After the incredible return to the squared circle by Katsuyori Shibata last week, Pete Hitchcock has wisely chosen the last show he wrestled on, Sakura Genesis 2017. It is widely remembered as a one match card - but has it been short changed due to the incredible and emotional main event?
Let's see what the WSBF nerds make of the show...
BULLET CLUB v TIGER MASK, TIGER MASK W, TOGI MAKABE & YUJI NAGATA
By Rich Leech
Bullet Club come out first, just bandannas over the faces of the GoD, no elaborate masks this time out. Crowd a little more animated for Tiger Mask et al as they make their way to the ring. Watching this on my phone so the small screen will make it fun to try and tell the difference between Tiger Mask and Tiger Mask W... wish me luck!
Tiger Mask W starts off against Tama Tonga. W goes for the huge spinning kick from the get go but Tonga gets out the way. Speedy exchange ends with W hitting a standing moonsault corkscrew type move for a one count, even the commentators don’t really know what to call it.
Takahashi tags in, as does Nagata. More of a slug fest between these two, exchanging rights. Nagata gets the upper hand, taking command of the match up, Takahashi getting quite the beating. But Chase Owens has seen enough and must be bored as he enters the ring, drops Nagata and clears the apron as we spill ringside.
Takashashi and Tama Tonga double team Nagata on the outside while the ref is distracted on the other side of the ring by the rest of the Bullet Club. After a couple of shots with the pimp stick, they roll Nagata back into the ring and Owens tags in.
The beatdown on Nagata continues and Tama Tonga tags in. Tonga mocks the crowd as they try to rally for Nagata before tagging in his brother. Toa continues the onslaught of Nagata, the poor guy can’t catch a break! Nagata fights back and hits an exploder on Toa, both men down... here comes the hot tag...
Makabe is in, some big collisions in the centre of the ring with Toa, neither man budging. Tonga comes in to help out his brother, but Makabe fights them off. Huge lariat from Makabe leads to a two count, Toa taking some punishment now. The crowd have started to get into this.
Toa manages to hit a powerslam to slow down Makabe, buying time to tag in Tonga. Makabe manages to do the same with another big lariat and tags in Tiger Mask. The legend lands a huge cross body on Tonga before heading over to clear the apron. Triple team on Tonga followed by a Tiger Driver for the near fall. Owens makes the save as Tiger Mask goes for a second Tiger Driver. Owens is really keeping the Club in this one!
Tiger Mask W breaks up the double team with a drop kick from the top rope. Now everyone is involved inside and out side of the ring! Tiger Mask W with a huge springboard moonsault to the floor. Meanwhile, in the ring, a pin is broken up by Toa. Makabe sends Toa to the floor. Owens trips Tiger Mask giving Tonga enough time to get in position to hit the Gun Stun for the 3 count!
The win isn’t enough for Tonga, as he tries to de-mask Tiger Mask but it is quickly broken off and the Bullet Club leave the ring. Tonga is asking why there are two Tiger Masks, and its a good question really.
Lovely stuff in this match, Chase Owens definitely the hero (or successful villain) in this. He wasn’t the legal man for long but did his part in keeping the Club alive a couple of times then helping set up the victory.
WINNERS - BULLET CLUB BY STUN GUN
CHAOS v SUZUKI GUN
By JCH
I have mainly chosen this match because I want to see Minoru Suzuki bet up Yoshi-Hashi. No idea who wins but Rocky Romero is in the match at the height of his walking pinfall run. We are treated to one of wrestling's great entrances and I shout Kaze Ni Nare from my living room.
Minoru is teaming up with El Desperado and Taka Michinoku here. He still has the mohawk. It must be before he lost to Goto. Out come the CHAOS boys. Rocky, Barreta and Yoshi-Hashi. Yoshi has that big cane and a t-shirt. As a man who owns a cane, I will say it, you don’t bring a cane when you are wearing a t-shirt.
As Yoshi-Hash is being introduced, Minoru pushes him off the turnbuckle and proceeds to twat him with said cane. Another reason not to bring a cane to a Minoru Suzuki match! In the ring, the Suzuki-Gun lowers mess up and get beaten up by Barreta and Rocky Romero. Minoru makes his way back to the apron and points at Yoshi-Hashi across the ring whilst Rocky beats up Despy and Taka.
Minoru has had enough and puts Rocky in the armbar in the ropes. Then goes back outside to beat up Yoshi-Hashi some more. Throwing him into the commentary desk and now just choking him with a chair. Apparently the match is still going on in the ring, but the director knows where the money is - mainly focusing on Suzuki.
Minoru into the match now and he volleys Rocky in the back. Rocky gets into a slap exchange with Minoru. It does not go well for him. He hits an enziguri though and here comes Yoshi-Hashi to avenge the beating Suzuki gave him earlier.
Yoshi shows a bit of fire and gets in a forearm exchange with Suzuki. Suzuki pulls a great face at one point. Yoshi chops Suzuki who sells it before catching him in a sleeper. Taka tags in and all three of Suzuki-Gun beat up the hapless Hashi. Suzuki is going for the Gotch piledriver when Barreta kicks him in the face.
Yoshi-Hashi hits what I presume is his finish on Taka, not sure what it is to be honest as I’ve never seen him win before, and that’s it. Suzuki tries to come back with a chair but is stopped by Young Lions. So he batters them with it instead. Classic Suzuki.
Harmless undercard tag, Suzuki was obviously the highlight. We’ll rate this as an FA Cup upset by a Championship team over a Premier League side even though the PL team are much better to watch and nobody wants to see the Championship team in the next round anyway. Like Millwall beating Everton last season... right Simon?
WINNERS - CHAOS BY YOSHI-HASHI'S POSSIBLE FINISHER
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - SUZUKI GUN (C) v GEDO & JADO
By Ross Casey
This is the second Gedo & Jado match I have chosen for Nerd Watch. The first was an ECW TV match against the Impact Players at the ECW Arena, which was an absolutely crazy sprint. I'm expecting less frantic action here, but plenty more bullshit fun. Bring it on!
They are out first here - to hardly any fanfare - but the crowd pop for Miho Abe, who the cameraman does a full body shot of for our viewing pleasure. Don Callis says he doesn't know what to say about that... but calls it tremendous.
Taichi follows shortly after in his Phantom of the Opera garb and lip syncing to his awful but catchy theme song. Gedo is in the ring beaming with joy at the sight of it. Kayfabe, mate, kayfabe!
Before the bell even rings, Taichi pushes over the ref and both he and his partner Kanemaru try to hit their opponents with their belts, only for Jado and Gedo to reverse that into Duelling Crippler Crossfaces. Knew this was gonna be a hoot!
Rather than trying to win the match in record time, they both let go and head outside to punish Suzuki Gin some more. Gedo is particularly violent, strangling Taichi and saying 'C'MON YOU BITCH!'.
The tide changes when Taichi cowers behind Miho Abe, so Gedo refuses to go for him, leaving him open to an attack from behind from Kanemaru. These blokes know the score...
Okada is known for his wrist control in matches, but Taichi uses amazing beard control here, maintaining the pressure on Gedo using his goatee! The cheating continues as Desperado distracts the ref and Taichi uses a bell hammer to destroy the head and face of Gedo. Despicably great stuff.
The heels suffer from miscommunication and that allows the hot tag to Jado! He moves in a very bizarre fashion - like a mix between Honma and Bob Backlund. The crowd are loving it though - even though his hot tag only consists of back elbows and clotheslines!
The match breaks down from here and the pace quickens, bringing back memories of their match at the ECW Arena. Jado eventually goes for the finish by locking in the Crippler Crossface again - maybe you should have just not let go earlier, pal?!
He tries to pin Kanemaru after it, but Desperado pulls the ref out! Despy then gets in the ring with the ref down, only for Roppongi Vice to even the odds! This is a blast to watch. The faces throw the ref back in and Jado thinks he has the titles won with a poison DDT off the second rope, but Kanemaru kicks out at 2.9.
Jado goes back for thirds on the Crippler Crossface, which Taichi spots, so he rolls the submissive Abe into the ring. The ref is dealing with her when Kanemaru taps... the crowd are screaming for him to turn around! What is Japanese for Roberts?
Of course, this gives Taichi the chance to come in and hit his opponents with his microphone stand, rip his trousers off and hit a superkick on Jado. The legal man Kanemaru then follows up with a moonsault... BUT JADO KICKS OUT! I bloody love wrestling! The crowd go wild.
Jado is groggy as hell though and eats another two kicks from Taichi, before eventually falling to the jumping DDT off the top rope by Kanemaru. Suzuki Gun do everything in their power and above the law to win what was a brilliantly fun tag. Recommended viewing!
WINNERS - STILL IWGP JUNIOR TAG CHAMPS, SUZUKI GUN BY SHENANIGANS
BULLET CLUB v CHAOS
By Daniel Wildash
Big match with two world class wrestlers, an average wrestler and someone who I absolutely cannot stand. This was around the time Bullet Club merch was featured in Tekken 7 (only on the Japanese versions sadly) so Omega is out with the Bullet Club/Tekken t shirt.
Fale and Omega too sweeting the crowd as they get into the ring. I love this version of Kenny Omega. This was when he was in his prime, dishing out fantastic matches every show. Tomohiro Ishii is a wrestler I've got really behind recently - especially with his big showings in the G1 this year.
Out with him is a man I cannot stand. Toru Yano. Stop spitting out water like you're a wannabe HHH and promoting your DVD. Away with you! Chaos V Bullet Club and off we go. Toru Yano with his usual bullshit where he hangs in the ropes so the opponent can't touch you. Coward. He gets out of the ring and runs into Omega. Yano cheaply grabs Omegas hair and Fale does the same to Yano. The Human centipede equivalent of hair pulling.
Ishii gets involved and gets whipped into the barricade. So does Yano from Fale. Back in the ring and Fale tries to squash Yano like the bug he is. Yano is getting punished in the ring more and more. Can safely say I'm loving this match right now. Ishii gets involved after Fale takes a seat on Yano's chest. He gets booted to the outside and the punishment again continues on Yano. Love it.
Not much happens until Omega and Yano decide to yank at each others hair? A four count and they both break at the same time. They continue again but the ref has had enough and decides to yank both their hair and tell them enough is enough. Quality reffing that - Matt Connolly would be proud. Why am I not surprised it's turnbuckle time? Put them both on pedestals and let them fight to the death.
A few quirky combinations later and Fale is in the corner getting smacked by Omega onto the exposed turnbuckle. What does it take for Yano to be disqualified ref!? Ishii in the ring now and he flies about akin to his pitbull nickname. Ishii tries to suplex Omega but he blocks it and turns a running charge from Ishii into a sweet looking hurricanrana. Omega looks incensed like he's gone into another gear.
He lifts Ishii up and lands one of my favourite Kenny moves, you can't escape, square onto Ishii's chest. Two count from the ref as Fale takes Yano out. Lovely. Double teaming on Ishii now as Fale looks for a clothesline but gets blocked by that cheating SOB Yano. Ishii and Omega again in the ring as Omega is getting more and more pumped up. He points to the sky and aims at Ishii. V-Trigger time!
He tries to convert that into a One Winged Angel and the bastard Yano low blows Omega whilst the ref is distracted. Big clothesline from Ishii and an instinctive kick out from Omega keeps this match alive. Tony Jaa from Omega but Ishii kicks out. Omega is looking for the V trigger again and it hits again. One. Winged. Angel and it's over!
Not even that dirty cheat Yano can take this win away from Omega and Fale. Good match, but I wish Ishii and Omega got a bit more time in the ring together.
WINNERS - BULLET CLUB BY A ONE WINGED ANGEL
TAGUCHI JAPAN v LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON
By Matt Brummitt
Dearest readers, I will make the vain assumption that you are like me & feel years pass by with the speed of a PWG 6-man & the ferocity of a Shibata headbutt; so I think it best to remind you of the historical context of this match. For the rest of you, currently perusing Biff Tannen’s almanac & scoffing at my ignorance, please skip the following paragraph.
This match is pretty much bang in the middle of the Tana-LIJ feud. Tana had lost the IC title match at WK11 to Naito 3 months before but would [SPOILER] go on to beat him at Dominion a couple of months later. Sandwiched between these singles matches was a NEVER 6-man feud pitting Tana, Taguchi, and [insert unaffiliated babyface who didn't have a match that night] against the LIJ ALL-CAPS subfaction of BUSHI, SANADA, & EVIL.
Five days before today’s contest, Tana, Taguchi, & Ricochet had won the titles from the LIJ ALL-CAPS so this, along with Naito bullying Juice over the past month, sets up the following 8-man tag quite nicely.
Tana & EVIL kick things off with some basic exchanges. We then get Taguchi and BUSHI which can meet only one thing: drop-down spots! He is then joined by the rest of Taguchi Japan who spend a minute hitting corner assaults on poor BUSHI. Don Callis’ outrage towards Tiger Hattori not ejecting them is thoroughly deserved.
LIJ finally clear house and bully Taguchi for a bit. After a few failed attempts, Taguchi’s arse finally gets the better of SANADA (that was not a typo). Hot tag to Ricochet who Ricochets for a bit. All great fun. Tana joins in on the offence but eventually gets cut off by EVIL and they have an enjoyable exchange. 7/8 of this match have better hair in 2019 than they did here (I do not have sufficient hair data on BUSHI).
It’s then Juice and Naito’s turn for their showcase and it’s Robinson on top until he gets outnumbered by LIJ. Naito fancies a Destino but Tana would prefer that didn’t happen and Slingblades him which leads to everyone doing moves for a bit. We’re back to Naito/Juice and Naito makes Juice look like an absolute boss. Juice hits a lovely lariat and follows it up with Pulp Friction! Naito drills himself on the top of his head because, well, Naito. Taguchi makes it into the ring to stop any pin breakups and EVIL is a second too late from the outside. Juice just beat Naito!
The commentators rightly sell this is as a massive moment, a mega upset, and the biggest win of Juice’s career. Taguchi Japan celebrates with Juice holding the IC title aloft. Naito remains down to highlight how big this is. Juice gets a mic & makes his challenge official. The crows react pretty well to this considering it’s Naito and we’re at Sumo Hall.
Summary: A lot of non-NJPW fans criticise their shows as being 3 good matches and then a bunch of pointless 6/8/10 man tags. I don’t think this is entirely without merit but I would point them to matches like this as a counterpoint. In less than 12 mins, they crammed in lots of stuff which was both entertaining & had storyline implications. The finish of Juice beating Tetsuya Bloody Naito was a great moment and their whole sequence put bags of shine on Juice.
WINNER - TAGUCHI JAPAN BY CREAMING NAITO’S NECK VIA PULP FRICTION (JUICE NECKLACE?)
IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - TENCOZY (C) v WAR MACHINE
By Charlie Robery
I’ve had a week out and I’m straight back in with NJPW action. Titles on the line, in this 2017 bout. The challengers, War Machine, looking to win the belts for the first time, looking up for it. How many tag teams ripped off Demolition? If we’re counting?
Next down the aisle are the champions. One has a mullet, so good news, we’re keeping up with the fun side of the WSBF bargain. Tenzan and Ray Rowe start this one off, running at each other, neither big man budging. Both got bored of doing nothing to each other, so they tag in their partners.
As previously mentioned, I’m less knowledgable about Japanese wrestling than the US and UK brands, so right now, I’m watching what I consider ‘The Viking Raiders’, which is also considered a piss break but I’m reliably told their days as ‘War Machine’ in NJPW were far far better. Looks it so far, to be honest.
First ‘have a word…’ moment of the match comes as Hanson lays Kojima on the mat, plays with his beard in the style of Jim Neidhart…then rubs it in Kojima’s face. Unless he’s got nits, that’s not gonna do much, I’d have thought.
Speaking of questionable hair, Tenzen is back in and he’s a tough bastard, taking on Rowe like a man twice his size and putting Hanson on his backside when the time came. Kojima with the chops. I’m sure he missed half of the them, but we’re not here to care. Commentators curse strikes, as Rowe lifts both opponents of the ground (‘look at the strength of this man…’) to the inevitably give up and put them down. Cheers commentator.
Hanson goes high risk, with the moonsault and misses. Fortunately, he breaks the count at two. Big men do not belong on the top turnbuckle. Sid will tell you.
Rowe looked to put this one away and hit Kojima with the big running knee, but one half of the tag champs ‘Hulked up’ and wasn’t willing to let his belt go anytime soon. A clothesline to send Rowe arse over tit. Oooft. It leaves both wrestlers down. Kojima gets up a second or two before Rowe and signalled for the end but was countered with a German suplex. Followed up with the big knee to the face, this one is nearing it’s finish. Rowe lifts Kojima high and Hanson hits the leg drop from up top. Fallout! 1-2-3…New champions, War Machine!
I told you the big man should go high risk…
This has been our second review of NJPW and I’m loving it. Roll on 31st August for Royal Quest in London and many many alcoholic beverages for Mr WSBF, Ross Casey on his stag do. Cheers amigo!
WINNERS - AND NEW IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT TAG CHAMPIONS, WAR MACHINE BY FALLOUT
NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - HIROOKI GOTO (C) v ZACK SABRE JR
By Gregory Cox
So - Greg is one of my oldest friends in the WSBF group, and I love him very much. However, after two weeks of promising to get involved in this article and failing, I have to admit that he is a big let down to the WSBF crew.
He lives in leafy Fulwell, so he can never make it to shows and now he is failing to turn up for online writing events on two weeks notice! The big man did make the effort to cobble together this summary of the match via Facebook Messenger for us though.
"ZSJ locked in various submissions with varying degrees of success. He then won/lost to huge acclaim/criticism. On paper its a great match up. And it probably was. Assumed congratulations to both competitors."
WINNER - WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, GREG DIDN'T WATCH IT
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - HIROMU TAKAHASHI (C) v KUSHIDA
By Matt Connolly
This week's match selection is a part of one of my favourite ever wrestling feuds. 'The Ticking Time Bomb' Hiromu Takahashi Vs 'The Time Splitter' KUSHIDA. Two of my favourite dudes to watch wrestle on the planet and just the mention of them reminds me how sad I am that the opportunity to see these guys work is so limited these days. I wish KUSHIDA all the luck in NXT but he was the perfect ace for the NJPW Junior division. Hiromu still has no solid return date from his horrific injury either, but the pop if he does return will rival any.
So this feud. Hiromu won the belt from KUSHIDA at Wrestle Kingdom three months previous and after the new champ dispatched of long time rival Dragon Lee in his first defence, we now get the rematch we were all dying to see. The promo is in Japanese of course but it's not a hard story to understand. KUSHIDA wants to be back on top of the division but Hiromu is enjoying the adulation of being champ.
Hiromu is such a fascinating character. He would eventually become a huge babyface, like all the LIJ stable, but at this point, despite being a fighting champion and cool as fuck to watch work, the sheer menace he assumes and his lack of care for his opponent (in a storyline sense) make him a fantastic nemesis for KUSHIDA.
First out, KUSHIDA. He is in his normal Marty McFly cosplay. He looks stern and serious as opposed to the sometimes fun approach we see in his entrance. Takahashi is out next with his swagger turned up to 11. His entrance features a bunch of inflatable balls dropping from the ceiling. As he gets close to ringside, KUSHIDA climbs the top rope and through a plethora of these falling balls nails a huge splash on Hiromu. WHAT A HOT START!
KUSHIDA has come with a plan to finish this quick with an early onslaught. The attack doesn't let up as Takahashi is flung into the ring post whilst his belt is still on and then placed on a chair at ringside so the former champ can continue the beat down. The inflatable balls are circling constantly overhead and now the Young Lions and commentary are having to use Zonal marking techniques to stop it affecting the action.
After some strikes and a dropkick that send Hiromu flying, KUSHIDA gets the action in the ring and we are underway. KUSHIDA goes straight for the Hoverboard lock in the middle of the ring and get your stopwatches ready because it looks like we are going to get a new champ in record time here!
Takahashi fights out and lifts KUSHIDA to the apron before hitting a superkick. With his opponent dazed, Hiromu charges at him and hits that terrifying sunset bomb that is the exclamation point on his wild style. The tide has truly turned here.
Hiromu drags KUSHIDA's limp body in the ring and then hits his finish! But he doesn't go for the pin. Instead he hammers his opponent into the corner with a death valley driver onto the turnbuckle. This is brutal. It's a mauling. Back to the middle of the ring and another time bomb before the shocking 3 count. Hiromu has defended in about two minutes and stunned the crowd.
KUSHIDA's gameplan was to start hot and surprise but in the end, he overcommitted and is dispatched the very way he planned to win. NOW THATS A STORY! Where does this leave KUSHIDA? Can he recover from the humiliation? How dominant is Hiromu going to be?
To summarise, this is a brief but excellent match. It's why I watch wrestling, to follow stories and then have them subverted from where I think they are going.
This match will never make a top 100 list but is legitimately one of my favourite matches because it shocked me. KUSHIDA would go on to win the Best Of The Super Juniors so as to earn another opportunity against Hiromu and then defeat him at Dominion in another classic.
A fantastic rivalry that maybe one day will come back around. This was another WSBF Nerd Watch Wednesday pick that has verified why I love wrestling.
WINNER - STILL YOUR IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, HIROMU TAKAHASHI BY TIME BOMB COUNTER ATTACK
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - KAZUCHIKA OKADA (C) v KATSUYORI SHIBATA
By Pete Hitchcock
For my first pick of an event there really could only be one choice. The IWGP Heavyweight Title match between Kazuchika Okada and Katsuyori Shibata is probably my favourite match in wrestling and it probably would still occupy that position even if it wasn't Shibata's final match. For me, if wrestling is meant to be a form of storytelling, then this match tells my favourite story. In terms of feeling like a legit fight, I can't think of much off the top of my head that would beat this either. It is a brutally physical contest that is never less than constantly engaging and amazing. If it meant picking the entire show, which is a fine show but not on the level of a Wrestle Kingdom 11 or Dominion 2017, just so I could review this one match, so be it. I was unable to write about the match closer to the time for the Double Footstomp matches of 2017 list as it unsurprisingly was picked up instantly.
For background, Shibata won the New Japan Cup in 2017, beating Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii and Bad Luck Fale along the way, electing to face Okada for the title at Sakura Genesis. The promo package beforehand is classic Heavyweight Title build up with each competitor giving interviews about the other and putting forth their desire to win. There is a big, big fight feel as the entrances begin with Shibata coming out first to the adoration of the crowd. As Sumo Hall manages to get a glimpse of him coming out of the long corner tunnels, they come alive and I think you can tell who most people want to win this match. The crowd are now nuclear as he stands in the ring and awaits Okada.
At this point Okada was nearly a year deep in his legendary two-year reign beating Naomichi Marufuji, Kenny Omega in that famous Tokyo Dome main event and Minoru Suzuki (ROYAL QUEST!) along the way. However Okada had not yet cultivated the reputation of being invincible that he would later and there was every reason to believe he could lose here. There is a very famous camera shot during Okada's entrance of him standing on the turnbuckle in the middle of a shower of Okada dollars with Shibata looking unimpressed in the foreground. The idea is to make you, the viewer, think that Shibata is the no-nonsense, humble and down-to-earth challenger and that Okada is the arrogant and flashy champion but the great thing about the story of this match is that it is exactly the opposite. Unfortunately it being the opposite would also have real-life consequences for Shibata. Side note- I miss the Okada bucks. He's back on top, so where's the money?
The crowd are loud for the formal ring introductions. Shibata bows, but it's for the crowd, not Okada. Okada conversely hits the Rainmaker pose and takes off his robe and necklace and they get ready to fight. Huge huge Shibata chants here but Okada ones mixed in too. Unlike in the west they don't do duelling chants so you here both three-syllable names blending into one another.
We're off! They go for the slow feeling out process at the start and you get the feeling that this will be epic but unlike in some Okada matches I feel the first 20 mins are equally important as the closing stretch. Shibata gets the advantage early getting Okada down to the ground and holding down any attempts he has to get back up before getting into the mount position, then moving over to Okada's shoulder and then floating over to the other side. Okada is no slouch on the mat, he famously has a Lucha background from Toryumon and he likes to break it out on occasion but Shibata is the master here. Shibata ends up on his back guarding against Okada who is now on his feet. This strategy is not too dissimilar to New Japan founder Antonio Inoki's famous strategy to take on Muhammad Ali in their cross-discipline fight. Hell, let's call it Mixed Martial Arts because that is what it was.
Shibata catches Okada in an armbar near the ropes! Okada is able to break easily with his lengthy frame but feels the pain and gets outside to recuperate. Shibata absorbs the chants from the crowd and tells Okada to get back in the ring, standing as far away from Okada as possible. He doesn't need to take any cheap shots, he's just that good. Okada works a hammerlock but Shibata is able to reverse into an arm wringer using his foot! Okada is able to roll through into an ankle hold but Shibata levers himself into a headlock. Okada however is able to manoeuvre himself into a head-scissors but Shibata reverses that into an ankle hold of his own! Even the chain wrestling is really, really impressive here with some really clever and crazy escapes.
Okada goes for a headlock and Shibata slips out and grabs a tight, tight headlock of his own. It's something we would call a rest hold 90% of the time but this looks like it hurts like hell. Side note- in the background you can see dirty traitor Gedo, with the bandana around his eyes. I did quite like that look. Okada goes for the standard drop down spot but Shibata goes down with him and grabs the headlock again. He's too smart for the standard pro wrestling tricks! Okada is able to force him into the corner and the ropes to break and you think he's gonna go for the patronising chest pat...but he elbows Shibata in the face! It's really only this year that Okada has become a universally cheered babyface, come to think of it, as the crowd boo loudly. Shibata rebounds out of the corner with a Yakuza kick and slams Okada into the other corner and elbows him repeatedly but Okada comes back with more elbows of his own.
They trade elbow shots in the middle of the ring and Shibata is putting some serious mustard on his and finally they are able to put Okada down. Shibata snapmares Okada and delivers a hard kick to his back and now Okada is in trouble. No one is more strong style than Shibata in terms of submissions and strikes, and Shibata locks on a figure four to shred Okada's knee. Okada is screaming and desperately trying to edge to the ropes but Shibata drags him back and works Okada's ankle in the middle of the hold as well. The champ is able to break, however, but Shibata locks him in the Muta Lock position and then begins snapping his ankles before a quick attempt at a bow and arrow hold.
Shibata puts Okada in the corner for a Yakuza kick but Okada quickly hoists Shibata to the top turnbuckle and then dropkicks him off to the floor. After a brief reprieve Okada boots Shibata over the railing before hoisting him back up for the draping DDT on the floor! I definitely don't remember Okada getting as much offense early on as he does watching it back. Okada gets back in and the ref begins to count, quickly, but Shibata is able to get back in at about 16. Okada doesn't wait for Shibata to get back to his bearings, unlike the situation earlier and hits a neckbreaker before locking him in a Cobra Clutch-esque stretch on the ground. He is reluctant to break when Shibata gets to the ropes, and prompts more boos, before following up with a basement dropkick to the face.
Okada now goes for some back elbows in the corner but Shibata's fighting spirit is kicking in and he walks to the centre and taunts Okada. Give me some more! Okada keeps going but they are ineffective and eventually Shibata hits one loud elbow smash of his own and drops Okada before throwing him into the corner and high kicking him and then wrecking him with elbows, followed up by the classic hesitation dropkick. Okada is now having a pretty crap time by the looks of it. Shibata rolls out of it into the dab! He was doing that back here, not just the G1 finals the other day!
It's a case of roll reversal as Shibata knocks Okada against the railings and then hesitation dropkicks him against them as well, but he doesn't even bother waiting for a count and rolls Okada back in for a pin attempt (the first one of the match). Okada clearly needs some more punishment so Shibata locks on an abdominal stretch and when Okada gets to the ropes he kicks the arm he got to it with. Okada is able to boot Shibata down coming off the ropes however and lands the snap DDT, kips up and then a corkscrew diving elbow to Shibata getting up from the ground. The chants are now pretty even from the sound of it. Shibata moves towards Okada as he jumps off the turnbuckle, but Okada is able to land on his feet and as Shibata comes back he catches him and goes for the tombstone! Shibata instantly slips out and looks for the sleeper but Okada is able to reverse into the flapjack! I'm hungry.
Okada body slams Shibata and comes off the top with a big elbow drop. The Rainmaker pose follows and he goes for the Rainmaker for the first time in the match but Shibata counters with an STO! This would be the exact finish that EVIL would use to beat Okada in the G1 several months later and it popped me here as at the time I didn't recognise the significance. Shibata had a mini-feud with EVIL trading the NEVER belt the year before so it might have been an homage to that as well. Both men are down and the crowd goes apeshit. As they get to their knees they trade elbows and Okada's are finally sounding impactful and loud. He definitely got a lot better at striking over the course of his reign. Shibata is still, obviously, out-striking him and you can see maybe one out of every four elbows in this exchange is meant to really put Okada in trouble, it's a quite realistic approach to selling and this type of work and I really like it.
Shibata keeps going and puts Okada back down to his knees but Okada comes back with uppercuts and follows with the reverse neckbreaker over the knee. If Shibata can dish it out, Okada can certainly take it. Okada comes off the top with a big double footed dropkick to Shibata's face but as he gets 2 on the pin, Shibata locks in an armbar and Okada is in trouble and is screaming! The one time Okada has tapped was to a Nakamura armbar and if his opponents really want to create drama in a match against him, going after the arm is a good shout to both play off that finish and to neutralise the Rainmaker. Okada is a lot better at selling his upper body than his legs as well, mostly - although check out his Destruction in Kobe match against Tanahashi last year for his best ever leg selling in my opinion.
This is all close to the ropes so Okada does force a break but as he gets up to his knees Shibata drops him with a big-ass mid kick. If you thought Goto had decent ones in the G1 or even KENTA you haven't seen this. More kicks follow to the shoulder and arm and Shibata decides to rub his foot on Okada's head then slaps him silly. Okada gets to his feet, you can tell he's pissed from this, but gets back down into Shibata's famous cross-legged pose. Shibata drops down into his own and they slap the shit out of each other but Shibata is clearly slapping harder, as you might expect. It's a ruse however as Okada throws Shibata into the corner and starts stomping the shit out of his neck and shoulder...and then flies in from off-camera with his own hesitation dropkick! Shibata gets back up mid-Okada stomp and catches Okada off the ropes with his own Okada-esque dropkick to get his own back!
Shibata now begins to stomp Okada's head in as he's on the ropes, and goes back to the snapmare/back kick combo but as he goes for the Penalty Kick finisher Okada hits THE DROPKICK! Now we're sucking diesel! Crowd is molten and the camera cuts to the IWGP at a good time to remind you what is at stake. Both men are at risk of getting counted down but Okada is back up now and kicks Shibata with a basement dropkick but Shibata springs back up with a huge German suplex! Okada tanks it and responds with a John Woo but Shibata hits a bicycle kick but Okada gets his own German Suplex! THIS IS NUTS! Okada retains control of the waist and you have to think he's going for the Rainmaker here.
He spins Shibata around for the Rainmaker but Shibata gets in some kicks to the arm first, Okada keeps going and hits the Rainmaker...but SHIBATA TANKS THE FUCKING Rainmaker AND STAYS STANDING! His face is turned away so you can't tell if it hurt like hell or not and his knees bend a little but we've never seen anything close to that before! The crowd and commentary alike lose their shit at this spot. Shibata hoists Okada back up and hits the headbutt...that would end his wrestling career at least to this point. The infamous visual of Shibata with a trickle of blood going down his face follows but it's sad to see knowing the consequences of that move.
Shibata gets an octopus hold continuing his Inoki-stylings and Okada is definitely in trouble now. You can hear Gedo screaming on the outside. Shibata and Okada both collapse to the mat but Shibata keeps the hold on! However Okada is now able to use his left arm to move Shibata's foot away enough that he can manoeuvre himself...he's going for the ropes but but gaining mere inches at a time and Shibata's not letting up! In the end the champ is able to get mere toes onto the ropes for the break.
Shibata drops Okada again with a huge mid-kick and now gets his first proper attempt at the Sleeper, which was his standard submission finisher. He had tapped Matt Riddle with one just a few months earlier. Okada is strong enough to hoist Shibata into the backpack position but fades and collapses...but he's not out. There is a great camera shot of Okada's face at this point and it's not pain on his expression but determination. He's not going out to this and you see why he's the champ in this moment. Okada still needs to get to the ropes but as he gets close Shibata transitions into a huge sleeper suplex! Shibata now gets Okada in a Rainmaker position and hits the famous Rainmaker slap knocking Okada's soul somewhere into Row 6! You've probably seen the GIF but the noise really makes it.
Shibata keeps wrist control and hits mid-kicks to Okada's chest from this position and one of my favourite spots ever is coming up. Shibata drops Okada fully with the kicks and has to hoist him back up to his knees so he can get enough space and a target for the Penalty Kick, and a sure-fire win, but as he gets Okada to his knees for a second time (because he decides to kick him even more first) he lets go of his wristlock and goes to run off the ropes...except he's put his right arm right by Okada's left hand! Okada snatches his own wristlock and gets up and counters with the Rainmaker and this one drops Shibata! Okada however keeps wrist control instead of going for a cover and gets Shibata up himself and they kick each other in the face...with the wristlock still applied. Okada hits a second Rainmaker and Shibata tanks it again...momentarily and goes to his knees! The end is near!
Okada smells blood and spins Shibata around for a third Rainmaker. Shibata tries to counter with his own lariat but Okada's is stronger and goes through, taking down Shibata and getting the 1..2...3!!! The crowd have lost their minds at this sequence.
Post match, both guys are down on the mat and I feel that sense of sadness again that Shibata is done. He is first to move actually and crawls out of the ring, I'm wondering now if he felt the headache at this point or if it's selling but he rolls out of the ring and tries to walk to the back on his own but collapses twice but eventually gets to the back on his own. What toughness! Still your champ, Kazuchika Okada! I however completely forgot that he immediately got attacked by Fale, lol. What a mood whiplash.
I absolutely love this match for the story it tells. Whilst Shibata appears as the humble challenger, he's ultimately the more arrogant and cocky competitor and it's Okada who is able to triumph by capitalising on his opponent's hubris. Shibata might have thought he was invincible from being able to tank a Rainmaker but even on the first, it hurt and when Okada hit it again...and again...he saw success, especially when Shibata took too many of Okada's own moves to use without realising the consequences (such as where Okada is able to snatch his own wristlock only because Shibata has spent too much time at wristlock range punishing him).
It's only a short arm lariat after all, it's not like it's too hard to hit. Shibata's arrogance is a nice character trait that has played well in previous matches especially where he loses, such as to Yuji Nagata in 2016 and Goto at Wrestle Kingdom 11 just a few months before this. Unfortunately Shibata going for that headbutt was also a case of thinking he was invincible in real life and paying for it.
Seeing as it's my favourite match ever it's naturally highly recommended but I might add that for a 35 minute title match it absolutely flies by. There are no wasted moves or spots or time and it feels like every moment has its own purpose in service to the story and the match as a whole. WATCH THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
WINNER - STILL IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, KAZUCHIKA OKADA BY RAINMAAAAAAKER
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