Dave Meltzer Match Ratings NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19

Dave Meltzer’s match ratings are in for Wrestle Kingdom 19.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling held its annual showpiece event on January 4th at the world-famous Tokyo Dome.

In the main event, Zack Sabre Jr. successfully defended his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shota Umino. Sabre Jr. went on to defend the title again 24 hours later against Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty.

It was a big night for AEW as Konosuke Takeshita beat Shingo Takagi to claim the NEVER Openweight Championship, adding the gold to his AEW International Title. Following the event, Takeshita announced that he’s now representing NJPW.

Dave Meltzer Match Ratings – Wrestle Kingdom 19

Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer broke down his thoughts on the event, including his often controversial match ratings.

PRE-SHOW:

• Hirooki Goto Won New Japan Rondo to become number one contender for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title **1/2

MAIN CARD

• Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight and Kushida) (c) vs. Ichiban Sweet Boys (Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) vs. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) – Tokyo Terror Ladder Match, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title ****
• Mayu Iwatani vs. AZM – IWGP Women’s Championship ****
• Ren Narita (c) vs. El Phantasmo vs. Jeff Cobb vs. Ryohei Oiwa – Four-Way NJPW World Television Title ***3/4
• Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Evil – Lumberjack Death Match ***1/2
• Konosuke Takeshita vs. Shingo Takagi – NEVER Openweight Title & AEW International Title ****1/2
• El Desperado vs. Douki (c) – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship **
• Yota Tsuji vs. David Finlay (c) – IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship ****1/2
• Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi ***
• Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – ****1/2