliantly hanged their work even over the expectations. Perfect build-up, clever blood stuff, intensity till the end. In fourth day of the year we have very solid candidate to the award for the whole 365 days."

[10.0] "This match set an insanely high bar for Omega and Ospreay's feud and the rest of 2023 as well. Kenny has been great in AEW but I was under the impression he was done with this style due to injuries, so even though I knew this match would be great, I was surprised it reached this level."

[10.0] "Omega delivered his best performance since leaving New Japan here thanks to having the only opponent who's also on his level today, Ospreay. Incredible match."

[9.0] "This match had very high expectations going into it, and I believe those expectations were exceeded. It had the incredible action youd expect, but the story surrounding that action made the match. They played into Ospreays recent title defenses. They played into Ospreays life-threatening kidney failure. They played into the referee stoppage from Ospreay vs. Umino in England. The top turnbuckle DDT yielded a failure for Omega in 2017 when he still lost the G1 Finals, but tonight it led him to reclaiming the U.S. title. After the half-year of fantastic title defenses from Ospreay, and Omega winning the title in this epic match, I feel the U.S. title has truly been elevated into. The match also elevated Ospreay, as what he lost in a title, he gained in emotional investment. His post-match promo saw him opine about how he gave everything he had to New Japan and now has nothing, and gave himself a timeline of a year before possibly exiting the company. In other words, Ospreay has essentially given himself a year to defeat Okada and Ospreay, and that to me will be extremely interesting to watch, especially as it pertains to the heavyweight tournaments in Japan, next years Wrestle Kingdom, and any big U.S. New Japan events in between. Had the match ended at its peak, which I believe was the super One-Winged Angel, it would be as close to perfect as a match can get. But it overshot that peak by a few minutes and it showed in the crowds diminished reaction until the finish. That said, this was an amazing match. Its the best IWGP U.S. Title bout yet, and a match worth going out of your way to see. Perhaps the craziest thing about the match is that this was only the first chapter of the Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay story."

[10.0] "Amazing match with storytelling and selling. It's not surprising from two guys which collects 5 stars matches. It's an instant classic which must be seen with the press conference to have the complete context."

[7.0] "This is Will Ospreay's best match and i will tell you why. For the most part, he actually has consistent selling and that isnt a thing im used to seeing from good ol' Billiam. Kenny's hitting all the hits, as he should, and they look as good as ever. The return of the "Here's Johnny! " spot was much appreciated from me and Kenny battering Will fit the story i thought was trying to be portrayed. The only issues i have is that near the en, Ospreay stops selling and does his stupid shit, hitting like 5 hidden blades. I also dont understand the story, really. As the story is supposed to be Wills the face as he stayed and has dedicated his career and life to NJPW, with Kenny being the man who left it all behind. However, this was not portrayed all that well throughout the match and in the promo. Also trying to tribute known POS Ryan Smile for sympathy is kind of gross. Anywho, personal vendetta aside, this was a great match in my honest opinion. 7."

[8.0] "Is it really the 4th best ever match? No. Not by a long shot. Don't get me wrong, it still is enjoyable. Speaking as someone who is a big detractor of Ospreay, I appreciated how he and Omega told an interesting story, years in the making, with some smart and simple elements, combined with fluide and impressive sequences of moves. Unfortunately, following the DDT on the exposed steel, that's when I felt the match was starting to drag. They had several moments where they could have stopped but they kept going, and going, and going, and it reached the point of overkill and it took away from my enjoyment. Cut 10 minutes from that match, give them to Tam vs KAIRI and Bam, you instantly improved the show."

[10.0] "This was so damn good, I don't even think I can write a review that gives enough praise for how good this match was. I'll just say my brain tends to wander when watching wrestling (or anything for that matter haha) but my eyes were glued to the telly when this match was on. Kenny Omega one of the goats for sure. And without a doubt this was one of his best matches if not the best. I'm always uncomfortable calling a match the greatest of all time, but you could make a really good case that this one is the greatest. If you haven't seen this one yet, make it the next match you watch. You won't regret it."

[10.0] "That was a real beating, from the moment of the DDT, it became Kenny destroying Ospreay and putting himself on a step above, towards the end Will still gave flashes of a reaction and showing his fighting spirit, the crimson mask married perfectly with the challenge that Ospreay needed to face, and the way the match was built, if Kenny didn't win the belt I would have annulled all the good points of that fight, but the construction was perfect and this will be the match of the year anyway having more than 360 days to come on PW (*****)"

[10.0] "The MOTY was on January 4th, we're saying that almost every January 4th, but here, that was an absolute blast. Surely two of the most influentials gaijins in recent NJPW history collide and they've created magic. The heel of the story wasn't the one we though and damn, that was a great dynamic. Omega is the final step for Ospreay while the Canadian made the English his bitch. Omega was on a rare killer instinct, but surely was vicious as hell. Ospreay's selling was stellar whereas it's not his better assets. Omega destroyed him, but Ospreay showed a superb fighting spirit and The Dome bought it so well. The intensity growing by, and so the violence, whether physical and psychological, and then Ospreay wearing a crimson mask were completely crazy. The epicness peaked like the fights between the likes of Okada, Tanahashi, Shibata, Naito and many others, you know. That's a timeless masterpiece. The complete all-package wrestling fight : storytelling, psychology, intensity, brutality, drama, epicness and especially insane in-ring action. Kenny Omega in Japan hits different, but here, that hit even more. Hell, I've even liked the outside sequences, like they were to kill each other. Omega smashing Ospreay's head on the table was really something while United Empire's concern about their leader, fighting by himself and just by himself added so much emotion, moreover. The best bout ever ? That would need a rewatch, but that's not a blasphemy to call this bout one of the best ever."

[9.0] "Well shit. They did it. Honestly, I thought it would be good-great but, like a lot of highly touted matches, wrestled like a match trying to be the greatest match unlike what this was, which was them going out there, following the story they were actually telling and wrestling the match and not the moment. There was no gratuitous let? s soak in the crowd moment, or something similarly manufactured. They simply tried to win. Both wrestled with intent, aggression and with follow through. Omega was aggressive from the off, hurting Ospreay quickly with his approach and spent the whole match following up on that with some of the most dangerous stunts he could think of. In classic Kenny fashion, there were some call backs to his previous matches, like the table spot with Okada, but in this case, they linked into the story of the match in a natural way. Omega put the table on the injured back of Ospreay, after he just crashed into the edge of the ring. Exactly the right thing for the right moment. Moreover, Ospreay proved that his best self is him selling for his opponent and working from beneath. His selling was great at times, playing into the blood extremely well and the effect it should have on you, while still providing some excellent offence when he could. This match was Omega heavy however, but luckily, this was the best Kenny Omega performance since 2018. I? ve never been in love with Omega? s work during his AEW. He was usually good but rarely great and NEVER this good. And he showed up big time in this match. This was nothing short of amazing. A quality dome match. ****1/2"

[10.0] "What a match. We have here with no doubt the MOTY of 2023. A battle between two giants wrestlers with moments of risky maneuvers (Omega worked well with the unprotected turnbuckle) and full of psychology (Omega showing no mercy when Ospreay had his face full of blood, which reminded me the match between Will and Michael Oku at High Stakes 2022; and the end when Ospreay has to see how Kenny takes away the US title from him). I think it won't be the only match between them, another one at DON or Dominion would be nice. *****1/2 or *****3/4"

[9.0] "When I seen all the hype online I thought I was in for MOTY. Think it was over hyped but it was still an incredible match"

[10.0] "Incredible match that's up there with each wrestler's best, if not at the top. Clearly this is just the beginning of a feud between them and I'm not sure how they're going to top this but I don't doubt that they will."

[10.0] "Honestly' Wow. Just 2 incredible wrestlers at their absolute peaks telling a story in Ring. It's gonna be really hard to top this one for MOTY 2023. Full 10 for me (and 6 stars in a 5 star system). It will probably end up one of my favorite all time matches."

[8.0] "This was ok. I'm certainly not a fan of these kinds of matches. It definitely suffers from the "do a big move, lay down for two minutes, do a another big move, lay down for two more minutes" thing that most high profile main event matches seem to turn into. They did some crazy spots which I was expecting, these two really do execute very well. However, none of them really changed the direction of the match, aside from the table stomp spot which really was clever. I could have done without the exposed turnbuckle too. This match felt like it should be half as long, but I understand that these two are important to new japan fans so I get it. There was stuff I couldn't stand though, mostly the burying of the ref, using weapons right in front of him, and it really looked like it should have been a stoppage. I'm down with these two but I think in a different dosage. Like I said, they executed some crazy spots and the match had a story for the most part so it's definitely good but could have been half as long. If you like these two guys or guys like them you will probably love it."

"Incredible performance from these two. Expected a lot from this match and they still managed to exceed my expectations. From the athleticism of both men to Will's selling that makes every hit or v-trigger look like he is close to death, all comes together and makes for one great performance 10/10."

[10.0] "Somehow they managed to surpass the expectations! One of the greatest wrestling matches of all time! Absolutely captivating performances by two of the best wrestlers we have ever seen. Kenny was an absolute monster here and the one-sided nature of the bout leaves room for additional matches between the two. Incredibly, that means they could potentially beat this match later down the line!"

[10.0] "An excellent fight. Absolutely fabulous entries. Like many I guess, I was expecting a less brutal fight and I was therefore surprised and totally conquered by what these two men proposed during more than half an hour. The spot in the corner before Will bleeds seemed a bit confusing to me but maybe another viewing will change my mind. In any case this match was really fantastic as the intensity of the rivalry was felt in the ring. Will's bloody and haggard face against a destroyed but in control Omega told the story of an historic match. A title change that will not be forgotten in a hurry. 9, 5/10 (4* 3/4)."

[10.0] "I'm not surprised this was a MOTY contender right out of the gate for 2023 but I am surprised at the match itself. Kenny and Ospreay aren't strangers to hitting hard but even still I found this uncharacteristically brutal from both of them."

[10.0] "This was not my style of match, and not the match I expected from them, but after I rewatch, I have to say this was an amazing match. In terms of storytelling, it was a masterpiece. Even if someone didn't knew any of these men or understood the commentary, by the end of it, they would know exactly who they were and what they wanted. I hope there's a rematch and rhythm is a little more Ospreay-like."

[5.0] "This match is currently ranked #4 of all time on Cagematch and Meltzer has given it higher than six stars, only the third time he has done so ever. And I thought it was... not terrible' There was definitely a chance I would really dislike this match, so that's saying something. I am not currently a big fan of either guy and I find NJPW style tedious, so the ingredients are present for something I might really dislike, so I suppose it's a credit to them that I wasn't ultimately super down on the match. But at the same time I strain to find much really interesting about this one. One moment does stand out as a clear positive, Ospreay bladed during the match and Omega grabbed his head and started bashing it through an already partially destroyed table in a very cool visual moment, so props there. As for the rest of the match... well, I suppose it was what I expected. Extremely long, though it did not drag as much as I feared. There were lots of big spots, some were cool though few felt really memorable. Both guys pulled weird faces, although at least they didn't go down the melodrama route much. At the end of the day they created match that most loved so props to them, to me the match is merely "not bad" but it could have been worse."

[10.0] "Es ist einfach so es wie ich es jetzt sehe. Es war das Rematch, NJPW wusste nix vor dem ersten Match. Will erinnerte sich in einem Interview an das von 2015. Vor dem Match hat er auch gegen Kenny nochmal in einem anderen Interview heftig geshootet. Ich habe mir erstmal entschieden erstmal nur das hier zuschauen weil irgendwie will man es als Wrestling Fan sehen. Auch bin ich Fan von beiden und ja es war schwer hier zu tippen wer wird gewinnen. Es steht 2:0 denn Kenny hat auch das erste Mal gewonnen. Ein klares Highlight war der Double Stomp von Kenny auf den Tisch der auf Will lag und dann Hier ist Kenny. Will brach sich sicher auch fast den Rücken. Ein perfektes Wrestling Match (*****)."

"Fastest 30 minute match just flu by can't wait for rematch will ospreay is the man njpw wrestle kingdom good show"

[10.0] "Kenny returns to New Japan and New Japan Kenny returns. Was great to see him back in this environment and somehow putting on one of his best matches in the company after years away."

[10.0] "Found this gem through dailymotion and needless to say this match lived up to everything that had been said about it and more. Truly one of the most gruesome matches since Okada and Shibata. This was incredible. Possibly the greatest match I have ever watched"

[10.0] "As I didn't have any Okada/Omega trilogy matches or any live Shibata fights, I would say that of all the matches I saw live, this one was without a doubt the best. A masterpiece."

[10.0] "Best Match these two will ever have. Kenny comes back and beats the shit out of one of the most unlikeable people in wrestling today and it ruled. They tried to make Will Osperay sympathetic and in the dome, they succeeded from the chants I heard. However, for anyone that can understand Will at all on any level, it's very hard to root for him given he's such a twat. They did great though, better than I thought it would ever be. The only way the rematch could be better is if Kenny wins again and they fight a 3rd time and Kenny wins again."

[10.0] "Just four days in, we may very well have seen the Match of the Year. Two of the greatest wrestlers of not only the modern era, but any time in wrestling history, going all-out with a simple story that grew ever the more complex as this match proceeded. When Kenny Omega left New Japan Pro Wrestling to form All Elite Wrestling, he personally handed the keys to the kingdom to Will Ospreay. In the four years since Omega last wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling, however, Ospreay has failed to do the one thing that elevated Omega to the top of the mountain: Defeat Kazuchika Okada. And thus, Ospreay has failed to fill the massive void left by The Best Bout Machine. For all that appears to exist between these two, Okada is the primary force that drives both men to be the best that they possibly can be. And only one has managed to pin Okada when it matters most. As the match grew closer, that fundamental truth drove these two men to paths they perhaps had not been down in quite some time. Ospreay, who had evolved into perhaps the most complete wrestler on the planet, going back to his roots as The Aerial Assassin. A jaw-dropping athlete whom even Don Callis acknowledged as superior to Omega in that respect would defy physics on more than one occasion in this match. Unfortunately, moving backwards accomplished exactly that: It sent Ospreay to a place that left him susceptible to the type of damage he would never have encountered in his present form. Speaking of Callis, Omega did the unthinkable by making his own spokesperson and confidant question the inhumanity of what was occurring in this match. Twice Omega dropped Ospreay on exposed steel, risking both the life and career of the man he trusted to take his place. And just when it seemed like this battle of generational athletes could not become any more depraved, Omega opted to smash Ospreay blood-face-first through a Japanese table. The high spots alone were worth the price of admission, but this was an absolute clinic in how to tell a story both before and during a match. It was a tale of the impact that Okada has had on both careers. It became a matter of ego versus desperation. Ospreay was determined to turn back the clocks and prove he could have been in the same position Omega was years prior. Perhaps discrediting his own progress as a person and wrestler in the process. Omega showing that he would do anything to keep his spot. Even commit violent acts that Callis, as devilish as they come, struggled to approve of. From start to finish, this was an experience that perhaps reminded fans of why Wrestle Kingdom is a platform unlike any other in professional wrestling. Where the best of the best who call the squared circle home either put up or shut up. And gain scars, both physical and mental, for their legendary efforts. I personally find a scale above five stars a little silly, but I do believe in a blanket statement of 5+. And this was 5+. 5+ stars, 10 out of 10. Worth every bit of the hype."

[10.0] "4 days into the year and I think MOTY is more or less sewn up! These two put on a hard hitting epic that'll go down as an all-timer. Fascinated to see where both men go from here. *****"

[10.0] "This was incredible. For the first time in three years, finally, there is life in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kenny Omega is an absolute master of his craft. Theres not another wrestler who puts as much thought and care into his matches. Crazy spots, callbacks to past matches, blood. You cannot call yourself a pro-wrestling fan without watching this match. *****"

[10.0] "Literally insane. On reflection down the kine this will aabokutkey be a top 10 probably top 5 match for me."

[10.0] "Outside of the odd moment / match, Omega has never really clicked with me in AEW. I'd heard and could tell he had this other side to him though. We saw it briefly against Danielson for example. Unfortunately, I came to wrestling too late to see him in New Japan the first time round and with the product being fairly cold, never got into the promotion enough to go back and watch his run. Besides, wrestling never quite has the same impact when it's not live. This time though, I got to experience the build up, the anticipation and then see a match that blew me away. I get it fully now. Omega is a living legend and fully deserving of all the praise he gets. However, Will Ospreay was the MVP of this match to me. Another guy who I've had limited exposure to but been able to tell that he was capable of greatness. But I wasn't expecting this level of it from him. Not in this way. His selling was on another level here and genuinely had me fearful for his wellbeing. The babyface fire. The crispness of the moves (which I was expecting) but they were executed with such gritty realism that I was utterly enthralled. God, I could wax lyrical for another 10, 000 words about him in this match. Point is, this was incredible and a top 3 match of all time for me. It'll be tough for anyone to beat this in 2023. The potential of Gunther vs Brock at Mania has me intrigued. If we get Mercedes Mone vs Mayu Iwatani, that has generational potential and is my one true dream match. Danielson vs Sabre Jr at Forbidden Door (or Danielson vs Omega 2). That's about it. It's a short list but those are the only ones that even have a chance of competing in my opinion."

"OMG what a match! Kenny "By God" Omega and Will Ospreay gave us already a MOTY contender only 4 days in 2023. Can't wait to see where this feud goes."

[10.0] "A unique match of two legends who always had a place in my heart. During the match, we saw several times that both wrestlers did different moves on the neck, which made the match more attractive. At the beginning of the match, we saw that Omega put a lot of pressure on Osprey's back, which made Osprey feel pain until the end of the match. Also, the interface of the match was excellent, so that it cannot be defined at all. And at the end of my match, Osprey made Omega angry with a bad action and beat One Way Angel and won the match. If you haven't seen the match, go watch it now, one of the best matches of the decade."

[10.0] "I've missed this Kenny. Even though he has his own promotion named after him and his faction he just feels at home in Japan. I thought he was done having matches like these due to the toll on his body but perhaps not touring makes it easier. And then there's Will Ospreay who continues to not only fill the void Kenny left but find his own way too."

[10.0] "OH MY GOD, I give this match 12 points, this is already My Favorite match of Year, no no My Favorite match of Decade, this two legend proved they are the best.12/10"

[10.0] "Kenny Omega just comes off as an absolute killer in this match, he just gets even more aggressive as the match goes on. Kenny's target early on was focusing on Ospreay's back, and he did a plethora of things to him like sending him into the railing, and the double knee stomp while he was, but the most brutal bump Ospreay probably took involving his back is when he went for the cutter when Kenny was on the ring apron, but Kenny just moves out of the way and instead, he lands back first on the ring apron. Kenny cutting Will open off of the exposed turnbuckle was great, him sending an already busted open Ospreay into the already broken table ruled. Ospreay at the end is essentially trying everything he can to put Kenny away by hitting a Styles Clash and hitting the hidden blade from the front instead of the back like he usually does. Ospreays selling in this match was fantastic, the ending ruled with Will spitting on Omega, then Omega just responds by hitting the OWA for the win. Phenomenal story and match.*****"

[10.0] "Gonna get the negative right out of the way. Some parts of the matches were getting a bit too silly or too much, but I tried not to let it affect my opinion on the whole match that much. Now that this is out of the way, what an amazing match that was. Kenny was absolutely merciless during that match, I loved to see it. This felt like the return of the New Japan Omega we all loved, but more violent. Couldn't ask for a better match or performance from Kenny, and even Ospreay. Will had one of his best performance of his entire career in this match. Storytelling, well-reasoned blood, violence. Honestly the best New Japan match in years. This was my original review. After rewatching it two more times, I feel like we have watched one of the best matches ever. This was the best Kenny Omega we have ever seen, character wise. So many sick spots such as the DDT on the exposed turnbuckle, Kenny bashing Ospreay's face through the table, the hurricirana counter onto the exposed turnbuckle again, that massive Os-Cutter. As someone who didn't really like Ospreay, this is really starting to make me change my thoughts on him. Ospreay's selling was fantastic. I aboslutely love this match. *****"

[8.0] "Ospreay is the future of wrestling. The match would have been better if he had a better opponent. Omega is just overrated"

[10.0] "The match we all wanted from this pairing, Ospreay face again as he should have always been. Omega does a great job laying the strikes in and looks convincing in his hatred. Ospreay does a great job playing the valiant underdog and a touch of colour throws it over the top to make an all time dome match. Forget the main event, this is the draw. Also kept a nice brisk pace throughout"

[10.0] "The most aesthetically pleasing co-operation in professional wrestling is back: Kenny Omega and the Japanese camerawork. Kenny's setup and execution of high-impact moves, allied with the Japanese tendency to maximise visual impact, can only be ended as a masterpiece."

[10.0] "I may be biased against Kenny at times, but this was one of the best matches I've seen in my entire life. Unbelievably brutal, fantastic in just about every way possible. If something in 2023 will be better -- I'll be surprised. This is a must watch, it is one of the best matches in the history of pro wrestling in my opinion. Huge props to both men, they put on an absolute clinic. ******1/2 (6.5*)"

[10.0] "This and Nakamura Ibushi are tied for the best two Wrestle Kingdom matches I've ever seen. The level of violence really shined in the production style of New Japan. Wasn't expecting it to be Omega winning, but I won't complain. NJPW Omega is my favorite thing in wrestling history, so him with the US title could potentially mean more NJPW style matches too. And I get the feeling we've not seen the last of the Golden Lovers saga. *****(at least)"

[10.0] "This was the match we were all excited about and naturally Omega and Ospreay delivered like you knew they would. Omega back in New Japan felt like an alien compared to his AEW run... like he was a God returned. He was an overwhelming force for Will, and like Okada, he couldn't get past him. He brought back his ELEVATED theme, and felt more like the babyface again and it worked. Boy did it work. *****"

[10.0] "So fucking great match and more than what I personally expected. I really liked this omega who was killing ospreay in the ring. And ospreay that was trying to think about moves to do so he can beat omega. I really didn't like the crowd , the Japanese crowd as always was not great and I hope to see the rematch another place"

[10.0] "Eines der besten Wrestling Matches aller Zeiten, definitiv. Persönlich fand ich Omega vs. Okada 3 damals wegen der Vorgeschichte besser, aber davon abgesehen war dieser Kampf hier fast ebenbürtig. 10/10 Brote"

"Perfect 10/10 for me. Don't know where they go from here, hopefully Omega/Ospreay series gets a trilogy!"

[9.0] "Shocking finish but an absolute show stealer of a match. One of Omega and Ospreays best matches in recent years. Things started off slow but the second half was insane. The latter part was booked to perfection. Match of the year candidate right here."

[10.0] "What a match. This was easily the most anticipated match of the night (and one of the most anticipated matches in wrestling in recent memory, given the fact that somehow these two haven't had a match against each other in years). The entrances alone, especially Kenny's "One-winged" entrance, really set the tone for what a spectacle we were about to witness. Omega was vicious in his attacks throughout the match, and that really helped sell Ospreay as an underdog, and sets up his likely redemption story in the coming year. The top DDT spot was brutal, and Ospreay being busted open really set the stage for an incredible story in this match. Ospreay looked out on his feet, wobbling around the ring while eating V-trigger after V-trigger. Kenny was relentless in his assault, including a spot that I thought was absolutely brilliant, with him bashing Ospreay's head into the table, leaving smears of blood on it until he completely put his head through. The closing stretch of this match was done phenomenally well, with Ospreay valiantly fighting back (the spot where he took two V-triggers, and caught the last one was great). The two traded exhilarating near falls until Omega hit Ospreay with one last V trigger, and delivered the one-winged angel for the win. Exceptional match, an early favourite for match of the year that will be incredibly difficult to top. (Sidenote: Hands-down the highlight of the match for me was that absolutely BRUTAL 'Croyt's Wrath' Omega delivered from the top rope, just incredible). (*****)"

[10.0] "Great match. Intense. Unreal athleticism. Had a big match feel that New Japan has rarely hit the last couple of years. Ospreay has been great for years but we'll probably look at this match as the moment he became a true star."

[10.0] "Is it too soon to choose a match of the year' This had all the technical and high flying stuff you'd expect from these two, with an added layer of brutality you might not. Ospreay was last year's wrestler of the year, and has a genuine shout for being the best of all time if he continues as he is, Omega is another who could claim that, and this was both of them at their absolute best. In a just world this will be a series of matches, and one to rival Omega's one with Okada. It really doesn't get better than this."

"Great match! I was surprised by how brutal and hard hitting it actually felthope Kenny and Will are both ok and want to thank both of themthis match could have lasted another 20 minutes and I wouldnt have been bored - but I dont know how anyone could have kept going at the clip these dudes were going"

[9.0] "It was a great match, great battle, good pacing. Two fantastic wrestlers clashing and delivering exactly what would've been expected from them. Maybe it is overexposure to phenomenal matches over past years, but this one lacked that extra oomph here to be distinguished (although one could argue that blooding and bruising isn't typical for your NJPW match). It also doesn't feel like this is the end of their story and they will use this match to create even better following ones. Maybe even a trilogy."

[10.0] "I hope 3000 signs are enough: This was the best match of all time! After 6 years(on this day) we have a new best match of all time. And Kenny is again in this position. It was the most personal match for me. My most personal match. There were tears during the godly entrances(omg! ) and during Will's pure sacrifice for this sport and his passion. I truly think, that if this match didn't end like it did, we would have got a dead human in this ring. That was the most brutal match I've ever seen(and I watch and like deathmatches). Obviously the wrong winner. Biggest mistake from NJPW since I watch(on this day today, it's the 3rd year.) This match means the world to me. I said before the match: The winner of this is the true best wrestler of all time. I wanted Ospreay. Officially it's Omega but in my heart it's Ospreay. He's the king of professional wrestling. Like I said it before: Ospreay sacrificed his live nearly. And he is still lost..Man Im not angry. And now the next day I get why they done that like it happened. This is just the beginning. But I think there 2nd match wont be better. Any other match can never ever throw this match of the throne. Its the best match of all time. ******(6 stars, first and maybe last time I give this rating)"

[10.0] "A super intense epic battle with some absolutely crazy moments. This is a match that will never be forgotten."

[6.0] "i actually gave it 8 before but now i want to change my rating to 6 because i rewatch the match today and i feel it was little overrated. the match was great but there was lack of drama.the crowd was not react to the match that much and thats hurt it. the biggest problem was its lack of drama.they couldnt reach the level of old japaness drama and epicness match which make crowd beat their feet to floor.when i heard some call it greatest match of all time, i compared it to 2003 misawa and kobashi match and theres not even question that the misawa and kobashi match is way better.their match drama was at level of Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier fight. i think 6 is fair but i know persons like meltzer will give it at least 6.5 star and call it top 5 best match ever.i dont think so.i think everybody will forget the match after a week.so thats mean it was not that classic."

[10.0] "Honesty - One of the best matches I've ever watched. I had to watch it again straight after it had finished. I can't wait for Meltzer to give it 18 *s and tbh it deserves it."

[10.0] "One of the best matches ever. These two somehow managed to surpass the colossal expectations and delivered a fast-paced emotional classic. Omega is one of the greatest of all time, and Ospreay is so fucking good, and he's not even 30. Just a scary amount of talent. Both men beat lumps off each other, and the crazy thing is that I think they were holding something back. Match 2 will be even better than this, somehow. Amazing, fantastic, all the adjectives. Bloody hell, I need a cigarette..."

[10.0] "One of the greatest professional wrestling matches I've ever seen. Ospreay and Omega had an absolute classic, wrestling is an art and these two wrestled a match for the ages, might be match of the decade contender. Million stars out of 5"

"10! Possibly the greatest match I have ever seen. We are so lucky to be able to see two masters put on a clinic for us fans"

[10.0] "This match is AMAZING! History, emotion, wrestling, references... Everything is on top! Respect for Omega and Will"

[10.0] "Incredible match! This already sets the bar so high for match of the year ! Expectations were high for this dream match between two of the best in-ring workers, but they still managed to surpass them. The execution was perfect but that's a given with these two. What's surprised me is the violence and intensity of their fight. But more importantly, the storytelling was absolutely stellar! The structure of the match was cleverly set up, everything had a meaning and nothing was done without reason. The use of the exposed corner was very smart: it's set-up early, and the pay-off takes time to come but it's so spectacular that it worth the wait, and with a huge impact on the match too ! And so the second time it is used it's even more impactful for the audience because we saw the devastation that it caused and the struggle to recover from the first use. And as a result of all of this, reaction from the crowd was great! Also, kudos for the english commentary team that did an incredible work here."

[9.0] "This match is absolutely incredible. Omega and Ospreay knew they had to put on something special here, because the audience expectation was just so damn high, especially from Western fans. But match those expectations they did. Ospreay's whole arc of being just below the best of the best is such a cool and longform story, and this chapter with Omega is like a polar opposite to Will's WK and G1 matches with Okada last year. While Okada just outwrestled Will, plain and simple, Omega took it upon himself to just fucking kill the poor man. Will took some ridiculous bumps and spots this match, which did a brilliant job of selling Omega as this vicious, jealous, piece of shit heel. Definitely gonna go down as a modern classic, if not a real all-timer."

[10.0] "The storytelling, the brutality, the wresting, everything about this match was incredible. The DDT spot onto the exposed turnbuckle and Omega bashing Ospreay through a table was both amazing and terrifying. Will watch again, and again, and again."

"This match was absolutely amazing, it had everything. The story was perfect, as a back and forth match turned one sided after a brutal spot, after which the champ did not back down. Osperay went through hell and back and with sheer willpower kicked out of almost everything Omega had to throw at him untill that one move that ended it. The match had suspence as there were multiple times i thought the match had ended, and the utter brutality of the match almost had me not being able to watch. These two performers had amazing chemistry which led to them putting on a 5-star banger. 10/10"

[10.0] "What's the point? What's the actual point in watching literally any other wrestling company when none of them can produce anything even close to this level? I reserve my 10/10 ratings *exactly* for god-tier matches like this. Omega was essentially dormant for 4 years, having a few low-level great matches but nothing remotely close to his NJPW matches. Then, as soon as he's back in NJPW, he's immediately back to being one of the best in the world. Ospreay, meanwhile, has been one of the best in the world ever since Omega left, and he most obviously shines whenever he wrestles back matches in NJPW, as proven with the totally unorthodox match he wrestled here. Omega vs Ospreay was one of the very few genuine "dream matches" that deserve the label, and they absolutely delivered. This wasn't even the crazy spotfest that many expected, since they instead told an incredible story of Omega destroying Ospreay bit by bit with some of the craziest spots you'll ever see, with Ospreay suffering through it all, getting a few amazing comeback segments and hope spots, but eventually falling to Omega's absolute onslaught. Ospreay was far more athletic than Omega, but Omega was more vicious, which ultimately gave him the win. The match of course also benefited from being the biggest match yet with NJPW's return to cheering crowds, which was the biggest of all reliefs. Everything they hit each other with, even their low-level strikes, where stiff as hell and had flawless technique. There was a great story of Omega targeting Ospreay's back, which severely limited what offence Ospreay could perform, all while making his struggle even more sympathetic. He made sure to never stop selling his back (at least never for long), selling it before, during, and after all his most physically demanding attacks/movements. The danger factor was fantastic all match long, with some of their bumps (especially Ospreay's) looking insanely risky yet clearly being executed perfectly so as to not actually cause any real damage. The 2 spots where Ospreay got DDT'd and then dropped head-first into the exposed turnbuckle were utterly insane, and Ospreay getting busted open on the 1st spot made him extra endearing with his fantastically dazed selling. Omega was world-class as he villainously butchered Ospreay one big move at a time. Having Ospreay play the exhausted yet still fiery babyface clawing back to equal standing was far more interesting than having these two both just go 50/50 with big moves the whole way. Their big-move trades were of course outstanding once they finally came, and their selling and bumping were world-class. I can't go the full 5 stars because I just feel that Ospreay was missing one last epic 'hurrah' before going out, and maybe a few of their epic trades at the end were a bit too similar to those from the epic Omega-vs-Okada series, but those are the only very minor criticisms I have. Imagine thinking these 2 aren't 2 of the greatest ever lmaooo. ****3/4"

[9.0] "I'm not quite as high on this match as everybody else, but I still thought there was a lot that was worth praising. I was really relieved that they did not wrestle the 'workrate' style that seemed inevitable going in to this. It was great to see more storytelling and aggression than I expected, instead of the usual long, overkill 'finishing stretch' that spans half the match. They did a really great job subverting expectations, and I thought that the story they told worked well and left room for an interesting rematch. Everything from after the turnbuckle DDT largely worked very well. Omega was much more convincingly vicious than he usually is, and Ospreay's selling was largely quite good. I did think he had a couple of moments where he did spots that were a bit much for me as he attempted to mount a comeback, but it wasn't anything too egregious. I appreciated that Ospreay's offence was very limited after Omega took over, and was glad that the turnbuckle DDT was worked like a pivotal moment that changed the tide of the match instead of being an afterthought. I do think that both men suffer from coming across as a bit cartoony at times, and it undermines the violence of a match like this for me. I also wasn't too in to anything that took place prior to Will getting busted open - I didn't have a big problem with any of it, it just didn't really grab me until roughly the halfway point. I wouldn't give it a 'five star' rating, but as a low vote on the New Japan style this match definitely exceeded my expectations."

[10.0] "An all-time classic. So much drama, so much athleticism. Hard to put words to just great. Highest recommendations."

[10.0] "Now that I have processed this match I can tell that it was flawless from its build-up to its ending. Kenny Omega reminded us why he is the greatest wrestler of all time by delivering a wrestling storytelling masterpiece like he only knows. While Will Ospreay gave us a selling masterclass yesterday at the Tokyo Dome. The build-up to this match felt just natural as both athletes were frequently involved in Twitter fights between them and the confrontation between these two at the Wrestle Kingdom press conference before the event made nothing but increase the hype for this match as they destroyed each other in the microphone ending with Will Ospreay caree? s most solid promo. The entrances were beautiful with Ospreay entering the ring with his old theme song . The offensive moves from both wrestlers were able to express the hatred between them by being brutal and perfectly executed without any flaws. Even when Will lost, this match wasn? t just another of the star-making performances he? s done in the past but the definitive one, Ospreay resisted every of Kenny? s brutal attacks refusing to lose to the guy that belittled him these last 3 years. But as Kenny said in the press conference his best wasn? t enough to beat the Best about Machine in the place he is known for making history. This match also led to the huge probability of a rematch, which Ospreay will likely win. As this lost to Kenny will boost Ospreay? s obsession with beating Omega and lead to the establishment of Will Ospreay as the new foreign face of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Can? t wait for the rematch."

[10.0] "Jetzt schon MOTY! Holy shit, eins der besten Matches die ich jemals gesehen habe. Tempo, Itensität, da war alles. Kenny spielt seine Rolle mega und dominiert Ospreay, während der immer wieder mit richtig nicen Spots zurückkommt. Alles in allem eins der besten Matches die ich jemals gesehen habe!"

[10.0] "Masterclass of a performance by Will Ospreay. Omega was great in the dominant heel role, but the match was clearly centred around his opponent."

[10.0] "Quite frankly a masterpiece. It's not often a match actually exceeds the hype but this was one of those matches. Omega was full heel and spent much of the match going after Will's bad liver."

[10.0] "I don't have the words... I've been waiting for this match for a long time, considering it as a dream match. And what a dream. The match begins quietly, the two wrestlers gradually developing their usual arsenal. And then everything goes wrong following a jump from Ospreay from the 3rd rope, bouncing Omega's head on the table on the ground. The match then flies towards an extraordinary butchery, when Omega decides to destroy Ospreay's head. Literally. A DDT ON the corner of the ring, then a crushing of the head of Ospreay on the table, through his famous V-Trigger. My God. Ospreay fights, returns to the battle despite a bloody face, gives everything to the end, going so far as to spit in Omega's face before taking one last hold, a devastating one winged angel. Legendary, superhuman, exceptional match, worthy of these two magnificent wrestlers."

[10.0] "Absolutely insane match, I was worried our expectations were too much. But these two goats blew them out of the water. Started rooting for Omega, ended cheering for Ospreay, despite the loss for Ospreay both men added to their stock massively. I have no doubt this match will be held in the same conversation as Shawn Michaels Vs Undertaker at Wrestlemania"

[10.0] "It wasn't Taker vs Michaels all-time GOAT, but this legitimately blew my mind and is one of the best matches I've seen. Insanely brutal, stiff, with a real rivalry playing out before our eyes. It wasn't flippy nonsense, it made sense and it was intentional and insanely violent. The ending where Ospreay expresses pure disdain and goes out swinging was great, and I felt like we witnessed a spectacular war. One of the best I've seen. Incredible."

[10.0] "We are not even a week into 2023 and we might be looking at the MOTY contender. Holy sh- this was amazing to watch. Even before the match the tension was high with Kenny not endorsing Will as a gaijing in New Japan, saying that he can't fill his shoes. Will, however, thinks that he solely carried New Japan through pandamic and Kenny wouldln't survive in his place. Will was often critisized for lack of depth in character and being bad on mic, but there's no denying now that both of these things Will did perfectly on his way to this match. The early part of the match was as competitve as it should've been, displaying both wrestler's strength and establishing them as equals in the ring only for Omega to shatter it later on. With amazing spots like Omega stomping WIll through a table, bashing his head through said table (And this spot is a classic for me, seeing more and more blood on the table as Will was smashed was a sight to behold) and of course the damned DDT on the turnbackle. Omega destroyed Will and Will sold it like a god. Will looked like he barelly understood where he is, barelly being able to make slightest of moves. And Omega just continues, move and move, V-Trigger and V-Trigger. If that wasn't enough, here's Croyt's Wrath from the top rope. Will hanged on and even gave us a slight glimmer of hope, gaining second wind and bashing Omega with Hidden Blades. But, it wasn't enough, as soon as Omega saw an openning, it was as good as won for him. OWA and Will lost. What a match, what a story. Will giving out possibly the best selling I have ever seen watching wrestling. I hope we see more from these two this year."

[10.0] "What messes with my mind is that this match is likely not even the greatest event these two men can pull off together. In terms of the wrestling dream match, this delivered and then some. It is not a perfect match, because ultimately in the subjective art of wrestling, perfect is in the eye of the beholder. But this match sets a bar so high in 2023 that nothing short of a miracle could let another match surpass it in terms of greatness this year. I throw that out there not to be pessimistic either, but in hopes that the next year of wrestling has nothing but steller matches in store for everyone."

"What an amazing match. Flippy shit, limb selling, strong style, and a killer story going into it. This match has something to offer everyone"

[10.0] "Absolutely brutal match with great storytelling throughout. Kenny is so damn good as the piece of shit, cocky heel. Can't see any matches being better than this one this year. Incredible"

"Masterpiece of storytelling, Omega & Ospreay are two of the best wrestlers in the world actually, every move has perfect, its like a hurricane of emotions in the Tokyo Dome, the performance of Will Ospreay bring me a flashbacks of his match in PWG, simply a five stars classic."

[10.0] "what a match! we will talk about this match for years to come, right from Kenny's entrance with one winged angel theme, to all the great reversals, and the stiff strikes, and Will's amazing selling! just fantastic."

[9.0] "Incredibly well paced match with a bunch of gruesome and terrifying spots, with only a couple minor botches preventing it from reaching wrestling perfection. Instant MOTY contender, and both competitors tore it up. 9.5 out of 10"

[10.0] "Even better than expected. A very stiff and very storytelling heavy match. Kenny goes Super Saiyan God Cleaner. Will will go through a struggle now, but like GOKU find a way to reach that level too (He is for sure Super Saiyan 3 Level, top of the game). That was NJPW Kenny, healed up and ready to give his all. A lot of brutal spots that make you go OH FUCK! A interference by Ibushi would make it even more emotional, but the final Kamigoye was a nice touch. The Golden Lovers Arc continues. When wrestling is done right its emotional. And that was a fucking roller-coaster."

[10.0] "A focus on brutality and storytelling as opposed to big spots (not that there weren't any... just maybe not what you'd expect). Excellent match with great selling and pacing. I have to imagine we see a couple more. Maybe one in AEW and one again back in NJPW where Will can get the pin."

[10.0] "Welp I think this might be Match of The Year and it's 4 days into the year. Over a year removed from his last high profile singles match vs Hangman, (yes I know the dark match happened vs Hagane) Kenny proves he's still the star system breaking motherfucker we know he is. Ospreay is the less spectacular part of this, but like, dude, there are worse things to be."

[10.0] "Gosh. I knew the result. I saw exactly how it ended before I watched it. And yet, the match made me believe that it was all a lie, that Ospreay will somehow magically win. And the most absurd thing is - this is the first time ever I truly cheered for Ospreay. This was amazing. I gasped so many times. These two idiots tried to kill each other. Thank you for that, you magnificient idiots. Gosh."

[9.0] "Is it the best match of all time? No. But in my opinion, there is no single greatest match. One of the best matches I've seen, a couple of parts almost took me out of it, but it picked back up quickly. These guys need a rest after that, brutal. This is coming from someone who thinks a lot of NJPW matches are overhyped. Definitely, one for people to watch."

[10.0] "Kenny Omega played the part of not the God, but the Devil of pro wrestling. Is there any match of his in which he looked so vicious, so evil and driven to violence and hatred? Smashing Ospreay's head against the table, putting Will's bloodied, cut open forehead into an exposed turnbuckle with a DDT; nothing but pure malice emanated from Omega. This match was the story of Omega driven to extreme vengeance for Ibushi (who Ospreay inadvertently legitimately KO'd in a match), and Ospreay refusing to quit and prove that he is the gaijin, the man, who held down NJPW in Omega's absence despite what Omega says. Past a certain point, you could see that Omega didn't want to just finish and win the match, he wanted Ospreay to quit on his own, admit that he will never be as good as him, but in refusing to quit or tap, Ospreay won the psychological match despite Kenny destroying, butchering him physically. Omega won the match in brutal fashion, but at what cost? What would Kota think?"

"Great match, with amazing storytelling from both Omega and Ospreay. One of the best matches I have seen in years."

[10.0] "Quite simply one of the best wrestling matches I've ever seen. Absurdly good. There really isn't much more to say."

[8.0] "Really good. Im biased cuz I dislike Ospreay with a burning passion and generally try not to rate his matches knowing that, and the fact that this style isn't always my thing, but this was a really good match. Very good story and a lot of vicious spots. I'd recommend it highly if you're a fan of these guys."

[10.0] "Somehow, these two men were not just able to match the astronomical expectations placed on them prior to the match, but they were able to exceed it. This match invoked a sort of reaction out of me that is rare in wrestling nowadays. Fully invested in the story, every move and every beat, Omega and Ospreay decided not to go for an eye-candy spot fest, to which they are the two best at anyway, but to tell a gruesome story, of a once hero returning to his native land to find a new figurehead, and placing it on himself to destroy what he sees as an imitation of his legacy. This match is mature. It's often difficult to watch. The use of the table and the exposed turnbuckle leads to some of the most brutal spots I have ever seen. Omega and Ospreay understood that everybody went into this match expecting Ospreay's coronation as the top gaijin in the world, and they used that expectation to hook the viewers from the opening bell and tell one of the most nuanced stories ever told within the Squared Circle. The final sequence, Omega's Kamigoye his form of revenge for what happened four years prior, and Ospreay spitting at Omega is an iconic image before being put away with the One Winged Angel. Poetry in motion."

[10.0] "I didn't know Kenny could still go at this level. Even throughout his entire AEW run when he was reportedly working with multiple injuries he was still one of the best in the world but he understandably wasn't going as hard as he did in his NJPW run and you can't blame him. But here he was back in top form to equal his protege Ospreay. We're not even a week into the year and it's hard to imagine anything topping this for MOTY."

[10.0] "Beyond description. I didn't expect the levels of brutality that i saw and it all was flawlessly executed. I don't want to ramble. I'm still processing this match."

[9.0] "this match was utterly fantastic holy crap....tho if i do have some criticism of this match, alot of the offense seemed a bit one sided where Omega was just whaling on Ospreay for the majority of it, and at some point it became kinda clear that Omega was winning it. the match really did fly by tho, and Ospreays selling was really next level- some of the best Ive seen in a long time. i do feel they can do better tho, and im excited to see where this takes us also, i see people calling this the best match of either mans career which...is just untrue lol. Ospreay has def had better matches (Hiromu WK14, Shingo BoSJ 2019, Okada G1 2022) as has Omega (Okada quadrilogy, Naito G1 2016, etc)"

[10.0] "OMG! This was what described how I felt this match, it was tremendous every minute, the narrative told is from another planet, Ospreay always thought he would be superior, but Omega's seniority made him look calm and ruthless in every blow, every counter and every brawl out of the ring, a beating the last 20 minutes, Ospreay sold his situation so well that he made a change to technician in the middle of the match, and took people with him, a serious candidate for MOTY, who has absolutely everything in a set. *****!"

"This was one of the best matches I have ever watched. A dream match that did not disappoint. The two competitors were evenly matched and the ending was not what I expected but makes the most sense for long term story telling. I cannot wait for their next meeting. This is the MOTY, I highly doubt any other matches that take place this year will be able to top it."

[10.0] "2023 - Absolutely incredible. It absolutely flew by, paced so well, so unpredictable and felt like it could end at any time especially when Omega was really on top. Hard to see anything else apart from a rematch topping this, this year. *****"

[10.0] "Sure, it's not the best match ever, but it certainly belongs in the upper echelon of all time matches, so 10 is an easy call. I get that some folks want to protect the ratings of Misawa and Kobashi matches, but this match really equals the top tier of modern matches. I think of high ratings as an indication that a fan should go out of their way to watch and by that standard, this is absolutely 10/10."

[6.0] "i liked the part where Ospreay was bleeding and Omega beating him up. Before i was mostly dull and after I felt Kenny was just letting Will hit him and a lot was also corny. This is like a 6.4 for me."

[10.0] "Anyone who literally watches the match and does not give a 10/10 is unjust. What a match by undoubtedly two of the best wrestlers now."

[10.0] "Kenny winning the IWGP US Title back here was a smart move as it opens the door for this feud to continue as this is a pretty major feud, with the both of them showing up in each other's backyards (this may open the door for The United Empire to be involved with AEW Revolution in March, Elite vs. Opsreay & Aussie Open for the Trios Titles, also we need to get The Young Bucks vs. Aussie Open as well), I see Ospreay chasing Kenny to finally win the title back by June at Dominion. This is being set up as a major Feud of the Year Candidate. What an emotional ride this match was. This was a Murderer/Final Boss vs. Rocky Balboa. The Intelligence, Timing, & Selling was all here, which built up insane, unforgettable Drama. Kenny Omega never lost the ability to work long-winded NJPW matches, he had to adapt to a North American Mainstream TV style. This is one of the greatest professional wrestling matches of all time. Rating for this match: ******"

[10.0] "From the moment this match was announced, I'm sure we all knew that this match would deliver. I can only speak for myself when I say that this is indeed one of the greatest matches I've ever seen in my life. Kenny Omega has proven again and again that he is the Best Bout Machine. There were so many moments where I stood in disbelief in the brutality displayed in this match. I definitely wasn't expecting it. Kenny absolutely WRECKED Will throughout the entire match, but that didn't stop Will from fighting back. There were so many awesome spots, but the one that affected me the most was that BRUTAL DDT on that exposed turnbuckle. The image of Will laying on a pool of his blood will be etched in my memory for quite some time. It was a miracle that Ospreay could even walk, let alone wrestle after that move. Omega went crazy with the V-Triggers, trying to put Ospreay out for good. We need to see more of this Kenny in AEW. I have to give Ospreay his credit though, he's on his way to becoming one of the greats. Overall, not only a spectacle but a amazing match that MUST be watched. You will NOT regret it. 10/10 ******"

"This might just be the greatest pro wrestling match I've ever seen live. I had to make an account just to add to the sea of positive reviews on here, because this match deserves every single star in the goddamn sky. The brutality, the psychology, the story telling, the insane spots, the crowd, oh my god. I had to take a shower after watching this due to how much I was sweating and my heart rate absolutely skyrocketed. First time a wrestling match that was not inherently tear-jerking has ever made me get choked up. Seeing them devolve into closed fist exchanges, brutal elbows, and palm strikes made it look like they genuinely wanted to kill each other. This was anything I could ever ask out of pro wrestling and it's going to be VERY difficult for anyone to top this match in 2023."

[10.0] "A perfect match. From the entrances, to the match itself, to the storytelling and to the ending, everything was perfect. There was so many amazing spots during this match and both Omega and especially Ospreay were incredible with their selling. One of my favourite matches of all time."

[10.0] "This is one of the best matches I have ever seen. The storytelling in this 34 minute classic is incredible, and at this point in time if they keep this up Omega and Ospreay as A feud could be the next Omega and Okada and I mean it."

[9.0] "Very great match, one of the best matches in recent history of NJPW, but the final minutes were unnecesary, but Omega playing with Ospreay and his selling was awesome"

[10.0] "This was a fantastic match and was a great return match for Omega after 4 years away. Unquestionably the match of the night, but towards the end it felt a little one sided for each man at times. Despite that, still a fantastic match and I am excited that Omega won because that will mean more of him in NJPW and that hes not just a one night only return. *****"

[10.0] "Epische - blutige - Schlacht. So setzt man Blut ein! (Wink an Moxley). Ringstory. Paar Krasse Spots, Counter-Wrestling, überragende Workrate mit passenden Pausen. 2 Ausnahmeperformer!"

[10.0] "Brutal, and brilliant, it went a lot harder then I expected, I expected more athletic stuff, but it was a more unique one"

[10.0] "This match was so intense that my heart was pounding, I was absolutely not anticipating the heavy turn the storytelling took. I cannot remember a match with this much patient brutality. The Jericho matches were more of a brawl, whereas these acts of violence were precise and beautiful. Kenny looked fucking phenomenal at his entrance, he was just plain evil here, the hardest I've ever seen him behave - yet somehow weaving in the threads of his love for Ibushi to win the match. Will was just an upper level of selling, getting back up no matter what, and came out of this as a red hot babyface. I mean words can't do the character development justice. Certain wrestlers could also benefit from watching this match and understanding how color, when used correctly instead of as a crutch, can shoot a match into the stratosphere."

"Staggering match, the kind that's so unique and incredible that it's tough to imagine anything else ever comparing. The kind of transcendent experience where somewhere in the middle it stops being about the moment-to-moment and the slow realization that there's never been anything else like it sets in. I'd call it a once-in-a-lifetime match but it feels like Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay have this kind of potential every time they step into the ring. To be more specific, these are two incredibly gifted wrestlers that were each able to showcase what makes them so talented through their shared in-ring dance. Ospreay showcased his incredible athleticism. He dove, he flipped, he did counters I've never seen before. Kenny Omega was brutal, with flashes of incredible intensity and dramatic flourish. What Ospreay played off audience familiarity with Omega's in-ring performance with examples of stunning innovation. Omega pushed Ospreay's physicality to its limit in both choreography and storytelling. Both men pushed their bodies to their limits, trusted each other to play their part in the story, and showed the world their best selves. There are certainly moments to remember, too. Reunion. The table spot and "Here's Kenny! " The turnbuckle drop that busted Ospreay open. Ospreay near-death catching the V-Trigger. The Kamigoye. But at the heart of this match was the story of Ospreay proving himself. Kenny, this larger than life wrestling figure and an NJPW legends. Ospreay, living in Kenny's shadow. To say Kenny dominated wouldn't be wholly accurate, but he absolutely controlled the match. Ospreay was forced to hold on. To not give up. But despite his incredible efforts, it wasn't enough. Something's still missing. Just like Don said, Ospreay is a once-in-a-generation talent. But Kenny Omega is a god of pro wrestling. That was the whole match, in once line of promo, acted out to perfection. Don Callis lives in my head. I can't wait to see what these two do next."

"This match was mind blowingly great. Every facet of the artform that i love was on perfect display here. It was brutal, it was beautiful, it was athletic, it was hard hitting. The story told was the perfect story, told without flaw."

[5.0] "This rating is only because of the final spot and the result. Overall absolutely standard high-risk bored and irritating NJPW formula match number ? with moronic spots for absolutely no reason, which will obviously make others jump in excitement. But if that leads to Ospreay winning G1 and then being the first gaijin to win in WK main event, this company is completely moronic."

[10.0] "This was the greatest match I have seen since WALTER versus Ilja Dragunov from Takeover: 36, and one of the greatest Wrestle Kingdom matches ever."

[10.0] "2023, in the Tokyo Dome, I see one of the best match ever happen at Wrestle Kingdom. Storyline, storytelling EVERYTHING WAS IN THIS MATCH !"

[9.0] "Shades of Naito/Okada and Omega/Okada from 5 or 6 years ago, from Will's use of Elavation (his old theme) to the way Omega bullied him at points, this is the beginning of what will hopefully go down as the greatest series of matches in history."

"Omega and Ospreay had one of the most brutal matches in Wrestle Kingdom history, where each others limits and pain thresholds were tested like never before, and in the end they both ended as battered as i ever seen them. Certainly the biggest test in Opsreays career, maybe Kennys too. Huge respect for both."

[10.0] "This is one of the greatest match of all time, without a doubt. Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay created a masterpiece and it only get's better from this because it looks like we are going to get a rematch in the future. Everything was PERFECT, PERFECT storyline, PERFECT psichology, PERFECT selling, PERFECT spots and PERFECT finish, a PERFECT MATCH. We already have MOTY in day 4 of 2023, there's no way someone can top this match this year, 6.5 stars for me."

"This match is excellent and deserves in my opinion *****, even *****1/4, but the current rating on the site (9.80 at the time of writing) is much too high. Will Ospreay delivers an incredible performance and Kenny Omega, while not as healthy as he was four years ago, is still an outstanding wrestler with top-notch storytelling. If I had to rate the match on Cagematch, it would be 10 of course, but I don't do it so as not to increase the average, which remains too high."

[10.0] "give them ALL the stars. this was one of the greatest matches i've ever seen. Kenny came out as a Sephiroth looking like a GOD while Ospreay came out to Elevated. i had goosebumps before the match had even begun. the storytelling was all there. there were some great callbacks with the table stomp spot and Will hitting a Styles Clash. a busted open Ospreay gave an underdog performance of a lifetime but it still wasn't enough. there were some insane spots, even making me cringe at some points. the ddt onto the exposed turnbuckle was fucking nuts. the finishing stretch was just perfect. Ospreay spits on him, Kenny hits the Kamigoye and the One Winged Angel, and regains his IWGP US title. this was peak 2017 Kenny Omega and Ospreay proved to be a generational talent. that finish sets up a long feud between these two and i am READY. i don't see how this match will be topped."

[10.0] "what a Match ! Match of century , it's really deserves the waiting I hope for a rematch at Forbidden Door 2"

[10.0] "One of the greatest matches I have ever seen from start to finish. Ospreay puts on his best ever performance and tells an engaging story where in the end, Kenny was right and Will isn't good enough, yet at least. This is a special match that will likely kick off a series of classics, not unlike Omega and Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 11 did."

[10.0] "This is, in my opinion, one of the very best matches that not only NJPW has seen, but professional wrestling in general has seen. I already knew that coming into this it was going to be great, and that they were going to put in an absolute banger, but not like this. Firstly, the fact that Omega was playing the heel while Ospreay was playing face was such an interesting dynamic that made sense, and it showed just how both wrestlers could work through it and give us this masterpiece. Omega going not only murder, but god mode was such a great moment, seeing Ospreay bloodied and he destroyed him after that. I may not be the biggest fan of Will Ospreay, but he proved that when he actually tries, he give us some of the very best matches of the year? Decade? Century? Whatever. Omega is already one of the GOATs of professional wrestling and he established it right here. Must see match, highly recommended, one of the best. [*****]"

"Had high expectations going into this one as I was in the building for their first match in PWG. This was one of the best matches you will ever see. The promo the day before set the stage for this battle, and absolutely viscous battle from start to end. Between the storytelling, selling, entrances, commentary, everything was off the charts. No idea how anyone could rate this any less than 10. Eager to see the next chapter of this."

[5.0] "I really didn't care for this one but I did like the finishing spot. People complaining about the ref's calls are obviously not familiar with New Japan so I'd consider those invalid arguments but the match did nothing for me personally. I don't like Will's wrestling and this was just the best hits of a wrestler I don't like"

[10.0] "When the aura of a fight is so great, it is always difficult to surprise. For two wrestlers like WIll and Kenny, to stand out and live up to it is not difficult, but the challenge was to give a fight that would live forever in the memory. And they succeeded. The dose of intensity and violence was extremely high and it was what the fight needed. The moments with the table, especially the second one with Ospreay bleeding, were great. Each exchange of finishing moves was a perfect dose of adrenaline and tension."

"Incredible match, awesome entrances. The expectations were fairly high and they still managed to blow them away. I love Omega but I'm not the biggest fan of Ospreay and Kenny beat the piss out of him so much he had me nearly rooting for Will by the end."

[10.0] "What a match, the one winged angel and elevation entrances brought this up to another level, this sort of pageantry was missing from the rest of the show (and most shows these days) and it really made to reposition to take note that this was going to be special. Both Omega and Ospreay brought their A game, and they really brought in a lot of older story line details into this match which as usual didn't get called out by the english announce team (I rewatched to see if they mentioned anything, of course not, just spent time waffling about BS). Without getting into spoilers the way that the two told the story of "you think you're the man, but you just aren't there yet" was magnificent. I have these two have a long feud and if this is the kick off to that, we are witnessing the start of something amazing."

[8.0] "Not gonna lie, I wasn't feeling the first half (or so). It wasn't until Ospreay got busted open & Omega went into nasty murder-mode that I got into it, but oh boy did I love that shit. Kenneth was looking like a killer out there, and Ospreay was selling like a king. Cringe overselling is always a possibility with him, but here he was truly fantastic; selling just the right amount of big, you know? Moments like Kenny smashing Ospreay's head onto the table repeatedly, all the beautifully brutal V-Triggers, the Croyth's Wrath & the whole sequence leading to it w/ Will's amazing selling = *chef's kiss* beautiful goddamn stuff, beautiful goddamn stuff. There was stuff that I disliked too, though. I thought that all of Will's comeback bits towards the end were pretty bad & actively brought the match down. Especially that Hidden Blade after he had just ate the V-Trigger; wrist control stuff like that just feels like a parody at this point. It's still a great damn match, but yeah, it would've been on an entirely different level had I liked Will's work on the offense more. Or cared for the first half. Just says how otherworldly great Kenny brutalizing Ospreay was when it's still overall such a banger even with those factors."

[10.0] "Was this how it felt when Omega and Okada broke the IWC in 2017? It sure feels like it. Maybe it's already overrated, maybe this is seriously one of the best ever. We can't be so certain yet, but the overwhelming praise in my eyes is justified. It's bound to be someone's new favourite match. I was worried at the start that both Ospreay and Omega wouldn't completely sell the very real animosity and that this would be more by the numbers than I would have imagined. Then the match progressed; it got nastier, nastier and to my disbelief, it seemed to transform into attempted murder by the end. That's when I knew I was watching something special. Kenny Omega fully embodied Sephiroth, with one of the most genuinely unnerving performances I've seen. The way he smashed Ospreay's head into the table...sickening to watch. Will's performance here is even gutsier, more emotionally involving than his most recent match with Okada at the G1 finals, a match I also adored. Kenny hitting the kamigoye, after Will spat blood at him in one last act of defiance, before ending it with the OWA had me devastated. A surreal, brutal match. What scares me is they could top it in the eventual rematch. This has the makings to be a legendary series."

[10.0] "Huge expectations, and my god did they deliver. Phenomenal storytelling, the best selling of Ospreay's career, and Kenny at his absolute best after a long bout of injuries and recovery. Just beautiful wrestling."

[10.0] "Expectations were through the roof and they still cleared the bar. Two of the greatest wrestlers of this generation delivering to us an all-timer. *****+"

[10.0] "Haven't always been a fan of these two & their many excesses, but they delivered here. A perfectly paced grudge match full of holy-shit moments & featuring a stellar underdog performance from Ospreay *****"

[10.0] "We have no record of what this fight is. This is probably the best fight I have ever seen. Amazing as always these two warriors, Kenny and Will earn my respects forever."

"Absolute perfection. Pace was intense, emotions were unbelievably high and both men told an amazing story. Kenny Omega is BACK to prime form and Ospreay just had the most emotionally charged match of his career. My new favorite match of all time."

[10.0] "Absolutely perfect. Amazing story and action. Both Omega and Ospreay can be very divisive but this match is an example why they really shouldn't be."

"Absolutely incredible. This is the kind of match that completely makes you forget wrestling is predetermined."

[10.0] "The best Omega or Ospreay match I've seen in AGES! Omega turned the clock back and wrestled like he was in 2017, perhaps for one last time. Ospreay with a truly incredible selling performance. One of the best babyface performances I've seen in a NJPW match in a long, long time. The blood, the death defying spots, everything was truly a special match. This wasn't a reversal heavy Ospreay match that we've come to know him by, but instead a much more logical match built around the exposed turn buckle, and a desperate Ospreay running on fumes. I think this match has earned a 10."

[10.0] "This match is so good it quite frankly feels otherworldly. Much like the Omega/Okada series. I think in general I can maybe find other matches more ? fun? or whatever, but this is an early contender for Match of the Year if not Match of the Decade"

[10.0] "I mean...speechless. Words can't really do this match justice. It is a goddamn religious experience."

"It's a must-see for everyone because it's fantastic! Two of the best wrestlers on the planet prove it in the ring."

"Incredible. Not just one of my favorite matches of the last couple years but probably one of my favorite matches ever. Omega proves he can still deliver at the highest of levels and Ospreay proves that he may just be the absolute best wrestler in the world right now."

[10.0] "Ospreay and Omega had the classic that everyone thought they would. But the crazy part is that they were clearly saving other things for a future match, and that match could be even better than this one. *****"

[10.0] "Came into this with massive expectations and it exceeded them. Greatest match I've ever watched live. Easily Top 5 all time. An epic fight that never dragged, incredibly brutal moments with exposed turnbuckles and tables, the psychology and storytelling and selling, particularly on the part of Ospreay, was otherworldly. Omega is pretty much a made man already after his series with Okada, and even though Ospreay has had so many amazing matches particularly in the last two years, there were still people who doubted him. This match will cement his legacy as the greatest wrestler of his generation, and one of the absolute greatest of all time. 7*+."

[10.0] "You know pro wrestling is great when you forget that the fight you? re watching isn? t real. I implore fans to seek out Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay at wk17 ? a shoo in for Match of the Year 2023. Rivals anything Omega created with Okada years back. Absolutely sensational"

[10.0] "I thought there was no way Kenny could come back from a year off with so many injuries and perform at the same level he did before. I was wrong. Ospreay was the perfect partner and more than anything I hope this becomes the new Okada/Omega."

[10.0] "Ein fantastisches Match, welches schon mit den tollen Entrances anfängt und verdeutlich, wie positiv sowas beitragen kann. Ich habe die Heat von Beginn an gespürt und spätestens als Omega Ospreay einfach komplett zerstört, wurde es richtig stark. Ospreay kann kaum noch stehen, startet dann aber doch nochmal ein Comeback, muss sich am Ende aber geschlagen geben. Natürlich dürfen auch allerlei bekloppte Moves nicht fehlen, wie Croyds Wrath vom zweiten Seil, diverse hidden blades oder die Headbutts auf den Tisch."

[10.0] "This was damn near a 35 minute squash match but it is one of the best worked matches you will see, and one that made Omega look like an absolute final.boss and started an incredibly resilient story for Ospreay to overcome and elevate himself to an even higher level. Ospreay's performance in this match is outstanding, I expect the next match will be the one filled with action *****"

[10.0] "I was beyond excited and pumped for that match, and BOY did it deliver & then some! All the different feelings hit me during the match, I was into it the whole way from the lock-up to the OWA. I wanted Ospreay to win so bad, but both guys delivered a stellar performance. NJPW Omega is a different type of cat, his level of intensity was through the roof, the best bout machine is back ! Now we'll probably see them fight again later to do a triplogy plz ? !"

[10.0] "There's good matches, there's MOTY contenders, and there's masterpieces, that's what this was. Matched and somehow surpassed my expectations. [10/10]"

[10.0] "January 4th and already the fight of the year what performance of these 2 geniuses of wrestling It will be complicated to do as well and almost impossible to do better."

[10.0] "Omega vs Osprey exceeded even the highest expectations. Great match and I can not wait for the inevitable rematch"

[10.0] "Absolute perfection of a match between Omega and Ospreay here and I've said it before but the hardest thing to do after watching a match like this and being an inmate is to have to write something about the match because there's so much to say and you come out so speechless that it's hard to find words about what you just watched. That's exactly how I feel right now, I know I have a lot to say and I'll go over the commentary limit if I do but I'm left speechless by the events that took place during those thirty-five minutes of wrestling. These two guys are really two legends who have nothing left to prove, at this point you really think that they have done everything and that they won't even be able to surprise you anymore but this is obviously not knowing them well because even to their biggest fans they will manage to turn this idea around in their heads by offering us a real show like this one. As perhaps the biggest Will Ospreay fan on this planet and having seen all of his matches, I can truly say that this was the best performance of his career, his selling and his facial expressions were simply on another level that he had never reached before. Omega couldn't have asked for a better comeback match or a better first opponent, Ospreay sublimated his comeback. Both decided to give us the match of the year so early and good luck to all the other contenders to top that."

[9.0] "This is the conclusion of Will Ospreay's "young boy" arc. Even though he's been his own man for two years now, he still an immature wrestler, who has to overcome many obstacles to get to the big stage and defeat his nemesis for the grand prize. This story is basically the same one as Kenny Omega's back in 2017~2018, but even better and way more emotional... but you can take this whole story and shove it up your butt, 'cause we got give your title belts to AEW stars for no reason at all. Ah, well... the match was doing extremely well, for the first time in his life, Kenny looked like an actual super villain, like he always wanted to. Ospreay was perfect as the underdog striking back and pulling tricks out of nowhere. The storytelling was majestic, but then, Kenny won, ruining the whole meaning of this bout. Even though the result doesn't make any sense, this is still a great match. ****3/4"

[10.0] "Easily the best Kenny Omega match since leaving NJPW, and probably the best match I've seen since Okada vs Omega III"

[10.0] "A masterpiece. Quotes, execution perfection, storytelling, psychology... everything was perfect. With Ospreay came out victorious I think was even better but now I am hyped over imagination."

[10.0] "Wow. My first ever Wrestle Kingdom I've watched and this was a great show with this match being MOTN, no, MOTY! I mean Wrestle Kingdom always delivers MOTY candidates only a few days into they year and this was this one. No physical altercations in this one on one rivalry showing that these men wanted to go in the ring, with a great press conference the day before as Ospreay felt disrespected by Omega saying NJPW has disappointed since he left due to Will and others. The match itself was brutal and hard hitting such as the ddt off the top rope onto the exposed turnbuckle causing Ospreay to bleed and the table spot, with both (mainly Will's) high flying ability feeling damaging and clutch instead of just for show. Ospreay came in as a heel with Omega being a tweener, which was an interesting dynamic especially with heel Don Callis on English commentary and United Empire in Will's corner. Omega dominated but I still couldn't imagine him winning over Ospreay, which was reinforced when Ospreay kept getting moments of attacking when he would pull out some insane moves. I expected a great match and we got a magnificent one, topped of with an actual surprising title change back to the first IWGP US champion. Anyone who hates both men's work clearly don't watch wrestling or this match specifically. Will gave me my MOTY last year with him vs Orange Cassidy and my current one for 2023 which shows how good of a wrestler he is and how good his title reign was. Well done to both men!"

[10.0] "What is there to say? It is one of the greatest professional wrestling matches I have ever seen. Every moment was pitch perfect. An absolute triumph that will live on forever."

"One of the best matches I've seen in quite some time, maybe even ever. I'll have to watch it again at a later point to make that decision but this is easily a MOTY candidate only a few days into the year. Lived up to and exceeded the hype."

[10.0] "That was one of the most brutal and sickening matches I have ever seen, Ospreay looked a corpse, shit almost made me cry, the moves were CRAZY."

[10.0] "No need to divulge into an essay or paragraph, this is one of the greatest matches in modern wrestling history. A match that will influence the next generation of legends. Absolute all timer. Rating: All Timer"

[10.0] "One of the best match I have ever seen. These two tried to kill each other. Somehow it exceeded all expectations which were very high to being with. It would be very hard for somebody to top this match."

[10.0] "Can't believe almost 35 minutes passed this fast, it was the best match I've ever seen live. That top rope DDT was so cool man. Storytelling was top notch and the in ring was just out of this world, Kenny doesn't miss"

[9.0] "This is Ospreay's best match. Omega's overacting threatened to be incongruous with Ospreay's lack of emoting, but it worked out. The story was structured masterfully around the turnbuckle and the table. High spots were actually high (unlike Ospreay's typical monotonous "spectacle"), that brainbuster especially getting to me. This is going to be massively overrated as an all-time classic (it already is), and I don't think it lives up to that reputation, but it is still masterful."

"This match was absolutely phenomenal. The story told was excellent. The match wad brutal and hard to watch. Edge of seat tension. Amazing.10/10"

[10.0] "This was legitimately the single greatest match I've ever seen. Early contender for Match of the Year and I am so happy I got to watch it live."

[10.0] "A brutal and hard hitting match. Ospreay? s zombie selling was incredible. The top rope german was one of the most terrifying things I? ve ever seen. The impossible expectations were achieved and then some."

[10.0] "This match had so many implications in it it? s kind of remarkable. The story, the match, the brutality, the violence, the emotion. It was simply apropos of how things carried out because it is inevitable that a rematch will commence again in the future and or near future. When the announcer stated ? Still hanging on to the wrist and the torch? about Kenny holding onto Ospreay. The story in just that one statement allowed me to go deeper in the meaning of this masterpiece that has been brewing and being developed since their encounter at PWG ALL-STAR. Not to mention the story told even with Kota Ibushi and Kenny? s deep relationship and the injury prior from Ospreay and all! This match to me was one of if not thee best match I? ve ever witnessed. Absolutely amazing!"

[10.0] "Historic match. This is even better than Omega vs. Okada first match because Ospreay did better on storytelling. Everything is just so good. Omega's offense and Ospreay's comeback+fight spirit are on their positions. Also the spots are so beautiful and we haven't seen them for years. Ospreay's final spit before the Kamigoye made the final story well distributed. Both men are killing each other with their moves. The match proved why Omega and Ospreay are 2 of the best 3 wrestlers in the world right now. This is definitely MOTYC, the only matches that can break this are the arrangements of Omega, Ospreay or Okada. ******1/2+."

[10.0] "I give this match 10 point because the highest point is 10. If there was a 1000 point for a match, I would still give it to this match."

[10.0] "I don't think we will ever see a match as good as this one for the rest of the year. Pack your bags up because this is the peak of wrestling for 2023."

[10.0] "This is one of the best matches in wrestling history. The brutality and intensity makes this something you could show someone who has never seen these two before and they would get it right away. I literally don't know how to word this match in anyway that does it justice. Just pure and perfect pro wrestling."

[10.0] "Amazing match with unbelievable storytelling. Expected faster paced action, but got a storytelling masterpiece instead which is still great. This match is gonna break the scale when it comes to Meltzer's rating, not surprised, but deserved."

"Stellar performance from both competitors. I was rooting for Ospreay to win, but with Omega capturing the victory I can't wait for the inevitable rematch. Absolutely lived up to the hype."

[10.0] "Everything you wanted from these two in the Dome. One of the best matches I've ever seen with incredible selling and bumping from both guys. Hard hitting and the stakes felt high."

[10.0] "Mit weitem weitem Abstand das Intensiveste, Härteste & Beste erzählte Wrestling Match, was Ich jemals gesehen habe! Vergiss Okada vs. Omega, Okada vs. Omega II, Okada vs. Omega: Klappe die 6000, Naito vs. Omega, Naito vs. Okada, Okada vs. Ospreay. Alle 5 Sterne Matches die Meltzer die letzten Jahre verteilt hat vergesst die ALLE! Denn das hier war reine Perfektion wie man, Wrestling Matches im Single Bereich erzählen sollte! Dieses Match wird die 6 Sterne Marke sogar auch noch durchbrechen und 101% die 7 Sterne Kassieren. Für mich das Beste Wrestling Match aller Zeiten und da können auch kein Misawa und sonst irgendjemand mithalten. Hier traten mit Abstand die wirklichen "GOATS" Of Pro-Wrestling gegeneinander an und lieferten sich ein absolutes Schlachtfest. ATEMBERAUBEND! Mehr braucht man dazu nicht sagen (*******)."

[10.0] "First wrestling match I've watched live as it happened instead of watching it later due to living in the Australian timezone. The immediacy of it made it so much better. Basically a flawless match, albeit hard to watch all the bumps at times."

[10.0] "Das Match übertraf alle Erwartungen die sowieso schon hoch waren und das nicht nur minimal sondern gigantisch. Ein Match für die Ewigkeit von Omega und Ospreay."

"After years of waiting and uncertainty that the match won't happen, the gods of pro wrestling have blessed us today! 10/10!"

[10.0] "Simply put this was the greatest match I've seen live. I always love a babyface goes down fighting finish and I can't wait to see whether Omega is going to remain as a heel or transition to his babyface character he is in AEW!"

[10.0] "Damn, what a match. This is already a huge candidate for MOTY contest. The only minus about this bout is Ospreay losing his title, but besides that... it was perfection."

[10.0] "Ospreay taking the L here is the only blemish. These guys destroyed each other for our entertainment. The bumps in this match were insane! Their next match (FD2) most likely will be different but just as good. These 2 are the best to ever do it. They fought a rougher style and created a MOTY on the 4th day of the year. Bravo. Stop hating."

[10.0] "I'm not even sure where to begin with this one. Ospreay vs Omega has to be one of, if not the, single greatest wrestling match I've seen in my entire life. Start to finish it was brutal, emotional, and gripping. Pretty much everything your ideal high-stakes wrestling match should be is contained within this single contest. Absolute blood-feud beauty from both men and yet another example of why these two are at the top of the business. A masterpiece no doubt."

[10.0] "This match was just perfect. The best match i have seen since started watching wrestling. Kenny & Will deserves everything!"

[10.0] "Der Hype für dieses Match war immens und sie liefern halt total ab. Omega in New Japan ist nochmal eine ganz andere Nummer und dann geht er gegen einen Ospreay, der in den letzten Jahren sich zu einen der besten Wrestler der Welt entwickelt hat. Hier hat für mich einfach alles gepasst, die Story, das Selling, welches Ospreay hier perfektioniert hat, die allgemeine Action. Das Blade Job passte sehr gut, die Finishphase war spannend und nervenzerreißend. Eindeutig ein früher Kandidat auf das MOTY(*****)."

[10.0] "Perfection. Storytelling, characters' work, intensity, rage, hate, pathos: it was not a simple athletic bout. There could be the risk about being victim of its own hype, but this was an absolute banger. And Ospreay's defeat was good for a future rematch and to let Ospreay free to run for the Main Title during this year."

[10.0] "Einfach nicht zu glauben, dass die beiden so gut abgeliefert haben. Das Match erzählte viele Geschichten auf hohem Niveau - angefangen mit dem starken Austauschen von Trademarks, über Omega brutales butcherings von Ospreay, bis zum Wiedererstarken des Assassins. Intensiv, atmosphärisch, meisterlich!"

[8.0] "I thought this match was a bit too self-indulgent and it really felt like Ospreay should have won here. Omega didn't really need the win here. I liked the first 20 minutes or so, but then it became about Ospreay being brutalized and staging a epic comeback but still falling short in the end....just felt a bit off to me. ****1/4"

[10.0] "THE match. A generational encounter that will define the next years, just like Okada v Omega did. All the stars."

[10.0] "This was an incredible storytelling perfomance told by two of the greatest wrestlers of this generation, Omega put Ospreay through hell, and Will fought back, but it wasn't enough. Fantastic"

[6.0] "One of Ospreays better performances in recent times for me. First 15-20 were pretty standard boring stuff but Kenny destroying Ospreay was pretty fun - ***"

[10.0] "If i could give this match 11 points, i would do it in a heartbeat. The storytelling in this match alone deserves 5 stars, not even counting all of the insane spots they did in this match. If your expectations were the sky, you got heaven incarnate. *******"

[10.0] "I will rewatch this but it's genuinely one of my favorite matches ever on 1st watch. Kenny's VICIOUS offense, Will's immaculate selling, the plainly uncomfortable bumps he took, especially the smashing his head through the table multiple times. This was pure cinema, it was incredible. The finish with the Kamigoye before the OWA was poetic. Kenny Omega is the greatest wrestler ever. *****"

[10.0] "***** - everything you could have wanted or expected and some I'd say. 34 fantastic minutes that flew by. Will be showing this match to people and recommend the shit outta it"

[10.0] "Lived up to the hype and then some. Ospreay was laying in some snug snug shots in there lol. Kenny nearly killed Will a couple times. It's 5 am that's all you're getting out of me lol"

[10.0] "An utter war. A messy, bloody, hard-hitting war. The storytelling and callbacks to previous matches were brilliant. Will tried everything in his arsenal besides the Stormbreaker, but nothing could put Kenny away. In the end, Kenny was able to hit the One Winged Angel and took the belt. Just simply amazing. This match was an out of body experience."

[9.0] "Richtig gutes Match zwischen den Beiden. Ospreay sellt deutlich besser als sonst und Kenny on top hat ein paar ziemlich "brutale" Momente. Insgesamt ein guter Flow, passend aufgebaut, ein paar Sequenzen sind etwas redudant, aber in Summe sitzt das einfach gut, was die Herren hier zeigen."

[10.0] "Better than Omega-Okada I. The chase just started for Will, what a glorious performance. Kenny in NJPW cannot miss and the commentary was tremendous, including Callis. What a spectacle of pro-wrestling, cinematic in its storytelling."