The Match Facts
The Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Kenny Omega
The Event: Wrestle Kingdom 11
The Stipulation: Singles match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Meltzer Rating: 6 stars
Cagematch.net Rating: 9.80/10 (#1 on Cagematch's Top 100 Matches)
Where to Watch: NJPW World (The match is available for free, the whole show requires a subscription)
How We Got Here
Having been with the promotion since 2007, Kazuchika Okada would make his full-time return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2012 following a nearly two-year excursion to the United States (specifically TNA.) Okada was immediately pushed to the main event by New Japan, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Hiroshi Tanahashi just one month after his return. The start of this push also saw the birth of "The Rainmaker", the flashy, rich heel who would join the top heel stable Chaos, and play the foil to the company's top face in Tanahashi. People did not like this at the time, with even Dave Meltzer saying Okada was"out of his league" in the main event. Boy, how times change, right?
In the almost five years following his first title win, Okada would establish himself firmly at the top of New Japan. Forget holding his own in the main event, he was now, arguably, the best professional wrestler in the entire world. Heading into Wrestle Kingdom 11, Okada was in the middle of his fourth IWGP Heavyweight title reign as he was set to main event his fourth Wrestle Kingdom show. His opponent would be a man challenging for the title for the first time; Kenny Omega.
Kenny Omega joined New Japan full-time in late 2014, having made appearances while he made a name for himself in Japan's DDT Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Omega would quickly join the Bullet Club, a group of heel gaijin (foreign) wrestlers led (at the time) by AJ Styles. Omega would quickly establish himself as one of the top junior heavyweights in the company, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship twice. Following Wrestle Kingdom 10 and Styles' impending departure from the company, Omega would kick Styles out of the faction and take over as the leader. This began Omega's year-long ascent to the heavyweight division, as he'd win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship before winning the 2016 G1 Climax, earning a match for the IWGP Heavyweight title against Okada.
The Match
The two circle the ring to start, eventually locking up. Omega takes control with a waistlock, pulling Okada's hair as he does when Okada tries to power out of it. Okada eventually transitions into a wristlock, but Omega quickly reverses it into a wristlock of his own. Okada rolls to escape the hold before picking Omega's ankle, taking him down to the mat. Okada works the leg, but Omega counters by going for a cross-armbreaker. Okada blocks it, rolling Omega over before locking in a headlock. Omega rolls Okada over into a pin, but Okada rolls back over before referee Hiroyuki "Red Shoes" Unno can count to one.
Omega fights to his feet, pulling Okada's hair again to make him break the hold. Omega applies a wristlock, dropping an elbow across the arm before doing the same to the back of Okada's head. Omega tosses Okada into a corner and tries to do the same in another, but Okada blocks it and fires back with a knee to the gut and two elbows to the back of the head. Omega regains control with a kick to the gut before locking in a headlock. Okada tries to power out and send Omega to the ropes, but Omega shuts him down in the center of the ring, taking him down to the mat. Okada fights to his feet and hits a back suplex, but Omega keeps the hold locked in.
Okada again fights to his feet and goes to send Omega towards the ropes. He escapes the headlock this time, but Omega keeps control by grabbing Okada's hair. Omega reapplies the headlock, but Okada quickly goes for another back suplex. Omega flips out and lands on his feet before going trying to whip Okada into the corner. Okada reverses it and sends Omega to the corner, but Omega puts his foot up to stop from crashing into the corner. Okada charges at Omega, but Omega catches him with a back elbow.
Omega follows up with a springboard out of the corner, leaping over Okada and rolling him over with a sunset flip. Okada rolls through and covers Omega with a Jackknife pin, which gets a two count before Omega bridges off the mat. Omega twists Okada over and goes for a backslide pin, but Okada kicks out at two. Okada fires back with two arm drags, keeping hold of the arm after the second and locking in an armbar on the mat. Omega fights to his feet and forces Okada into the ropes to break the hold. Okada quickly flips position, holding Omega against the ropes before feigning a chop and patting him on the shoulder.
Omega charges at Okada, but Okada fends him off with a kick to the gut. Okada locks in a headlock, but Omega quickly powers out and sends Okada to the ropes. Okada bounces back and floors Omega with a shoulder block before hitting the ropes. Omega drops down under him and goes for a leapfrog, but Okada grabs the ropes to stop himself. Okada goes for a big boot, but Omega slides under it and boots him in the gut. Omega clubs Okada in the back and goes to whip him into the corner, but Okada reverses it and sends him into the corner. Okada charges at him, but Omega flips over him before charging back at him. Okada counters, lifting Omega onto the top turnbuckle. Okada sets up for a dropkick, but Omega boots him away, dropping back down to the mat. Omega goes for the One-Winged Angel (an electric chair driver), but Okada slips out and goes for the Rainmaker (a ripcord lariat.) Omega avoids it, breaking free from the ripcord before spitting in Okada's face.
Omega rolls out of the ring, where he consults with his cornermen the Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson.) Omega teases, but ultimately refuses to get back in the ring, prompting Okada to slide out after him. Omega retreats back into the ring, with Okada sliding back in right after. Omega hits the ropes as Okada goes for a clothesline, but Omega ducks it. Omega hits the ropes again, but Okada catches him with a big boot. Okada follows up with a snapmare before hitting a sliding dropkick, causing Omega to roll out of the ring.
Okada rolls out after him, where he whips Omega into the steel guardrail. Okada tries to follow up with a big boot, but Omega catches the boot before kicking Okada in the gut. Omega gets Okada up for a suplex onto the guardrail, but Okada avoids it before draping Omega's legs on the guardrail. Okada quickly follows up with a draping DDT. Okada rolls into the ring to break the count before going under the ring and grabbing a table. Omega recovers, however, and hits Okada with a flying forearm. Omega tries to follow up by throwing Okada into the guardrail, but Okada reverses it and tosses Omega over the rail. Okada joins Omega on the other side soon after, diving over the rail and hitting a crossbody.
Okada drags Omega back to ringside before tossing him back in the ring. Okada climbs back in after him, booting in the corner before hitting a scoop powerslam. Okada quickly climbs out onto the apron before leaping over the ropes for a slingshot senton, which gets a one count. Okada drags Omega to the middle of the ring before locking in a chinlock, pressing his knee into Omega's back as he does. Omega fights to his feet and tries to escape with elbows, but Okada keeps control with a club to the back followed by a neckbreaker for a two count.
Okada drags Omega to his feet, but Omega fires back with punches. Okada responds with a knee to the gut before whipping Omega towards the ropes. Okada goes for a clothesline when he bounces back, but Omega ducks it, sliding around Okada before hitting a sliding dropkick to Okada's left leg. Omega follows up with a Kotaro Krusher (a leapfrog into a bulldog), which gets a two count. Omega stomps away at Okada before dragging him to his feet. Omega chops Okada in the chest before hitting a big forearm to his back, causing him to fall to his knees. Omega targets the back, hitting a seated splash to it before bodyslaming Okada. Omega tries to follow up with an elbow drop, but Okada rolls out of the way. Okada tries to quickly follow up with a senton, but Omega rolls out of the way and Okada lands back first on the mat.
Omega continues targeting the back, hitting a big forearm strike and making the cover for a two-count. Omega sets up for another forearm strike, but Okada fires back with a forearm of his own. Okada hits more forearms before hitting the ropes, but Omega regains control with a big knee lift. Omega gets Okada up for a cross-legged fisherman neckbreaker, but Okada counters with a knee to the head. Omega tries to respond with a big boot, but Okada blocks it and kicks Omega in the face. Okada hits the ropes, but Omega catches him with a Frankensteiner, sending Okada out of the ring. The Young Bucks slap the mat to the tune of the Terminator 2 theme as Omega sets up for, runs the ropes, and hits the Topé con Hilo (the suicide senton, or the "Rise of the Terminator" as Omega calls it.)
Omega follows up by bodyslamming Okada into the apron before tossing him back in the ring. Omega climbs to the top rope, waiting for Okada to get to his feet before hitting the missile dropkick to the back of his head. Omega makes the cover, but Okada is able to grab the ropes before the ref counts to three. Omega drags Okada away from the ropes and makes the cover again, but Okada kicks out. Omega drags Okada to the center of the ring and locks in a half-Camel Clutch, but Okada manages to crawl to the bottom rope to break the hold. Omega goes for a Powerbomb multiple times, but Okada is able to block it each time. Omega strikes away at Okada to soften him up, only for Okada to block a knee strike, scooping him up and hitting Heavy Rain (a fireman's carry neckbreaker), leaving both men down.
Both men get to their feet before Okada runs wild, hitting a forearm, and a back elbow before going for an Irish whip. Omega reverses it and goes for a clothesline, but Okada ducks it before hitting a running back elbow. Omega retreats into the corner, where Okada hits a jumping back elbow followed by a snap DDT. Okada kips up to his feet before hitting a sliding uppercut for a two-count. Omega fires back with forearms and kicks before hitting the ropes, but Okada catches him with a flapjack before going for Red Ink (a cross-legged STF.) Okada is able to cross the legs, and after a struggle from Omega, he fully applies the crossface. Slowly, Omega inches over to the ropes before finally grabbing the bottom rope to break the hold.
Okada follows up by climbing to the top rope and diving, but Omega dives into the corner to avoid him. Okada charges at Omega, but Omega catches him with a boot. Omega charges at Okada, but Okada scoops him onto his shoulder. Okada transitions Omega in position before hitting a nasty Air Raid Crash Neckbreaker. Okada goes back to the top rope and dives for an elbow drop, but Omega counters by getting his knees up. Omega follows up with a backbreaker, prompting Okada to roll out of the ring. As Okada leans against the apron, Omega dropkicks him through the ropes, causing him to fall over the guard rail and onto the commentary table. Omega leaps up to the top rope and hits a huge springboard moonsault, clearing the rail and crashing onto Okada in the commentator's area. Omega climbs back over the rail, where Nick Jackson hands him a water bottle to drink, which made me laugh.
Omega climbs back into the ring, opting for a countout win (I believe titles can change hands on a countout in New Japan.) Okada staggers to his feet before climbing over the rail. Omega quickly leaves the ring, grabbing the table from earlier and laying it over Okada. Omega hops up on the ring apron and dives off, double-stomping the table. Omega climbs back in the ring to break the count before throwing Okada back in the ring. Omega hits a Powerbomb and puts all his weight on Okada for the cover, but Okada kicks out. Omega quickly follows up with a deadlift gutwrench sitout powerbomb, but Okada kicks out again.
The Young Bucks set up the table at ringside as Omega climbs out onto the ring apron, dragging Okada on their after and setting up for the Dragon suplex. Okada avoids it and rolls back in the ring. Omega climbs back in as well, beating down Okada before whipping him hard into the corner, with Okada falling to the mat. Omega waits for Okada to get to his feet before charging in, but Okada catches him with a boot. Okada boots Omega again before hitting multiple forearms. Okada goes for an Irish whip, but Omega reverses it and picks Okada up in a fireman's carry. Omega hits a rolling fireman's carry senton, popping right up into a springboard moonsault for a two-count.
Omega tries to follow up with a Dragon suplex, but Okada blocks it and hits a back elbow. Okada tries to hit the ropes, but Omega grabs the back of his trunks and pulls him back in. Omega chops him across the back and goes for the Rain Trigger (a ripcord knee strike), but Okada catches him with another back elbow. Omega falls back into the corner and Okada charges in for a jumping elbow, but Omega dodges it and Okada hits the corner. Omega charges in, but Okada lifts him onto the top rope before hitting a big dropkick, knocking Omega off the top rope, onto the apron, and finally out to ringside.
Okada crawls onto the apron as Omega crawls back to the ring. Okada pulls Omega up onto the apron and into a fireman's carry, preparing to hit Heavy Rain through the table at ringside. Omega slips out and goes for the One-Winged Angel off the apron, but Okada slips out and into the ring. Okada tries to punch Omega off the apron, but Omega blocks it and forearms him away. Omega goes for a springboard, but Okada catches him in a fireman's carry. Omega avoids Heavy Rain again, slipping out before chopping Okada. Omega chops him again, and then a third time, before hitting the ropes and charging at Okada. Okada counters with a huge backdrop, sending Omega over the rope. and through the table. It's an insane bump you have to see for yourself.
After a long pause with both men down, Okada leaves the ring and throws Omega back in. Okada climbs to the top rope and hits a huge missile dropkick to a kneeling Omega, causing Omega to flip over completely. Okada makes the cover, but Omega kicks out at two. Okada goes back to the top rope and hits a diving elbow before calling for the Rainmaker. Okada picks Omega up, but Omega runs to the ropes to avoid the move. Okada repeatedly strikes Omega in the back before dragging him back to the middle of the ring. Okada goes for the Rainmaker again, this time getting the ripcord, but Omega rushes him into the corner to counter again.
Omega rams Okada a second time before trying to lift him onto the top rope. His back gives out, however, allowing Okada to hit him with two forearms. Omega responds with a slap before lifting Okada onto the top rope. Omega goes for a back superplex, but Okada blocks it with elbows. Omega fires back with a chop to the back and hits a Dragon superplex. Omega crawls into the cover, but Okada kicks out at two.
Omega staggers to his feet before picking Okada up for the cross-legged fisherman neckbreaker. Omega calls for the V-Trigger (a running knee strike) and hits the ropes, but Okada avoids it and hits a big German suplex. Okada keeps a hold of Omega and goes for the Rainmaker, but Omega ducks it again. Okada keeps control with a back elbow and hits the ropes, only for Omega to catch him with the V-Trigger. Omega hits the ropes to hit a second one, only for Okada to fire back with a huge dropkick that pops the crowd huge. Honestly, can't blame them, have you seen Okada's dropkick? A thing of beauty.
Okada goes for the Rainmaker again, but Omega blocks it with a boot to the arm. Omega follows up with a step-up knee, followed by another knee, and a Poison Rana before calling for the V-Trigger. Omega connects, quickly pulling him to his feet before picking him up for the One-Winged Angel. Omega gets Okada off his shoulders, only for Okada to flip out of the move and land on his feet. Okada hits an uppercut and Omega tries to charge at him, only for Okada to scoop him up and hit a Tombstone Piledriver. Okada quickly picks Omega up and hits the Rainmaker and makes the cover, but Omega kicks out just before the three.
Exhausted, Okada pulls Omega to his knees. Omega fires back with punches and an eye rake, but Okada shuts him down with a shotgun dropkick, sending Omega from the middle of the ring into the corner. Okada picks Omega up and goes for another Tombstone, but Omega flips it over, hitting a Package Tombstone Piledriver (i.e. Kris Statlander's Big Bang Theory.) Omega holds on and makes the cover, but Okada kicks out at two. With both men on their knees, the two exchange forearms as they fight to their feet. They continue exchanging forearms, picking up speed as they do, before Omega ducks one and hits an amazing snap Dragon suplex. Omega immediately follows up with a V-Trigger and makes the cover, but Okada kicks out.
Omega quickly hits another V-Trigger and picks up Okada for the One-Winged Angel. Okada is able to slip out of position before finally falling off Omega's shoulders and pulling him into a lariat (essentially, a Rainmaker without the ripcord.) Okada pulls Omega in for another lariat, but Omega boots him in the face four times. Okada won't let go of Omega's wrist, falling to his knees after the boots. Omega follows up three step-up knees, only for Okada to spring to life and pull Omega in for the lariat. Okada goes for the full Rainmaker right after, but Omega ducks it and goes for a Rainmaker of his own. Okada ducks that and goes for the Tombstone, but Omega slips out. Okada hits Omega with a back elbow and hits the ropes, only for Omega to floor him with a dropkick.
Omega calls for, and hits, the Rain Trigger before picking Okada up for the One-Winged Angel once again. Once again, however, Okada slips out, and quickly picks Omega up for a twisting Tombstone Piledriver. Okada immediately follows up with a second Rainmaker and makes the cover, gets the three, and the win to retain the title.
The Verdict
Unsurprisingly, it's fantastic. Everything from the big moves to the strikes was done about as perfectly as they could be, Omega's experience with junior heavyweight-style wrestling & high flying really adds to the energy & spectacle of the match, and like with the Misawa/Kawada match, the establishment of finishers is strong as hell here. Legitimately, the first finisher isn't hit until 40 minutes in. Before that, both men do everything to avoid them. It's strong booking. There are no complaints I have with the match whatsoever, and this match is getting a perfect 10/10.
As for the ranking, this is very close. I loved both this match and Misawa vs Kawada, and both of these matches have different bits I love more than the other. This might be a controversial opinion, but I'm going to give the edge to Misawa vs Kawada. I absolutely love the psychology & selling in that match, and that gives it the slightest edge over this match in my opinion. I can totally see why someone would like this match more, but for me, Misawa vs Kawada goes above it. Still, this is a fantastic match that's probably going to be high on the list for a long time.
My Rating: 10/10
The Rankings (Best to Worst)
- Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada-AJPW Super Power Series 1994 (Day 16)
- Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega-Wrestle Kingdom 11
- Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole-NXT TakeOver: New York
- Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole-NXT TakeOver: XXV
Thanks for reading! Be sure to share if you enjoyed and don't forget to click the link here and vote in the poll to decide the next edition of the 5 Star Series, which will be posted in two weeks. Stay tuned...
I’m just coming home from attending AEW Revolution last night. I’m not an avid viewer of the show so aside from the WWE castoffs, I literally never watched a single match performed by half the participants on the show. Great atmosphere and most of the action was superb. I would like to recommend the main event, Will Ospreay vs Konosuke Takeshita, Kingston vs Danielson and FTR vs Blackpool Combat Club. Does this all depend if the matches get five stars from WON?
ReplyDeleteThe main ones I look at for inclusion are the Observer star ratings (5 stars or higher) and Cagematch.net ratings (9/10 or higher), so as long as a match meets one of those criteria, I'll add it to the list.
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