PPV Evaluation - New Japan's "Wrestle Kingdom"
By Nathan Kyght, PWTorch PPV specialist

I believe that the expression is 'better late than never.' Due to moving and a myriad of Internet issues, this is coming late. But let's jump in...

BEST MATCH - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi

On paper, this looked liked the match of the night and then to the surprise of no one, it was. What an excellent encounter. We’re obviously very early in the year, but this is definitely a Match of the Year candidate. Just a superb match.

WORST MATCH - New Japan Rumble

There was a lot to cram into the time for this show, and this to me was the throwaway match on the show. Nothing particularly terrible, but it felt rushed and insignificant.

BIGGEST SURPRISE - Tanahashi Wins

I thought that with New Japan making their cable PPV debut outside of Japan we’d see a major title change, but they stayed the course and had Okada lose in the main event. This was another Match of the Year candidate on an excellent show.

BIGGEST LETDOWN - Nothing

It seems like a cop-out answer, but New Japan knew they needed a home run of a show and they delivered on all fronts.

BEST MOVE - Tanahashi

Again, this was a night filled with memorable spots and excellent matches, but Tanahashi delivering a plancha to Okada as he was draped over the railing stole the category for me.

BEST MATCH FINISH - Nakamura

I thought they would go with Nakamura losing to Kota, but their match was almost flawless. Nakamura winning was surprising and exciting. Excellent stuff.

OTHER THOUGHTS

Jim Ross is really, really great. It was so much fun hearing him again.

WHAT IT’LL BE REMEMBERED FOR

I tried to avoid as many spoilers as possible in this review, because I just want to relay this message: this was one of the best pay-per-views in years. Watch it.

KYGHT'S INITITAL PPV RANKINGS FOR 2015

1 - NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM (2015-01-04)

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