10 NJPW Matches Dave Meltzer Overrated

New Japan Pro Wrestling is well-known for the classic matches over the years, particularly in the last decade featuring top tier stars such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and many more.

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This has led to a tremendous amount of praise from viewers and critics alike, with Dave Meltzer and his star-rating system at the ‘Wrestling Observer Newsletter’ rating countless NJPW matches not only 5 stars, but even more than that, after a series of record-breaking Okada vs Omega match ups. Regardless, there have been numerous matches which Meltzer has overrated throughout the years in NJPW. Which rank as the most overrated by Dave Meltzer and the ‘Wrestling Observer Newsletter’?

10 Kazuchika Okada Vs. Minoru Suzuki, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2017, 4.75*

This was a terrific main event at 2017s The New Beginning in Sapporo event, as Kazuchika Okada defended his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Minoru Suzuki. A fantastic dynamic as Suzuki brutalized Okada with strikes, submissions, and technical wrestling with Okada selling it all tremendously but coming back triumphantly to retain. Although a typically great Okada main event, it was not without its flaws. The match lost steam in the second half, rather than the first, due to its length. Okada overcoming such insurmountable punishment to retain seemed a tad over the top, as well. Regardless, a fantastic match but not a 4.75* spectacle.

9 Hiroshi Tanahashi vs SANADA, NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Tag 11, 4.75*

A great New Japan Cup semi-final in 2019s tournament, but far from the outstanding level of match up expected in such a position. A highly technical, grapple-heavy bout that relied heavily on selling and submissions, this was well-executed but not the most exciting, or fluid, at times. The crowd were invested and firmly behind SANADA as he scored the upset, but certainly not an amazing match here that left viewers in awe as a 4.75* match requires.

8 EVIL vs Kota Ibushi, NJPW G1 Climax 29 – Tag 3, 4.75*

A great, hard-hitting match between EVIL and Kota Ibushi in 2019s G1 Climax 29 Tournament, but far from an amazing 4.75* bout. While EVIL’s NJPW career has had its ups and downs, he had a particularly good run during this G1, and this match was no exception. A great contest from start to finish with EVIL scoring the upset victory. But, compared to many other 4.75* rated match ups in NJPW throughout the years, this pales in comparison with unnecessarily high praise here from Dave Meltzer.

7 Kazuchika Okada Vs. Jeff Cobb, NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam In MetLife Dome - Tag 1, 4.75*

This was a very good match between Kazuchika Okada and Jeff Cobb at September 2021s Wrestle Grand Slam event, but absolutely not a 4.75* level encounter. These two, whilst both tremendous wrestlers, never fully clicked as Cobb has with other NJPW stars.

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This was another example of this with a rather slow pace, and a lack of action in the first half. While they made up for such with a very strong closing stretch, it was not enough to elevate this bout which remains a very good, possibly great, clash but nothing more.

6 Kenny Omega Vs. Hirooki Goto, NJPW G1 Climax 28 – Tag 4, 5*

A fantastic match between Kenny Omega and Hirooki Goto in 2018s G1 Climax 28, with Omega heading in as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Fast-paced action, a red-hot Korakuen Hall crowd, and a scintillating finishing stretch, alongside Omega and Goto’s undeniable chemistry, led to a stellar main event. However, not a 5-star match up by any means. Not only was Omega’s match with Naito a few nights earlier, also rated five stars significantly better, but this was arguably the weakest of the Goto/Omega trilogy.

5 Kazuchika Okada Vs. SANADA, NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Tag 12, 5*

This was a rare case of Okada’s slower starts to big matches leading to nowhere, with the two failing to excite in any regard for the first half of the match. Thankfully, the two stars redeemed themselves with a much better, exhilarating second half featuring excellent wrestling and drama. However, this was everything that can go wrong with NJPW’s drawn-out main event style if a wrestler is not suited, as SANADA was not. Still, a very strong match in the end as Okada triumphed but a divisive one at that, which arguably did not deserve 5* whatsoever.

4 Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Will Ospreay, NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 – Day 13, 5*

A tremendous New Japan Cup quarter-final earlier this year as Zack Sabre Jr. and Will Ospreay displayed their immense chemistry once again. However, despite this, the clash here did not attain the level required for a five-star barnstormer.

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While it was a mesmerizing display of technical wrestling, stiff striking, and limb work as the two stars’ styles meshed perfectly as always, the match never kicked into instant classic level. Sabre Jr. would emerge victorious to advance after forcing Ospreay to submit, continuing his splendid NJPW run. A stellar match up but not a five-star classic.

3 Kazuchika Okada Vs. Shingo Takagi, NJPW G1 Climax 30 – Day 13, 5.25*

A superb match between Shingo Takagi and Kazuchika Okada in 2020s G1 Climax 30 Tournament, even with Okada in the middle of his ‘Money Clip’ run. A slower first half led to a rampant, exciting second half with excellent in-ring action, drama, and intensity as Okada prevailed thanks to the Money Clip forcing Takagi to pass out. However, this was not an instantaneous classic or a perfect bout as 5.25* implies. A fantastic clash between Okada and Takagi, but these two never quite reach classic level as their latter efforts indicate as well.

2 Will Ospreay Vs. Shingo Takagi, NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 – Day 13, 5.5*

A sensational New Japan Cup final last year, as Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi faced off in their third meeting. As always with these two, a tremendous display of professional wrestling with blistering sequences, awe-inspiring spots, and excellent storytelling as the two nailed huge maneuver after the other. A red-hot closing stretch led to Ospreay emerging victorious after a litany of brutal strikes and a Stormbreaker.

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However, this match was not without its detractions. A weak crowd, as well as pointless interference from Bea Priestley, did not lead to the flawless classic this could have been. Still, a magnificent match, but arguably the two’s weakest together and certainly below 5.5*.

1 Shingo Takagi Vs. Tomohiro Ishii, NJPW G1 Climax 31 – Day 1, 5.5*

This was a spectacular match between Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii in 2021s G1 Climax 31 Tournament, as the two warriors went head-to-head in brutal fashion. A battle of strikes, chops, lariats, and more, this was a blast as always when these two face off. However, while a splendid bout with a scintillating closing stretch that managed to get a reaction from the pandemic-restricted crowd, this still did not hit the level that a 5.5* rating requires. Their 2019 meeting, also rated 5.5*, was a superior bout as are others rated similarly by Meltzer.