Meltzer Rated Miyahara vs. Nakajima 5.25 Stars. Here’s Why It Matters.

The world of Puroresu woke up today with some exciting news: Kento Miyahara and Katsuhiko Nakajima broke the 5 Star scale.

By: R. Faliani

Despite the controversies surrounding Dave Meltzer’s star rating system, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that his platform helps other promotions not related to American wrestling to promote their work. We have seen that with New Japan Pro Wrestling over the years, and it seems that we will see it with Pro-Wrestling NOAH out of all companies. “One Night Dream” was not just a tagline to sell tickets. Kento Miyahara and Katsuhiko Nakajima gave a pro-wrestling clinic, where every move and moment mattered. The slow and methodical pace of the match opened the door for some of the most compelling in-ring action we have seen all year, and a breath of fresh air from the current landscape of NOAH and its hard-to-grasp style. Meltzer’s rating of this match can be the help NOAH needs to start being a big player in the West.

FULL ENTRANCE: AJPW's @KentoMiyahara at #OneNightDream

A THUNDEROUS reaction for the 6x Triple Crown Champion from the SOLD OUT Korakuen crowd!#noah_ghc #ajpw pic.twitter.com/hH6ga6GjHg

— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) July 16, 2023

This match not only broke the 5 Star scale. It gave pro-wrestling fans a glimpse of who Kento Miyahara is, and how he has been one of the most underrated wrestlers of the modern era because of the promotion he wrestles for. All Japan Pro Wrestling and NOAH should both consider giving Miyahara the flowers he deserves and of course, the hype for a rematch should and must be capitalized for future shows. This match also helped to keep building the myth around Nakajima’s stellar performances during this year, and it surely gives both NOAH and CyberFight a memo: With the current state of NOAH, a match like this is truly a blessing and a great way to motivate the promotion to bring back the heat and the big matches once again. With Kaito Kiyomiya out because of the G1 Climax, Miyahara can be a great name to help NOAH and give their cards what they need: Good matches, and a big star.

FULL ENTRANCE: The KO Artist Katsuhiko Nakajima arrives in Korakuen!

@noah_katsuhiko #OneNightDream #noah_ghc #ajpw pic.twitter.com/LuJSD6l5KQ

— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) July 16, 2023