What's going on people?? This past Sunday, the wrestling world, or at least those that had access to New Japan World, witnessed the MUCH-anticipated rematch between Bullet Club leader, "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega and IWGP Champion, "The Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada. This was the official rematch to their beyond words match-up at Wrestle Kingdom 11 at the beginning of 2017. The match-up completely shook up the business, as so many wrestlers, critics, journalists and bloggers all agreed that this was one of, if not the, best main events in modern history. The match-up went forty-seven minutes, which was one of the longest matches in NJPW history, and it showed the absolute best between two of the finest in the world.
Omega, over the last few years, has been among the fastest rising stars in recent memory in New Japan. Within the last couple of years, he has been Junior Heavyweight Champion, Inter-Continental Champion, and the first non-Japanese wrestler to ever win the highly revered G1 Climax Tournament. Not to mention, has elevated the Bullet Club to even bigger heights last left off by the likes of Finn Balor and AJ Styles. Although quite hated by Jim Cornette, Omega has immense talent and has been considered New Japan's new version of AJ.
As for "The Rainmaker", Okada may legitimately be the best wrestler in the world today. After capturing the belt a year ago, Okada has been on a complete roll, but within the span of these past four months, he has been putting unbelievable numbers on the board. His match with Omega was given the never before heard of SIX star rating (out oif five) from the esteemed wrestling journalist, Dave Meltzer, but he has also had phenomenal matches with the likes of Tiger Mask W (Kota Ibushi in the legendary Tiger Mask getup), Minoru Sazuki, the classic with Katsuyori Shibata, and even got a great match out of Bullet Club member Bad Luck Fale, which is saying something. Okada, having seemingly moved on from his iconic rivalry with Hiroshi Tanahashi, is just that damn amazing, and has the best dropkick in the business by far.
After their historic match in the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 11, it was only right for these two to have another match, with this time Omega possibly getting the best of Okada and becoming the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The rematch finally arrived at NJPW Dominion 2017. The event itself was simply fantastic. Easily the second best event all year in NJPW, and among the top three events in all of wrestling, matches such as RPG Vice vs. The Young Bucks, Michael Elgin vs. Cody Rhodes, KUSHIDA vs. Takahashi, and especially the amazing match between Tanahashi and Tatsuyo Naito were all matches that showed why NJPW is the best company there is, but then it was game time. Okada and Omega fought their rematch, and to be honest, from a storytelling perspective, this match was even better. How the hell do you get better than a match that was that exceptional? This match filled in any slight holes the first one had and it blew even more people away. The match went to a sixty minute time limit draw, thus making it officially the longest IWGP title match of all-time, and no two better people were able to tell the story than Okada and Omega.If it was any more possible to elevate the stature of these two young gladiators, they did it, and outdid themselves.
With this match getting another six stars out of five, this leaves the obvious question out floating? Is this the greatest rivalry of all-time? All-time may be a stretch right now, but definitely of this generation. While Okada and Tanahashi have competed in the most consistently exceptional matches of our time and era, they all got five stars or four point seven five stars. Incredible numbers and damn near perfect matches themselves and deserves to be mentioned among the all-time best rivalries in wrestling, none of them obtained six stars. No match in wrestling has gotten six stars except another match in Japan in the early to mid nineties. These two matches have set an entire new bar of storytelling and athleticism the likes of which we've never seen in decades, and it's not likely we'll see a bar set that high in the foreseeable future. When Steamboat and Flair fought, every match of theirs went beyond that era and became the definition of stealing the sport. Taker and Shawn did it in '09 and again in 2010. Their match especially in '09 at Wrestlemania 25 was the new greatest main event in WM history, ousting the previous winner in Steamboat and "Macho Man" Randy Savage from WM3. With Okada and Omega, the psychology and storytelling in these matches went beyond anything seen the game, especially in the s3econd one as both men appeared to not just be fighting for the title, but putting their LIVES on the line for the title. It was even more compelling, emotional, draining, riveting, and enrapturing as a fan to watch. It was true art.
It'll be interesting to see where the story goes, as it would make sense that Omega will get one last attempt at the belt and finally defeat Okada, after forcing a draw from the champion. Omega isn't done, not by a long shot. As for "The Rainmaker", he will be facing Bullet Club member Cody Rhodes for the title at the G1 U.S. Classic, and how would it be if Rhodes was able to do what his Bullet Club leader couldn't do and beat Okada? In any event, Okada and Omega has redefined the business and the showmanship and psychology of in-ring work for this generation with their two matches. To all other promotions, best of luck trying to step up to the bar Okada and Omega have now set. To all jaded wrestling fans, if you think he sport is dying or not being taken as seriously or all "Vince'd out", watch these two matches and look stupid. Wrestling is alive and well, with high thanks to Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega. Until next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment