By Ryan Frye
Professional wrestling is an industry built on creating moments. But a moment would be nothing but a distant memory without a camera to capture the energy, emotion, and electricity of that moment forever. Perhaps that's why they've always claimed that a picture is worth a thousand words. And that very notion is the reason for the existence of this series: Picture Perfect.
Professional wrestling is an industry built on creating moments. But a moment would be nothing but a distant memory without a camera to capture the energy, emotion, and electricity of that moment forever. Perhaps that's why they've always claimed that a picture is worth a thousand words. And that very notion is the reason for the existence of this series: Picture Perfect.
INTRODUCING THE COMBATANTS
For eighteen years, he toured the world and made a name for himself as one of—if not the—best wrestler in the world. Perhaps one of the greatest in-ring competitors of all-time, in fact.
For the twelve of those years, he was the heart and the soul of TNA Wrestling. He, alongside the likes of Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels among others, put TNA on the map. He's the reason they developed an international presence, and became the second largest wrestling company in North America.
He became so successful and so great, though, that he outgrew the company. That, and an amalgamation of bad business decisions on TNA's part, caused him to depart from the company he built from the ground up.
From there, he invaded New Japan Pro Wrestling and quickly supplanted Prince Devitt as the leader of villainous gaijin faction, the Bullet Club. In Japan, he became an even bigger, more world renowned star.
He became IWGP Champion in his first match in his new home, and would go onto win that championship once more.
He is The Phenomenal One. He is AJ Styles.
For the twelve of those years, he was the heart and the soul of TNA Wrestling. He, alongside the likes of Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels among others, put TNA on the map. He's the reason they developed an international presence, and became the second largest wrestling company in North America.
He became so successful and so great, though, that he outgrew the company. That, and an amalgamation of bad business decisions on TNA's part, caused him to depart from the company he built from the ground up.
From there, he invaded New Japan Pro Wrestling and quickly supplanted Prince Devitt as the leader of villainous gaijin faction, the Bullet Club. In Japan, he became an even bigger, more world renowned star.
He became IWGP Champion in his first match in his new home, and would go onto win that championship once more.
He is The Phenomenal One. He is AJ Styles.
While AJ Styles is one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, this man is that and one of the most charismatic as well. His charisma has transcended language barriers and allowed him to become beloved in not only his native Japan, but also in the United States and across the globe.
He first debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2003. He'd take part in MMA matches at first, accumulating a 3-1-1 record before focusing on strictly wrestling.
Within a year of debuting, he defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a huge upset to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He'd also battle Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. But it wasn't until 2009 when his career truly took off.
A change in persona was what he needed to become bonafide draw, a main event star. He'd capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship again, and this time hold it for 218 days.
Additionally, he was responsible for an incredible prestige boost of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. He held this title—that was introduced in 2011—five times and many would argue elevated it to the same level of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
He draws inspiration from Freddy Mercury and Michael Jackson. Don't let his charismatic charm and flamboyance fool you, though. He's also known for his hard hitting, abrasive offense. He's known as the King of Strong Style. He is Shinsuke Nakamura.
He first debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2003. He'd take part in MMA matches at first, accumulating a 3-1-1 record before focusing on strictly wrestling.
Within a year of debuting, he defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a huge upset to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He'd also battle Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. But it wasn't until 2009 when his career truly took off.
A change in persona was what he needed to become bonafide draw, a main event star. He'd capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship again, and this time hold it for 218 days.
Additionally, he was responsible for an incredible prestige boost of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. He held this title—that was introduced in 2011—five times and many would argue elevated it to the same level of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
He draws inspiration from Freddy Mercury and Michael Jackson. Don't let his charismatic charm and flamboyance fool you, though. He's also known for his hard hitting, abrasive offense. He's known as the King of Strong Style. He is Shinsuke Nakamura.
PAINTING THE PICTURE
AJ Styles and the Bullet Club invaded New Japan like no faction had before.
They lacked the honor and respect that is intertwined in Japanese culture, because they weren't interested in that. They were interested in money, in fame, and in championships. Anyone who was offended be damned.
Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the many offended. Believe it or not, though, Nakamura wouldn't clash with Styles for two years.
The culmination of them not wrestling one-on-one came when Styles challenged Nakamura to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 10, for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. And Nakamura wasn't the type to back away from a fight.
They lacked the honor and respect that is intertwined in Japanese culture, because they weren't interested in that. They were interested in money, in fame, and in championships. Anyone who was offended be damned.
Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the many offended. Believe it or not, though, Nakamura wouldn't clash with Styles for two years.
The culmination of them not wrestling one-on-one came when Styles challenged Nakamura to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 10, for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. And Nakamura wasn't the type to back away from a fight.
A dream match that was two years in the making finally commenced on this night. Inside the world famous Tokyo Dome, it was The King of Strong Style vs. The Phenomenal One; Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. And following their grandiose entrances on New Japan's biggest stage, the match was underway.
The two jockeyed for position for the first moments of the match. The first blow landed would be a roundhouse to the inside of Styles' left quad. Styles would walk it off before the two intertwined their fingers, and AJ quickly scored a headlock off that.
Nakamura tried to break free of AJ's grasp with a single leg takdown, but to no avail. A fireman's carry, however, would do the trick. And afterwards, Nakamura synched in a headlock of his own.
Styles would counter the hold with leg scissors to the the throat of Nakamura, who was able to quickly kip up and out of the hold.
The two circled momentarily before engaging in a lockup. Nakamura would take control of Styles' arm, wrenching it around, and he'd only let go when Styles entangled himself in the ropes.
The challenger again reverted to a headlock on the defending champion. Both men had grown wise in their long wrestling careers and weren't overly anxious to be the one to make the first mistake. Because against this caliber of competition, one might not recover from that.
Nakamura would bounce Styles off the ropes, Styles rolled under a clothesline and locked in a headlock once more. Nakamura would escape by sweeping Styles' legs, Styles would duck a dangerous roundhouse and attempt a backslide. Nakamura, though, managed to counter and went for an early Bomaye knee, but that too failed.
It's been said that the Bomaye knee has taken out more men than polio. And Styles' finisher—the Styles Clash—had broken a few necks. So perhaps the first man to nail their devastating finisher would emerge victorious, and hence leave Tokyo with the coveted IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Nakamura slyly grinned, knowing he was inches away from knocking AJ Styles out cold.
Back in the center of the ring, a collar-and-elbow tie up. Nakamura possessed the leverage advantage, as asserted by Kevin Kelly, due to him being the taller man.
Styles would back himself into the ropes, earning his second rope break of the match. Nakamura would disengage and taunt Styles. Styles responded with his Bullet Club gun taunt, and Nakamura ate the bullet.
The two jockeyed for position for the first moments of the match. The first blow landed would be a roundhouse to the inside of Styles' left quad. Styles would walk it off before the two intertwined their fingers, and AJ quickly scored a headlock off that.
Nakamura tried to break free of AJ's grasp with a single leg takdown, but to no avail. A fireman's carry, however, would do the trick. And afterwards, Nakamura synched in a headlock of his own.
Styles would counter the hold with leg scissors to the the throat of Nakamura, who was able to quickly kip up and out of the hold.
The two circled momentarily before engaging in a lockup. Nakamura would take control of Styles' arm, wrenching it around, and he'd only let go when Styles entangled himself in the ropes.
The challenger again reverted to a headlock on the defending champion. Both men had grown wise in their long wrestling careers and weren't overly anxious to be the one to make the first mistake. Because against this caliber of competition, one might not recover from that.
Nakamura would bounce Styles off the ropes, Styles rolled under a clothesline and locked in a headlock once more. Nakamura would escape by sweeping Styles' legs, Styles would duck a dangerous roundhouse and attempt a backslide. Nakamura, though, managed to counter and went for an early Bomaye knee, but that too failed.
It's been said that the Bomaye knee has taken out more men than polio. And Styles' finisher—the Styles Clash—had broken a few necks. So perhaps the first man to nail their devastating finisher would emerge victorious, and hence leave Tokyo with the coveted IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Nakamura slyly grinned, knowing he was inches away from knocking AJ Styles out cold.
Back in the center of the ring, a collar-and-elbow tie up. Nakamura possessed the leverage advantage, as asserted by Kevin Kelly, due to him being the taller man.
Styles would back himself into the ropes, earning his second rope break of the match. Nakamura would disengage and taunt Styles. Styles responded with his Bullet Club gun taunt, and Nakamura ate the bullet.
A momentary laugh from Nakamura was followed with a quick kick to Styles' gut. Nakamura then came off the ropes, Styles leaped over him and dropped down, then when Nakamura came rebounding off the other side he ate a dropkick.
Styles sent Nakamura into the ropes, but Nakamura reversed and did the same to Styles. Off the ropes, Styles would fall victim to a snapmare. Next was a kick to the face.
A second snapmare resulted in a knee drop into the chest of AJ, as Nakamura taunted the Bullet Club leader's hand taunt.
Back on the offensive, Nakamura backed Styles into the corner with knee to the stomach. He'd whip Styles into the opposite corner, but he'd get an elbow to the face for his efforts.
Styles would leap to the second rope only to be pulled off by Nakamura. Styles landed on his back—where he'd had a nagging injury for months. He had pulled out of New Japan's World Tag League, and many speculated it was the reason for his loss against Jay Lethal in the main event of Ring of Honor's Final Battle pay-per-view. His only saving grace for this injury would be DDP Yoga.
Styles grimaced in agony, saying "I did it again." Nakamura would walk away to his corner as any good sportsman would do, but he when did, Styles jumped to his feet and attacked him from behind.
"AJ Styles played us all for fools!" Kevin Kelly proclaimed in dusgust, as Styles—clearly proud of himself—smiled widely.
AJ rammed Shinsuke's head into the turnbuckle padding. He followed up with chops to the chest. Matt Striker asserted that Nakamura's fatal flaw in this match may have been humanity, and Striker may have been right.
Out of the corner, Styles bodyslammed Nakamura. Off the ropes The Phenomenal One came for a diving knee drop to the face.
"Shut up!" Styles shouted at the crowd.
Next, Styles applied a Muta lock, named of course after Japanese wrestling legend The Great Muta. The move would do only minimal damage, however, as Nakamura briskly reached the ropes.
Nakamura hit Styles with a series of knees, to which Styles answered back with a forearm that would reduce the champion to his knees as he checked for loose teeth.
Styles tossed Nakamura into the corner and nailed a leaping forearm. Nakamura crumpled to the canvas, but Styles quickly pulled him up and hit an elbow to the base of the skull.
The two traded nasty forearms mid-ring. Styles hoisted Nakamura up for a second bodyslam, but he squirmed out and opted for a headlock. Not for long, though, as Styles flipped him to the mat. Nakamura recovered, AJ swung and missed, allowing Nakamura the opening for a backbreaker.
Styles sent Nakamura into the ropes, but Nakamura reversed and did the same to Styles. Off the ropes, Styles would fall victim to a snapmare. Next was a kick to the face.
A second snapmare resulted in a knee drop into the chest of AJ, as Nakamura taunted the Bullet Club leader's hand taunt.
Back on the offensive, Nakamura backed Styles into the corner with knee to the stomach. He'd whip Styles into the opposite corner, but he'd get an elbow to the face for his efforts.
Styles would leap to the second rope only to be pulled off by Nakamura. Styles landed on his back—where he'd had a nagging injury for months. He had pulled out of New Japan's World Tag League, and many speculated it was the reason for his loss against Jay Lethal in the main event of Ring of Honor's Final Battle pay-per-view. His only saving grace for this injury would be DDP Yoga.
Styles grimaced in agony, saying "I did it again." Nakamura would walk away to his corner as any good sportsman would do, but he when did, Styles jumped to his feet and attacked him from behind.
"AJ Styles played us all for fools!" Kevin Kelly proclaimed in dusgust, as Styles—clearly proud of himself—smiled widely.
AJ rammed Shinsuke's head into the turnbuckle padding. He followed up with chops to the chest. Matt Striker asserted that Nakamura's fatal flaw in this match may have been humanity, and Striker may have been right.
Out of the corner, Styles bodyslammed Nakamura. Off the ropes The Phenomenal One came for a diving knee drop to the face.
"Shut up!" Styles shouted at the crowd.
Next, Styles applied a Muta lock, named of course after Japanese wrestling legend The Great Muta. The move would do only minimal damage, however, as Nakamura briskly reached the ropes.
Nakamura hit Styles with a series of knees, to which Styles answered back with a forearm that would reduce the champion to his knees as he checked for loose teeth.
Styles tossed Nakamura into the corner and nailed a leaping forearm. Nakamura crumpled to the canvas, but Styles quickly pulled him up and hit an elbow to the base of the skull.
The two traded nasty forearms mid-ring. Styles hoisted Nakamura up for a second bodyslam, but he squirmed out and opted for a headlock. Not for long, though, as Styles flipped him to the mat. Nakamura recovered, AJ swung and missed, allowing Nakamura the opening for a backbreaker.
No humanity now, as Nakamura followed Styles to the floor and drove him into the steel barricade. The Phenomenal One had become the boy who cried wolf.
The King of Strong Style swiftly slung AJ back inside the ring and hit a couple brutal kicks to the chest. AJ would catch his leg, only to get hit with an enziguri to the back of the skull.
Shinsuke threw Styles into the corner this time, and made him feel those good vibrations, as Kevin Kelly put it. This was before he bombarded his downed challenger with knees to the rib cage and stomach. He nailed a front suplex before going for his signature Bomaye, which Styles narrowly avoided.
Unfortunately for him, Styles wasn't awarded much relief for thwarting Nakamura's biggest weapon. He ate a kick to the gut, was placed in a laying position on the top rope and got struck with a kick to his injured back. He collapsed to the canvas and was forced to kick out of multiple covers, further placing stress on his back.
Nakamura continued to focus on AJ's lower back with repeated forearms. He then would deposit him on the top rope for a second time, this time stomach-first. This time, though, Styles thwarted the attempted and landed a forearm of his own to Nakamura's face.
Speaking of forearms, Styles would hit his springboard forearm next to buy himself a much needed breather.
AJ grabbed at his lower back, but expeditiously moved to capitalize on his work with a suplex attempt. This, however, only did further damage to that injury. Thus, it took a few attempts, but he finally managed to suplex Nakamura into the corner.
Nakamura countered some Styles offense, but fell victim to the Calf Killer. Nakamura would break the hold with a rope break, and only let go when Styles kicked his arm.
Next, Nakamura hit two kicks, the second of which was a spinning heel kick to down his challenger.
He'd pull Styles up and again strike him with numerous forearms to the lower back to set up a lung blower. He'd take advantage of his handiwork with a suplex variation.
Nakamura was attacking AJ Styles from both sides; his chest, and his back, Matt Striker wisely pointed out.
Another Bomaye attempt failed to connect. Styles would also fail to connect on a counter, but recovered nicely by rolling into the Calf Killer for a second time. And this time, in the center of the ring.
Nakamura was perhaps on the precipice of tapping out, but he managed to counter into a cross armbreaker. Styles would simply stack Nakamura up, forcing him to relinquish the hold instead of getting
Styles missed with a leaping forearm in the corner, and again with a moonsalt. He'd catch Nakamura with a strike to the face, though, and applied a torture rack into a spinning powerbomb. A cover resulted in a two count by the referee affectionately known as Red Shoes.
Nakamura clutched at his neck as AJ Styles pulled him up and into position for the Styles Clash. Styles couldn't get his long-bodied opponent up for the move, though, instead ending up with sunset flip. Nakamura rolled through and went for another Bomaye to no avail.
Styles missed wildly with a punch, and averted a German Suplex attempt with elbows to send Nakamura into the corner. Styles rushed and ate a boot. And off the second rope, Nakamura finally connected with Bomaye!
Shinsuke Nakamura was too physically drained to go for the cover, however. Too beaten, too battered to taste the fruits of his labor.
The combatants slugged it out, first on their knees, then on their feet. The Tokyo Dome crowd buzzed, knowing they were witnessing an instant classic as these two decorated athletes exchanged fiendish forearms.
On this occasion, Styles won the exchange by ducking a forearm and hitting a facebuster. Nakamura would roll his shoulder off the mat at two.
Styles got to his feet first, then Nakamura shortly thereafter. They traded forearms, then Styles hit backhands and a kick before eating a boot to the face. He'd miss a few times, hit a knee to the gut, then miss another kick before befalling Styles' Pele Kick.
The Pele Kick somehow only dazed Nakamura, at least temporarily. He hit Bomaye on AJ then flopped to the canvas. He crept to the cover: 1, 2, no!
AJ Styles had kicked out of not one but two Bomayes, and it looked to have Nakamura on the brink of tears.
Nakamura had no option but to keep at it. He lifted AJ onto his shoulders, but AJ slipped out and rolled him up for a two count. Nakamura rushed Styles, and Styles hit him with his own finisher, Bomaye!
Instead of going for the cover, AJ climbed to the top rope and hit a 450 Splash. Cover: 1, 2, kickout!
AJ Styles was inches, was milliseconds away from adding the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to his astonishing list of accolades.
Styles looked for a Bloody Sunday, but Nakamura refused to reciprocate, thus the Phenomenal One had to settle for a backhand. Next came a punch, but Shinsuke rolled over Styles' arm and locked in his cross arm breaker.
Nakamura was attempting to hyper-extend the arm of AJ Styles, and he'd hook his leg to make it harder to escape.
Like before, Styles would try to stack up Nakamura, but this time the Samurai of New Japan—a literal translation of what he was called in CMLL—transitioned into a triangle choke hold. Styles, though, had a counter for Nakamura's counter: the Styles Clash!
Cover: 1, 2, no!
Nakamura again clutched his neck as AJ scurried to hit Bloody Sunday. Then, Nakamura would block a Styles Clash and instead get clobbered with boot to the back of the skull.
Styles positioned the champion for the Styles Clash again, but wasn't content with just a regular version of the move. No, he ascended to the second rope and attempted a super Styles Clash, but a kick to the face allowed Nakamura to hit Styles with a modified Falcon Arrow. The stubborn Styles kicked out of the ensuing pinfall at two.
This had become a war of attrition. Each man had been hit with countless finishers, had been trapped in countless submissions, but they somehow still kept going. The question simply became, who had more left?
Nakamura stalked AJ Styles from behind, and nailed a savage Bomaybe to the back of his head!
The King of Strong Style swiftly slung AJ back inside the ring and hit a couple brutal kicks to the chest. AJ would catch his leg, only to get hit with an enziguri to the back of the skull.
Shinsuke threw Styles into the corner this time, and made him feel those good vibrations, as Kevin Kelly put it. This was before he bombarded his downed challenger with knees to the rib cage and stomach. He nailed a front suplex before going for his signature Bomaye, which Styles narrowly avoided.
Unfortunately for him, Styles wasn't awarded much relief for thwarting Nakamura's biggest weapon. He ate a kick to the gut, was placed in a laying position on the top rope and got struck with a kick to his injured back. He collapsed to the canvas and was forced to kick out of multiple covers, further placing stress on his back.
Nakamura continued to focus on AJ's lower back with repeated forearms. He then would deposit him on the top rope for a second time, this time stomach-first. This time, though, Styles thwarted the attempted and landed a forearm of his own to Nakamura's face.
Speaking of forearms, Styles would hit his springboard forearm next to buy himself a much needed breather.
AJ grabbed at his lower back, but expeditiously moved to capitalize on his work with a suplex attempt. This, however, only did further damage to that injury. Thus, it took a few attempts, but he finally managed to suplex Nakamura into the corner.
Nakamura countered some Styles offense, but fell victim to the Calf Killer. Nakamura would break the hold with a rope break, and only let go when Styles kicked his arm.
Next, Nakamura hit two kicks, the second of which was a spinning heel kick to down his challenger.
He'd pull Styles up and again strike him with numerous forearms to the lower back to set up a lung blower. He'd take advantage of his handiwork with a suplex variation.
Nakamura was attacking AJ Styles from both sides; his chest, and his back, Matt Striker wisely pointed out.
Another Bomaye attempt failed to connect. Styles would also fail to connect on a counter, but recovered nicely by rolling into the Calf Killer for a second time. And this time, in the center of the ring.
Nakamura was perhaps on the precipice of tapping out, but he managed to counter into a cross armbreaker. Styles would simply stack Nakamura up, forcing him to relinquish the hold instead of getting
Styles missed with a leaping forearm in the corner, and again with a moonsalt. He'd catch Nakamura with a strike to the face, though, and applied a torture rack into a spinning powerbomb. A cover resulted in a two count by the referee affectionately known as Red Shoes.
Nakamura clutched at his neck as AJ Styles pulled him up and into position for the Styles Clash. Styles couldn't get his long-bodied opponent up for the move, though, instead ending up with sunset flip. Nakamura rolled through and went for another Bomaye to no avail.
Styles missed wildly with a punch, and averted a German Suplex attempt with elbows to send Nakamura into the corner. Styles rushed and ate a boot. And off the second rope, Nakamura finally connected with Bomaye!
Shinsuke Nakamura was too physically drained to go for the cover, however. Too beaten, too battered to taste the fruits of his labor.
The combatants slugged it out, first on their knees, then on their feet. The Tokyo Dome crowd buzzed, knowing they were witnessing an instant classic as these two decorated athletes exchanged fiendish forearms.
On this occasion, Styles won the exchange by ducking a forearm and hitting a facebuster. Nakamura would roll his shoulder off the mat at two.
Styles got to his feet first, then Nakamura shortly thereafter. They traded forearms, then Styles hit backhands and a kick before eating a boot to the face. He'd miss a few times, hit a knee to the gut, then miss another kick before befalling Styles' Pele Kick.
The Pele Kick somehow only dazed Nakamura, at least temporarily. He hit Bomaye on AJ then flopped to the canvas. He crept to the cover: 1, 2, no!
AJ Styles had kicked out of not one but two Bomayes, and it looked to have Nakamura on the brink of tears.
Nakamura had no option but to keep at it. He lifted AJ onto his shoulders, but AJ slipped out and rolled him up for a two count. Nakamura rushed Styles, and Styles hit him with his own finisher, Bomaye!
Instead of going for the cover, AJ climbed to the top rope and hit a 450 Splash. Cover: 1, 2, kickout!
AJ Styles was inches, was milliseconds away from adding the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to his astonishing list of accolades.
Styles looked for a Bloody Sunday, but Nakamura refused to reciprocate, thus the Phenomenal One had to settle for a backhand. Next came a punch, but Shinsuke rolled over Styles' arm and locked in his cross arm breaker.
Nakamura was attempting to hyper-extend the arm of AJ Styles, and he'd hook his leg to make it harder to escape.
Like before, Styles would try to stack up Nakamura, but this time the Samurai of New Japan—a literal translation of what he was called in CMLL—transitioned into a triangle choke hold. Styles, though, had a counter for Nakamura's counter: the Styles Clash!
Cover: 1, 2, no!
Nakamura again clutched his neck as AJ scurried to hit Bloody Sunday. Then, Nakamura would block a Styles Clash and instead get clobbered with boot to the back of the skull.
Styles positioned the champion for the Styles Clash again, but wasn't content with just a regular version of the move. No, he ascended to the second rope and attempted a super Styles Clash, but a kick to the face allowed Nakamura to hit Styles with a modified Falcon Arrow. The stubborn Styles kicked out of the ensuing pinfall at two.
This had become a war of attrition. Each man had been hit with countless finishers, had been trapped in countless submissions, but they somehow still kept going. The question simply became, who had more left?
Nakamura stalked AJ Styles from behind, and nailed a savage Bomaybe to the back of his head!
Two hadn't been enough before, though, so Shinsuke thought he'd double up. He hit a second consecutive Bomaye, a fourth total, before going for the pinfall: 1, 2, 3!
Shinsuke Nakamura had retained the championship he gifted with prestige in a match Matt Striker claimed—only four days into the year—could potentially be the match of the year.
But the year of 2016 was just beginning for AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. And soon, they would both be partially responsible a cataclysmic shakeup in the world of professional wrestling, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the Attitude Era.
This historic night would not end until Nakamura offered a fist bump to AJ Styles, and Styles accept: the ultimate show of respect for two competitors that deserve nothing but.
Shinsuke Nakamura had retained the championship he gifted with prestige in a match Matt Striker claimed—only four days into the year—could potentially be the match of the year.
But the year of 2016 was just beginning for AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. And soon, they would both be partially responsible a cataclysmic shakeup in the world of professional wrestling, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the Attitude Era.
This historic night would not end until Nakamura offered a fist bump to AJ Styles, and Styles accept: the ultimate show of respect for two competitors that deserve nothing but.
SPINNING IT FORWARD
The following day at New Year Dash, Styles and Nakamura would clash once again, this time in a tag team match.
Styles partnered with his Bullet Club brother Kenny Omega, while Nakamura tagged with YOSHI-HASHI.
It was Kenny Omega that would score the pin over Shinsuke Nakamura, a huge statement in and of itself. However, Omega wasn't yet done.
Styles partnered with his Bullet Club brother Kenny Omega, while Nakamura tagged with YOSHI-HASHI.
It was Kenny Omega that would score the pin over Shinsuke Nakamura, a huge statement in and of itself. However, Omega wasn't yet done.
Amidst a post-match celebration, Kenny Omega would sneak up behind AJ Styles and stun the wrestling world by hitting him with the One-Winged Angel.
The Young Bucks, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows and Cody Hall would rush the ring, seemingly trying to make sense of it all. The Young Bucks appeared to be trying to talk sense into Omega, until the three of them nailed a triple superkick to Styles.
Hall, Anderson and Gallows acted incensed momentarily, but they would follow Omega's lead and put the boots to their now former leader.
Omega would make it official by firing Styles, proclaiming himself Bullet Club's new leader, and announcing his intentions to challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Now, lets back up.
Mere hours after Wrestle Kingdom 10, rumors began circulating that Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles had all given their notice to New Japan and would soon be headed to the WWE. And Styles being booted from the Bullet Club only lent credence to that rumor.
Just weeks later, as previously highlighted in Picture Perfect, AJ Styles would make his WWE debut in the Royal Rumble and is now slated to face Chris Jericho at WrestleMania.
Meanwhile, Shinsuke Nakamura would vacate his championship, bid an emotional farewell to New Japan, and make his NXT debut last by challenging Sami Zayn to a match at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
Gallows and Anderson have also departed from New Japan, and we now await their supposedly imminent WWE debut—or return in the case of Gallows.
Back in Japan, Kenny Omega would defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi to become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion. He languished on the independent scene for years, and his talent went somewhat unnoticed, but now he finds himself being New Japan's top gaijin talent.
And in just two weeks, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles will play pivotal roles in WrestleMania weekend, just three months after competing in the semi-main event of Wrestle Kingdom 10.
Incomprehensible, improbable, but a phenomenal sequence of events, indeed.
The Young Bucks, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows and Cody Hall would rush the ring, seemingly trying to make sense of it all. The Young Bucks appeared to be trying to talk sense into Omega, until the three of them nailed a triple superkick to Styles.
Hall, Anderson and Gallows acted incensed momentarily, but they would follow Omega's lead and put the boots to their now former leader.
Omega would make it official by firing Styles, proclaiming himself Bullet Club's new leader, and announcing his intentions to challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Now, lets back up.
Mere hours after Wrestle Kingdom 10, rumors began circulating that Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles had all given their notice to New Japan and would soon be headed to the WWE. And Styles being booted from the Bullet Club only lent credence to that rumor.
Just weeks later, as previously highlighted in Picture Perfect, AJ Styles would make his WWE debut in the Royal Rumble and is now slated to face Chris Jericho at WrestleMania.
Meanwhile, Shinsuke Nakamura would vacate his championship, bid an emotional farewell to New Japan, and make his NXT debut last by challenging Sami Zayn to a match at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
Gallows and Anderson have also departed from New Japan, and we now await their supposedly imminent WWE debut—or return in the case of Gallows.
Back in Japan, Kenny Omega would defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi to become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion. He languished on the independent scene for years, and his talent went somewhat unnoticed, but now he finds himself being New Japan's top gaijin talent.
And in just two weeks, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles will play pivotal roles in WrestleMania weekend, just three months after competing in the semi-main event of Wrestle Kingdom 10.
Incomprehensible, improbable, but a phenomenal sequence of events, indeed.