A year and a half ago we didn’t go past 5, so it’s safe to say that new Japan broke the rating system7 Stars? Is that the max amount of stars?
So many stars!
I don’t think there’s any doubt anymore imo. He’s 48 and is still reinventing himself.
Flair was the same forever. HBK never reinvented himself. Jericho has reinvented himself so many times and stayed at a high level for so long that there shouldn’t even be a question about it anymore imho
Short response: Jericho's top matches could not even come close to HBK's top matches, IMO.
Longer answer: It's amazing Jericho reinvents himself. I think he's the most creative mind in wrestling's history. Incredible what he's doing in NJPW. And i love these matches are being scored so high. I cannot wait to sit down and watch it this weekend. But while these star ratings are going insane, I honestly do not think a single match in the history of wrestling can touch HBK/Taker at WM25. If someone asked me "What is wrestling?", I'd show them that build, match, etc. The biggest stage, an insanely great match, emotion, storytelling, drama. Even the build is so wrestling. The guy who represents heaven/light is evil. The dead guy who represents darkness is good. The "evil" heavenly guy acts like a heel sneaking around getting the best of a guy who rarely, if ever, was taken the best of. The entrances, the stage, the gear were all awesome. Then the story is HBK doing everything in his power to beat the streak and it costs him at the end.
IMO - there will never be anything that can touch that whole package together. Stage, moment, match, build, wrestlers, etc. Nothing.
Disclaimer: Why i love HF Wrestling and will never leave is because we respect differing opinions. Entertainment is a big part of why i love wrestling. I don't believe a 5-7 star match can happen at a small venue because the stage is an important factor to wrestling. Same with storytelling, promos, etc. I understand people value these differently. I respect that. What I value might not be what you value. So don't beat me up too much. I respect it.
Mad props to NJPW for the wrestling/story aspect of it, but it always leaves me wanting more from a "stage"/"entertainment" perspective. Does this happen to anyone else?
I think Edge can go into this category too. He’s not Jericho level, but everyone praises his mind for the business and ability to think of new things when he was running hot and pushing things. He was good in the ring, he was excellent on the mic and character wise and could have you invested. Unfortunately he was more injury prone and didn’t have the longevity of Jericho, so Edge is lower, but I think you can make a case for Edge as a top-15 or 20 total package in history, maybe even higher. Edge’s longevity goes against him here though, as he had less opportunity to really reinvent himself whereas Jericho has had nearly 30 active years and has never had a serious injury.I firmly believe Jericho is the best wrestler of our lifetime. He was never the best in the ring but there's not one wrestling element he didn't excel at. Nobody brings as large a package and nobody in the world can constantly reinvent themselves and make it work. You'll find guys who are/were better in the ring. You might even find guys better overall as a character/mic but you won't find a guy who does each and everyone so well COMBINED.
Straight up. Chris Jericho is the GOAT.
I feel exactly the same way. I enjoy NJPW when I watch it, but I prefer WWE for that very reason.Mad props to NJPW for the wrestling/story aspect of it, but it always leaves me wanting more from a "stage"/"entertainment" perspective. Does this happen to anyone else?
Omega vs. Ibushi
I'm thinking Sabre Jr. beats Omega for a match later.