21 Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega 2 out of 3 falls New Japan Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall 06/09/18- By June of 2018 Kazuchika Okada's IWGP title reign had reached a full seven hundred and twenty days, two hundred thirty-one days more than the previous record. He had also racked up a record twelve title defenses. In this reign he had turned back invaders from rival Pro Wrestling NOAH, fought of MMA legend Minoru Suzuki, British technical wizard Zack Saber Jr. He's denied longtime rival Tetsuya Naito his moment in the Tokyo Dome and even turned back old rival Tanahashi once again. But it's twelve defenses with only eleven victories. The draw with Kenny Omega one year earlier had allowed him to keep the title but Okada wanted the win. Thus, upon setting the record for defenses he issued a challenge to Omega two out of three falls with each fall having no time limit. For Kenny Omega the last years has seen up and down. One of those ups saw him finally defeated Okada during the G1 Climax tournament. However, the Bullet Club has fracted separating Omega from his two friends The Young Bucks. Thankfully Omega when he needed a friend most his former tag partner Kota Ibushi had saved him. Now in the biggest match of his life it will be Ibushi in his corner.
Omega's entrance for this match sees a pre match video showing him in pain reflection on his past loss to Okada and the ongoing Bullet Club Civil War until an angelic looking Ibushi appears and their reunion plays. Finally, Omega enters in the best shape of his life. I know that's an overused term but Omega looks amazing. He also appears to far more at peace than he has the last two match. Okada on the other hand looks almost nervous. For two years now he's taken everyone's best shot and no one has gotten closer than Omega has to taking that title.
It's another back and forth even opening. There is a clear feeling of both men not wanting to make the first mistake. They trade position back and forth. There is a early high paced exchange when both men avoid the other's key moves and set up for there finisher. When Omega goes for the one winged angel both men wind up spilling to the floor over the top rope. It appears Okada is about to get the first real edge on the floor, he sends Kenny Omega into the guardrail and kicks him over. Okada looks for his crossbody dive over the rail. Omega is ready though and lands a V-Trigger. Okada yells out in pain before Omega slams him onto a guardrail and chairs. Returning to the ring Kenny attacks the head and neck using kicks and elbows. Finally landing a running boot to the side of Okada's head. Hard chops further wear Okada down and it's followed up with a back breaker that gets the two count. Omega locks in a chin lock before moving into a camel clutch doing more damage to the back of Okada. Finally, Okada gets a move in when he catches Omega to hit a flap jack. But just how much damage he's already taken it's Omega who is up first.
Okada gets an opening when he ducks a clothesline and catches Omega with running elbow. Another elbow and then the DDT. Looking to change up the play book Okada locks in a cobra clutch. It's a nice touch as at this time it wasn't a move Okada used but give how big this match is plus how the fact it's there forth singles match going for something the other isn't ready for could a different move than normal might give that wrestler the edge. They wind up on the floor and Okada scores with a big slingshot crossbody. Back in the ring for a second Kenny Omega lands a snap rana that sends Okada to the floor. The baseball slide sends Okada over the guardrail. Calling back to their first match Omega lands the slingshot crossbody himself. Flying well over the rail and taking Okada out. Back int the ring a flying bulldog by Omega is followed up by this neck breaker out of a vertical suplex. We get a replay of the last title match when Omega misses a V Trigger, Okada hits a German only for Omega to land on his feet. Omega finally lands the V Trigger. But when he goes for the poison rana a move he's had success with, in past matches Okada hooks the rope, blocking it. German with a bridge by Okada gets a two count. Grabbing the wrist Okada looks for the rainmaker. Omega drives the champion into the corner to get free.
Having rocked Okada with elbows Omega puts him on the top and looks for the dragon suplex. Okada slips to the apron and manages drag Omega into a tombstone piledriver on the apron. A running dropkick by Okada sends Omega flying off the apron when he stands back up. Omega crashes back first into the guardrail. Returning to the ring Okada crushes a prone Omega with a dropkick off the top rope. Omega is now screaming in pain. A huge top rope elbow by Okada and he smiles seeing Omega in pain. Okada thinks it over, he dares to the rain maker pose but Omega had been playing possum, he pops up and hits the snap dragon. Okada rolls to the floor but he won't get time to recover as Omega lands the terminator dive. It's now Omega's turn to land a dropkick of the top. Omega sends Okada for a ride getting him into the electric chair but instead of the One Winged Angel he goes for dead lift German. Okada though finds a way to start landing dropkicks and he retakes control of the match for a second. Omega with this ripcord knee strike gets a very close two count. Gedo Okada manager frantically pouds on the apron cheering his man on. Both me trade position, Omega tries a crucifix pin but Okada blocks it traps the legs and shockingly gets a three count. I love they did a pinfall like this. It makes it clear to anyone watching to not just wait for the rainmaker or one winged angel. Any move can win. Also, it now changes the story. Omega must win two straight falls against a man who has only lost two falls in over a year, a man who in title matches hasn't been pinned since 2017.
Okada smugly smiles as the second fall starts. Omega goes out hot but leaves himself open to be elevated to top rope and getting knocked to the floor by a dropkick. Back on the floor Omega looks for a monsault off the guardrail only for Okada to knock him off again sending Omega crashing to the floor. Okada hands Kenny Omega on the rail and hits a DDT a move he did a lot of damage with back in there first match. In the ring Omega tries to strike Okada back down but the smug champion lets him strike and shakes them off. Finally he puts the challenger down with a big boot. Okada returns to the cobra clutch. This time he puts more pressure on it even demanding the referee check if Omega wants to quit. When Omega gets free for a second Okada goes for the hold again but gets a backdrop suplex. Another backdrop this time into the apron. Omega puts a table on Okada and gives him a double stomp off the apron. Omega sets up the table giving Okada time to recover and send him into the ring post. Okada goes for a familiar combo, the body slams lands but Omega gets his knees up on the senton. Omega looks for one of his combos out of the Finlay roll but Okada escapes and doe a high angle Death Valley driver. Okada fully retakes control with a shotgun dropkick into the corner. Okada goes back up the ropes but his injured ribs after the table spot slow him. Omega cuts off the move and lands a chop and Superplex off the ropes.
Omega again looks for the Finlay Roll into the Moonsault but Okada gets his knees up. With Omega hurt, Okada hits a running uppercut. Okada wants to backdrop Omega though the table. Omega sees it as a chance to land a tornada DDT. Both men wind up on the apron. Omega wants to German suplex Okada off the apron and though the table. A desperate Okada clings the ropes. Both men wind up falling to the floor it's Omega who lands the big move with a poison rana on the floor. Okada beats the count but Omega is waiting for a V-Trigger. Omega wants the One Winged Angel, but Okada escapes and hits the spinning tombstone. Now Okada wants the rainmaker but Omega counters into a Yurnagi to save himself. Champion and challenger return to trading forearm. Omega with a snapdragon but Okada back up with a dropkick, Omega reverses an Irish Whip and lands his own dropkick. A sit out powerbomb followed by a knee having Okada rocked. Omega looks for the tiger driver 98 but Okada with a back body drop sends him over. Okada falls foreword in a repeat of how the first fall ended but this time Omega escapes. Another V-Trigger and this time the Tiger Driver 98 spikes Okada into the mat. But it's only enough for a two count. Another Vi trigger and finally the one winged angel is hit. Unlike a year earlier it's the center of the ring and it's enough for three. Both men have won a fall.
In the down time between falls Okada is motionless he can only stare up at the lights like a boxer who had been knocked out cold. A desperate Gedo tries to wake his charge up. When the ref calls for seconds out Gedo stalls for every second he can. You see stuff like this in boxing or MMA. A corner doing all they call to extend the break. Finally, though the bell rings Okada has only just sat back up and Kenny Omega crashes into him with a V-Trigger to the back. Omega looks for the one winged angel. Digging deep Okada escapes and hits the V-Trigger but all that has done is draw him even. Both men are down until Okada finally crawls across the ring to cover. The time between the move and the pin is enough to let Omega kickout.
Fifty minutes and both men fight over a gut wrench position but can't get anything out of it. Okada finally drops Omega with an uppercut. Okada wants the dropkick off the ropes, but Omega just falls into the ropes and Okada falls the mat hard. Omega rains down a series of palm strikes and looks for a powerbomb. Okada blocks it but Omega block the hurricarana attempt and hits a styles clash. This move has a few layers to it. It's a move used to beat Okada in the past by AJ Styles, AJ and Kenny Omega have ties though the Bullet Club also Omega had used it once before in route to his G1 win. It only gets two but Omega stands first. Exhausted Okada is in the corner his back exposed a huge V-Trigger lands. Omega looks for the One Winged Angel but Omega collapses under the weight. Omega is able to counter a tombstone attempt into his own cradle tombstone only getting two. Kota Ibushi climbs to the apron and calls for Omega to do the Phoenix Splash. It's an amazing moves that sees the wrestler face out to the crowd on the top rope, jump and twist and spin back into the ring. Omega goes for it but Okada moves. A dropkick to the back by Okada lands. Again Okada looks for a tombstone but Omega escapes and lands another jump knee. Omega with a series of V-Triggers but Okada locks the third and lands the dropkick and a second one.
Okada goes for the rainmaker as the one hour mark closes in but he lacks the power to follow through instead collapses. Omega has done the impossible he's taken away Okada's best weapon. On there knees the two wrestlers exchange strikes. Omega finally drops Okada with a headbutt another move that isn't common for him. Standing back up Okada manages to land a short lariat but it's not the full rainmaker. The IWGP lands another one but collapses again. In a nice moment Okada locks eyes with Gedo who is begging him to finish the match. Okada has to do it, he has to land the rain maker. But Omega ducks it, he instead uses the chance to land a series of German suplex. Over and over again sending Okada flying to land on his head and neck. Okada revers and lands a German of his own. Okada regains control of the wrist. Again Omega ducks and lands the German suplex. Even when Okada gets free for a second it's a false down. He winds up giving Omega space for the poison rana. With seemingly nothing left Omega has to pull himself up using the referee. Omega charges for the running knee but Okada is able to get up and hit the dropkick.
Another attempt at the rainmaker but Omega slips out and goes for the One Winged Angel he doesn't get the full move in but he does drop Okada hard again right on his head. This match has now gone over an hour. The two men winds up sitting next to each other in the ropes. It's than a realization sets in, who ever gets up here wins. For seven hundred plus days Okada had been the man to stand up. But after twelve title defenses all Okada can do is watch as Omega comes crashing back in with a V-Trigger. Okada is powerless as Omega hosts him onto his shoulder and hooks the head. There is no last second miracle landing on his feet. There is no rope in reach to save him. Instead it's just three second the final three seconds of seven hundred and twenty days. Kenny Omega has finally done it, he had become the IWGP champion. It had been epic title reign and this was a epic match fitting of ending it.
There was a lot of pressure on this match. Okada's title reign wasn't just record setting but it was one of it not the most successful periods for the company business wise. So not only does this match have to be the ultimate blow to the long plus feud between the Omega and Okada but if this match doesn't work, plenty of fans will questions the call to go with Omega instead of Tetsyua Naito or simply keeping the title on Okada. Add into these two go well over an hour when they have already wrestled three previous long matches. Meaning they have to walk the line of coming up with new material while also calling back to those match without making it seem like a rerun. Yet it all works. Somehow once again the two men top what they have done before. It's amazing all the little touches the add. Back in 2019 when I watched this match for the first time I was amazed at how it flew by.
This match was something so rare in wrestling. For once it was happy ending. After his win Omega reunited with Young Bucks to celebrate his win. It was also a true end to the feud. Outside of a tag match a few weeks later Okada and Omega are yet to wrestle again. In early 2019 Omega departed NJPW for the upstart All Elite Wrestling. Okada remained with New Japan until January of 2024 when his contract expired. Okada stunned the world leaving his home promotion and singing with All Elite Wrestling. At time of writing this Omega is out due to health issues but a tease of a fifth match has happened.
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| Omega finally topples Okada's reign |
22 Shingo Takagi vs. Will Ospreay New Japan Best of the Super Juniors 26 Finals 06/05/19- Shingo Takagi began his wrestling career in 2004 for Dragon Gate a wrestling promotion in Japan that stands focusing on a faster pasted Junior Heavyweight style. Shingo though was the powerhouse of the company. In 2018 he jumped to New Japan and was pushed with a long unbeaten streak. Will Ospreay had been born in London England making his debut in 2012. Ospreay shot to fame with his amazing highflying. In 2016 Ospreay was working for the UK based promotion Rev Pro a company with a working agreement with New Japan. This allowed him to face off with Okada at a crossover show. This would lead to him being brought to Japan and made a member of Okada's stable CHAOS. He would win the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors tournament and by 2019 had two reigns as IWGP JR champion. BOSJ is a round robin tournament that sees wrestlers put in two blocks, you wrestle everyone in the block scoring two points for a win and one point for a time limit draw. Shingo won the A Block with a perfect 18 points. Ospreay won the B Block with 14. The finals are winner takes all.
In a nice touch when Ospreay makes his entrance a Katna sheathed on his belt. In the ring he points the weapon. Shingo's nickname is The Dragon and Ospreay has come to slay him. We get an early test of strength where Shingo has a clear edge. Shingo lands a big running shoulder but Ospreay defiantly kips right back to his feet. A rapid fire exchange breaks out that sees Shingo block a back handspring kick and a Oscutter two of Osprey big moves. Shingo back Ospreay into the corner and acts like he's going to break clean only to land a hard chop that drops Ospreay. The tide turns when Ospreay snaps a rana that sends Shingo to the floor. Back in the ring Ospreay hits a dropkick to the face. When Shingo rolls to the floor again he's taken out by a sling shot crossbody to the floor. But Ospreay tries to come off the guard rail, Shingo catches him drops him into the apron face first and follows up with a DDT on the floor. After a tense back and forth Ospreay is knocked to the floor again and Shingo hits a top con helio over the top. In the ring a high back body drop sends Will Ospreay crashing to the mat. An effort to fight back by Ospreay is cut off when he popped up and Shingo hits a Death Valley Driver.
Finally, though Ospreay finds a break. When Shingo runs the ropes, Ospreay swings momentum hitting the ropes himself and landing the handspring into a kick. An enziguri, followed by a Tiger Faint Kick and a running back elbow knock Takagi into the corner. A running dropkick across the ring and a running shooting star press give Ospreay a two count. Shingo flees to the floor only for Ospreay to backflip over the ropes for the Saskue Special. Returning to the ring Shingo is stunned after a spinning heel kick to the face. But then out of no where Shingo lands a straight right hand and a lariat that puts Ospreay down. Shingo catches a roundhouse kick and shows off his power flipping Ospreay into the air and crashing to the mat, a sliding lariat get two counts for Shingo Takagi. Shingo looks for a big move but Ospreay counter into a cutter giving him a chance to get back up he follows up with a running kick in the corner. He elevates Shino in the corner traps the head and lands the Checky Nando kick.
A battle on the ropes see Shingo catch Ospreay and land a Death Valley Driver from the top rope. Ospreay knows he can win a power battle so her turns to speed. He manages to elude several moves and land a few times. But Shingo's power remains more dangerous. He catches Ospreay on his back when Ospreay goes off the ropes for his Oscutter move. Shingo Drives him down face first. Shingo runs the ropes looking for the pumping bomber (his take on the lariat) but Ospreay goes over the top and somehow gets Shingo into the air for the sit out powerbomb. Fans cheer thinking Ospreay has pulled off the upset only for Shingo to kick at two. Ospreay looks for the Twisting jump kick known was the Robinson Special but Shingo moves. Back in control Shingo gives Osperay a wheelbarrow suplex into a corner. Out to the apron Shingo looks for the Noshagami again but Ospreay escape and lands a hook kick to the face. It's enough to stun Shingo for Ospreay to jump up and land the Oscutter. For the first time all tournament it's Shingo who had to dig deep to get back up. As he crawls into the ring Ospreay takes flight landing a dropkick off the rope. Shingo staggers to his feet Ospreay but fly's again landing a 630. Finally, Shingo is down, Ospreay returns to the top for a Shooting Star Press. After that he lands the Robinson Special And finally the Oscutter again. Ospreay covers he's strung together offense that would put down just about anyone. It can't keep Shingo down and he kickout at two.
Ospreay lands Kawada kicks to the chest and face. Shingo fires back with headbutt that puts Ospreay down. Time and again it's been made clear Shingo just needs one good shot to turn the tide back. Series of elbow by Shingo but Ospreay lands a hook kick and goes for this finish the Storm Breaker. Shingo block, Ospreay throw a kick but it's one to many, Shingo catches and lands his pump handle driver known as Made in Japan. Shingo cover but Ospreay kicks at two. Shingo is left stunned. But he recovers to land the pumping bomber and then a second one that sends Ospreay flipping through the air again. Another cover once again Osprey kicks out but he's so dazed he's even asking the ref it was two. Shingo lifts Ospreay up again but now in the air Ospreay lands the poison rana. Shingo goes to the well one to many times. He wants another pumping bomber but Ospreay uses the momentum flipping both men in the air for a Spanish fly. Ospreay lands a hook kick and follows it up with his running elbow The Hidden Blade to the back of the head. A top rope Oscutter by Ospreay and he goes to the final trick. He hooks Shingo's arm lifts him into the air and drives him back into the mat for his finisher the Storm Breaker. The dragon has been slayed. Will Ospreay gets the win.
A very simple but very well told story plays during the match. Ospreay has to string together offense while surviving Shingo. Can he string enough big moves together before Shingo is too much for him. However, Shingo is like the knockout artiest in boxing or MMA. He's used to the early finish and as the match goes on (it's noted on commentary only once had gone over twenty-five minutes in NJPW) he's getting tired as the match goes on. Those big shots become less and less effective and for Ospreay it's easier to find a counter. Which wins out? Brute Force or refined skill? Shingo and Ospreay had a lot of great matches against each other. But this feels the most important of all of them. Before this match both men were popular wrestlers but after this match, they wound up going to the top. Ospreay in particular after this went onto to put on classic match after classic match. This was the start of NJPW making Ospreay a true main eventer and him moving into the debate as the best in the world.
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23 Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page vs. The Young Bucks Nick and Matt Jackson AEW Revolution 02/29/20- The Young Bucks Nick and Matt Jackson made their name on the west coast. After a few false starts they truly found their grove in New Japan. It was in Japan they reunited with Kenny Omega. When Omega made his move to heavyweight and became leader of the Bullet Club, the three would form a subgroup known as The Elite. During the long hours in Japan the three would film a travel vlog that would be named Being The Elite. The Vlog would soon come to include comedy skits and promos to further storylines. The Bucks further made use of the growing social media landscape to grow their profile. In an era where the only way to become a "star" was to work for the WWE The Elite made themselves stars. Soon Adam "Hangman" Page joined the faction and BTE. Being the Elite was the story of friends rewriting the wrestling business. In 2019 The Elite would unite with Tony Khan to form All Elite Wrestling, the first truly national wrestling promotion in the USA outside of WWE since 2001. Most figured The Elite would dominate AEW. However the early days of the company saw the group fall short. Kenny Omega lost a match to earn a place in the first AEW world title match, Page made that match but lost to Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks meanwhile were upset in the first round of the tournament to crown the first ever AEW tag team champions.
After Omega and Hangman lost other big singles matches they would up forming a tag team and going on a winning streak and after winning a four-way match that also included the Young Bucks were granted a title shot. In January of 2020 they beat So Cal Uncensored to become the second tag team champions. Just ten days before The Revolution pay per view Nick and Matt Jackson won a battle royal making them the first challengers. The stable battle was only made more intense by the actions of Hangman. During the the early part of AEW he tried to separate himself from the Elite only to keep getting pulled back in. As his losses mounted he began to wear his heart on his sleeve lashing out at the others. Even when teaming with Omega there was tension. In a sit-down interview before the show things boiled over. The Bucks had enough of Hangman declaring he had been a jobber prior to them helping while Hangman walked out.
Even before the bell rings Hangman is trying to get in the Bucks face forcing Omega to pull him back. Kenny Omega starts for the champion while it's Nick Jackson for the challengers. We get an even trade off at the start after Nick gets the better with an arm drag he and Omega even exchange a friendly fist bump. Hangman and Matt tag in. It's another back and forth exchange only there isn't the goodwill. Matt tries to exchange the hand only for Page to spit on him. Infuriated Matt Jackson gets a double leg takedown and punches Page. Both Omega and Nick try to break it up. Nick tags in only to get slapped right in the face by Hangman. Now it's Nick's turn to be pissed and he lands a spinning back kick to Page's gut. Matt tags in and the Young Bucks double team Page and make a point to knock Omega off the apron. Just like that any pretense of friendship is over. Neck breaker, senton, another shot to Omega and another double team neck breaker on Hangman. Page finally gets behind Matt and lands a hard shot to the back. Matt Jackson had a legit back issue that had played a major role in his matches. A hard series of blows to the back by Page.
Page forcefully tags Omega in, let him land one move and then tags himself back in. We can see Omega's growing annoyance with this partner. The action spills to the floor with Page throwing Matt Jackson into a guardrail back first and then looking for a powerbomb through a table. Omega though has a limit. He stops Hangman and puts Matt back into the ring. Kenny Omega wants to keep the tag titles but he won't inflect an injury on his friend to do it. Back in the ring the champions are able to double team. Any comeback by Matt is hampered by his bad back. Finally, though he manages to hit s double norther light suplex giving him time to tag in Nick. Fresh and fired up Nick Jackson stick and moves taking out the tag champs one at t time. Kenny Omega tags in and sends Nick Jackson to the floor. Omega looks for the Terminatior Dive. Matt cuts it off once but Omega lands a snap Rana. He goes for it again, but this time Matt lands a superkick to save Nick.
The Young Bucks stay in control keep Omega trapped in their side of the ring and taunting Hangman. When Omega makes a dive for the tag, Nick's already pulled Page off the apron. Matt lands a piledriver on Omega drawing a two count. However, they taunt too much and finally let's Omega land a powerbomb on Nick before tagging Hangman. Now it's Hangman turn to be the house of fire, a leaping lariat to Nick, a fall away slam to matt, a senton over the top to Nick again. He sends both Young Bucks to the floor and then moonsault off the top rope to the floor. Page and Matt Jackson wind up as the legal men and begin to exchange punches. Matt Jackson lands a cross chop but then winds up getting booted by Page. Omega tags in lands a jumping elbow on Matt Jackson and then tosses him at Hangman who catches the challenger and hits a German suplex. Omega with the Dr. Bomb gets two. Hangman is back in and tries to charge at Matt in the corner, Nick though cuts him off landing a kick from the outside. Nick also takes out Omega with a superkick to the face. Nick Jackson who has tagged in by now comes into the ring and hits a Candian Destroyer (flipping piledriver) on Hangman Page getting two. The Bucks trap Page in the corner and land Made in Detroit a call back to old rivals the Motor City Machine Guns.
Page recover he lays out Nick with an rolling elbow. Kicks Matt in the shin and to follow up locks in a crossface chicken wing. This gets a huge pop and the time it was a great moment. As it was a call out another wrestler who had been in the Elite prior to AEW. Sadly in the years since stuff has come about the wrestler which taints it. Matt escapes the hold just before Nick hits a 450 splash onto the now exposed Page. A cover only gets two. The Young Bucks set up for their combo move The More Bang For Yout Buck. But Matt's bad back costs them again, Hangman escapes allowing him to shove Matt into the ropes knocking Nick off. Omega comes in. Finlay rolls Matt, Hangman follows up with a running shooting star press, and Omega than hits the moonsault off the second rope. In a nice touch all an injure Nick can do is reach out trying to stop the onslaught on his brother. Hangman turns his attention to Nick and moonsaults off the top rope with him. A powerbomb by Page followed by V-Trigger by Omega on Nick. A cover and Matt Jackson dives in to break up the pinfall. Kenny Omega tags in, a V-Trigger to Nick, one for Matt. Two snap dragons for Nick and the Tiger Driver 98. Omega covers but Nick manages to kickout.
Nick Jackson takes another V-Trigger. Trying to escape Nick climbs the ropes only setting Omega for the one winged angel. Nick counters into the poison rana. Hangman takes out Nick but when he swings at Matt who is on the apron he winds taking a Northern Light suplex that takes him over the ropes landing on the ramp AEW used for the show. More suplexs on the stage. Before one final one Matt has a look of regret as he drives his friend into the stage. Matt shakes it off. and calls for Nick. Matt hits a tombstone while Nick flies off the top rope to spike it. Its a combo known as the Indy Taker. A dangerous enough move that can end matches normally here it's even worse as it was on the stage. Both Jackson's have mixed emotions but they make their call. They return to the ring and hammer Omega with a series of Superkick to Omega's face. A double knee to the on Omega adding insult to injury as that same move the Golden Trigger had been his finisher in Japan with Kota Ibushi. Omega kicks at one. The Bucks hit again and again Omega kicks out only at two. Matt tags in legally and stomps at Omega's shoulder which came in injured from a match days before. Nick pulls his brother off their friend and begs him to come back to his senses.
The Bucks look to finish the match setting up for the Indy Taker again. But Page has recovered. He catches Nick and powerbombs him through a ringside table. Matt is now all alone. Hangman flips over the top rope for his buckshot lariat at the same time Omega lands a V-Trigger to the back. The cover and Matt Jackson kicks out. Omega goes for the One Winged Angle but his bad shoulder holds him back. Page tags in and hits the move himself. Nick dives in and breaks up the fall. Hangman though tosses Nick out to the ramp and hits the Buckshot. Matt Jackson is still hurt, he's wide open for Hangman to comeback in over the top and land the Buckshot. It's finally enough to end the match. In the after math The Bucks extend there hands, Omega accepts but Page turns his back. For a brief second it appears Page is setting up to hit the Buckshot on Omega only to embrace him, but that's another story.
I love this match just a little bit more every time I rewatch it. This match tells a great story on the night but is also so key in the wider story that leads to an eventual Omega and Hangman match. We as fans know sooner or later the tag champs will self destruct it's only a question of when? It's would easy to write off Hangman's behavior as that of a jerk or a hot head. But in reality we are seeing a man trying hide his insecurities. He set the goal of bein the first AEW champion and failed. He the tag titles, but it's thanks to Omega plus they are just holding the belts until the Bucks take them. He's the guy Matt Jackson said was just jobber until he joined the Bullet Club and Matt was right. The Young Bucks are also brilliant in this match, it's amazing how with matches like this people still cling to "they are spot monkeys who throw superkicks." Matt plays the role of hot head who loses it the point he even's attack Kenny the guy he's still supposed to be friends with. As with any big Kenny Omega match you can see his finger prints all over this match.
Things only got worse between The Elite in the months ahead. Hangman would cost the Bucks a number contenders match leading to him being kicked out of the group. Made worse a few weeks later he and Omega lost the tag titles. And in the fallout Omega left Page behind. As for the Bucks they would battle
24 The Young Bucks Nick and Matt Jackson vs. The Lucha Brothers Pentagon El Zero Mideo and Rey Fenix Cage Match AEW All Out 09/05/21- Fenix and Pentagon were a pair of brothers from Mexico who out there start in the Lucha Libre scene as their fame grew in Mexico they would make their way to the US Indie scene. They would also become top names in the show Lucha Underground as well as appearing for promotions like MLW and TNA. When AEW started it was the Lucha Brothers who were selected to be the Young Bucks first feud in the new company. Before AEW started the Bucks would beat the Lucha Bros for the AAA tag titles. At the first Double or Nothing in 2019 The Bucks won the rematch. However several months later at All Out Pentagon and Fenix won a ladder match to reclaim the titles. By 2021 The Bucks were finally the AEW tag team champions. While initially winning the belts as faces The Jacksons would turn heel retaining the titles with the help of outside interference. To prevent this the tag title match at the 2021 edition of All Out was announced as cage match. The Lucha Brothers would win an tournament earning there shot at the titles.
This is cage match can only be won by pinfall or submission, its also under tornado rules so no tags in and out. The match begins with the Lucha Brothers gaining an early edge. Cowardly heels The Young Bucks try to flee by climbing up the cage, resulting in Pentagon launching Fenix into the air to knock them back down. So much of the early action is to hard to recap as it's fast and furious. A theme does set in with the challengers always been able to get the edge in the end and land a big move, a nice one being a snap rana by Fenix on Nick as both stand on the top rope. Finally Nick and Matt get a break, they side stop the challengers when they charge and they go into the cage. Nick lands a double stomp on Fenix and uses the momentum to land a back stabber on Pentagon. Matt dropkicks Pentagon into the cage wall before landing a running powerbomb on Fenix sending him into the cage. Since they are heels Matt takes out a chain and uses it to choke Fenix. Greedy Matt Jackson goes for the powerbomb again only for Fenix land a hurricanrana. Older brother Pentagon gets back up landing his sling blade clotheslines and lands a backstabber on Matt. Another back and forth starts again with the challengers showing they have that edge.
Pentagon lands the made in Japan for a two count. Looking for a finish Pentagon sets up for a package piledriver while Fenix climbs the top to land a double stomp into combination on Matt Jackson. Whoever Nick is able to knock Fenix off into the cage and Matt escapes with a backdrop on Pentagon. Nick lands a vicious delayed German on Fenix on the apron, while Matt puts Pentagon in a sharpshooter. Fenix is able to recover and save his brother but it's only for a second. Matt hands Pentagon in the ropes letting Nick come off with a senton automico off the ropes getting a two count. A desperate Fenix tries to springboard, but the Bucks see him coming and land a double superkick sending him into the cage again. The Young Bucks look retain in style. Matt with a tombstone on Penta with Nick with a senton off the top on Fenix for a double pin. The challengers kick at two. The crowd meanwhile is behind the challenger with repeated chants of "Lucha Brothers". With Pentagon down the Bucks target Fenix. They set up for the BTE trigger a double knee strike with one knee to the back and the other to the front. It misses when Fenix moves at the last second. The Bucks try to set up for the Indy Taker but again Fenix escapes. With no rules Matt Jackson just kicks him below the belt with an added one for Pentagon who has finally gotten back up. While it's legal it's also dirty as hell. Its a moment the makes it clear The Bucks don't care about winning with honor. The Young Bucks hit there combo move more Band for the Buck on Fenix. Pentagon makes the save.
The Young Bucks are now pissed and they start to tear at the masks. If you watch enough wrestling you are likely aware of the importance of masks to Luchadors. If you aren't, well simply the mask is the wrestlers identity and losing it is a disgrace. Again it's the Jacksons playing dirty as they try to hold onto the belts. A double team lawn dart launches Fenix into the cage face first. On the outside the real life friend and storyline stooge of the Bucks, Brandon Cutler tosses a black bag into the ring over the cage wall. Matt pulls off one of his shoes and pulls out different shoe out the bag. A shoe with thumbtacks covering the body of it. Pentagon throws himself in front of younger brother eating the spiked kick instead. He than rammed into the shoe face first. Even though his mask we can see Pentagon is bleeding. A superkick to Fenix's face with the tack shoe by Matt followed by a poison rana by Nick. Finally the BTE trigger to Pentagon. That's it, the match is over. Pentagon can't kick out... But Fenix digs keep and breaks up the pin.
Having gained a second wind or or fighting spirt Fenix mounts the comeback. He uses his speed and the ropes to strike quickly and always be a head of Nick and Matt Jackson. Earlier in the match Matt had removed the tack shoe to just swing in but he wound up dropping it in Fenix's comeback. Now The Bucks turn to taste the tacks. Fenix mounts Matt onto his shoulders and spins him down as his slame him for the black fire driver. The crowd is going insane ready to celebrate new champions but Matt Jackson kicks out. We get a call back to earlier as the Lucha Brothers look for there package piledriver double stomp combo. Nick again tries to knock Fenix into the cage, only this time Fenix sees it coming and instead lands on the cage like a spider. Nick springs onto the cage call. As the two younger brothers fight it out, Matt pulls down Fenix while Pentagon pulls down Nick Jackson. The two older brothers hit an package piledriver on the apron to the other team's younger member.
Back in the ring proper the two older brothers brawl. They wind up on the ropes, Pentagon gets the edge and hits the Canadian Destroyer (flipping piledriver) off the top rope. All four men are down and struggle to stand back up. They exchange chops and superkicks with no one taking an edge. Finally all four men just fall to the ground setting the damage they have taken. Fenix is able to get up and hits a spinning hook kick on Nick. Finally the Lucha Brothers land there package piledriver and stomp combo on Nick. But Matt breaks up the pinfall attempt. Pentagon singles for Fenix to climb to the top of the cage. They want to do the combo off the top on Matt. Again, it's Nick who makes the save landing a superkick on Pentagon. Nick tries to climb to the bug is knocked down. Pentagon holds the champions in place as Fenix dives off the top with a crossbody. Pentagon gets up, Fenix and he spike Nick on a piledriver and cover for three count. Covered in blood, there masks torn but victories The Lucha Brother embrace.
Cage matches in modern wrestling have fallen into a formula and thankfully this match ignores that formula. We don't get the "shocking" run where someone else manages to get into the cage. Instead it all comes down to the four men in the match. They make great use of the cage but also are smart to limit the big move off the top until the end thus making it matter more when it comes. Like so many of these great the story is simple but done so well. The Lucha Brother have the edge in a fair fight so The Young Bucks don't let the match stay fair. They are petty ruthless bastards this whole match. They enjoy hurting their challengers. It just make the moment where Pentagon and Fenix overcome it all to finally win so much more satisfying. This match has been called the greatest cage match of all time, I see why. It a cage match that avoid all the traps of other cage matches. The pacing is great it's a match that the perfect length it's long enough to get everything in but doesn't drag at any point.
As of right now they is the last major two on two match. Eventually The Lucha Brother with there partner Pac would face off vs. Bucks and Kenny Omega in an amazing Best of Seven Series for the AEW trios titles. And well it was seven amazing matches worth seeking out if you haven't seen them.
25 Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Adam Page AEW Full Gear 11/13/21- Hangman Adam Page had failed throughout his AEW career. He failed to become the first AEW world champion, he ruined his friendship with the Young Bucks, he was the one lost the tag titles when he and Omega did drop the belts. On that night Omega ended there partnership allowing Page to fall flat on his face and walking out on him. At Full Gear 2020 the now former partners met in the finals of a tournament with the winner getting a world title shot. Omega took the victory yet again Hangman failed. Omega would cement a heel turn upon winning the AEW world title from Jon Moxley with the help of his long time and real life mentor Don Callis. Already holding the Mega Championship the top title in AAA, Omega would also win the Impact Wrestling (the name TNA was under at the time) world title. The Belt Collector Kenny Omega was on top of the world. Hangman though would find new friends at the bottom. The Dark Order a faction that at the time was a bit lost due to the tragic real life passing of it's leader Mr. Brodie Lee. Through a series of backstage and online segments Page and the faction bonded. Now I can't go into all of this but there are numerous videos and that cover it such as this one that covers it all.
It would be his new friends that would push for Hangman Page to once again chase his dreams. The stage was set a huge ten man elimination tag match. Page teaming with members of the Dark Order against Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, and there friends the Good Brothers. Like a hero in an old western Hangman put a noble fight... but he lost, he failed again. The next week The Elite beat Page down putting him off TV during the summer. October 6th 2021, AEW was celebrating the second anniversary of it's television show Dynamite. The main event was a Casino Ladder match where the winner would get a shot at Omega and the AEW world title. Page returned and finally did it. He won. For the first time in over two years Hangman Adam Page was in line for the world title. Still though Kenny Omega remained in the way. In order to get the belt Page would have to defeat his former friend, his former partner, he would have beat the best wrestler in the world.
The entrances for this match is amazing we a get a drone flying through the street outside the Target Center where this event is held. WE see Hangman riding on a horse as clips of this journey to this moment play adding to the aura the massive Cowboy Shit chant from he fans who are ready to see him finally him make good. As Hangman finally reaches the stage he smiles. All the anger, and frustration of the last two plus years have faded away. These are his people and this will be his title. Omega enters wearing his AEW world title with Don Callis. Omega looks disgusted he's trying to drive home the point he's so far above the challenger. But just before the match we see him break, Omega tries to taunt Page but Page doesn't bite. For just a second Omega looks nervous.
Early on Hangman gains control on locks up, a chop exchange, and a battle of shoulder block. A hard running corner clothesline by Hangman rocks the champion. Don Callis trips Page distracting him just long enough for Omega to get control. Callis gets involved again when the ref's back is turned. Page rallies back landing a flying clothesline hat sends Omega to the floor and follows up with a slingshot crossbody. But again Don Callis is the difference maker he distract Page just long enough for Omega to start ramming Page back first into the guard rails and ring frame. Omega looks for a vertical suplex on the floor but Page reveres it and Omega crashes to the floor. Back in the ring The Hangman lands a flying clothesline off the ropes and gets a one count. Omega now desperate thumbs the eyes and slams Page's head into the mat. A flying back elbow by Omega before he tosses Page to the floor, which let's Callis kick the challenger literally while he is down. Omega grins Page's face into the diamond plated ring steps. Back in the ring Page fires back with chops and elbows but is taken down by a snap rana than puts him back on the floor which gives Omega the chance to hit the Terminator dive over the top rope.
Returning to the ring Kenny Omega wants his Finlay roll and Moonsault combo. But Hangman sees it coming, Omega crashes onto Hangman's knees. A bit boot by Page drops the champion. Omega goes to the floor only for Page to land the elbow suicida. Now in control Page climbs to the top and moonsault off the floor. A brain buster back in the ring by Page and he covers getting only two. Hangman takes the match back to the rope. Omega manages to land strike. Omega comes over Page's back and lands a sunset flip bomb off the top rope. Two snap dragon suplexes by Omega drops Page. The action spills to the apron where Omega lands a third snap dragon. The first V-Trigger knee of the match lands. Omega picks Page up and sets up for the One Winged Angle but Page counters into a victory roll and gets a two count. A release German Suplex by Page drops Omega on his head.
Page looks for the Dead Eye his inverted Piledriver, but Omega blocks it and lands the tiger driver 98 but only gets two. Omega takes the mount position and punches into Hangman's head and finally bites him drawing blood. Omega is slow to climb the ropes, giving Page the chance to trip him and return the favor for the bite. Page with the fall away slam moonsault gets another two count. Omega seeks solace on the floor. Page dives off the top rope with a flying clothesline that drives both champion and challenger through a ringside table. Page sets up for the Buckshot Larait in the ring but Omega falls away. Hangman seeing a chance goes for Omega's own V-Trigger, it was a trap. Omega side steps and uses the momentum to get the German suplex something Okada and others had done to him in the past, but Page lands on his feet. A huge elbow by Page and pop up powerbomb. Omega is dazed and Page knows all he needs is one Buckshot. Omega pulls the referee in the way, a desperate move by a desperate and cowardly champion.
Don Calls has picked up the AEW world title and goes to hits Page. The challenger sees it coming and finally lays out the manager who has been a problem all match long. Omega has the belt but again Page sees it coming. Page hits the Dead Eye and covers. Another ref sprints to the ring but the delay is jsut enough for Omega to kickout at 2.99999999. The two men exchange strikes. Omega manages to drop Page after a series of right hands. Knees to the face by Omega and another attempt at the V-Trigger only Page catches the knee. The challenger tries to fight back with palm strikes. Page with a spinning elbow, Omega with a flying knee neither can get the edge. Omega with the Kawada kicks to Page faces but the challenger powers free and land a hard short lariat. With both men down we see The Young Bucks coming to ringside.
Page and Omega trade off back drops. Page gets for the Buckshot and launches himself right into the V-Trigger. Omega sets for the One Winged Angle, Page escapes and gives Omega his own version of the move. It only gets two. Hangman sets for the V-Trigger. We see Nick Jackson has a chance to grab Page's leg and cost him Hangman had done to the Bucks in the past. Nick doesn't do it. the Buckshot connects but Omega wont' go down. Hangman sets again. For a second, Matt Jackson and Hangman Page share a look. Before the firs ever AEW world title match, Hangman had asked the Bucks to be in his corner. They weren't as they had to focus on other things, at this moment Matt is in Page's corner. Hangman Adam Page had failed throughout his AEW career, until now. The Buckshot connects Omega falls and at long last Hangman Page has succeeded.
Of all these matches this is the one that by far is enhanced by the story going into the match than any other. Wrestling is a television show, this match is a key moment is something AEW had spent years building to, this is Hank finally figuring out Walt is Heisenberg. The moment is great due to the writing and performance by the actors but it means much more if you seen the path that leads to that moment. That's not to say this match isn't great without the story. In fact this match being so damn good is the perfect ending to this story. A story AEW crafted and told over two years not just on weekly TV shows but through social media, it was story AEW took risks to tell. Hangman Page wasn't the perfect hero. No instead he was a flawed man who overcame those flaws. Every time he was knocked down he stood back up eventually. Omega is a dark reflection of Page, like Hangman he failed early on in AEW but while Page stayed true to himself and ultimately remained a hero, Omega sold his soul to get to the top. Yet now if Omega loses his title it leaves him with nothing. In the end all of Omega's dirty tricks fail and it's Hangman who before the match expressed his desire to be a champion but also be a good man as champion who wins out.
Hangman Page would hold the AEW world title for 197 days. In that time he had a number of very good matches with a series vs. Bryan Danielson being his best work ever. For Kenny Omega the time had come to address a number of injures. The amazing matches he put on over the years had taken it's toll. It's a tribute to how talent he is that was still putting on classics while so beat up. In 2023 The Elite (The Bucks, Omega, and Hangman) all reunited as part of a feud with the Blackpool Combat Club. As of writing this Omega is again on the injured list due to a case of diverticulitis but fans remain hopeful for his return, and who knows maybe just maybe he and Page have another story to tell.
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| Hangman Page AEW Champion |
