As AJ Styles’ WWE career nears its twilight, fans and commentators alike are reflecting on his remarkable journey, especially highlighting his two-year tenure with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Among his many standouts, his clash against Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 10 remains a pinnacle moment. This match, held at the Tokyo Dome in early 2016, showcased not only Styles’ phenomenal skill but also Nakamura’s unique “King of Strong Style” presence, delivering a bout that has become iconic in pro wrestling history.
Styles, already widely regarded as one of the top competitors globally by this point, was matched against a Nakamura who was arguably at the peak of his creative and athletic powers. The pairing promised a dream encounter—and it delivered in spectacular fashion. Despite both men having spent significant time in WWE before and after their NJPW run, it was their first high-profile singles meeting in NJPW that truly captured the imagination of wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.
A Match That Stands the Test of Time
The Wrestle Kingdom 10 bout between Styles and Nakamura is frequently singled out as an all-time classic for good reason. This contest perfectly captured the energy and intensity of NJPW during one of its most celebrated eras. The atmosphere, charged with anticipation, made viewers understand why NJPW had gained such critical acclaim; the entrance sequences alone were electrifying and set the tone for a memorable night.
For months leading up to this event, Styles and Nakamura had been kept apart by circumstance, heightening expectations as fans awaited their inevitable meeting. Their encounter in the November 2015 World Tag League tournament confirmed that a singles match at Wrestle Kingdom was imminent, building anticipation to a fever pitch.
This match also marked a turning point in Styles’ NJPW story. Known as the leader of the Bullet Club, Styles had often relied on underhanded tactics, including interference from his stablemates and feigning injury to gain advantages. During this contest, he faked a back injury to disrupt Nakamura’s momentum, only to capitalize by launching a surprise attack. However, this ruse backfired as Nakamura systematically targeted Styles’ back, undermining his ability to execute his signature Styles Clash maneuver fully.
The match unfolded as a careful chess match, with Nakamura breaking up Styles’ offense through precise moves like the Backbreaker, and Styles responding with a weakened Styles Clash while escaping a Triangle Choke. The climax saw Styles aiming for an Avalanche Styles Clash from the top rope, but his own overconfidence led to Nakamura hitting an Avalanche Michinoku Driver followed by two devastating Bomaye strikes, securing the victory.
From start to finish, the match was a masterclass in storytelling, with both men performing at the height of their abilities, fueled by a passionate crowd that elevated the experience to legendary status. For those familiar mainly with their WWE confrontations, revisiting this night reveals the true artistry that defined their rivalry and set a standard for what a perfect match between these two talents looks like.
The Challenge of Matching Perfection in Later Encounters
One unavoidable consequence of the Wrestle Kingdom 10 encounter was that it established such a lofty benchmark that later meetings between Styles and Nakamura struggled to live up to its legacy. Their rematch two years later at WrestleMania 34 for the WWE Championship was historic, as it was rare for a bout to be featured on the biggest stages of both NJPW and WWE. While the WrestleMania contest was well-received on its own merits, its presentation was more restrained, framed to appeal to a broader WWE audience. This led to inevitable comparisons that highlighted how the Tokyo Dome original had set an almost unreachable standard.
The expectations for their WWE match were sky-high, based on memories of their NJPW bout, resulting in some disappointment as the encounter felt formulaic and tamer than fans desired. Perhaps reflecting this, their feud featured memorable moments like a persistent exchange of low blows, which some saw as WWE attempting to differentiate the rivalry but inadvertently underscoring that it could not recapture the original’s magic.
More recently, their 2026 meeting on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event received praise for coming closer to the spirit of the Wrestle Kingdom 10 encounter. Despite the time that had passed, Nakamura demonstrated he could still deliver a compelling performance, and the match was considered an entertaining closer to their storied series. Yet, the consensus remains that the original Wrestle Kingdom clash is unmatched—a testament to the perfect alignment of talent, timing, and audience engagement.
For fans eager to appreciate the highest form of Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles competition, revisiting their 2016 bout at Wrestle Kingdom 10 is highly recommended. This match not only highlights their skills at their peak but also serves as a reminder of the golden era they helped define, making it a must-watch before this year’s Royal Rumble event.
