Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura did battle once more at Wrestle Kingdom 2.
<– 2007: Wrestle Kingdom Come 2009: Ace vs Genius–>
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Two years after their first singles meeting over the IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura had done much to evolve, and set themselves as the standard bearers for a new era in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Tanahashi won his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship in February 2006, and in his memorable post-match interview, told Sapporo fans ‘I love you’; his gratitude and connection with fans firmly established and put into words. Meanwhile, with every passing match as leader of the RISE faction, Shinsuke Nakamura gained traction, aggression and swagger.
By 2008, talk was that only one could, or should be dubbed the Ace, leading to a battle over much more than Tanahashi’s IWGP title. It was, eventually Nakamura that came out on top, stating afterwards that there was much work to do to put NJPW back at the top of the wrestling landscape worldwide, but that he would be the one to do it.
He would be cut off by the unexpected sight of Kurt Angle, however. After controversy surrounded the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the wake of a sudden departure by Brock Lesnar, and Tanahashi’s initial crowning in 2006, Angle won a version of the IWGP gold that would go unrecognised by NJPW.
In a clash of the two most notable amateur greats turned pro of their era from japan and America, Yuji Nagata would challenge Kurt Angle at WK2. Nagata was determined to erase the controversy surrouding the IWGP title, vowing to take Angles ‘V3’ belt from him and immediately retire it. A thrilling battle highlighted by gripping exchanges of Nagata Lock II into Ankle Lock counters eventually ended with a rare Nagata submission. Then, after the main event, Olympian Angle would issue a challenge to Nakamura to unify the two championships and clear up the confusion weeks later in Ryogoku, a task the future King of Strong Style achieved, further cementing himself in NJPW legacy.
A man whose legacy was just beginning would face off against a legend whose legacy was indelible at WK2. Returning from Mexican excursion in summer 2007, Goto immediately targeted the top stars in NJPW, facing Hiroyoshi Tenzan before challenging Hiroshi Tanahashi and pushing the IWGP Champion to the limit. At Wrestle Kingdom the chance to face and beat the legend of the Great Muta was an opportunity too big to pass up, but Muta’s mysterious powers would prove too great on the night.
Watch Wrestle Kingdom II here!
