11/18 WWE Releases Thoughts

 And two weeks later here we are again. Another series of cuts from the WWE. They will cite budget cuts even though they are  reporting record profits every quarter. I pointed out last time that ROH has shut down which means there is a number of free agents from that company out there along with numerous from previous mass cuts. Now we have even more talent on the free market. I would say in terms of talent that has worked national TV we haven't seen this many since WCW and ECW shut down at once. No not everyone is going to get signed much less pushed. And even if they were that doesn't give WWE a pass. So here are my on the talent that was let go and my best guess on where they wind up next.

John Morrison- How are we here again? John Morrison has everything you would want in a pro wrestlers. A look, charisma, in ring skills, a passion for the business, he's safe to work with. The guy can be funny but turn it on and get serious when needed. He can play face and heel. This guy should be can't miss in WWE. They have now missed twice. And this second run I can't help but feel they wanted him to fail. I know many out there will defend his reunion with the Miz because many years before they had been a successful tag team. But honestly did the reunion lead to a single good match on TV? It sure as fuck led to awful down right cringe inducing segments. He had shown in AAA, Lucha Underground, and Impact he was a main event level guy. Instead he really was made to Miz's lacky.

And that is what really bothers me. Miz was already a very stale act instead of Morrison getting a huge push he was used to try and get interest in something that needed to be dropped. Morrison never got the big wins it was Miz, Morrison didn't get a WWE title run nope again Miz. Hell Morrison don't even get to look good when they broke up instead it was Miz who than peaced out to go dancing. Now Morrison will be fine. The guy is talented has a name value and by all accounts always did business the right way. AEW can't sign everyone but I bet they can sign Morrison. Impact could use some main eventers, New Japan Strong needs name value talent and I could see AAA wanting him back. And maybe we will finally get Boone The Bounty Hunter 2.

Hit Row- There is no planning to these cuts. What was the point in calling them up from NXT to be on Smackdown? What was the point of starting a feud with Jinder and what ever Jinder's heavy is named? Why didn't they just cut the other three when the fired B-Fab? Its not like they kept the others around to wrap up any storyline? Look there is one member of this faction I was fan of. I know some fans will book ideas about them all reuniting somewhere the truth is one guy in this group was the talent and he won't need the others.

Ashante Thee Adonis- Okay so this will sound mean. But I feel like he's the other one in the group. Scott was the talent, B-Fab the girl, Top Dolla the idiot and Adonis the other. The little I've seen of him doesn't stand out. I can't see any company wanting him to come in with a huge push. I could see him in AEW being a bit of a male Tay Conti. Someone who didn't show much in WWE's system but maybe could surprise us. But that is by no means a sure thing. He might be one of those guys you see pop in a few places before landing anything solid.

Isaiah Scott- SHANE STRICKLAND IS COMING BACK PEOPLE! WWE never fully got this guy and I know some will defend WWE by saying "He was NXT North American Champion." Allow me to point out he won the title on the last show in June. Didn't defend it until the middle of October. He made one title dense but than dropped the belt that same night. The man is an amazing worker. Now he's so good even working the WWE's cookier cutter style he still can have a good matches. But now we are all about to reminded of just how good he is.

I feel like Tony Khan as soon as he heard this that Shane Strickland is going to be a free agent rubbed his hands together in anticipation and already know who he wants to debut him against. The only thing I could see keeping him out of AEW is two thing. One he doesn't want to go there for some reason or something like Impact or New Japan offer him some huge deal where he signs with them instead. Of all the talent let go Scott will be in the best spot.

Top Dolla- FUCK THIS GUY! Normally I try to be nice when writing stuff like this but fuck this guy. He wanted play the ultra special super loyal to WWE guy so fuck him. He was a fringe of the league of football player. He has a handful of matches and didn't look all that impressive. The good news I think this guys will be like Strowman. He will self sabotage himself and likely only work a few place. And one final time FUCK THIS GUY! 

Tegan Knox- I have never been the biggest fan of Knox but man do I feel bad for her. Not one but two major knee injures working the supposedly "safer" style of WWE. When she was healthy enough to compete she was often the victim of no real direction in WWE. She feuded with Dakota Kai who was supposed to be a her best friend that sort of just ended. She chased the NXT title some times. She was teaming with Candice LaRae who turned on her to feud just kind of redo the Kai feud. That ended when WWE called her up to the main roster. She was paired with Shotzie Blackhart who she had never teamed with before. They beat the women's tag champ never got a title shot. 

Knox was than drafted to Raw. She never appeared on Raw and now she is cut. Again I'm not the biggest fan I don't see why people act like she is must sign for AEW. I think she is a case of someone on NXT getting way to overhyped. Its like how people still claim the Briscoes are a great team due to ROH. I know a lot people saw great potential for her pre WWE. I do think she lands somewhere but I think she will have work hard to move into any top spot. 

Drake Maverick- Are we sure this one is for real this time? Not to be a dick but we still aren't sure if last time he was let go only to get resigned or his firing was a storyline during a bunch of real cuts. Maverick was doomed from the get go in WWE. He's a smaller guy in a company that seems like it hates smaller guys. He's naturally funny and able to do comedy so that meant he got stuck trying to make a lot unfunny shit decent. So he became the guy who wet his pants on TV, he became the guy who ran around for the 24/7 title. While also being the fool who couldn't sleep with his wife. Than he was fired the first time. Got brought back or was never really let go. Has a minor push in the Cruiserweight title tournament than a goofy team with Killian Dain.

Drake Maverick will never be the guy who main event shows for months on end and holds the world heavyweight title. But he should be a guy you give a more consistent push to. I mean you all this TV time you can't find some regular time for Maverick? Hell given NXT has many green horns having a vet like Drake around could be huge. The first thing that comes to mind if the potential return of Spud to Impact Wrestling, AEW I could see being interested at least giving him some work on the You Tube shows.

Jaxson Ryker- So I was a fan of former Gunner/Phil Shatter during his Impact and Indie days. But his WWE days weren't that impressive. Part of it was he almost never worked actual matches. Once he got called up to the main roster he just bounced around Forgotten Sons, King Corbin, Elisa, than a face turn. Now looking at the basics Ryker is 39 and while not totally out of place I feel many do better. Than there are some other factors mainly some political comments he's made. I don' think AEW is much of an option for him. Maybe Impact or the NWA.

Shane Throne- First thing is first go to twitter and follow this guy. He's made some great jokes since the news broke. I hope the guy saved his his money .He was one of those guys forever stuck in NXT never getting a truly solid push. Than he got put in the worst faction ever! Given the dumb name of Slapjack. Tried out another dumb gimmick. The guy is clearly happy to out of the WWE. You know I saw a post thing he'd be great for New Japan Strong and I hope he winds up there. 

11/4 WWE Roster Cut Thoughts

 Here we go again. Another WWE round of WWE roster cuts after a conference call talking about how much money they have made in the last quarter. I've more than made my thoughts on this clear on social media. Its disgusting and ridicules they are citing budget cuts as the reason. While this go around did have some good cuts they also let a lot of great talent go. So here are my person thoughts on each person let go and what I think comes next.

Now when WWE did it's first major cut in 2020 the general feeling was "they will be fine. There are a lot of places to work now." Now that feeling has remained through all the other rounds of cuts. Being honest I don't feel that as much this time around. There are a few factor for this. One there is still a large number of unsigned talent from previous cuts. So it's not a case of everyone has a slot waiting some where. Now we have yet another group of wrestlers out there. On top of that here in the states we just saw the apparent end of ROH. While the company does plan to return its not a sure thing they will and reports are talent won't be under contract instead they are back to being an Indie meanwhile MLW seems to be doing the same thing. Finally we simply still don't what the shape of international wrestling will be like in a post COVID world (and we aren't really post COVID BTW).

Frankie Monet- She's already back online hyping the return of her old persona Taya Valkyrie. So I think she's going to be fine. Taya is a long time vet she's got numerous connections in the business and she has everything you want in a wrestler.  She's got a good look, charisma, is skilled in the ring. Now with many of the WWE cuts a big question will be "AEW bound?" On that I'm not sure. Taya would add to that roster. But she may have to start off on the You Tube shows and earn a deal. Impact seems to given. She worked there for years and left on good terms. And depending on how serious WOW is they should be making some calls to Taya. 

She is also someone who was damaged to bad by WWE's bad booking. She wasn't given a awful gimmick or booked totally into oblivion. Really its just a case of WWE kind of wasted her time in the long run. A big issue WWE often has is they cut the wrong people. Taya could of added to an ever thinning women's roster instead she's gone.

Ember Moon- Look I've made it clear I've never been a big fan of Ember Moon and that dates back to her pre WWE career. I just have never found her interesting. And a lot of stuff she does well so many others do better. I think she goes back and is in demand at some Indie spots mainly places like Shimmer where she has history and women only promotions. AEW I think is a stretch at best I could see her making some shots on Dark or Elevation. If she did make to Dynamite I could see it being some what like the role Bobby Fish has being someone who will beat some younger talent and unsigned so when the real stars beat her it means something. Impact could be a place for her but with several people already in the "Different Look" category I think that hurts her.

Truth be told I don't see this as a bad other cuts in the past. If you are going to cut talent Ember does make sense. She had a less than compelling run on the main roster. Her second stint in NXT didn't do much. Good chance that the created team saw her as someone to have around but never to really push. Getting out of WWE might allow to do more and maybe actually live up to the hype.

Jessi Kamea- This person has been in NXT for four years and even has been a part of the Stone Brand and I'm still not sure who it is. From what I can tell she was one of many people who was either a model or athlete that WWE thought would make a good wrestler. She has just over a 150 matches in her career. You never say never but it its very unlikely she is getting a tryout someplace without working some Indie shows. And that is if she wants to be a wrestler a lot of these signed right to WWE people just leave wrestling when it doesn't work out. Also she's 33 which is on the older side to start an Indie career. I feel like she never got much of a chance in WWE. They put her in a role and that was it. Sadly that is also the person they are looking to cut as it comes with the most ease. 

Katrina Cortez- You guys remember that masked woman who was on Raw briefly and had a short feud with Zelina Vega? Well this is her. I'm going to bet most you don't remember that at all and if you do you went "She was still under contract?" Or you may know her as the women that on NXT a match that was so bad even though it was under 2 mins with B Fab. Just the little I've seen from her tells me she might is going to have to do some work to get look else where. Than again maybe I'm wrong and she's this years Tay Conti. Again like with Kamea she got stuck in this role of  person who loses to real stars on TV at different times. Again she is an easy cut for the WWE. And well why not Tamnia instead? I hate for anyone to lose there job but Cortez barley got a shot while Tamina is someone had many.

Jeet Rama- At 40 years old this accomplished armature champion I don't think is long for the US wrestling. Again that is even if he wants to stay in the USA. He's from India would he even want to stay. Rama also seems like a victim of all the changes in NXT. They want younger and again he's 40 they want fresh blood he's been in NXT since 2015. He likely was only signed as part of the world wide NXT goals and AEW made sure that isn't happening any time soon.

Oney Lorcan- Biff Busick is back people! He really a victim of NXT 2.0. He's 35 he doesn't have the "Airport Effect" look. He works a very Indie wrestling style. But this the kind of guy WWE should be keep around. Lorcan or Busick is talented. He's going to make anyone he works with look better. A lot of these ultra green kids in NXT could learn from him. And my god your telling with a 3 hour Raw and a 2 Hour Smackdown you couldn't find some spot for him. Hell you need tag team badly in WWE and he's been in a good one with Danny Burch. The problem is WWE doesn't think like a wrestling company should. Lorcan/Busick doesn't fit there current mold so he's out. Yes he's not likely to main event PPV's. But he's the type that fans would enjoy when used well on the midcard.

Than again know WWE he would be one of the geeks running around for the 24/7 title. He's going to be fine. I can already see a lot of Indies likely calling him to come in or come back. Will he be a must have for other companies like AEW or Impact or NJPW Strong? No but I also can see them giving him a call and maybe a look. 

Trey Baxter- The former Blake Christian was one of the last signed when WWE was still in hoard talent mode. Its really to bad because for a 24 year this guy is damn good. And if WWE wanted to build a proper Cruiserweight Division this would be the guy to build long term. And who know what would happen long term as he grew into his body. Plus you would think given NXT is supposed to developmental a 24 year old would be perfect for it. This really feels like WWE let someone go who going to make a whole lot of money for others. 

And this guy will be fine. Before he joined WWE he was getting looks from both New Japan for Strong and Impact Wrestling. I won't be shocked if they have already called him to try and find out when his no compete ends. Hell I won't be shocked to see him back in GCW when he can work again. At 24 he's more than enough time to get back to a major company. If anything this works out better as he can keep getting better instead of becoming a WWE guy

Zayda Ramier- From what I can tell Ramier was trained by Booker T and did impress a number of people. She's only been wrestling since 2018. She was signed in 2021 and only worked a handful of matches in NXT. She did score a win over Toni Storm but that speaks more about how badly Toni gets booked than any sigh of a Ramier push. Does seem strange that with NXT being developmental again they wouldn't make an effort to develop her. But again this 2021 WWE we are talking about. Wouldn't count on her winding up anywhere full time at this stage. But it seems like she will be fine. Again I think anyone not being trained by the WWE will actually get better.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett- Given how linked these two are both on and offscreen. If you want an example of just how poorly run WWE is. Even his NXT run was damaging in some ways. In Impact, AAA, and various indies Kross was a guy who worked best in short matches. He didn't really fit the workrate style of NXT at the time. Still many thought he was can't upon arriving on the main roster. Than he lost to Jeff Hardy and he never recoved. WWE had a guy whose whole MO was he was a wrecking machine and had him lose first show out. And Jeff Hardy at this stage has fallen to jobber to the stars territory. This would be like WCW having Goldberg lose to Jim Duggan on a random Nitro or TNA having Samoa Joe get beat by Elix Skipper. And the company never even tried to fix what they had broken outside of putting him in a stupid outfit. Which booking Kross should be this hard.  

Scarlett only worked a single dark match during her WWE career. But she was an important part of Kross' act in NXT. With the apparent return to more diva style matches and stories some though she might be in for a big push. But given the reports WWE is looking for women no older than 25 and I don't think there is much planning in the cuts she was let go. Again its not the worse cut but she could of been a good valet for anyone. Only WWE doesn't use valets like they used to.

I think a lot of people would have Kross bookmarked for an AEW run in 90 days. I don't know if that is the sure thing other are predicting. Kross's name was never seriously linked to AEW when he was a free agent before. I don't even know how of an option Impact Wrestling. For those that forget Kross was getting a pretty strong push in Impact as was Scarlett despite having just signed new deals they asked for a raise or a release. This lead to an extended falling with both sides. Honestly based on a few things My opinion is Kross signed just before the market got hot and did all he could to cash in again. 

A report that seems to have panned out AEW is Tony Khan is very driven to keep potential problems out of the locker room. He's passed on people many other companies would of at least given a look. And while a few that turned out to have issues were shown the door. Besides the contract issues there are some issues that Kross has reportedly had. And I do wonder how well he would fit in the ring with AEW? No I am not saying his career is over. Impact for better or worse has given people with less talent second chances. The Indies needs talent, he was a regular in AAA as well. He will wind up somewhere just not sure it will be NWA. Scarlett will likely be with him.

B-Fab- Well I guess she can't promo. Right Top Dolla? All I know is every die hard NXT fans were saying she wasn't very good. From what I can tell she was signed by WWE with little to no wrestling training. She had a couple of matches that were awful. Some liked her because they like Hit Row. Me personally I hate that gimmick. I don't see much in B-Fab. And I really don't think she will much of a career out of WWE.

Gran Metalik- Well he wanted his release and had asked for it for a while. So I can't be to hard on WWE for letting him go. Better to cut talent who want out over those that just moved Orlando to train at the CWC. If you have only ever seen him in WWE you really missed out.  He was a top name in Mexico and also had quite a bit of success in New Japan. In WWE however he's been stuck in a comedy jobber stable. His lone WWE highlight reaching the finals of the Cruisier Weight Classic way back in 2016. Again maybe in a world where WWE wanted the crusierweight title to mean something or was open to a different style he could of had a successful run.

 From what I understand Metalik's former home CMLL could use a real short in the arm and he was a big enough name AAA would have interest. I also could see him getting a lot by AEW. They are much more open to using Luchadors and actually letting them do Lucha. 

Lince Dorado- Like Metalik he had wanted his release so I can't fault them for letting him go. I can fault WWE for do fuck all with him for years and years. Seriously I know Lince will never will be a top star but you are telling me you couldn't seriously push him as a mid carder or tag star. Now he's pre WWE he wasn't as big a deal as Metalik but he was a regular in a few places. I feel like if he get a chance in AEW it will be starts on Dark has a to earn a deal after a run on Dark. Impact could give him a chance though. I could also see the NWA wanting to sign him.

Harry Smith- Why the fuck did they resign him? In the off chance you don't know the former DH Smith after a long run in Japan and working for places like MLW was rehired by the WWE in the summer. He worked a single dark match and nothing else. Again we really do see a case of WWE not wanting any depth. Smith could easily be a strong contender in the IC or US title picture or a good tag partner for many talents. Instead they did nothing with him.

I'm not really sure where Smith lands. AEW maybe. Some would think New Japan would be an option but he left the company a while ago not happy with his direction but NJPW also needs the talent. He was a reuglar in MLW but left that  from what I hear he was unhappy by the end. Still though he's got a good look some good power moves and a family name so someone will pick him up.

Nia Jax- Talk about long overdue. Yeah its pretty shitty the company may of fired her why she was a mental health break. But reports also say she was cut for refusing to get the COVID vaccine after WWE told employees they had to. And its really hard to feel bad for someone who hurt as many people as she did. And when it gets to be the number of people she hurt over the number of years its pretty damn clear she doesn't give a fuck about protecting others. Hell she battered Kari Sane into retirement. This was long overdue. For all the times WWE pushed her she never became a star like they wanted so it's not like they had a good reason to keep her around.

What does worry me is she's been on WWE TV for years, she was a champion in WWE, she had a family connection someone is going to give her a job. And I'm really worried its going to be Impact. I think unless she greatly improves she has no chance in AEW but sadly yeah I could see Impact offering her a deal. Hell I could also see other companies booking her. Maybe we will get lucky and she will be one of those "WWE or nothing" people.

Eva Marie- I'm somewhat torn on this. Because Eva isn't good I'm not about to tell you she is some  great lost talent that never got a chance. But I also don't think she's that much worse than people WWE pushes hard. Look if I were booking I would Eva the valet of someone. Instead WWE had her wrestler. This time she was really a victim of WWE's poor booking. The wanted her as as heel yet she was feuding with Bliss who is also a heel. They stated the thing with Doudrop and rushed through it. Than they just stopped using her. Look Eva showed no interesting in wrestling after leaving WWE the first time and I doubt she will this time. Unless WWE bring her back I think she's done.

Keith Lee- FUCK YOU WWE! Keith Lee is a guy you have to try and miss with. But I can't be to shocked. We heard the reports Vince McMahon didn't get Keith Lee or didn't like how Lee worked. It was clear as they stripped Lee of so many of the things that made him stand out or fun to watch. It was clear as some early momentum gave way to the typical WWE bullshit on the main roster. It was clear when renamed him Bearcat! But of course the sheep defended all of this with cries of  "Let it play out." Well it played out to a bunch of nothing.

But you know what Keith Lee won! The guys is once again limitless and we shall soon bask in his glory. Fans want him in AEW I bet he would love to get into AEW. He seems perfect for what Tony Khan wants. And you now he will have great matches with Kenny, Moxley, Punk, Hangman, Miro, Sammy etc etc etc.

Mia Yim-One of the most talented women in the world largely wasted in her WWE career. She never got a strong push in NXT which is a shame because since everyone wants that to be the workrate brand she could of fit that perfect. Than it somehow got worse. She got called up is put in what maybe the worst stable in wrestling history Retribution and got renamed Reckoning for some reason. Than that just kind of ended and she really had no direction. Sadly it was clear from WWE only hired her to make sure others didn't 

She should be fine. Plenty of Indie companies could use someone like her. Impact pushed her in the past and I bet would love to have her back to work with the new faces on the roster. I could even see AEW hiring her due to needing more talent for the women's division. 

Heels Season 1 Review

Wrestling and Television have gone together in one form or another since the 1950's. Wrestling has aired on Network TV at various times, its been a main stay on cable, numerous companies local promotions have found there onto local channels. On top of that numerous shows have done wrestling plot of some kind. Baywatch had the stars of WCW battle it out of the fate of Youth Center, Family Matters had Urkel and Carl have to fill in as wrestlers when one of Urkel's wrecks a main event for example. And of course wrestlers have appeared on so many project playing themselves, or playing a different fictional wrestler or just playing some tough guy. More rare though are series set in world of pro wrestling. The most well known is likely GLOW which streamed on Netflix.  

2021 has seen premium cable network Starz debuted Heels. The series had actually been in development since 2017 being written by Michael Waldron. If you know that name its likely due to his work on Rick and Morty or his work in the MCU with both Loki and the upcoming Dr. Strange sequel. Finally in August of 2021 Heels made it's debut for it eight episode first season. So was Heels a five star (six in The Tokyo Dome) classic? Or was did it suck worse than a Randy Orton vs. The Fiend match? 

Heels is the story of the Duffy Wrestling League or DWL a small independent wrestling company in Georgia. The DWL was started by Tom "The King" Spade. At one time the DWL was a popular thriving promotion.  Today its in the hands of Tom's oldest son Jack played by Stephen Amell, who is promoter, booker, lead heel and world champion. Under Jack's direction the DWL is seeing a bit of turn around but still struggles. The biggest reason for upswing though is the new top face Jack's younger brother Ace  played Alexander Ludwig. The first episode is built around a big title match between Jack and Ace. Jack has the old school mindset of the fans pay to watch the face chase the title while Ace and Jack's business partner Willie Day (Mary McCormack) think having a title change is the right move. Things get more complicated when Wild Bill Hancock (Chris Bauer) arrives at the show. Wild Bill is a former DWL wrestler who left to go the the big leagues now working as talent scout who is in town to sign Ace.

Jack and Ace before there match

After many harsh words Ace agrees to lose but taunts his brother. Telling him he (Ace) will go up the big leagues while Jack will be stuck in Duffy until he kills himself just like dad. In the ring Jack loses it during the intro he dumps Ace on his head and locks in a submission hold. Knowing Ace is about to suffer a very real injury the referee calls the match off just minutes into it. A humiliated Ace breaks down in the ring  and it costs him everything. His tough guy image is lost, his chance to go to the big leagues is lost and his support from the fans is lost. The first episode gets a lot done in a about a hour. We get to know DWL the main conflict between The Spades and just how flawed both men are. We also meet the side characters such as Jack's wife Staci (Allison Luff), Ace valet and lover Crystal (Kelli Berglund). It also has to educate non wrestling fans on wrestling.

Something like this can be hard as wrestling fans will naturally check the show out and you don't want an episode to drag for them. But you also don't want non wrestling fans going "what are they talking about?" I think the show overall does a very good job of this. They explain a few insider terms Kayfab, heel, face, and selling while ignoring many others. For example Jack is never called booker instead the term writer is used to describe his creation of the shows. We also get explanations of a top rope elbow to make it clear wrestlers are supposed to be working together and protecting each other in the ring. But don't hammer it home with "No you land this way" or "if you do this it looks like it really is doing damage."  

There are many other things going in the DWL besides Jack and Ace's issues. Allen Maldonado plays Rooster Robbins a talented wrestler who is growing frustrated with his position on the card. There home venue "The Dome" is in need of repairs. And Charlie Gully played Mike O'Malley is the owner of Florida Wrestling Dystopia. Gully has been he inherited and earned by his successful sporting goods stores. Gully is willing to spend that money to "take over the south." He's targeting Georgia for expansion and knows a great way to take out Jack is to take his talent. Jack is very Bill Watts like he's a strict boss who wants you to do it the way he told you to. Gully comes across like a more together Herb Abrams the rich fan is having fun. 

Both Jack and Ace face issues outside of the ring. Jack has a wife young son and while the DWL already takes up so much of time its in the red forcing him to work a regular job. Meanwhile his wife Staci has a growing sense of dissatisfaction with just being a house wife. Ace well frankly if Heels gets more seasons I won't be shocked if they do a story Ace has Bi-polar disorder or something like it. When things go well for Ace go well. And there are times we see he can be a sweet guy. He's also the guy that when he get's called our for taking gum a store deeply insults the clerk, he also snaps will yell at Crystal he's not her boyfriend but than get mad when she hangs out with another man another wrestlers Bobby Pins.

Ace and Crystal relationship had ups and downs

Things only get worse for Ace when his return to the ring goes poorly. Fans taunt him as a crybaby and even throw packs of tissues at him. We later learn this was done by Jack who has decided the story will be better with Ace turning heel even though Ace had told him "I never want to be booed again." Meanwhile his relationship both personally and professionally with Crystal falls apart. The two have been sleeping together but after Ace's "I'm not your boyfriend," comment she starts hanging out with Bobby Pins (Trey Tucker). Bobby is a new comer to wrestler but a decent guy who everyone seems to like. Crystal is helping Bobby figure things in the business mainly helping him pick a gimmick and the kind of look he should have. Just so happens Ace and Bobby wind up in a feud. Ace responds by dumping Crystal as his valet. And after some encouragement Crystal cuts a semi shoot promo on Ace. He winds up snapping and breaking Bobby's leg for real. This is clearly Ace's lowest point. He's lost the fans, the girl and now worse his guilt gets to him right away.

And this is why I do think it might be that Ace has some type of issue mentally. Once he sees just how much damage he's done he  does feel bad. He than tries to make up for it. He apologizes to Bobby and eventually is able to make peace with Crystal. Meanwhile Jack and Willie get a major chance to turn The Duffy Wrestling League around when they are offered a chance to run an event at Georgia state fair. The fair can give them a chance to see 10,000 tickets (Someone had All In on the mind.) Which it does seem the writers didn't really know how successful they wanted Jack to be. On the one hand we hear the DWL is struggling yet we also packed houses. At one point we hear they had to hold a show in a parking lot yet again they seem to believe they can sell 10,000 tickets just fine. I just think they needed to be more consistent. Or at they very least give us a reason more than just wrestling at the state fair for why they think they can do huge ticket sales.

Willie meanwhile has problems of her own. Wild Bill loses his job by being Ric Flair. And I am serious about that Wild Bill is fired after walking around a plane wearing only his robe and a title belt. Willie winds up letting him stay at her place with her husband and daughter. When Bill makes makes an insensitive remark where the audience learns they were once lovers and Willie had an abortion she kicks him out. Wild Bill sees the state fair show as a chance to launch his comeback. The problem is Willie is pissed at him and Jack resents him for never helping out his father and along with his comments to Willie. Finally Bill finally has a heart to heart with Willie. Viewers gets more insight into there backstory. Years ago Willie had been working as Wild Bill's valet while dating him. Seeing more promise in Tom Spade she started to work with him and ended the romantic relationship. This is one of better scenes in the series as its two people having carried years of hurt yet still feel a connection. I don't get the feeling Willie still love Bill but she does care for him. And for Bill she is the one person he feels like he can drop his persona around.

Charlie Gully meanwhile picks up his efforts. Knowing Rooster is unhappy he gets him to jump to FWD. After he defaces The Dome with FWD flyers Ace drives down to Florida to confront him. But here we see what a mater of manipulation Gully is. He plays on Ace's desires to be a face again as well as he recement towards Jack. Ace is on the verge of jumping. However he winds up calling Crystal wanting her to join him. Crystal though tells Jack. Back at home things are hitting the fan for Jack. His son young son was Ace's biggest fan so his heel turn affects him. On top of that the son Tommy is traumatized at seeing Ace hurt Bobby Pin and a seeing his father and uncle getting in a fight. Meanwhile Staci wants a family night to celebrate some good news she got. When Jack leaves to get Ace it comes across more as he is picking the DWL over his family than trying to stop his brother. The final straw comes when Staci learns it was Jack was behind the tissue packs being thrown at Ace. Staci know has to ask is her husband a bad person in real life?

Jack Spade's heel person wasn't fully an act 

Jack arrives at the FDW show just before Ace is supposed to debut and attacks Gully. Seeing the other wrestlers about to attack his brother Ace jumps in and Spade brothers make a get away together. But when Jack gets home he finds that Staci has taken Tommy and left him. And with all that and more going on its time for The State Fair show. 

The plan is for Ace to win the match and turn face again in the process. For the most part things go well. Big Jim a popular wrestler comes out of retirement. The undercard goes well. And at first the main event goes well. Its a 3 way ladder match for the DWL title, Jack vs. Ace vs. Wild Bill. Fans are into it and respond to Ace as the hero once more. However Gully is out for blood after Jack's attack. Gully and his crew are in the crowd and manage to get a Jack chant going. Rooster  makes it clear the way to mess with Jack is to mess with Jack's ability to control the crowd. Meanwhile Wild Bill has been using pills to ready for the match. And one of the effects of the pills causes him to shit himself during the match. Bill not wanting to be humiliated takes himself out of the match. This leaves it to Jack and Ace to finish the match. Just as they climb up the ladder Gully and his crew start to toss Kleenex packets at Ace. Infuriated Ace asks Jack if this is his doing. Jack tells him it's not but does confess to being behind the first time with the tissues.

Needless to say Ace doesn't take it well. He snaps again and just worries about beating crap out of Jack. The rest of the roster has no idea what to do. Jack can't tell them what to do and Jack also can't get the match back on track with Ace attacking him. Finally Crystal who is ringside working as Bill valet gets her chance to shine. Getting in the ring she challenges Ace seeing her snaps him back to realty and he works with her. The crowd quickly gets behind her. Jack is able to recover enough to even to a few more sports. In the end Crystal climbs the ladder and pulls down the belt. As she celebrates the Spade brothers exchange a look with it painfully clear Jack's previous actions might of pushed his brother away for good. In the closing shot Ace rolls out of the ring and walks away.

All and all Heels is an excellent TV show. There are so many things the show does well. The story is excellent and I had to skip over a number of things in my summery. Even non wrestling fans will be able to follow and get hooked. With only eight episodes there isn't really much filler. Each episode has a reason for being there. One thing I hate about TV shows are side plots that feel tacked on or out of no where. We don't really get that here. Crystal wanting to be a wrestler and not just a valet it set up early on and we often seen her takes steps to try and reach that goal. When she goes off script when Ace tries to replace her for example you see its her lashing out for his actions but also her fear of winding up like another valet we had seen a few shows earlier. Staci reaching her limit is a progression. Episode one Jack spends money they don't have to spend on fog machines for the show, episode two Jack ignores things at home that later leads to a house fire. 

Staci Spade wife of Jack

We also get some really nice set up for stuff that could evolve in for later seasons. As mentioned earlier I think Ace might have some type of condition such as bi-polar disorder. Bobbi Pins a side character who is the rookie wrestler seems like he might also be the person that gets eaten alive by the wrestling business. Another big point in Heels favor is the characters are great. Jack and Ace can both be assholes but we also see there good sides enough you want to cheer for them. And it's crushing to see them blow it. Hell Wild Bill is a character that you start thinking you are supposed to hate yet when he shows a softer side with both Willie and Crystal its fantastic. The side characters are also a lot of fun. Some of my fave moments come when we see the DWL locker room just messing around. Former NFL player James Harrison plays Apocalypse a veteran wrestler and he really shines here. I swear I could watch a web series of just bonus skits of the wrestlers talking about random things.

 

Apocalypses and Diego Cottonmouth 

Another thing that really helps Heels is its's beautifully shot. Watching it I really do feel like I'm in some small Southern town in some old venue that's hosted wrestling dating back to like the post war days. And the wrestling matches are shot really well. I get the feeling the production teamed poured over hours of well shot shot (So not Kevin Dunne) wrestling. They get how to make a move look more impressive. You might be asking if the wrestling shown is good. For the most part yes. Now the mathces don't get much focus. But that is a move that makes sense. I can't see non wrestling fans getting to caught up in long matches on the show and wrestling fans will watch AEW or New Japan or ROH or Impact for wrestling matches.  But the wrestling we do see looks really good. 

It really helps Stephen Amell was cast in this show. Besides being a very good actor he's also a huge wrestling fan. And he's worked actual matches for WWE, ROH, and at All In. Plus he's coming off Arrow a show that had great fight scenes. The guy knows how to do action. And Amell clearly wasn't the only wrestling fan involved in the project. A lot of times when wrestling in put in a show you get either a sense they are mocking it or were fans at one point but haven't watched in years. But with Heels there is some clear love involved. They know wrestling and wanted to make a great show about it. I mean casting CM Punk as Ricky Rabies an older classic carny style worker was brilliant casting. Having a scene where the "big league" company talks about wanting the new title belt to have a giant logo that easier to see is something we know actually happened.

But there is no mocking to wrestling. Wrestling means a lot to both Spade brothers even with there issues there love shines through. Jack wants to tell the best story he can. Ace has a clear excitement when he is pitching ideas he wants to try. Part of the reason Rooster gets upset about how is booked is because he knows he's a good wrestler. Even the issue with DWL vs. FDW is a debate between two different types of fans. Duffy Wrestling League fans you get would be the type enjoying the modern NWA while FDW fans would be the type going got a GCW show. As stated Heels is a very good show. But it's not a perfect one.

Yes much like a big main event that winds up only getting four stars from Uncle Dave some things hold it back from that perfect rating. We get three times where a shoot takes place in the ring. Yet there is very little fallout. Jack betrays Ace in front of his locker room yet none of the wrestlers point that out or even says "How can we trust him not to do that to us?" Even when Ace seriously hurts Bobby Pins outside of Jack punching him once there is no real fallout to it. Even with the final blow up the issues seems to more "How do we get the match back on track?" Instead of fear that an assault is taking place. It just feels like in a wrestling series where they make it clear the results are scripted people breaking the script or actually trying to hurt someone should have more weight. I think even non wrestling fans get if it turns into a real fight something went wrong.

Another nitpick I have is I'm not sure if the writers knew what era they wanted to set the show in. Ultimately the show is set in the modern era but I have to wonder if it an earlier draft set it in the 80's or early 90's. Because you see a lot elements that seems to be more fitting of that time in wrestling. The reaction to FDW's use of hardcore wrestling. Jack wanting his talent stick to kayfab to the point he tells one guy not to smoke in front of the fans. Even just the feeling of DWL as a this once hot local deal fighting stay open feels more like the territories than modern Indie wrestling. I just feel like they could of worked so more modern Indie issues in. Like have Willie tell Jack an ROH like promotion is doing TV and reached for talent to do jobs. Have them debate if the exposure is worth it or maybe have it come out DWL is down a wrestlers becuase they are doing a tour of Japan. 

As I also said earlier its like the writers also couldn't figure out what level of success they wanted the DWL to be at. The DWL is this struggling company where guys have to work extra jobs to make ends meat. Yet Gully feels he to put it out of business to expand his own company. DWL can sell 10,000 tickets to the fair yet they have to hold open tryouts to find talent to fill out the card.  Again I really feel like they picked 10,000 for the fair show because they someone went "Well that was number for All In they were debating." 

That said I find these issue are minor. They don't  destroy my enjoyment of the show. I powered through every episode and really really really want a second season. And I could see these issues getting fixed if more seasons do happen. It may not be a five star classic but its a damn solid four and a quarter. If you haven't seen it yet Heels is rerunning still on Starz you can get in on demand through Starz. You guy find it on Amazon Video and Hulu. Please watch through an official release because that will be what gets us another season. And I really want another season of this show.

How Not to Sell a PPV an NWA story

Less than five hundred buys! Last Sunday the National Wrestling Alliance held its When Our Shadows Fall pay per view. According to Dave Meltzer they did less five hundred buys. Now is worth noting Dave Meltzer himself says this is buys through traditional cable or satellite sales and the majority of the NWA's business is expected to come through streaming via FITE TV. However again reports are these early buys are way down from Back For The Attack the previous NWA pay per view. Some think this number is shocking I however don't. The NWA did just about everything you aren't supposed to do in order to get fans to buy your major event. And I am going to break all them down

Long Layoff Kills Momentum- The NWA was one of the last notable wrestling companies to resume production of shows after the pandemic. I do understand some of there logic in being shut down. It wasn't clear how long the pandemic would last, not wanting to put people in danger, limits imposed by different government officials and that is even if the studio would let them film. . Every wrestling company faced the issue of when to restart and got the jump on NWA. WWE used the CWC and than rented areas. AEW used Daily's place and the Nightmare factory. Both Impact and ROH picked studios to film in with no fans. Supposedly Billy Corgan didn't want to hold NWA events without fans. But wrestling relies heavly on weekly shows to advance stories and keep fans hooked. The longer the NWA was off the less fans remembered or cared what was going on. While Powerrr was on hiatus the NWA tried a few things to keep some buzz going they uploaded old pay per views and big matches to there You Tube but with so little mateiral to use they ran out. Than there was Carneyland.

Carneyland was supposed to be the fill in for Powerrr a weekly youtube series featuring NWA talent that could be filmed at there homes. And it was awful I think maybe one episode aired and it had Nick Aldis telling some story where he got the better of a promoter who was trying to back out of a deal to pay for a hotel. Allysin Kaye did something in her bedroom and for some reason Wade/Stu Barrett was a disembodied voice. And none of this was done to advance or create  an angle. Meanwhile you had AEW bring in FTR and build up Kenny Omega, WWE got Roman back and made him heel, Impact had major returns or debuts like the Good Brothers. The NWA was just dead. Some NWA matches were a part of a UWN Primetime but those from what I can tell felt largely disconnected from what NWA was doing.

Talent Departures- The NWA had built up a pretty good crew of talent at one point but  during the shut down they lost Ricky Starks, Eddie Kingston, James Storm, Ziggy Dice, Allysin Kaye, Royce Issacs, Colt Cabana, Eli Drake and actually more. It really did look like they might come back with only Nick Aldis and Tim Storm. And if you look at the names they did lose it a lot of great talent and a good mix of talent NWA was building up and big names from elsewhere. Dice was pretty open his issues with Nick Aldis drove him off. Others it seems there contract expired and left to seek work elsewhere. Cabana is now part of one of AEW's most over acts, Kingston's feud with Jon Moxley did a great number on Pay Per View and he's a weekly highlight on Dynamite. The NWA seemed to be building up Starks as a long term project but any payoff to his potential seems to be AEW's for the taking.

Losing so much talent also just sent a bad message to to fans. It told them the NWA wasn't the place to be. The NWA in fans eyes became a place where talent went to get paid a bit before another better company picked them up. While talent departing is unavoidable and actually can help to keep a roster fresh a mass exodus reflected badly on the promotion and owner Billy Corgan. It hasn't helped some of the replacement talent brought in by the NWA haven't connected as well. Tyrus a decent name came in with added baggage from a sexual harassments lawsuit and didn't seem to be in ring shape enough to work even short matches.  Segments with Taryn Terell has been panned in reviews I have seen. And while I am fan of both guys Nick Alidis vs. Trevor Murdock doesn't scream must see main event instead it says TNA Xplosion. But given Aron Stevens had already gotten a shot at Aldis and was tied up in the division, who else was there? 

The Move Behind a Pay Wall- NWA Powerrr created a decent buzz as a free to view series on You Tube. All fans had to really invest and sit through a few adds you got NWA action. Fans were in for a shock when before the return of the NWA, all the past episodes of Powerrr were removed from You  Tube. The news soon came that instead of returning to You Tube the show was moving to FITE TV for a fee. Generally the reason given the NWA felt they could make higher revenue with a subscription fee  on FITE vs. You Tube ad sales. Which in some other timeline where the pandemic never happened and the NWA had been running shows through out 2020 would make sense. But the NWA returned with no ongoing storylines and a depleted roster now asking fans to pay for something they had been getting for free. Which is automatically going to drop the number of people watching your shows. 

Than for a PPV the NWA is asking for even more money. Which once again drops the number of people who are willing to buy your event. More casual aren't likely to drop extra money for a show they haven't seen any of the build up for. Meanwhile wrestling fans can watch WWE, AEW, Impact, ROH, and many others that you can view either on free TV or via free streaming. And fans only have so much money to put toward a streaming budget which the NWA also fight with WWE/Peacock, Impact/Impact Plus, New Japan World and many other services. But all it content behind a pay wall the NWA has put itself at a disadvantage. 

Nick Aldis Reign- It was a classic move of the NWA to have heel champion who would hold the title for hundreds of days. Nick Aldis fits the mold of the classic NWA champion from his promo style, in ring work, and just how he presents himself. The thing is many of the things from the classic NWA champions don't really work in the modern era of wrestling. We are long past days of the traveling champion who needed to retain via cheap means or a time limit draw. In his second reign which now stretches over one thousand days Aldis has run through every viable option for a challenger. Now personally I do consider himself a fan of Aldis but I've seen a lot of dislike for him online. With a stale champion who some seen to truly dislike its going to hurt buy rates. 

Simply Hasn't Been Good- Make no mistake about it there was interest in a NWA return reports suggest the first post COVID pay per view Back For The Attack did decent business and reviews were mostly mixed to positive. But as weeks have gone on the critics haven't been kind. Reviews I've seen have called the show boring, flat and downright bad. Take your pick from ending a show by having the promise main event walk out the door to the easy to mock loser stays in the NWA match, tag champs who hate each other even though one partner got to pick the other. A flat feud with Tyrus and The Pope. Right now there is a lot of wrestling out there and the NWA didn't give fans a good enough reason to pick there PPV. Hopefully Billy Corgan and his team can learn from this and work to get the NWA back on track.  

Flashback Reviews Okada vs. Omega III and IV

 Between the matches- Kenny Omega in kayfabe rebounded quickly from the draw at Dominion. When New Japan held shows in Long Beach California he won two night tournament to become the first IWGP United States champion beating Michael Elgin, Jay Lethal, and Tomihirio Ishii. Meanwhile Okada made his seventh defense against Cody during the US tour. This set both me up for the G1 Climax, New Japan's annual summer tournament. Okada was past two time champion of the G1 while Omega entered as the defending winner. In storyline Omega was in for two huge shocks. One was the return to New Japan of his former partner Kota Ibushi. In 2015 Ibushi had challenged than Bullet Club leader AJ Styles for the IWGP title. Omega has been in Styles' corner providing a momentary distractions that cost Ibushi the match. Shortly after that citing injuries and burn out Ibushi left Japan. While he had returned in 2016 it had been as the masked Tiger Mask W. This would be Ibushi first appearances under is real name. 

The other surprise for Omega was the news he and Okada would be in the B block together. For those unaware the G1's current format sees wrestlers split into two blocks. A wrestler will face everyone in there block once in 30 minute time limit match. A victory is worth two points a time limit draw is worth one. The wrestler in the block with the most points advances to the face the winner of the other block in no time limit match. Okada and Omega's match was set for the final night of block action. And because it's wrestling Okada entered the night with 1 more point. Meaning Kenny had to win to keep his goal of a second G1 and a second Wrestle Kingdom main event alive.

Match Three G1 Climax B Block Finals August 27th 2017 Ryogoku Sumo Hall- So of course the question for this match is how can can Kenny? Keep in the mind the first match went 45 minutes the second went 60. And Omega hadn't won either match. Meanwhile Okada could afford to just ride out the time limit and advance. Due to this being the G1 both men get there normal entrances no special gear. Once again The Young Bucks are with Omega and Gedo is with Okada. Rocky Romero is on commentary along with Don Callis and Kevin Kelly. So we have a neutral guy in Kevin, an Omega guy and an Okada guy. Kevin points out Omega is trying to be the first to go back to back since Tenzan did it in 03 and 04. Rocky points out Omega has never beat Okada. Don claims Kenny has never hit the One Winged Angel and Kevin corrects him. Don does point out Okada didn't kick out he got a lucky rope break. Kevin poitns out a win would give Okada 15 points a new record. Rocky says Okada won't be looking to just run the clock.

They tease another slow start but Omega lands a boot and a chop. Okada goes for a drop kick but Kenny hooks the ropes. V Triggers misses. Rain Maker into snap dragon. V Trigger misses again. Seated drop kick cut off. One winged angel attempt but Okada escapes drop kick off the ropes and Omega falls to the floor. Okada grabs his neck selling injury from early in the tournament. Omega is whipped into the guard rail hard than Okada boots him over the top rope. Diving crossbody over the guard rail by Okada. I really love this start. Both men want the win and both know they can't afford to waste time. Its like the first two matches were the Daytona 500 a long race while this is a 300 mile event during NASCAR's summer season. 

Elbow drop by Okada and see just how heavily tapped up he is. Okada does the rain maker pose as Kevin asks "Can he do it in less than five minutes." Kenny blocks the rain maker and sends Okada to the floor. Pescado by Omega and Okada hits the guard rail hard. Back to the ring and the top rope missile dropkick by Omega gets a two count. Omega twists the head of Okada. Okada tries to get the ropes but Omega traps the leg and reigns down elbow before pulling off the trainers tape. Omega with a running back breaker covers again for two. Stiff kicks to the back than a chop to the chest than into a chin lock. Okada powers up to his feet but takes blows to his back and neck. Okada reveres a whip and hits a boot. He goes for the senton but he pays for it as Omega gets the legs up. Omega wants a piledriver but Okada bases out and than gets the back body drop. Okada misses the running elbow but does manage to get Omega in the reverse neck breaker position. Finally Okada with the running back elbow than the one in the corner followed by the DDT. But we than get a sign of just how beat up Okada is as he can't do a kip up.

Its worth nothing on 8/8 Okada has faced Suzuki meaning he faced the heavy hitter much letter than Omega did. And of course in the G1 everyone is banged up by the end. Omega blocks the tombstone. Okada lets go and grabs his neck showing he's hurting it even going for moves this lets Omega land a clubbing blow. Chop to the back. Omega goes for the you can't escape but Okada gets his lets up on the moonsault. Okada goes for a running attack but Omega recovers and hits a Frankenstenier. Okada to the floor and takes a drop kick to the back of the head. Rise of the Terminator is cut off by the Okada flapjack. Tries for the tombstone again but Omega slips off the back to the apron. Omega springboards but Okada cuts him off with a dropkick. Omega crashes to the floor. Okada sees his chance to end it he goes for a tombstone on the floor but Omega is still to free he slips out and nails a reverse rana.

We get a great shot of Omega in shock at what he just did. The replay makes the move look even more brutal. Red Shoes calls for the doctor. Even Callis is concerned. The fans chant for Okada. Omega shoves the doctors away and pulls Okada to the apron. Kenny sets for snap dragon and hits it. Okada is thrown back in. Aoi Shoudu and Omega covers. But Okada kicks out. Now we see Omega in shock again this time he can't believe Okada won't stay down. Okada isn't moving but Omega shoves Red Shoes away so he can pull Okada up and hit knees on him. 15 mintues down 15 to go. On the floor we see a very worried looking Gedo with the towel in his hands. Okada weakly swings at Omega. Its a nice reminder from the earlier matches. Omega had been the one hurt late weakly trying to fight back now it's Okada in that role. One stiff chop drops Okada. Another chop but Okada starts to fire up but a rapid fire series of blow to the neck drop him.

Omega goes for the V trigger but Okada catches it. Elbows by Okada but a standing V trigger stuns him. One Winged Angel attempt Okada turs into the tombstone and hits it. Chants of Okada rain down. Kenny sits Okada on the top rope and chops him. Rocky points out even with Okada hitting a big move it was Omega who recovered faster. Omega going for a super fishermen's buster but Okada knocks him off. Missle dropkick by Okada that looks like it move cave in Omega's chest. But again Okada is hurt having landing on his neck. Okada is up first shot gun drop kick and he screams. Rain maker is blocked exchange of strikes. V Trigger than a dropkick. Rainmaker blocked again. Omega leaps onto Okada's back seems like he's going for another reverse rana but Okada gets him off. Okada with a German Suplex. He keeps wrist control but Omega turns it into a Urinagi that spikes Okada down again. 

Okada with the last of his strength is able to escape a one winged angle and hits the rain maker. But that was just its the last of strength. Like the second match he loses the wrist and falls away from Kenny. But unlike that match we hear the twenty minute call. Meaning Okada has ten mintues to make the cover. He finally does but Omega gets his shoulder up. Now the chats are for both men. Okada stands up but grabs his neck. Kenny is still down. Okada pulls the US champ up looks for the tombstone but Omega with a victory roll for two than a backslide for two. Okada thought has the wrist and hits a quick rain maker. He holds on Okada wants the full rain maker he knows that is what it will take. Another rain maker but not the full spin. Okada feels he needs 1 more. He can't let Omega kick out again. Omega ducks and gets the German suplex. Omega with a second. Okada thinks he's elbowed free but it's a trap a reverse rana by Omega for two. 

Omega looks for the one winged angel Okada tries to hammer free but again its a trap as Omega with Coyte's Wrath. Cover and count of one, count of two Okada kicks out. Omega goes for the running v trigger but Okada with the drop kick. Omega is right back up through. Rain Trigger than the Tiger Driver 98. V trigger and the one winged angel. The Bucks jump up on the apron because it's over. After three matches and over two hours of ring time Omega has beat Okada. The young lions help Okada to the back while Omega hears the official announcement he will face Naito in the finals. Omega gets the microphone and in Japanese I think puts Okada over. He switches to English to talk about Naito. Kenny promises to win the  G1 again. Good Bye Good Night!

Conclusion- Due to being in the G1 its both the shortest and the some what forgotten match in the series. Part of that is due to it being non title with a predictable finish. Under the modern rules with the G1 winner getting a title shot the IWGP champ doesn't win the G1 or even reach the finals. So it was the perfect time for Kenny to finally get the win. I personally I really enjoy this match. The two do a lot with the short time they have. Both me going for big early makes sense given the fact they don't have the time to feel each other out like they did in the two title matches. Okada does a great job selling his neck. Again the crowd is really hot here. I think it helps its rare they see in Okada in this much trouble.

It could be argued New Japan should have kept them apart longer. But given how many shows they do in G1 season you need big matches to help sell them. Also I think it was wise to give Omega a win over Okada given how the feud ends. Kenny is great here he playing the guy that knows the tide is turning. He can see the path. Beat Okada tonight, beat Naito the next night than beat Okada again to win the title. Winning the US title and the peace at the time with Cody has put him in a better headspace. But for Omega a fall was coming but we must fall to rise.

Between the matches- Kenny Omega's goal of winning a second G1 was denied when in the finals Naito took the victory. Post G1 Okada made one more title defense for 2017 beating EVIL at King of Pro Wrestling. The win also assured her would break two major IWGP title records most collective total days as champion and most days in single title reign. Shinya Hashimoto's record of 489 days stood since 1997. At Wrestle Kingdom 12 Naito fell to the Rainmaker. After that his tenth defense was a success for SANADA at New Beginning.  On 21st he beat Zack Saber meaning he now tied the record for most defenses in a reign with eleven. That left one big name for him to face. His old rival Tanahashi whose record he was looking to break. Years early Okada had ended Tanahashi's streak at 11 in 2018 the Ace was unable to return the favor. Now with 12 title defenses there was just one bit of unfished business left.

Omega's post G1 was a roller coaster. He made three successful defenses of the US title vs. Juice Robinson, YOSHI-HASHI, and Trent Barretta. But tensions were growing in the Bullet Club again. Cody had a new target Ibushi. And than Chris Jericho returned to New Japan. What started as a series of Tweets escalated including a violent attack at World Tag League show and brawls at a press conference. Finally at Wrestle Kingdom Omega defeated Jericho in a No DQ match. But than Jay White targeted Omega and the US title. During the New Beginning tour Omega lost it all. White beat him for the US title and than tension with the Club exploded leaving Kenny estranged from the rest of the Elite. As Cody looked to strike him down Ibushi made the save. The Golden Lovers reunited and while still estranged from the Elite Omega picked up momentum once again. 

After his victory over Tananhashi, Okada called Omega to the ring. While Okada had made twelve title defenses he had not gotten twelve victories. It was nearly a year since there time limit draw and with Omega winning the G1 the record was 1-1-1. Okada wanted to once and for all prove he was the better man. As a result a no time limit two out of three falls match was set. At Dominion there would be a winner once and for all.

Match Four Dominion 6.9 June 9th 2018 Osaka-jo Hall Two Out of Three Falls- So once again Red Shoes will be the referee. Of course Gedo is with Okada he wouldn't turn on him until the fall. But it's Ibushi in Omega's corner. In storyline he was still estranged from the Young Bucks. Although BTE had been teasing some type of resolution to that story. The pre match VTR really foucs in on the draw while showing what the two men had done since.  In the VTR Omega hype he's got more stamia than Okada and how going for now time limit is a mistake. HE also says he's stronger with Ibushi by his side. For Omega's entrance we a video wit himin pain as he recalls the past time he came up short vs. Okada and the issues with the Bullet Club. Finally a feather falls in front of him and we see Ibushi in white. Kota asks Kenny if he's ready for what is to come. Than what he is cost just before we see the Bullet Club logo vanish. Kenny answers it cost him everything.

I think the point of this is to show this is a very different Omega than has faced Okada in the past. The anger the cockiness even the willingness to cheat is all gone. Ibushi has brought back out the old fun loving Kenny only with the body and skills of the Bullet Club Omega. And easily this is the best shape Omega has ever been in. Okada enters with his Okada dollars falling as Kevin Kelly hypes his various accomplishments. This is also during the pants era for Okada. Remember how before match one I said the video seemed to make Okada god like? Well here I almost wonder if they did nothing to speical in an effort to make him look more human. More likely to fail than he had been in the past two years. Don Callis says there will be no doubt who the better man is after tonight before the bell rings.

First Fall- Okada again stays in the corner on the bell like the other two title matches. Omega doesn't charge but his body language is clear he's ready to go. Finally a lock and Kenny with a go behind but Okada controls the arm and than gets teh waste. Exchange of control before both wind up standing. A Okada chant starts but is than drowned out by an Kenny chant. Another exchange of control positions but Okada with a chin lock takes Omega down. Kenny escapes and gets a hammer lock and rolls Okada into a cradle for two. Bit of story telling there Omega know that won't get a win but he's already forcing Okada to kick out. Kevin Kelly talks about what both men did to get ready he says Okada took time off to heal up old injures while also going fishing which is how he relaxes. While Omega was in an intense training camp. Its a nice bit of added story telling by Kevin and you can buy both. Given the two years Okada has had it makes sense he would need time to recover mentally and physically. While you can also buy Kenny who is failed to win the title twice would feel the need to come in combat ready. Okada with a knee bar but Kenny goes for the face and manages to get the ropes. Okada drives Kenny into the corner and gets him to flinch before a clean break. Kenny tosses Okada into teh corner and mocks Okada with the clean break. 

Suddenly the paces picks up Kenny goes for a v trigger he misses. Okada looks for the tombstone but Kenny escapes. Drop kicks are missed rain maker is countered into the set up for One Winged Angel. Okada fights and both men spill over the top to the floor. I notice that in both match one and two both men were willing to to take it easy until the felt the other picked up the pace. In match three both men came out hot given the time limit but hear again they play a bit. But once they take it up level they quickly hit 100 MPH. Although it makes sense both men would want an early edge. If you can put a man down a fall early you are playing with house money. Exchange of forearms on the floor. Omega set hard into the guard rail than Okada boots him over it.

Okada goes for his diving cross body right into the V Trigger. I love this spot. Okada has used this with so much success. But than Omega has gotten the timing for it. And now what is normally big move has hurt him. Omega throw down some guard rail and slams Okada on it. Back in the ring he covers for two. Elbows to the chest and neck by Omega and another pin attempt for two. Running elbow dorp by Kenny before he kicks Okada in the back and pots him in the head than the kick to the back again. Okada calls for Kenny to it again. Basement dropkick to the head by Omega. Big chops in the corner by Omega and than a running back breaker. Chin lock by Kenny as he sits on the back. We actually year Okada yell no. Which I don't think I have heard befor or since. I think it really is a nice way to sell the idea he's hurt badly by the knee earlier. Omega into the camel clutch but Okada finally gets the ropes.

On the outside Gedo is doing his usually "Come on rainmaker!" but it sounds more than usual. I guess a good comparison would be if you watch boxing and saw Canelo Alverz get knocked down in the second round of a twelve round fight. He hasn't lost it just feels huge based on how rarely he's at a disadvantage. Flapjack by Okada when Kenny charges but Kenny is up first. Okada with a hard forearm to the gut than one ot the face and than more. Running back elbow and Okada knocks Kenny down. Corner elbow and than the DDT for a two count. Cobra clutch but Okada but he can't get it locked in. Kenny dumps him to the floor.  Topa by Kenny but Okada moves. Topa by Okada connects. Okada tosses Kenny into the ring Boot to the face by Okada but Omega with a snap rana to get control back. Okada to the floor. Drop kick to the head by Omega. Okada sent over the guard rail. Sling shot cross body by Omega a call back to the huge spot from match one. Callis even points out this time Kenny got all of it.

Kenny stands and raises his arms drawing a cheer from the fans. Back to the ring and Kenny hits the Kotaro Krusher for a two count. Aoi Shoudou by Omega than the V Trigger but it misses. Okada with a release German suplex by Omega lands on his feet. V trigger blocked but a second knee connects. Kenny goes for the reverse rana but Okada has hooked the ropes so its Omega who takes the damage. German with a bridge for two by Okada gets two. Omega drives Okada into the corner when he grabs the wrist. Okada gets seated on the top rope. Kenny is looking for something big off the ropes but Okada fight him off. Back to the ground but Okada hits a forearm that drops Okada. Kenny sits Okada back on the ropes this time looking for the Dragon Suplex off the tope. Okada manages to get the apron. He pulls Kenny down. Tombstone on the apron. Nice call back there. Okada is able to avoid a move that badly hurt him in the Dome and instead badly hurt Kenny there. Kenny finally stands up on the apron allowing Okada to drop kick him off the apron. Omega now yelling the pain even grabbing his back.

Red Shoes teases he might stop it. Okada hits Omega in the back and than tosses him back in. Missile dropkick by Okada and gets two. Omega even yells in pain kicking out. Body slam by Okada and he goes to the top coming off with the elbow drop. Okada smiles and hits his pose but Omega with a rolls up out of no where. I really like this with 1 minor issue though. In this moment you get the sense Okada is convinced he's taken the worst Kenny can do and it nearly cost him. My issue is on NJPW's camera crew. They are normally top notch but when Okada does the pose they do this thing where they pull the camera back. So miss the roll up and we never get a replay. Back to the match Kenny with a picture perfect rise of the Terminator. 25 minute call just before Omega puts Okada back in the ring. Missile dropkick to the back of the head by Omega. Snap dragon block  but Okada with a chop the back. One Winged Angel block, rain maker blocked V trigger. Back to the OWA but Okada fights free so its croyt's wrath instead for two. Running V Trigger.  Back to One Winged Angel but Okada out the back dropkick to the back. Another dropkick. 

Okada lets out a primal scream and gives Omega this look that makes it clear he's had enough. He is ready to end this first fall. Rain maker attempt but Kenny ducks into rain trigger and he Omega stacks the pin for another two. Omega looks for the Tiger Driver but Okada rolls him up to escape. Tombstone another yell. Rain Maker but Kenny ducks and goes for a sunset flip. But Okada sits down grabbing the legs. One Two Three!. I think that is great twist to use. We get so caught up in watching for the finishers its just this simple perfect pin that gets Okada the win. Its also a huge set back for Omega. Don Callis points out Kenny has to beat Okada twice in a row now and Okada sometimes loses less than twice a year. We get a two minute break between falls. Okada seems calm he's in control even with the early move. Meanwhile Omega seems on the verge of a breakdown and Ibushi has to grab him to get him to calm down and refocus.

Fall Two- Okada stays calm while Omega is trying is ready to spring out of the corner at the start. But Kenny messes up it lets Okada boot him. But Kenny with hard strikes. Okada shuts it down with the seated corner dropkick to seen Kenny to the floor. Okada follows up and than he places Kenny in the guard rail and pulls on him. I think the idea is supposed to be he's stretching Kenny but ist just kind of looks like he's pancaking him like you brother used to do when you were kids. Omega tries a moonsault off the guard rail but Okada knocks him off. Elevated DDT on the floor by Okada. Back to the ring. Omega with chops but Okada no sells. Omega tries to charge but eats a big boot. Cobra clutch by Okada in the center of the ring. Kenny fights to his fee and hits a stunner. Okada tires a head lock but that lets Omega get a back drop suplex. Both men to the floor. Omega with the back suplex onto the apron. Omega brings a table in from ringside and slams it on Okada. Double stomp off the apron by Omega. Kenny sets up the table.  Okada tosses Omega into the ring post.

They return to the ring. Scoop slam by Okada. But Kenny gets the legs up on the Senton.  Death Valley Driver by Okada to get the momentum back than the shotgun dropkick and Omega is sent hard into the corner. Okada climbs the ropes but Omega cuts him off. Top rope superplex by Omega. You can't escape  by Omega but Okada has the knees up. Running uppercut by Okada. Back on his fee the champion looks at the table he tries to back drop Kenny through the table like he has in the past. Omega escapes and comes back to hit a Tornado DDT. Again a great call back while also adding something knee. Champion and Challenger out to the apron. Omega wants to German Suplex Okada off the apron through the table. Okada blocks Omega changes looking for the Dragon Okada knocks him off with elbows. The tease hitting there finishers on the floor. Omega finally gets the reverse rana on the floor. Omega climbs back in the ring and tells Red Shoes to count. Gedo again desperately calls out "come on Rainmaker!" Okada tries to get back but he falls back down. A second effort he is back in where Kenny is waiting. V Trigger hits. Kenny looks for the one winged turned into Okada's jumping tombstone.

Kevin Kelly declares "He's going to shut the door. Two fall sweep." As Okada looks for the rain maker But Omega hits a high Impact Yurinagi. Both men stand once more and exchange forearms but Omega appears to have the stronger one. Big chops by Omega but it wakes Okada up. Snap Dragon by Omega. Okada with a drop kick. Kenny with is own dropkick looking just like Okada's. Again we get a miscue from the production. They are showing a replay of the Omega dropkick but we nearly miss a spot where Okada goes for his own drop kick only for Omega to hit a sit out power bomb. Omega rolls Okada through so he can knee him in the face. Kenny goes for Tiger Driver 98 but Okada blocks and looks for the reverse neck breaker. Omega blocks but winds up on his back Okada sits lie he did to win fall one but Omega kicks at two. V Trigger and this time The Tiger Driver connects but it only gets two. 

Running V Trigger to the head and One wined angle and we are all tied up. I really enjoyed the final build to the second fall. Having Okada go back to the move that won fall one was a nice touch. We see where Omega might just have the edge as long as he can hit The One Winged Angle. Between falls Omega is more secure but also exhausted. Gedo meanwhile stalls even arguing with Red Shoes. You actually see stuff like this in boxing a corner taking a extra second to get out or spilling water so they can stop and whip it up. Its about Gedo trying to buy his champion time. 

Fall Three- Okada hasn't been able to stand between the falls. Omega comes out and hits a V trigger to the back of the head. He looks for the one wined angel but Okada escapes. Rain Maker but Okada can't follow up. Love this open. Again to compare to a real fight Kenny knows he's got a the chance to land the KO blow. But in his wanting to end it he's not as precise with his move so he instead takes the big shot putting the back to even. Okada like in match two and three has to crawl to make a pin. When he finally gets a hand on Omega its just a two count. Okada uses the ropes to get up first. Omega blocks the tombstone at 50 mins. Omega tries the Dr. Wiley bomb but Okada blocks. Ax handle to the back by Okada Uppercuts but Okada drops Omega. Okada wants his drop kick off an Irish whip but Omega hooks the ropes and Okada crashes to the mat. Okada blocks Omega attempts at power bomb. Hard palm strikes by Omega and he tries again. Okada tries to turn it into a rana but Omega blocks. Styles Clash by Omega for two.

Another great move to pull out it adds a few layers. One AJ Styles beat Okada in the past, two Omega has used that move buts not a usual move so three is a move Okada would not have as well scouted coming from Omega. Okada is stuck in the corner V Trigger by Omega. He looks for the one winged angle but he's so exhausted he collapses. Omega tries again using the ropes. Okada slides out but Omega keeps rolling. Bastard Driver by Omega gets two. Again its Kenny pulling out moves Okada hasn't seen him use before. We get a shot of Ibushi who is in shock. He is calling for Omega to go to the top. Don doesn't like this and points out its like AJ vs. Ibushi.

Omega goes for the Phoenix Splash. Okada moves and Omega hits hard. Dropkick by Okada. Omega escapes a tombstone and Kenny with the V trigger. Don says Omega has the tombstone scouted. More knees to the face by Omega. Okada catches the leg shoves off and hits a dropkick. Another dropkick. And than Rain Maker but than something shocking happens. Kenny doesn't go down. Its Okada who goes down first. Okada was so spent he couldn't so the usual follow through. Kenny finally goes down and the referee counts like a in boxing. Both men get to there knees. Don says there bodies are shutting down as the men exchange blows on there knees. They start to fire up  adn the blows grow more intense. Headbutt by Omega drops Okada. Omega is up but Okada hits rain maker this time able to follow through and knock Kenny down. 

Okada has wrist control and hits a second one but again Okada collapses before he can pin Kenny. The champion wants the full Rain Maker but the challenger ducks. German Suplex by Omega and he keeps control of the waste as the Omega chants start again. Another German dumping Okada on his head. Omega goes for a third. Okada escapes into a German of his own Okada gets the wrist. Rain Maker ducked. Omega Snap German than a reverse Rana. Kenny has to pull himself up using Red Shoes. He looks for the V Trigger. But Okada calls upon his fighting spirt and is able to get back up to hit dropkick.  Okada know its time to end things. We are now over an hour. The rainmaker is set up but Omega has his own fighting spirt he gets behind and his the one winged angel. 

Fighting spirt is not about no selling its about pushing on when you are hurt. Both men are down again and wind up locked up together in the ropes. The crowd is cheering for Omega and it pushes him back up. Running V trigger with the knee right to the face. 720 days, 12 title defenses, millions of dollars earned for himself and NJPW, ONE WINGED ANGEL and IWGP Champion 66 is crowned. With Don Callis screaming hook the leg hook the leg Kenny Omega has won. There is a great beauty in this final fall. Both men have taken everything the other man has to give. Each time it seems Kenny has it won Okada finds that little bit. Finally in the end they wind up exhausted and spent right next to each other. And its Omega turn to find that little bit. All Okada can do is watch as the knee hits him and than he's lifted up and slammed down again.

Post match Okada is left unmoving in the middle of the ring in a nice touch Omega on his knees just looks at him before taking his hand to show respect. Omega and  Ibushi embraced. meanwhile the Bucks have come down to ringside. They climb into the ring and Omega embraces them. Its his crowning moment and he wants all three of his best friends there. The IWGP championship is placed around his waste and he's a microphone. In Japanese he says for ten years the IWGP title has been his goal. He tells the fans in this match he saw the future of wrestling and says he wants to go to  next step. Finally he switches to English saying New Japan is world wide. He says people have called him a waste, that he should just take the payday. Kenny says is not his way he makes his own rules and does it his way. Says with his best friends he can do anything before doing his Good Bye Good Night Bang out. Cody makes his ways out to the ramp setting up Omega's first title defense. Because the feud with Okada is over.

Conclusion- This match goes one hour and four minutes. Now you got that long there has to a good reason for it. And well this a rare case of having several good reasons for it. You had this record setting title reign ending along with this feud that had gone on for eighteen months. It does help they don't go very far over one hour. It goes long enough to justify doing this gimmick but not so long it feels to long. I also feel the pace of the match really helps things. Both Omega and Okada are cardio machines and while they do have to rest at times it never feels like its done just drag out the match. They selling is very good during the match. There is no real time where they just stop selling something instead its a case of them pushing through he pain. I love so many of the call backs to the past matches it helps gives the sense of both men have been studying of the other encounters.

Frankly my biggest issues came from the production side. Mainly them missing the roll up and than the power bomb spot. Now again if you aren't big fans of either man I can see you not enjoying this. Both guys spam certain moves especially Okada with the rain maker. You can tell both guys wanted to make this the best of there four matches. Omega is really on his game during this match. He does a great job playing his role as the challenger who know this is his last yet best chance to get the victory. Also really helping this is Kevin Kelly and Don Callis. Don makes it clear who is rooting for but never goes full on heel. It reminds me of a MMA fighter calling his teammates fight for the UFC. 

After the matches- Omega would make his first title defense just a few weeks later against Cody that night saw the Bullet Club finally blow up GOD and Bad Luck Fale attacking The Elite after Kenny's win. From there both men entered into the G1. If fans were expecting Okada to storm back to the title picture they were in for a shock. Dying his hair and coming out with balloons The Rain Maker seemed more worried about making mischief than making money Neither man reached the G1 Finals. But something bigger was brewing. On September 1st 2018 both men worked the All In. Post All In Okada would find himself in Kayfabe he was betrayed by Jay White and his long time manager Gedo. As for Omega he was a facing a big question. You all know the story Tony Khan had approached The Elite about starting what would become All Elite Wrestling.

Outside of a tag match Okada and Omega has been kept apart after the title change. Reports say had Omega stayed with New Japan he and Okada would have main evented the 2019 Madison Square Garden show. At that MSG show Okada regained the IWGP title for his 5th and to date final reign. Omega would of course join AEW. While fans had been hopeful for a working deal with NJPW and AEW when Omega returned to Japan it was for his old promotion DDT Pro. Reports even suggested New Japan attempted to block Kenny from entering the country. With the recent opening of the Forbidden Door it seems a fifth match may happen as the world gets closer to normal after COVID-19.

Final Thoughts- Are these the greatest matches of all time? Well that is subjective. One guy I consider a friend and whose opinion on wrestling I really respect would say no. It really comes down how much you like Okada and Omega's matches. I don't always agree with Dave Meltzer but his star ratings have come to mean something and he does rate these matches highly. Myself? Well I do enjoy all these matches I find I enjoy them more now actually. But when I first saw the first Omega vs. Okada match I thought it was good but no so good it would warrant breaking the traditional five star scale. I feel that way about every match in the series. I really enjoy them but I can't say they are so much better than other legendary matches. But I am grateful for what these matches gave to wrestling as a whole.

Its often been said that Omega vs. Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom was the match that led to AEW. But I think the Okada and Omega matches are what made the Jericho match happen. Omega became a much bigger star. Remember it was unthinkable that in 2018 that Chris Jericho would wrestle outside of the WWE. Omega needed the boost from the Okada feud  to make him be someone Chris Jericho would want to wrestle. It also a did a lot for Okada remember the lay of the land in New Japan at the time. Okada's feud with Tanahashi had more than run its course. AJ Styles was gone and Prince Devitt had been gone even longer. While had had good chemistry with guys like Naito and Suzuki he had faced them in the past. Omega gave Okada a new rival one he just happened amazing chemistry with. These matches helped to push New Japan more into the states which helped to bring things like more English commentary. Or New Japan Strong and the LA Dojo that is putting out some good talent.

At the end of the day if you have a couple of hours to kill and want to watch some great wrestling you can do a lot worse than the four matches between The Rainmaker and the Cleaner. 

Flashback Reviews Okada vs. Omega I and II

Its been a very long time since I posted on blogger. But hey Facebook shut down notes and I want to do more writing. I also want to get back to do the Flashback Reviews. And I wanted to do something different for the return. Instead of looking at a single show I wanted to focus in a feud. And what better way to start with one of the most talked about feud in recent wrestling history. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega. There four singles matches in New Japan are now legendary. While some mainly Omega detractors view them as vastly over rated by Observer and other critics there is no denying the impact this series had.

Kenny Omega went from an Indy darling to true main event star all around the world due to them. The series was capstone of Okada's record breaking IWGP title run. New Japan created a real buzz in the US the company had never seen before off the backs of these matches. And well they were one of many things leading to what would become AEW. Now its a while since the final match in the series. And I really think a matches true legacy is how well it holds up to viewing as it ages. For example I can watch Savage vs. Steamboat and still enjoy it I can't stand to watch Hogan vs. Rock. Now upon first watching these matches years ago I enjoyed them but I didn't think they were so great they were worth breaking the five star scale (although that is a whole other debate) with the fourth and final match being my favorite of the four. So lets take a look at Okada vs. Omega.

General background- Okay most people already know this stuff however there is also a good chance fans don't watch NJPW or are just finding out who Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada are. Plus I do feel there some added context I want to keep in mind while reviewing these matches. What I would say each match has a question hanging over it. Okada was first trained by The Ultimo Dragon in his Toryumon school as a teenager. By 2007 he had been accepted to the New Japan Dojo. By 2010 he was sent to America to work for  TNA. At Wrestle Kingdom VI on January 4th 2012 Okada returned to New Japan defeating YOSHI-HASHI and by the end of the night it became just how much faith booker Gedo had in the young man. Okada walked to the ring and challenged for Hiroshi Tanahashi for an IWGP title match. On February 12th Okada stunned the world by winning the title. 

What followed was a four year with many many matches feud between the Ace and the Rainmaker for control of New Japan. Finally in 2016 at Wrestle Kingdom 10 Okada once again defeated Tanahashi to win the title. While he had beat Tanahashi many times this was him beating him in the companie's biggest show and based on booking after it the torch had really been passed. In June of that same year at Dominion Okada won his fourth IWGP title beating Tetsuya Naito. Coming into the first match Okada had only made one title defense against Pro Wrestling NOAH's Naomichi Marufji.

Kenny Omega made his debut in his native Canada in 2001. In 2005 he signed to a WWE developmental deal but asked to be released in 2006. He gained buzz working for various companies such as ROH, PWG, and most importantly DDT. In DDT he had wrestled and teamed with Kota Ibushi. In 2010 he debuted for New Japan. Together he and Ibushi as the Golden Lovers even held the IWGP Junior Tag Titles that same year. However it wasn't until 2014 he signed a full time New Japan contract. On November 8th he was reveled to be the newest member of the Bullet Club. Omega actually wasn't happy with this as he felt foreign guy joins Bullet Club was overdone he also struggled with the early mob influenced Cleaner character. 

Yet by adding more comedy to his matches along with strong matches with people like Kushida and Taguchi he found his feet. 2016 would see Omega get his big break with several people including AJ Styles leaving New Japan Omega was promoted to the heavyweight division. At New Year's Dash Omega pinned Shinsuke Nakamura in a tag match and than kicked AJ Styles out of both Bullet Club and New Japan. While also forming a Bullet Club sub group called The Elite with The Young Bucks. He followed that up winning the IWGP Intercontinental Championship beating Tanahashi. And in the summer he made history becoming the first Gaijin to win the G1 Climax beating form G1 champion Hiroki Goto. After he defended the briefcase during the fall stage was set. 

Match One Wrestle Kingdom 11 January 4th 2017 Tokyo Dome- Now earlier I said there  was a question over each match? For the first one the question is  Kenny Omega IWGP worthy? Which fits both in the ring and backstage. In kayfabe Omega had won numerous championships and the G1 but still its a big ask to beat Okada kind of like how a MMA fighter's reputation is in doubt until the fight in the UFC. Omega himself admitted had AJ, The Good Brothers, and Nakaumra not left for WWE he would have just been booked as a Junior still. And remember Wrestle Kingdom is New Japan's biggest show thus Gedo must of had faith in Kenny to put him in the main event when you look at other members of the roster who could have won the G1 instead. Now on the pre match VTR along with comments made by both men were brought up leading New Japan world wide. By this time New Japan World was a thing the AXS TV show was also happening. But I kind of feel those are the same thing. By this time Okada had firmly cemented himself as NJPW's top guy while Omega needed to beat him to have any claim of leadership.

Since this is in the Tokyo Dome we do get some added stuff for the intros. Kenny's video and walk out gear are inspired by The Terminator which became a logo for him along with use of the rise position before his big flip dive. The Young Bucks are with Omega as his seconds for the match. I do admit I love Kenny's pre match look the jacket the gun even the half mask. Okada's pre tron video shows planets and star, than moving into a shot of earth and finally the dome before finally showing the Dome itself I think its invoke the idea of Okada as this almost god like figure. Not a god lin the christian sense but more in the way the term is used in Japan. Okada didn't create the world but he's one of the most powerful beings on it. We also get our Okada dollars raining down. Gedo is in the corner of Okada as his long time manager. There is a really nice shot before match. Okada stands on the ropes doing his intro hearing his public cheer for him he than turns with a stern look to Omega only for the cameras to show Omega has turned away almost as if he's doing all he can to block out the power of Okada in the moment.

Finally Red Shoes calls for the bell and the two men stare each other down not moving finally circle and tease a lock up only to break away. One more second later they finally lock up. Omega with the early advantage twisting on Okada arm which makes sense as he's what is Okada's big move? The Rain Maker so taking out the arm would take that away. Okada takes control with a headlock for a second only for Omega to go to the eyes for a break. Omega manages to drag Okada to the mat with headlock even when Okada hits a back drop suplex he won't break it. I like that its a good early spot to show how determined Omega is he doesn't no sell the pain of the move but instead shows he's willing to take some pain to do his damage. When Okada dries the move again Omega changes course flipping over Okada to land on his feet. We do get a minor issue early as during a jackknife pin it looks like Okada wasn't sure if Kenny was ready so he just stops himself and stares for a second. Okada gets control finally using arm drags into an arm bar.  Okada does his tease a chop only to break free spot. 

The pace starts to pick up after a boot Kenny sees a chance for the one winged angel but Okada escapes and looks for the rain maker only for Omega to avoid it and spit in Okada's face. Okada chase Omega to the floor with Omega trying to get the edge back into the ring but Okada lands a big boot  than his one foot drop kick. So far I like pacing we got our early feeling out process which makes sense given its the two men's first singles match. Plus the match before this that night had seen Tanahashi win the IC title from Naito so the crowd needed a breather or you risk wearing them out to early. But now we are seeing the pace quicken the bigger shots are coming out. Omega rolls to the floo but Oakad follows him out and whips him into the guard rail hard. Omega tries for a suplex on the floor but Okada winds up turning into an elevated DDT on the floor. Okada than gets a table from under the ring. Kevin Kelly on commentary reminds up Omega has put Okada through a table during the lead up to Dome. This moment backfires on the champion though as Omega recovers enough to land a forearm. Omega tries toss Okada over the guard rail but Okada stops himself and sends Kenny over instead. 

Running crossbody diving over the guardrail by Okada. Its an amazing sight as Okada gets so much height on the dive. Finally Red Shoes starts the count and Okada returns the match to the ring. Slam by Okada than a sling shot senton. So one thing I notice is Omega with the spit and other stuff like going to the eyes and pulling the hair was trying to get Okada mad enough to make a mistake because he was so angry. But Okada is instead able to channel any rage into added fury with his attack but he's not blindly punching hunting a knockout. Pin by Okada gets on as Omega yells now. Chin lock by Okada when Omega tries to get free Okada with a neck breaker for a two count. Omega with forearm Okada goes for an Irish whip. Duck under by Omega he coms back around and dropkicks Okada in the knee. Kotaro Krusher by Omega for one. 

Big knife edge chop by Omega and Okada grabs his chest. Forearm by the back by Omega and Okada drops only for Omega to splash onto his back. Body slam and Omega goes for an elbow it misses. Okada goes for a senton but it misses. Forearm again to the back by Omega he covers for two. Omega looks for again, Okada starts to fight back only to take knee to the gut. Snap rana by Omega and Okada rolls to the floor. Rise of the Terminator Dive by Omega and it's picture perfect as he's fully extended and well clear of the the ropes. Omega slams Okada back first onto the apron and Okada yells in agony. Back to the ring missal dropkick to the back of the head. Omega covers and Okada has to reach out with his hand to the ropes to break the pin. Really smart moment there. During Omega's take over Okada still showed fire but that shows just how quick the figth has been drained out of the IWGP champion. Reverse chin lock by Omega.

Omega looks for either a power bomb or a piledriver but Okada bases out Omega with the Muay Thai clinch but Okada catches a knee and hits a fire men's carry slam. Both men are down  Okada up and starts to hits forearms and than a running back elbow.  Running back elbow in the corner by Okada than a DDT and a running uppercuts for two by Okada. Red Ink by Okada which was his submission finisher pre money clip. Omega to the ropes. Okada to the top but Omega is back up. Okada lands on his feet. Omega charges  Okada gest him up and hits the reverse neck breaker. Okada back to the top rope goes for the elbow but Omega gets his legs up. Back breaker by Omega Oakda to the floor. Vicious looking baseball slide by Omega and Okada is sent over the guard rail.  Springboard moonsault by Omega again amazing height this time by Omega. 

Okada lays motionless on the floor. Kenny fights and gets back into the ring as Red Shoes stars the count. Okada stumbles to his feet. Kenny cuts Okada off he places the table from earlier on top of the Rain Maker and hits a double stomp. Omega gets his second wind and brings Okada back to the ring for a folding power bomb for two. Dead lift Dr. Wiley bomb by Omega for two. On the floor the Young Bucks set up the table. Omega moves to the apron. Red Shoes hooks Kenny's arm and won't let him do what ever he's got planned. Kenny gives up that apron and starts to drive knees to Okada in the ring.  Okada appears to be out on his feet he is whipped hard into the corner and than just collapes. Omega starts to keep sloppy and charges into a boot but Okada can't keep control. You can't escape finaly roll and moonsault by Omega for two. We get a shot of a nasty gash on Okada's back. 

We get another excellent shot Omega has this sick joyful smile on his face as he sets up for a snap dragon. Meanwhile is in pain his eyes shut. Okada fights free and is able to eventually get his mounted drop kick sending Omega to floor. Okada pulls Omega to the apron They tease a table spot. Omega teases the one winged angel but Okada slips off back into the ring. Stiff sounding chops by Omega he charges but Okada back drops him. Omega goes flying over the top rope and into the table on the floor destroying it. Both men are down. Omega from the table and Okada from the accumulation of damage.  Okada finally gets out and and tosses Kenny back in. Okada top missile drop kick to the seated Omega. Cover by Okada but Omega kicks out at two. Elbow drop from the top by Okada. Now Okada is into this second wind and does his rain maker pose trying to get that extra surge from the fans.

Rain maker attempt but Okada gets the ropes. No clean break this time Okada hits Kenny in the back. Kenny drives Okada into the corner back first on another rain maker attempt.  Omega tries to pick Okada up but his back his shot and he can't.  Finally Omega sits Okada on the top rope. Okada knocks im off but Omega goes to the back again.  Both men stand on the top rope. Avalanche Dragon suplex Okada lands on his head. Omega has to crawl for the pin which lets Okada kick at two. Aoi Shoudou by Omega. V trigger misses. High angle German Okada he holds on and goes for the rain maker. Omega avoids it and hits the V trigger. Omega goes for it again but Okada hit the drop kick. Rain maker attempt this time Omega kicks the arm. V trigger is blocked once but a second gets it. Reverse rana by Omega. Okada tries to get but up but collapses back down. To me that is a more effective sell than just staying down. It sends the message the mind might be on but the body can't respond.

V Trigger connects again. Kenny sets for the one winged angel. Okada lands on his feet. Omega goes for a cutter but Okada catches him and hits the tombstone. Rain Maker finally. The crowd counts 1 and 2 only for Omega to kick at two. We get one more excellent shot as Okada sits in shock. At this moment Okada has gotten the answer to the question. Kenny Omega is IWGP worthy because in punishing grueling match Kenny Omega took Okada's best shot and kicked out. Omega is trying to stand but he's so hurt. Okada gets up and acts confused he's exhausted and now he's not sure if The Rain Maker is enough. Omega from his knees punches but Okada no sells it. Omega gets diryt again and goes for the eyes. Okada makes him pay with a shotgun dropkick. Okada pulls a limp Omega up looking for the tombstone but Omega reveres it. Bastard Driver by Omega for only two. Both men on there knees exchange elbows. The fight to there feet and Omega lands a punch but Okada shakes it off. Raid fire exchanges of strikes But Omega goes under the legs. Snap dragon V trigger only two. V Trigger to the back of the head and once again Omega looks for the one winged Angles. Okada gets the wrist lands on his feet Rain Maker. Both men are down but Okada sticks his fist up in the air because in his other hand is Omega's wrist. Its a call back to last year's main event at the Dome. Omega with with desperate strikes an knees but Okada won't leg go clothesline by Okada. Main makers misses more fighting for position and Omega with dropkick.

Omega with the rain maker pose Rain Trigger by Omega and once again to the one winged Angle but Okada escapes again. Jumping tombstone and Rain Maker. The crowd counts 1 2 3. "GOT HIM!" Kevin Kelly yells. Post match we see shots of people crying after the match out of joy. Gedo and the Bucks check on there men as Corino puts over the match. Omega falls to the floor just as Okada is presented with his IWGP title. Post match Gedo puts over Omega but goes into his usual on another level speech for Okada. Okada stands clearly spent and exhausted but knowing once more he's' shown he's the best. Finally Okada can speak he declares himself the 1 guy in New Japan and declarers he will make New Japan big all around the globe.

Conclusion- I actually think I like this match the more it ages and the more times I watch it. So many things about this match just hold up and like a lot of good forms of entertainment you notice things the more you watch it. Also there are just so many little things that just work for example later in the match Omega trying to pick up Okada up but having to put him down because the back is hurt. Also both guys were really on here. Okada's always had a great dropkick but his ones on this night looked better than usual. Another key was the risks both men took such as the spring board  moonsault by Omega or Okada landing on his head from the top rope Dragon Suplex. And I do think there were other factors that helped this match. like being in the dome on January 4th. And the New Japan camera crew was really on catching some great shots. Finally the selling is outstanding. People have this bad habit of thinking New Japan matches are a lot of no selling that gets called "Fighting Spit." 

But that isn't really what happens. When done well fighting spirt is about over coming the damage you have taken or blocking out the pain. Omega and Okada never no sell fully. Its more a case of they know that body part is hurt but have to hurt it more to do damage and win the match. There are some really good reversals and changes of momentum. You get a lot of when Kenny is taking over Okada fights back a bit trying to stop it or vice versa when Okada is taking over. Now there are some issues. Late in the match both men spam moves Okada the rain maker and Omega the V trigger. I do kind of see what they were doing it was late in the match both men are spent so they are going for that big shot they can do in there sleep instead of some combination they don't often do. You could also make the point the match is a bit to long which might also explain the spamming. But overall this is strong match. I can buy saying it's not the greatest match ever but I think anyone saying it's bad is either a WWE fan that can't accept the best aren't working for Vince or Cornette fans that have an ax to grind because Omega did comedy at one point.

Between the Matches-  Now a misconception lost to history at times is the post match reaction. Some now think Dave Meltzer and only Dave went nuts for it and than everyone on the internet just went with Dave's review. But even before Dave gave match one six stars there was a strong buzz about the match. I do think the news of a scale breaking added to it. But I also think the buzz was helped that this was a match from New Japan fans could get pretty easily. No tape trading no having to find it onlie and how you are downloading the actual full match.

As for Omega he actually disappeared from New Japan after the match. His contract was up and WWE did in fact approach him. While Omega did openly admit he wanted a match with AJ Styles on a big stage (A match with AJ back in mid 2000's inspired him to keep wrestling when he was thinking about retiring) he resigned with New Japan. Returning in February for Honor Rising. Around this tension began to build with newest Bullet Club member Cody. Omega also got upst in the first round of the New Japan cup by Tomihiro Ishii staring a feud that would play out into the summer. 

At New Year's Dash Okada and the rest of CHAOS were attacked by the returning Suzuki Gun leading to a title defense against Minoru Suzuki at New Beginnings. At Sakura Genesis it was NJ Cup champion Katsuyori Shibata in a match that sadly ended Shibata's career and later on Okada would admit in a documentary about his career this match badly shanked his confidence. Finally at Wrestling Dontaku Okada beat old rival Bad Luck Fale. Post match Okada issued a challenge to Omega for a rematch.

Match Two Dominion 6.11 June 11th 2017 Osaka-jo Hall- Kenny Omega wasn't happy with the rematch being so soon after the first one. Which I can understand given the attention the first match got the pressure would on when the rematch happened. With the January 4th match still so fresh in people's mind there were risks of simply not being able to top or approach the first match. I also bet Omega wanted a longer build given he has made it clear he wants longer stories in wrestling. But Gedo booked the rematch for Dominion likely due to New Japan wanted to make Dominion the second biggest show of the year. And what better way to do that than give the rematch to the match everyone had been talking about for six months. The question over this match is Can Omega finally Hit the One Winged Angel? Back in the Tokyo Dome Okada had been able to escape the hold every time Omega went for it. Yet it had also been  shown it took more than one Rain Maker put down. Basically Okada needed his best weapon twice while Omega still had a bullet in the chamber.

Same seconds as last time out Okada with Gedo and The Bucks are with Omega. The opening pre match video highlights Okada's title defenses since The Dome match and his challenge to Kenny. We get clips of the first match in it as well. I don't speak Japanese so I don't know what Okada was saying but Omega bragged that Okada needed him to have his greatest match. And Kenny saying the belt is the thing on his plate. Worth nothing Don Callis has replaced Steve Corino on the English team. Nothing special is done for Omega's entrance. I would say Omega looks more confident. I think an idea he was trying to get across was the idea he now knew what it took it beat Okada. For the Rain Maker's entrance there is traditional Japanese music that plays and he comes out with an extra robe. I would also say this time Okada seems more nervous almost like the moment is getting to him a bit. Omega looks bigger for this match as Callis mentions he's added 15lbs of muscle. 

The bell rings and just like the dome each man is slow to even come out of the corner. Finally the lock up and again Kenny targets teh arm early. Okada looks for a leg hold but Kenny kicks him off. Omega with an early head lock and drops Okada with a shoulder tackle. Kenny with trash talk but Okada ties him forces him into the corner and does a clean breaker. Shoulder block and Okada knocks Kenny down. Even exchanges with man able to land something but not a major move during all this. Okada gets Kenny down and goes for the sling shot senton but Kenny gets the legs up. Early one winged angel and rain maker teases. Okada with a neck breaker and only gets one. Okada appears to tweak his knee at one point when he stops to check it Kenny with a snap rana. Okada to the floor Omega starts to do rise of the Terminator but Okada is back in and hits a bit boot. Omega to the floor and Okada with a tope but he comes down grabbing his leg. Okada tosses Kenny back in but needs a second due to his knee. Kenny sees his chance drop kick to the knee when Okada climbs back in.

Shin breaker and a springboard dropkick to the knee. Figure Four by Omega. So match one Kenny really targeted Okada's back this match so far its the knee. I also like how they set it up. Its not so much Kenny is giving up on the game plan that he had success with in the Dome its more he seems a chance given to him by fate. Okada rolls over to reverse the pressure but Omega rolls through to keep control. Than in a small but really nice moment as Okada goes for the ropes Kenny grabs a hold of him. Finally Okada is able to get the ropes. Kenny drags Okada to the floor and slams his knee on the apron than onto the ringside Doctor's table. Kenny and the Bucks celebrate while Okada is down. The referee starts the count. Okada hops his way back to the ring. Omega hangs Okada's knee and stomps it. Kenny kicks at the leg and the face but Okada is getting ticked off  and he fires back.

Amazing exchange of the direction by Kenny. Than we get another really good spot. Omega will often slide to his knees when doing a duck under. When Okada misses a clothesline comes right back with a basement dropkick catching Omega right in the face. Yet Okada is slow to follow up with the knee being hurt. Flapjack by Okada. Both men are up and Okada with a running back elbow the the corner back elbow  Victory roll by Okada into red ink. Omega gets free by getting the ropes. Out to the floor and Omega blocks a whip into the guardrail. He springs up but Okada shoves him off. Okada with the diving cross body over the guard rail. Back to the ring and Okada to the top. Omega moves and Okada jumps over him. Okada with a chance at the tombstone but Omega reveres position but than Okada. Omega into a roll up. Reverse neck breaker by Okada. The IWGP champ goes to the top for the elbow but he misses as Omega rolls away. Pump handle back breaker by Omega. Okada to the floor only to eat baseball slide. Top rope by Osi Moonsault by Omega. Even more amazing he nearly slipped but caught himself and still hit the move.

Back to the ring Omega with the dropkick to the back of the head. Okada sells it like he's been shot. Cover by Omega for two. Dr. Wiley bomb and another two count for the challenger. Snap dragon is block. Omega with a hard forearm to the back and he looks for the one winged angel Okada punches free and lands a stiff forearm. You can't escape by Omega but Okada gets the legs up on the moonsault. Exchange of Forearms. Omega slaps but Okada with one of his own rocks Omega. Big chop by Omega and Okada collapses. Omega winds up on the apron but he climbs the ropes. Okada goes up with him.  Omega teases a super bomb but Okada blocks. Okada teases a neck breaker but Omega blocks. Kenny back into the ring and nails Okada. Omega wants the top rope dragon but Okada knocks him away. Okada powers free of a second attempt. We hit the 25 minute mark. Both out to the apron. Death Valley Driver by Okada and Omega hits hard. 

Omega tries to climb back in but Okada pulls back down to the floor. Shotgun dropkick by Okada and Omega sent hard into the guardrail. Okada gets a table out from under the ring and sets it up. Omega has gotten into the ring but is still down on his back. Okada back in and hits an uppercut. Okada whips Omega in and teases he will again back body drop Kenny over the top through the table. But this time Omega is able to land a kick to stop it. Omega goes for a power bomb but Okada nearly slips free Omega pulls him back up. Awesome bomb attempt but Okada gets free. Omega charges Okada with a back body drop last second Kenny lands on the apron. Omega with a springboard but Okada with the dropkick. This time the top rope elbow hits and we get the rain maker pose. 

Okada wants the rain maker but Kenny blocks it at 30 mintues. Omega sits Okada on the top rope. Okada with a stiff shot but Omega presses on and hammers Okada. Top rope superplex cover by Omega for two. Aoi Shoudou by Omega. V triggers misses, Okada with a German but Kenny lands on his feet and now hits the V trigger. One winged angel attempt but Okada escapes, Kenny counters the rain maker into the backslide to set up for another V Trigger. Okada catches the knee. Dead lift German by Okada he rolls through for a second. Rain maker by Okada 1 2 and no. The crowd goes crazy as again Omega kicks out of the rain maker in a IWGP title match. Okada goes for a drop kick but Omega catches him and hits a sit out power bomb. Both men are out on there feet but Omega with the big chop. Kenny ducks a rain maker attempt to hit snap dragon. Elevated dropkick by Okada and Omega is sent to the floor. Okada places Omega on the table. Okada to the top. Elbow drop connects. That is the second time in this match Okada has done a flying move to the floor form the ring. Unusual for him but a great way to sell he has to go further to beat Omega. He can't just count on the same old moves.

Both are down finally Red Shoes starts the count. Finally Okada rolls Omega back in. Okada back to the top missile dropkick gets two. Basement dropkick and a second one by Okada than a third. Okada covers but Omega's arm is under the ropes. We see the ringside doctor checking on Omega. Omega weakly fires shots at Okada and geos for the eyes but Okada just shakes it off. Short armed rain maker by Okada but he holds on. Omega grabs the ropes but is pulled away. Rain Maker again knocks him back down. You hear Gedo screaming "Finish Him!" The referee wants to check on Omega. The rest of Bullet Club comes to ringside. Cody has a towel and the Young Bucks have to restrain him to stop him from throwing it in. This is part of the Kenny and Cody story. Cody on the surface is acting like Kenny's friend the good teammate but in reality he sees his chance to make Kenny 0-2 vs. the champ and thus being able to say "Gee guys maybe Kenny doesn't have it in him to beak Okada."

But than Kenny sees what Cody is doing and he's able to hit  a v trigger and spike Okada  with a reverse rana. The rest of Bullet Club surround the ring and slap the mat. I think the idea is supposed to be Cody worked on GOD', Fale, Yujiro, and Hangman for a while and swayed them to his side but than they see Kenny rally back and all of a sudden they are behind there leader and his chance to bring the title back to the club. Kenny grabs the towel and whips himself with it. V triggers attempt but Okada with a dropkick. Rain maker misses Kenny with Rain trigger. V Trigger to the head. One Winged Angel Oakda to his feet. Jumping V Trigger. One Winged Angel set up Okada can't get free it hits. Cover 1 and 2 and Okada's foot is in the ropes. Okay at this stage the crowd is on fire it really seems to be they have sided with Kenny and are thinking it's a new champion's moment. Kenny finally hits his big move and all that saves Okada is bad ring posting and his own long leg falling just right. 

The replay shows just how close Red Shoes was to three and a great look by Kenny when he sees how Okada survived. Kenny pulls Okada to the center he does the bang pose but Okada gets up and hits a clothesline. They call it rain maker but really its a clothesline. Both men are back down. Red Shoes starts to count them out. Both men stand for a second only to fall back down to stop the count. Finally back up. Exchange of forearms. Kenny Omega drops Okada and than hits the snap dragon. Okada recovers and Kenny runs into the dropkick. Elbows by Okada as we hit 50 minutes. Kenny lands one but Okada with a series. Knee by Omega and again. Okada drops Kenny falls into the pin but only get a two count. Okada isn the corner. V Trigger to the back of the head. Omega gets Okada up but Okada slips out the back and hits the tombstone both men are back down. Primal scream by Okada as he pulls Kenny back up  the rain maker. 

Than we get a brilliant bit of story telling. Kenny simply collapses all the damage he's taken has been to much but Okada has swung wild and falls himself. Kenny by sure luck gets a chance to recover as Okada uses all he had left to go for that missed chance. Okada can't get Kenny up for another tombstone. Omega with a flurry but he falls into the ropes. V Trigger to the face and Okada is glassy eyed at 55 mins. Another knee to the face. Omega with the jump knee. He wants the one winged angle but Okada out the back with a dropkick sends Kenny face first into the ropes. Less than 4 mins now. Jumping tombstone by Okada. German with a bridge by Okada and he only gets two. Small package by Omega for two. Dropick by Okada knocks Kenny down again as are at the 2 minute warning. Okada has to crawl to Omega and he screams trying to fire himself up as he tries to block the pain and exhaustion. Omega holds onto the ropes to block the rain maker with a minute left. Snap dragon by Omega by Okada is back up for the drop kick. Rain maker but Okada loses the wrist he falls across the ring at 30 seconds left. Okada can barley move and he crawls to try and pin Omega but the time limit is up. Post match like everybody at ringside piles into check on both men. Don says the might have just topped the Tokyo Dome.

Even after the match Kenny is trying to reach out tryng to fight on. Finally the Young Bucks rolsl there friend to the floor. We get a great shot as Omega regains his sense looks into the ring and it dawns on him the title has once again elude him. Kenny than collapses to the floor. The Bullet Club surround him. What ever issues might be on with the group for now they are behind Omega as there leader. The fans cheer for Kenny as Kevin Kelly and Don Callis put over what a warrior Omega is. Back in the ring Okada has laid still for several minutes. Finally he is presented his belt. This time though the relief he felt post match on January 4th isn't there. Okada can't even stay standing. When Gedo starts his post match speech Okada sits in the corner. Its clear what his thoughts are. "I maybe champion but I didn't win and for me that is a loss." Okada puts over Omega post match and thanks the fans. Finally Okada is able to stand but even than on unsteady feet. He finishes his speech but even than falls to his knees in order to do his pose for the fans. In kayfab it's clear Okada was hoping to put Omega behind him once and for all. If anything though Omega has now pulled nearly even with Okada in standing in the New Japan pecking order. 

Conclusion- In general I feel the sixty minute draw has been overly romanticized in pro wrestling. Back in the day it was a easy way to protect a local draw who wasn't going to beat the traveling world champion. Often a match that goes sixty ha a lot of filler in it. A lot of stuff done to stretch out the run time and gives the talent a chance to there breath. But that doesn't mean you can never do a 60 minute draw its just has to be the right time. Now I'm blessed with knowing how the feud will go. So now knowing what happens a year later I see why they went with this draw. In Okada's record setting title reign his match is the *. The match he couldn't win. But does this match hold up on its own? 

I would say yes for the most part. The match does some great call backs to the Dome with out being a lazy redo of it. And I can't stress hot crowd was espically when it looked like Omega had the title won. The two are able to keep a strong pace even as the match goes on. Again some of the moves look brutal. The biggest issue is Okada totally no selling his bad leg after a while. Made even worse but just how many dropkicks he landed. I really wonder he ever sold the knee at all if he was going to make a move that requires strong legs his biggest offensive move most of the match. I do really like we see a sense of desperation from Okada at times. Him doing big risky moves trying to put Omega away. Or how wild he gets with the Rain Maker trying to land it with the most force. But like a boxer hunting a knockout he's putting himself in danger. 

 Some might find the stuff with Cody to be a negative I am fine with it. I think it helps that seems to be the point where Kenny is the closet to winning the match. See Cody and his clear efforts to take over fires Omega up even more. Is this better than the Dome match? I think it might depend on the day you watch it. Sometimes I enjoy this match more other times I would pick the dome match. The critics seemed to favor this match. Mainly Dave who give is a .25 star more. 

Thank you for reading. Next time we will look at The G1 match as well the final encounter between The Rain Maker and The Cleaner. And I will give my overall thoughts on the whole series the feud and it did for both men and wrestling a whole.