My 30 Greatest Matches of All Time Part 2

Part 1 of this list with the first ten matches 

Upon editing this I saw a problem with doing this chronicling and that's how often the same wrestlers and promotions wind up in row. Now often the matches thrive with two key factors wrestlers in there prime and a hot promotion. Think of it like movies, Steven Spieldberg is seen as one of the greatest directors of all time but you look at his filmogrphy most of those films that built that reputation come from 1975 until 1993 for example.  

11 Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi AJPW Superpower Series Night 14 06/11/99- By 1999 AJPW's golden age is reaching it end. There are many factors to this but one of the biggest was the death of company founder Shoei "Giant" Baba in early 1999. Misawa had been named booker in late 1998 and in his will Baba also named Misawa his successor as company president. There is just one giant problem. Baba's widow Motoko is now the company owner. Misawa is looking to modernize the company, Motoko wants the already very conservative AJPW to be even more conservative. This will have long term effects that will change the history of wrestling. The good news for All Japan the main event wrestling is still excellent. Misawa's feud with Kobashi is a more friendly version of his feud with Kawada. They had been partners even holding the tag titles together. Eventually the pair split up and well Kobashi is chasing to get that big win over Misawa. Entering this match Kobashi has been AJPW Triple Crown champion twice beating Taue in 97 and Kawada in 98. Both those reigns had been ended by Misawa. At this time Misawa is in his fifth and final Tripel Crown reign. 

Kobashi early on goes for a flying armbar already looking to take away Misawa's trademark elbows. With a side headlock Kobashi asserts control. Finally, Misawa gets free and the two exchange which sees Kobashi land a flying shoulder tackle. There is extended exchange battling over a hammer lock and amazingly each time it's Kobashi who manages to get control. They break and staring going for strikes but finally Misawa is able to get Kobashi down and attack his back and shoulders until the younger and seemingly stronger Kobashi reverses the hold. But than comes the mistake Kobashi goes for a back drop, Misawa lands on his feet and lands the elbow his great equalizer. Kobashi tries to rally back with some chops but it just takes one big elbow from Misawa to put him down again. The first bit of the match showed Kobashi seemed to be the better hold for hold grappler on this night, and second part is showing Misawa is better striker. Until Kobashi lands a spinning chop, followed by a spinning back, and then another spinning chop. It's a fast and hard combo that drops Misawa. The first big power move the match goes to Kobashi with a front suplex. However, Kobashi makes a mistake he starts to overuse a whip into the ropes followed by a big knee to gut, one to many and Misawa finds an escape he manages to leap over the knee and come back with an elbow. By this point Misawa was well past his Junior Heavyweight days. 

It's Misawa's tie to finally be in control he lands trademark moves like the flying lariat and senton. He breaks out the old tiger flip fake out and then disaster. Kobashi knows Misawa better than anyone, he knows the diving elbow is next so he catches him and hits the snap powerslam onto the floor. Kobashi doesn't hate or have contempt for Misawa that Kawada and Taue do but he knows in matches like these it takes everything to beat Misawa. He drags him to the apron and leaps off driving Misawa elbow arm into the steel guard rail. The goal is clear, take away the elbow drag his friend into the deep water. More punishment to the arm including hammerlock DDT's into the mat. It seems to pay off. Misawa goes for an elbow not only does it fail to hurt Kobashi we something pretty rare, Misawa yells out in pain. Kobashi goes back to the arm bar and all Misawa can do is fight the ropes for a break. Misawa has to find a way to turn it around without his elbow shot he goes back to the kicks from his Tiger Mask days but Kobashi catches one to hits a release German suplex and then a second. Kobashi now locks on the Fujiwara Armbar again all Misawa can do is get to the ropes.

Mitsuharu Misawa is able to counter one of the arm bar attempts and hits his own DDT. He goes for the spin kick again Kobashi catches it but this time Misawa uses this opening to hit an enziquir. Misawa isn't in control but he's finally bought himself some time. We also get great camera shot as we see blood covering Kobashi's nose as he's legit suffered an injury to it. It's one of those strange times where the real injury adds to the match. Kobashi has gone to floor as he come back in Misawa wants to suplex him back in. The two are fighting. It appears Kobashi has won as he gets Misawa over yet somehow the champion saves himself landing on his feet. And now it's payback time for earlier. Misawa gives Kobashi a backdrop off the apron. Kobashi is now stunned. Misawa returns to the ring and runs diving out with his elbow suicida. The comeback now complete. Momentum has firmly swung into Misawa favor. It even looks like Misawa might get a count out win but can't let it end that way. He brings Kobashi back in and gives him the top rope dropkick followed by the big splash. The challenger kicks out at two somehow. Misawa looks for the Tiger Driver 91 his big kill shot finisher. But the arm work from earlier saves Kobashi. Misawa gets get him up but can't quite get the force to drive him down like wants. On top of that Misawa hurts his arm again while doing it and it gives Kobashi a bit of time to recover. Dragging Kobashi to the apron Misawa looks for a tiger driver to the floor but Kobashi back body drops him to the floor. 

On the floor Kobashi retakes control hitting a half and half suplex on the floor. Now it looks like Kobashi could get the count out win and yes in AJPW he would win the title. But Kobashi has too much respect for Misawa and the title to take a cheap win. He brings him back in and hits a German suplex but only gets two. Kobashi hits the folding powerbomb and appears to be going for a second one. It makes sense given history has shown it took Kawada a master of move needed more than one to put Misawa way. Instead he falls back and sends Misawa crashing into the ropes. Looking for the win. Kobashi hits the Orange Crush a vertical suplex into sit out powerbomb it only gets two. He hits his moonsault again only two. We get a call back to one of Misawa and Kobashi's great rivals, Stan Hansen. Kobashi for the lariat but Misawa ducks. Only for Kobashi to come back around and hit him in the back of the head. There is one move Kobashi has that should be able to put this away, the inverted death valley driver better known as the Burning Hammer. It's a move he's only hit a handful of time but it's a move that has put Misawa away before. Misawa knows he's in danger and fights with all he's worth to stay out but he leaves himself open to a lariat. Kobashi covers the one count, the count of two, and then just barley Misawa gets the ropes saving his title for now. Exhausted Misawa rolls to the floor. 

Kobashi looks for a powerbomb on floor but Misawa manages to give him a rana that sends him into the guardrail. The two spent men return to the ring Kobashi is getting desperate he charges with a lariat and Misawa sidesteps sending his challenger into the corner allowing him to use the moment for a German suplex. Kobashi is up and more desperate than ever as he feels the match fading away charges again. This time Misawa blocks with his arms. Now it's Misawa's turn to punish Kobashi's injured arm. Misawa begins to run through his big moves again, the Tiger Suplex,  the running elbow, a summer sault into a kick all wearing Kobashi down. And now it's time for the Tiger Driver 91. This time there is no doubt Misawa's arm has recovered enough he can get the full move in. It's got to be over this long battle and now this move should put anyone away. But Kenta Kobashi isn't just anyone. He somehow kicks out. In a moment I really like there is note of sadness in Misawa's face. He doesn't want to hurt his friend anymore but he has to. Yet Kobashi ducks the roaring elbow and hits a sleeper suplex dropping Misawa on his head. The crowd erupts as both men stand because they know what Kobashi has ready. He finally hits lariat. But it's not enough, Misawa kicks out. 

Back on even ground it's Misawa who lands the elbows and finally the roaring elbow knocking Kobashi down yet he can't keep him down. Again Misawa looks to his past. He breaks out the tiger suplex 85 a move he largely abandoned after dropping the Tiger Mask gimmick. But again Kobashi manages to kick out. The trade strikes once again and finally Misawa rocks Kobashi. For Misawa all the big moves of his present haven't been enough, the killer move of the past wasn't enough. So he got to the future. The Emerald Flowsion a modified tombstone piledriver, in 1999 it was Misawa's latest super move and it would be the final big finisher of his career. On this night it's what's needed to finish off Kobashi. 

All Japan matches from this era have someone what been tainted. This is due to the "head drop wars" many main event matches had turned into. The King's Road style of AJPW was built onto each encounter building on what had come before. Things became more and more dangerous. Everyone who worked in this era of the company paid a price. No one more then Mitsuharu Misawa who by 2009 was so beat up he died in the ring as years upon years of injury became too much. This match clearly has a lot of dangerous moves. It helps they build to majority of them. I love the focus on the arm by Kobashi early on and that pays off and even saves him at a key point in the match. Kobashi is at this best here, the hallmark of his career has been his fire. That no matter how you hit him he keeps coming back. I really enjoy the story of the match. Kobashi is the younger man, he seems to have many of physical edges early on but he's now experienced enough Misawa can't pull out all the little veteran tricks. Misawa looks like this might be the night he finally falls to Kawada. The fans are truly into this match, I think it might help just over a year earlier Kawada had finally beat Misawa. And with Kobashi next in line as the top at a time where Misawa was moving into a backstage role you could see this being the moment a torch passing moment.

Instead it would be Vader who defeated Misawa in October. In early 2000 Kobashi was able to defeat Vader to claim his third title reign. Meanwhile things blew up between Misawa and Motoko Baba. Feeling he had no other option Misawa left All Japan after nearly 20 years with the company. He would form Pro Wrestling NOAH. All but two members of the All Japan roster followed Misawa onto the Ark as the company would be nicknamed. Most notably Kobashi. 

12 Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi Pro Wrestling NOAH Navigation For Evolution 03/01/03- I didn't plan to write about these two matches back to back. It's just how doing the list based on dates the match took place worked out. When Misawa opened NOAH he planned to make Kobashi's the company's ace. But plans were forced to change. Kobashi's numerous leg injures finally became too much. He would miss major time in 2001 and 2002 after surgeries. With Kobashi out Misawa had two of the first five Global Honored Crown title reigns for the new company.  Kobashi eventually returned mostly working tag bouts. It would tag match that he pinned Misawa setting himself up as the next challenger. It's a simple story but of course what aids it is the two's long history. Is this the time Kobashi finally beat Misawa? Can this be time he finally has that long reign on top? And what happens if he can't? This match takes place in Nipon Budokhan home of so many of the classics these two took part in but due to NOAH very different presentation than AJPW this match looks so different than past encounters. Kobashi himself looks different. He's dropped bright orange gear and track jacket he wore in AJPW for dark blue and a hooded rope. In hindsight there is feeling of final evolution to Kobashi's look now. He's now longer the youngster, he's done being next in line, he's a man read for his time. 

Kobashi seems to have control early on and Misawa goes for the elbow early on, but Kobashi shakes him off. Kobashi tries a backdrop but Misawa is able to adjust in the air and land on top. Again, we get early on arm work but a call back to the past matches but also logical given both men's key weapons need the arm. After a wild exchange it's Misawa who lands the first big move a back drop driver. Kobashi comes down hard and rolls the floor. Misawa climbs to the top and lands a diving elbow following up with summersault senton off the apron. Misawa is making it clear he knows what a threat Kobashi is. He's driven to put him away early on. Back in the ring a top rope drop kick and big splash get two. Misawa goes back to working arm. Kobashi comeback is cut off when he goes a flyer shoulder block only for Misawa to elbow him out of the air. Again he sends Kobashi to the floor but when dives off the apron, Kobashi moves. Misawa smacks the guard rail face first even drawing blood. The challenger keeps the pressure on with leg drops while Misawa is hung over the guard rail and a half and half suplex onto the floor. Back in the Kobashis hits a forward suplex for two and then locks Misawa in the cravte as part of him targeting the head and neck. A stiff chop by Kobashi gets Misawa to yell out in pain. 

Staying in control Kobashi locks in face lock. This is no rest hold though you can see Kobashi straining trying to the submission. Kobashi throws Misawa out onto the long ramp used for ring entrances to hit a DDT. In the ring Misawa has a brief moment of hope reversing a whip but when he goes for a monkey flip its block and he's sent trash back into the ropes. Two more Half and Half suplexs by Kobashi send Misawa onto his head and neck. Kobashi reigns down a series of hard over hand chops a move favored by there mentor Giant Baba. The indignity is enough to fire Misawa back up for a moment his head snaps up and fires in. Even a back drop can't keep Misawa back down. He lands German and follow up with a tiger suplex. Kobashi fires back up. Some would call this no selling but I disagree. Both men are clearly selling the point. But we've reach the portion of the fight where the aderline has kicked in. Where pride and ego mean more than pain. A big elbow by Misawa drops both men. 

It's Misawa who is up first, he looks for the Tiger Suplex 85 it's blocked, he tries for Tiger Driver also blocked so he just hammer blows down into Kobashi's back dropping him. Misawa lands a summersault kick. The wear down has worked and he can finally hit the tiger driver but Kobashi kicks at two. Misawa goes back to the Tiger Suplex 85 and gets it again he Kobashi is able to kick out. Misawa goes for a submission first his face lock than an abdominal stretch. Another Tiger Driver but again only two. Misawa looks to hit the Emerald Flowision. But it's an opening for Kobashi to slip off the back ram Misawa into a corner and hit another half and half. Misawa gets up but he's dazed. Kobashi lands the sleeper suplex. Misawa is rocked again. As he's done so many times in his career to this point Misawa throws elbows. The great equalizer the shot that's managed turn the tide but there isn't much to them. Finally Kobashi bulldozes him down with a lariat. It only gets two but the point is made. Even Misawa's go to might not save him.

The men fight over a suplex during which Misawa winds up out on the ramp he suplexs Kobashi over and they both hit with a thud. Misawa is able to roll back into the ring. Kobashi took the worst of it and can only get to a knee. Misawa winds up diving through the ropes to land an elbow suicida. The two men fight on the ramp and then comes the most famous and infamous moment in this match. Misawa gives Kobashi a Tiger Suplex and both men crash to the floor. Everything about this even years later is just shocking. It's a brutal moment as you just know there was no real way to protect themselves on the bump. Both men are down and the referee counts. Misawa at eighteen of twenty gets in it looks like he's managed to retain on a count out until at nineteen Kobashi breaks the plan of the ropes. Misawa covers hoping the damage has been enough to just get the three but still Kobashi kicks out. Misawa lands a jumping knee and covers again but once again it's only two. 

Something sets in, we see Misawa's face and it's not that of a dominate champion, it's not even that of a champion who can feel the match going his way. It's the look of a man wondering what else he has to do and maybe knowing he can't get it done this time. Kobashi fires in a chop knocking Misawa back just for a second, he tries again but eats a series of spinning elbows. And finally Mitsuharu Misawa hits the Emerald Flowshion the move that ended the 1999 match. This has to be it? This move is how he can beat Kenta Kobashi. The ref counts one, the crowd cheers, the ref counts two and the people cheer again. The ref goes to count three but Kobashi finds something deep again and kicks out. A now desperate Misawa goes locks the arms up looking for one of his tiger drivers but Kobashi blocks, he tries again after some knees but Kobashi block again and back body drops. Champion and challenger charge each other with Kobashi landing on to with his lariat. The crowd thinks it's over. The one the two, but Misawa won't away yet. Kenta Kobashi stands and screams to the heaves he picks Misawa up and lands a brain buster yet somehow Misawa kicks out. But that's all Misawa has left, Kobashi lifts him onto his back into a torture rack. The crowd is going insane the know what is to come, the commentor screams it "BURNING HAMMER!" 

This story didn't being a few months earlier in that tag match, it didn't begin back in All Japan when they ended team, This story in a way began in 1988 when Kobashi was the latest promising rookie out of the dojo. Many of these people had seen Kobashi as that rookie who couldn't a match. They saw him tortured by Jumbo and Fuchi, they saw Stan Hanesn and Steve William brutalize him. They saw go form Misawa's protegee to partner and to rival. And at long last 1 match won 2 title claimed 3 the torch is passed. Thirty-three of the most emotional minutes in wrestling history. There is just an amazing story. The two men are good here. The mix of the brutal moves and selling of those moves. The fans into this, they know it's a special night. They want to see Kobashi finally pull this. One thing I really love about this match is you can really tell how much it means to both men. By the end you can see in their face and mannerisms. Misawa has given it all and for the first time vs. Kobashi he doesn't have that little bit extra. With Kobashi he's gone through the fire it's break him no it forged him. With every up and down it's only made him tougher and tougher. By the end of the match Kobashi knows he's going to win.

In the aftermath Misawa declared this would be the final singles match between the two. And outside of ten minute draw for a holiday special it was. Kobashi has finally become the top man in a company. It was Kobash's reign that made the GHC title a truly prestigious title. There is a very real argument to be made Kobashi had the single greatest title reign in wrestling history. He would draw huge money and put a series of classic matches. For Misawa this was the last truly great match of his career. He would still put on some good ones, he remained popular. But the many years on top, the body breaking style he had worked and over factor really took their toll on him. Sadly Misawa felt he couldn't retire due a number of factors. By 2009 Misawa a badly beaten up man and he would die in the ring after taking a backdrop. Everyone agrees there was no fault to the man who gave it on that night instead that years of damage had finally caught to him. Misawa's legacy is still widely celebrated, his matches has inspired numerous wrestlers. That includes other legends such as Bryan Danielson, Go Shioizaki and Will Ospreay. A few years ago Kenta Kobashi wrote an article on his life. He had retired in 2013 and unlike many other wrestlers actually meant it. When speak of Misawa and Giant Baba his two mentors and what would think he wrote, "I'm retired now. I have a family they would be happy for me." 

Kenta Kobashi on Top of NOAH

13 Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama Pro Wrestling NOAH Departure 07/10/04- There were heavy expectations on Jun Akiyama when he debuted in 1992. Not only was his first match televised but that match he faced Kenta Kobashi who at that point was already established. He would rise rapidly up the All Japan roster. He was even nicknamed the fifth pillar. Behind the scenes Kobashi and Akiyama became close friends which eventually translated into forming a popular tag team called Burning in the late 90's. Like Kobashi, Akiyama followed Misawa to NOAH. After the main event of the first NOAH show, Akiyama turned on Kobashi kicking off a feud between the two and then defeated him in the main event of the second NOAH show. Kobashi would win the rematch but sadly injures to Kobashi prevented them from doing more. Fast forward to 2004 and Kobashi has been GHC champion over a year. NOAH's had a lot of success and is planning a show at the Tokyo Dome. A few different names are tossed around as Kobashi's challenger for the Dome show. In the end for various reasons cause other names to fall out of favor and it's Akiyama who is put in the slot. The former friends/partners tied 1-1 in NOAH.

On the first lock up Kobashi breaks and lands a chop but Akiyama defiantly calls for more. He even runs through a chop and look for his jumping knee only to have it blocked. There is an early test of strength with both men refusing to give in. Finally Akiyama lands his jumping knee and throws Kobashi to the floor. The champion refuses to fall into the trap and climbs back in daring Akiyama to get back in and fight him. Nitehr man can get an advantage and they trade chops and elbows. And that's the key to this both men are even they are top two men in the company at this point. Kents Kobashi starts looking for his running knees but Akiyama is able to sweep the leg and lock in a knee bar. Even after Kobashi gets a rope break he can't keep Jun Akiyama off him for long and is put in a prism lock. Kobashis frees himself with a series of hard chops to the neck. Akiyama refuses to stay down for he absorbs the chops and press on. When Kobashi goes for a a flying shoulder, he's got the counter ready and lands his jumping knee. Pressing the edge he hits a DDT on the apron and than places is knee into Kobashi's back and rides him into the guard rail. Finally he lands a knee drop off the ropes when Kobashi is hung on the apron.

Akiyama works over Kobash's head and neck with moves such as the king crab face lock, a butterfly DDT along with punches and knees to the head. Finally a desperate Kobashi rolls to the ropes getting a brief break only to be met with a knee lift to the face. Jun Akiyama hits a back drop but Kobashi uses it as a chance to grab a headlock. Kobashi refuses to let it go when Akayama hits another backdrop and a third. It's only when Akiyama goes for the ropes does Kobashi break and that's just to hit his sleeper suplex. Now in control Kobashi hits a blistering series of machine gun chops and finally drops his challegner after three spinning chops. Heading the apron Kobashi hits a vertical suplex off the apron and both men crash to the floor. Akiyama isn't moving. Kobashi manages to drag both men back into the ring and than collapses himself showing just how much as been taken out of him. It's also delays his pin attempt so he only gets two. A half and half suplex and agian Kobashi covers but Akiyama just barley gets his shoulder up. Picking up the intensity Kobashi does Orange Crush suplex into a sitout bomb and a short lartit. Still Akiyama won't be put away. 

Kenta Kobashi sets for the burning hammer it's just the opening Akiyama needs. He elbows free slips behind and executes a release German suplex and then the running knee. It's time for payback as Akiyama looks for his exploder off apron. Kobashi blocks it and the two men fight on the tight rope. Finally thought when Kobashi back up to the turnbuckle he's caught and Akiyama hits his exploder suplex tossing Kobashi over head and the floor. Both champion and challenger barley beat the count out. Back in the ring Jun Akiyama places Kobashi on the top rope and hits the Avalanche Exploder. He overs but Kobashi kicks out at two. Akiyama locks back in the prism lock on the knees of Kobashis and than tries to pull up. A desperate Kobashi does all he can to stop him but eventually he winds up back in the fack lock. Thinking he's weakened the champion enough, Akiyama lest hold goes and singles it's over. Pulling Kobashi up he hits the wrist clutch exploder suplex and covers. But Kobashi manages to get his shoulder up. Akiyama tries for a Fishermen's buster but Kobashi is able to power him up and land vicious brain buster. The men being to exchange the half and half and Exploder suplexes back to back. Kobashi does finally land a lariat but Akiyama is just aware enough to dive across the ring to prevent a quick pin attempt. Kobashi lands a body slam and pumps his fist the fans explode as he climbs to the top for his moonsault. Yet somehow Akiyama kicks out again. It's the last bit of energy Akiyama has though. He's helpless as Kobashi picks him up and hits the Burning Hammer. The three count is academic from there. 

What a match! If there had been doubts about if Akiyama was the right man to be in this spot there were silenced. NOAH's Tokyo Dome show was a huge success at the box office and this main event assured those people left happy. There is a real feeling Akiyama might just the man to take the belt from Kobashi. Throughout the match he shows a level of disdain for Kobashi. Several times during the match he brings out the hate in Kobashi, it does feel like this really is two former friends who got into a fight. Both men know they aren't going to win with a simple roll up or quick counter into a submission and honestly they don't want to. The goal is a get that clear victory that leaves no doubt who the better man is. 

In the years after match many have debated if the right man won. Akiyama was popular and always seemed on the verge of being a megastar yet he never quite made it. It's to think he wins here takes the belt ending Kobashi's year plus title reign and cements himself the man. It didn't help that after Kobashi did lose the title the company struggled. But it's all a what if game. Other factors hurt Akiyama over the years, no one could have predicted the chain of events that went wrong once Kobashi dropped the title. Jun Akiyama's career took many different turns. He and Kobashi have remained close as any tension was only part of the on-screen story. Today at 54 years old Jun Akiyama remains active in the wrestling world working for DDT Pro. In 2022 and 2024 he appeared in the USA for All Elite Wrestling. He's lost a few steps of course yet he still remains a great wrestler. I think today in a world of fans that grew up watching him and can revisit his beat work on YouTube with ease he's more appreciated than ever. At least with American fans.

14 Kenta Kobashi vs. Kensuke Sasaki Pro Wrestling NOAH Destiny 07/18/05- While Kobashi and his fellow pillars were putting on classics in All Japan, he was making his name in the rival New Japan Pro Wrestling. Early on he became close with Riki Choshu a main eventer for NJPW and who later became the booker of the company. Sasaki was one Chosuh's main projects and it eventually paid off with Sasaki become a huge star in his own right. By 2002 though Choshu had a falling out with management and left to form his own company. Saskai followed. However eventually Sasaki had his own falling out with his mentor. This could of been the end of his career instead it lead to a renaissance. At this time wrestling in Japan is struggling and in a strange state. A large number of promotions with a decreasing number of actual stars and fresh matches ups. Kensuke Sasaki very quickly finds himself in high demand. So, in demand he never has another contract with a pro wrestling company. Instead he's freelancer able to go anywhere and everywhere. NOAH at this stage the top wrestling promotion but even they are facing some issues. By this stage Kobashi is no longer GHC champion. However, he's still the top guy in the promotion. With NOAH back in the Tokyo Dome and this is the perfect match for a super card. It's a first time ever meeting between two of the biggest stars in wrestling. 

These two wrestlers almost look like mirrors of each other. They are over similar body types, they use a lot of the same moves such as the lariat and chops (put a pin in that) Sasaki for this match even wears light blue in contrast to the darker shade Kobashi uses. Kensuke Sasaki comes right out and scores the first big move of the match hitting a backdrop off a lock up. The first what will be many chops exchanges bring the fans to there feet. Kobashi hits own backdrop but Sasaki pops up and give him a lariat. We get a test of strength, but Sasaki uses it as a chance to do a modified northern lights suplex. Eventually Kobashi is able to get Sasaki down and lock in a face lock. The action spills to the floor and Kobashi hits a DDT. Sasaki stands only to get whipped out again when Kobashi hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor. It's quite a sight seeing someone as big as Kobashi pull off this move. 

Back in the ring Sasaki manages to gets Kobashi into a corner and rocks him with a headbutt, than a series of chops and short lariats. Sasaki places his opponent the top rope and does a freaking top rope huricanrana. It's not the best looking this move has ever been done but the spectacle is seeing men this big pull move off. Kensuke Sasaki isn't done flying around and does a diving lariat off the top. When Kobashi rolls to floor looking to recover after a near fall, Sasaki again goes flying diving off the top rope to the floor with a crossbody. Back in the ring Kobashi catches his second wind and the most famous part of his match starts. Kobashi lands his knife edge chops. Sasaki no sells them. Kobashi than calls for Sasaki to chops him. For nearly five minutes the two men go back and forth chopping each other. Sometimes it's back and forth, sometimes its Saskai with the edge other times it's Kobashi. If you have never seen this moment you might think "That is stupid, they just chopped each other." But I swear this works it is an amazing moment. The crowd is on fire for it. Really it comes down a battle of wills and ego. These two men have basically snapped at this point. They have lost sight wining the match there is a point to be proven here. It also greatly helps it's not just chop after chop after chop. Both Kobashi and Sasaki do registers the pain, the show doing this is draining both men. On commentary Yoshihiro Takaayama a wrestler and MMA fighter most famous for his fight with Don Frye (which this exchange invokes in way) sums it up best. He declares "I hope this never ends!" Finally Kobashi lands a running chop and both men collapse in exhaustion. 

Kenta Kobashi winds up charging into snap powerslam but Sasaki can't follow up his chest is on fire. Finally he climbs to the rope but Kobashi has recovered and drives a headbutt into the gut stunning Sasaki and letting him hit a superplex. Sasaki charges looking for a larait but it lets Kobashi execute the half and half suplex. Kobashi though makes a mistake he drives Sasaki to the floor and lays in chops to his head and neck while standing on the apron. But he's put himself in the perfect position for Sasaki to grab him and deliver the norther lights bomb. In a great case of production NOAH shows a clearly worried Akira Hokuto in the crowds. Hokuto not only created and popularized the North Lights bombs she' also the real life wife of Kensuke Sasaki. Meanwhile Sasaki gets back into the ring while Kobashi remains down. Kensuke Sasaki actually starts calling for Kobashi to get back up and so they can finish this match properly. Back in the ring Sasaki hooks Kobashi's arm looking for the tiger suplex. A desperate Kobashi strains trying to hold it off but he can't. The arms are locked and the move is hit. Sasaki than does a running lariat but moves only getting two. The NOAH faithful loudly chant for Kobashi. It just enough for Kobashi to throw Sasaki and then hit the running lariat of his own. 

However Sasaki is back up first a big running knee later he has Kobashi down to put him in the Power Special one of his submission moves. Kobashis gets free and they two wrestlers trade power bombs back and forth ending in point where they each hit a lariat at the same time knocking each other down. Kobashi uses the sleeper suplex following with a body slam. It's the setup for his moonsault which connects but it's only enough for two. Saski gets up and goes for a short lariat but it's blocked. A series of spinning chops by Kobashi are enough to daze Sasaki. Kobashi falls back and charges finally hitting the burning lariat. Exhausted and spent he falls on top of Sasaki and the referee counts three. 

For many this is the match they would name as the single best of Kensuke Sasaki's career and quite a few would say it's also Kenta Kobashi's best. As I said at the start of the match these two men mirror each other. As a result there is just that little bit extra on every move. Each man is desperate to prove who is better. Again that plays into the chop exchange. Each man wants to outdo the other. Even though both men have left the companies they started their careers in you get the feeling both me are fighting to represent their styles and heritage of wrestlers. Everything has a purpose though. You won't find stalling or resting in this match even though it's not a short match. I would say this one of the matches that is much watch for any wrestling fan. 

Just over a year later Kobashi was undergoing a basic physical when it was discovered he had a cancerous tumor on his kidney. In the words of YouTuber, Kim Justice he beat it up good proper and returned in 2007. But he was never able to get back on track. He would have to take more and more time off due to various injures. In 2013 he retired after a final six man tag. Saskai remained a top act over the next seven years until he retired in 2014. This was the only singles match between both men but they did face off in tag bouts. Both men also trained/mentored younger wrestlers. For Sasaki his top disciple was Katsushko Nakajima. Kobashi oversaw Kenta Kobayashi renamed KENTA to avoid confuse and Go Shiozaki both of whom feuded with Nakajima at various times. 

15 Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe TNA Unbreakable 09/11/05- Wait a second where is Kenta Kobashi? Anyway, TNA Wrestling began in 2002 in the wake of the closure of WCW. It became the second largest company in North American. Two huge bright spots for the company were the work of Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles. AJ in particular was viewed as the face of the company as he racked up numerous championships For many the best part of TNA was the X-Division the division. This would be the style of wrestling with a lot of high flying, the same style often seen in Junior Heavyweight or Cruiserweight divisions. Yet as the company declared over and over again "It's not about weight limits it's about no limits." Meaning anyone that could work the style could join the division. That allowed for Samoa Joe. Joe was built as a heavyweight weighing well over two hundred and fifty pounds yet he could fly and was fast enough to keep up with lighter men. Around this time Joe was the top man in Ring of Honor having been it's world champion for 645 days at one point. 

This was a long form story. AJ Style had won the X-Division championship for the fourth time at the first TNA pay per view of the year. Christopher Daniels began doing a gimmick showing he was jealous of Styles success and standing in the company. In March Daniels managed to screw AJ out of the title and has held it ever since. Samoa Joe would debut in June and was given a long winning streak. In August AJ and Joe would meet in the finals of the Super X-Cup a tournament with the winner getting the next title shot at Daniels. Being a heel Daniels got involved in the match costing AJ the win. However TNA management punished the champion but making the match a three way dance instead. This comes at a strange time in TNA they are growing for the most part but are actually off TV due to lag between the end of their deal with Fox Sports and the start of a deal with Spike TV. Instead there TV shows were streaming online which was a very different experience in 2005. This match is also the only time the X-Division title has main evented a traditional monthly pay per view. I almost think TNA is sending fans a message. "We know it rough right now but look at how bright our future is. We have these guys." 

I love the opening. Daniels taunts his challengers declaring they will never beat him. AJ and Joe both attack him. At one point AJ and Joe start laying hard kicks to Daniels spine. Daniels gets up to scream "STOP KICKING ME!" And he gets gets kick by both men. AJ Styles tries to get a quick win over Joe with a series of roll up only to get caught in a submission. No one can really get the advantage due the three man set up. If Daniels takes out AJ, Joe is ready to come back in. If Joe lays out Daniels AJ attacks him when the door opens. A lot of times three dances in wrestling fall into a set up of one man is out while the other two fight, one man gets knocked just as the early knocked out person recovers. Instead this everything is flowing into the next spot. At one point Joe has AJ in the corner and goes for a running boot only for Daniels to ambush him and send him to the floor. Daniels hits dropkick thought the ropes following up with a split legged moonsault to the floor. AJ follows Daniels out with a springboard shooting star press to the floor whipping out both men on the floor. Later we get another fantastic sequence. Daniels does a monkey flip on Styles only for AJ to use the momentum and hit a rana on Samoa Joe. AJ is taken out by Daniels leading to he and Joe to battle out. When Daniels uses an Oklahoma role pin attempt it allows Samoa Joe to trap in the rear naked choke or as it was dubbed in TNA the Coquina Clutch. However AJ has recovered leaping off the top breaking the submission up with a spiral tap. 

It looks like Samoa Joe has it won after landing a big boot to AJ followed a senton. AJ Styles and Christopher spill to the floor as they exchange they are destroyed when the massive Samoa Joe hits a tornio over the top rope. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe exchange various strikes that ends when Joe hits a brual looking release German suplex on AJ. Joe hits the Muscle Buster on AJ. Daniels now desperate to keep his title grabs the belt and goes to hit Joe but runs into a snap powerslam. Joe grabs the belt but winds in a tug of war with the referee it gives Daniels enough to recover and hit an enzqiur driving the belt into Joe's head taking him out. Daniels and AJ exchange strikes and Daniels gets the edge and hits his best Moonsault Ever finisher. The pin is broken up by Joe. Still in control Daniels hits the last rights another of his big finishes but Joe rolls to the floor. Finally it down tall three men being down. Samoa Joe gets up and hits a powerbomb on Daniels and flows right into the STF hold. AJ recovers enough to hit his flipping back kick known as the Pele and a torture rack bomb on Joe. Daniels catches AJ and rocks him but AJ counters a moves and hits his finisher the Styles Clash. Samoa Joe dives to break up the pin. When Joe charges Daniels the champion drops down and Joe crashers through the ropes to the floor. One final exchange of punches by Daniels and AJ which Daniels goes to the eyes. Daniels nails a knee lifts and goes for the Angels Wings his go to finisher at this time. But AJ blocks and suplexes Daniels into a pin and the three count. I really love the finish here. It's very common in wrestling especially American wrestling to only have a big match end on a finish unless its something like a weapon shot or sneak attack. So it's nice to see a well time counter be enough. 

Wrestling matches are very often a product of their time. At this time in the USA PPV main events were pretty formulaic as most companies fell back into the style of main event from the late 90's. Than you get this match. The blistering pace alone is wonderful. I had to leave a lot out of this recap. All three men are also very creative pulling so many unique spots. You can also tell all three trust each other greatly. By this time this combo of men had wrestled each in some form countless times. This match is also another case of greatest wrestlers all having there greatest night at the same time. TNA ran this match back a few different times and it never quite reached the same level again. Sadly, that is also a way to look at TNA's story as a whole. The company had numerous issues behind the scenes. And over time AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels all left the company. Daniels would find success back in ROH and today works for AEW in a backstage role. Styles run in New Japan raised his profile greatly and today he's still on of the top names in WWE. Samoa Joe also had a run in WWE where he feuded with Styles. As of 2024 he works for All Elite Wrestling even holding that promotions world championship earlier this year.

16 Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness ROH Unified 08/12/06- Bryan Danielson was the type of wrestler Ring of Honor was built for. And ROH was the type of company Bryan Danielson needed. He was in the main event of the companies first show. fans loved his hard hitting, technical style the mixed the best from all over the world. Nigel McGuinness grew up in England at a time the English wrestling scene was all but dead. As a child he would attend SummerSlam 92 in Wembley he dreamed of becoming a WWF Superstar. Chasing his dream he moved the states and began to attend wrestling school. 2005 would see Danielson claim the ROH world title just months after Nigel won the other major singles champions the pure title. At Weekend of Champions Night 2 they faced off in a match with both titles on the line. Nigel won via count out but in the classic American wrestling rule couldn't win the world title with a count out. This earned Nigel a rematch where only the world title was on the line however Danielson retained. That leads to this unification bought. The winner will become the only singles champion in ROH. This event was ROH's first trip the United Kingdom giving Nigel the homefield advantage.

This match is held under pure rules. The pure title was meant to encourage a cleaner more sport like presentation. Wrestlers were granted only three rope breaks to stop a pinfall or submission, a 20 count on the floor (normal ROH at this time would DQ after excessive fighting on the floor) no closed fist punches to the face. And finally, the pure title can change hands on a count out or DQ but due this being a unification match it means the world title can as well. There was also the added rule that any type of draw would result in a restart as the match was advertised as there must be a winner. Given wrestling's long history of advertising matches like this that stipulation is ROH assuring fans that won't be a screwjob ending where both men keep their titles.

After an early stalemate on locks ups Danielson is the first to more aggressive slapping Nigel in the face. Nigel manages to dazzle Danielson with a series of positional changes and ends it by returning the slap to the face. In a well done spot Danielson forces McGuinness into the corner with his fist by his face. Danielson strikes the elbow effectively causing Nigel to punch himself in the face.  Both champions go back and forth exchanging holds and position. Like previous matches we are seeing games of one upmanship. Finally, it's Bryan Danielson who has enough to playing clean he wrenches McGuinness to the mat and stomps into right arm. Danielson with a series of Shoulder breakers and shoulder thrusts. Danielson keeps working the arm and always puts Nigel by the ropes tempting him to use one of the breaks. After an Irish whip Danielson lands a dropkick. Nigel block a butterfly suplex but gets reverse and eats uppercuts to the chest or European Uppercuts. This is call back to World of Sports the default name of the old English wrestling style. Which like pure rules banned close fish strikes to the face. It's also a move use by Danielson's mentor William Regal who was really the last great English wrestler to come up through the system. 

Finally Danielson is able to hit the butterfly suplex which he uses to transition right into the arm bar. Nigel is forced to use first rope break. Danielson goes for a power slam but Nigel escapes off the back traps the world champion the conner strikes in the back and than the chest. Nigel starts his own attack on the arm with an over head wrist lock and throws Danielson into the match. After some hard strikes Nigel McGuinness locks in a cobra clutch on the ground. When Danielson is able to stand up, Nigel sets up for a ripcord lariat. Danielson kicks and comes back with an enziquri. Danielson lands a superplex off the top rope, follows up with this flying headbutt for two and finally locks in the Cattle Mutilation submission hold. With no other option Nigel burns his second rope break. Getting cocky Danielson takes his time climbing the ropes again. McGuinness is to recover cut him off and hits an elevated cutter known as the Tower of London. It's now Nigel's turn to use the Cattle Mutilation. Quickly Danielson burns two rope breaks one to stop the pinfall off the Tower and the second to break the submission hold. 

Bryan Danielson rolls to the floor and you can tell his mad he's made mistakes. You could kind assume his gameplan was to force Nigel to burn his robe breaks so he could use the ropes freely in the later stages of the match and now he's blown that. Danielson snaps driving Nigel into a table and even using the table to choke him. This is also a call back to the first match where Nigel did this to Danielson. Back in the ring McGuinness lands a stiff lariat that only gets two. He follows that up looking for one his trademark moves a head stand into a mule kick but when he does the headstand Danielson catches him with a stiff dropkick to the stomach. Head back to submission Daniels locks in the cross face chicken wing the very hold he had won the world title with. Nigel tries to escape but eventually is forced to use his final rope break. Meaning Danielson to use the ropes to aid on a pin or submission or if Nigel is trapped in a pin or hold he will have to power or reverse out. Danielson taunts the UK fans making it clear Nigel has no more rope breaks before hitting a German suplex on Nigel. Back to the top rope Danielson looks for the flying headbutt again and lands up getting kicked when Nigel gets the boot up first. 

Nigel places Danielson on the tope rope and leaps off the turnbuckle for a diving lariat. The pin attempt is enough for Danielson to burn his final rope break. The two men battle on the ropes with Danielson able to lock in the cross face chicken wing again. Nigel escapes and lands the Tower of London again. Next comes one of the more infamous moments in the match. The action again spills the floor. The man wind up locking arms with the steel ring post separating them. Nigel is pulled several time into the post. It's a sickening sound hearing his head hit steel unprotected. Once would be bad enough but there are several blow. This also cuts Nigel wide open. Dazed (likely somewhat for real) McGuinness falls over the guardrail into the fans. Danielson returns to the ring and springboard himself the distance clearing the ringside area and guardrail to land a summersault plancha. Nigel staggers back into the ring nearly getting counted out. Battered and bloody Nigel screams "COME ON!" The crowd fires up as all of a sudden he's back in the match. It's time for another infamous moment Danielson and McGuinness start to headbutt each other. 

Now often in pro wrestling the headbutt is really a guy looking like he is ramming his head. The key is person taking the move to pull back at just the right time. Here though they are actually striking each other with the head. I get what they are going for and I even admit seeing this on DVD for the first time in 2006 I went crazy. This is supposed to one of those moments where both men are willing to do anything to win. But this exchange along with the earlier head to post spot have aged poorly in the years since. A lot will write it off as a different time but even 2006 we had an idea of how bad a concussion could be. It's worth nothing in his autobiography Danielson himself admitted in the wake of the Benoit family tragedy he and Nigel regretted parts of this match as well. Finally the exchange ends, Nigel is sent back into the ropes and looks like he's about to fall through them but this is the sit up he rebounds and levels Danielson with a Jaw Breaker Lariat. Daniels is out and not moving but Nigel has to crawl to cover. When he goes Danielson hooks the body and rolls through and manages to get the Cattle Mutilation back in. Nigel can't use the ropes to break he manages to roll through and picks up another two count but Danielson regains control and traps the arms. Danielson lands a series of elbows over and over and again to the jaw. Nigel is out, with no other option the referee stops the match. As the referee calls for the bell, Danielson collapses. It's a nice little final bit of the match. Danielson has thrown everything in the match. And when it's over he can't even celebrate 

If you watch enough wrestling you can often tell the result of big matches before the they happen. ROH's fan base has always been that of the smart marks. The diehards that watch everything. The type of fans that would know based on ROH booking that would go "There is no ways Danielson is dropping the belt here with" yet in a tribute to the work of both men the fans are pissed that hometown hero didn't get the win. Both men got the crowd to fully buy in and think Nigel's moment was coming. Of all the matches on the list it's the most take it or leave it. The World of Sports/Pure rules isn't for everyone. And I myself have some concerns about the blows to the head. However, I just love this match. The trading off of holds and positions by two masters of the craft. Danielson is such a brilliant heel here but does it such a great subtle way. He never cartoonish but you can see the joy he takes in beating Nigel up in front of his countrymen. 

Over the next years Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness would remained linked. The feud would be renewed on a number of occasions. They two would be so linked both were offered WWE contracts around the same time. For Danielson he admitted it was a case it was time to make money and WWE was the only place to do that. For Nigel though it was the fulfilment of his dream. Sadly, Nigel McGuinness failed a physical. It's a longer and more complicated story beyond the scope of this list. But eventually seeing no path to the WWE he retired as an in ring competitor, becoming just one of many people in wrestling fans must as what if? Eventually Nigel would be hired by WWE as a color commentator. Danielson had his own ups in downs in the WWE. But some feuds never truly end. As of 2024 both men work AEW and whenever Nigel calls one of Danielson's matches he takes great joy in still mocking him.

ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson

17 Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima Fight Without Honor Ring of Honor Final Battle 12/27/08- Towards the end of ROH world title reign Bryan Danielson suffered a shoulder injury. While he was able to work though the injury long enough to wrap up storylines he would need to take the first part of 2007 off to recover. With Danielson out ROH would see the arrival of Takeshi Morishima. Starting his career in All Japan, Morishima was the ultimate case of don't judge a book by it's cover. You might see his well flabby body and think he might be some low-level talent or someone to not take seriously. Than you see him wrestle and you get he's a beast. He blows are crushing his suplexs and throws are fierce. He's the classic wrestler that knows how to use his size similar to legends like Vader or Terry Gordy. Like many from his generation he moved to NOAH with Misawa. In the 2000's ROH and NOAH had a talent exchange deal. 2007 will see Morishima become an ROH regular and in only his second match in the company he easily defeats Homicide to win the world title. Morishima was basically booked as an unstoppable monster. 

Upon his return from injury Bryan Danielson makes it clear he wants his world title back. In his first shot at Morishima though Danielson suffers a real broken orbital bone and detached retina. In a case of making lemonade out of lemons the eye injury becomes key to the feud. Morishima retains but the rematch is set for just three weeks later. Before that match Takeshi Morishima vows he will not target the injured eye. But when Danielson starts to gain to much of an upper hand he goes back on his word attacking the eye. It's after that match Morishima loses the ROH title to Nigel McGunniness. Bryan Danielson still wants his title back but he also wants revenge. In the third match Danielson foregoes any technical skill and instead just targets Morishima's manhood. Repeated low blows finally force a disqualification. Danielson even justifies it as a (eye)ball for a (testical)ball.  The fourth match breaks down to cluster fuck both brawl refusing to listen to the referee and making use of ring bell and hammer. Now after that fourth match Morishima is back in Japan he even goes onto win the GHC title. Danielson is more focused in chasing Nigel for the ROH title among other feuds in ROH. Still though the issue with Morishima hangs over him. Final Battle is ROH's biggest show of the year. So for 2008 it's time bring Morishima back and finally end the feud.

A fight without honor is well a NO DQ match. It's the tag ROH applies to match meant to be the final blowoff to the most bitter and violent of feuds. Morishima makes his entrance first. He stands center of the ring waiting for Danielson to make his way down the aisle. The music plays the house lights go down but no Danielson. The house lights in the Hammerstein Ball Room come up. Byan Danielson has made his way through the crowd. Takeshi Morishima turns around right into a springboard knee. The massieve Japanese wrestler is sent to the floor and Danielson lands a baseball slide dropkick that knocks him over the guard rail. Still not letting up Danielson springboards landing a flying uppercut. This opening is such a contrast to the normal Bryan Danielson. Normally he's technical he's patient. He's got a game plan. This is sixteen months of anger pent up inside of him. It's also in kayfab his lost shot at revenge and to actually beat Morishima who holds has three of the four matches (The other was a double DQ) they have. Danielson grabs the hammer for the ring bell trying to drive it into Morishima's eye. 

Finally they climb into the ring and Danielson lands uppercuts along with headbutt (yes safer than Nigel ones) but Morishima shakes it off. They spill back to the apron and Danielson looks for a backdrop. Morishima hands a few hard blows and clubs Danielson off. Seeing red Danielson tries a powerbomb off the apron but Morishima just drops down onto his chest. Morishima especially in ROH is the type of wrestler that can quickly turn the tide with just a few moves. Morishima throws Danielson arond on the floor and we see he's bleeding. When Danielson tries to get back in the ring Morishima just knocks him back down. A chair shot followed by a hip check int the corner of the ringside area and another toss into the ring post. Danielson selling is great here. It's not just that he's hurt but he knows what ever early advantage he had is gone now. Sadistically Morishima brings Danielson back on the apron just knock back down over and over. With Danielson so badly hurt it gives Morishima time to search for a weapon and brings out a chain. Back in the ring the chain is wrapped around Danielson's neck before crushing him in the corner. Danielson flops to the ground face first. This gives Morishima time to climb to the tope. He comes off with a dropkick but Danielson is able to sidestep. 

Bryan Danielson lands two quick elbows but Morishima just needs forearm smash to rock the American. Still though Danielson is able to duck another hit the ropes and land a flying knee and knocks Morishima to floor. Danielson with a topa suicida not only knocks Morishima down but sends himself flying over the guardrail. Sensing he's got a chance Danielson dropkicks Morishima in his leg dropping the big man and follows up with roundhouse kicks to the chest. A running kick gets two. Still Morishima jsut needs that small opening. He gets it when Danielson tries a tiger suplex. Morishima drives Danielson into the corner getting free the lands a big boot, a hip check and finally a Yurinagi suplex, finally landing a huge running lariat. Morishima covers only getting two. Morishima sets for his backdrop driver his finisher that has put so many in ROH away. Danielson though slips out the back. Finally, Danielson had an edge he's faster and is able to duck under Morishima's shots. He hands a few and with the monster finally off balance can do a German suplex. It only get a two count but now the door is open for the Cattle Mutilation. When Morishima tries to power free he's meet with a series off elbows strikes.

Takeshia Morishima still powers his way back to his feet and with one massive forearm puts Danielson down. Danielson tries use his speed again but this time Morishima gets the drop on him and is able to hit a clothesline. Ready to finish it Morishima grabs the chain and chokes Danielson. But Danielson refuses to tap. Looking to punish Morishima puts Danielson on the top rope looking for the backdrop driver. Danielson slips out of the move and is able to hit a super Regalplex off the ropes. For the first time in the match Morishima's size is a disadvantage being that big and coming down that far and hard stuns him. Danielson now has the chain he chokes Morishima while stomping him. The chai is still on when Danielson puts him in a triangle choke. The referee checks Morishima's hand and it's the end the monster movie. The monster has been beaten, the survivor takes a deep breath...And the monster isn't dead yet. Morishima wakes up and pulls Danielson up and powerbombs him. Morishima gives Danielson and head belly to belly and another lariat and puts the exclamation mark on it landing the backdrop driver. 

Yet Morishima has made a mistake he's to close to the ropes allowing Danielson to break the pin. Another mistake comes when he wraps the chain around his arm looking to add extra power to the upcoming lariat. But the brief time to recover lets Danielson duck and get Morishima down. Danielson's turns the chain into makeshift handcuff trapping Morishima's hands behind his back. Danielson with a series of low blows. Danielson now grabs the chain and craps it around his own arm and lands a series of elbows and finally locks back in the cattle mutilation. It's all finally to much Morishima is out and Danielson has finally gotten his revenge and his win. 

This match and this whole feud is two men who bring the worst out of each other. They have injured and disgraced the other. Both have reached the point where they can't see the forest through the trees. Danielson does have a plan early on, but any plan falls apart against the brute force of Morishima. Several times during this match you get sense from Danielson that he's thinking "What the fuck did I get myself into?" Morishima you get a sense he is more insulted at Danielson's refusal to stay down and for every kickout or attempted comeback he wants to punish him. This one of those matches where I think you have to forgive or better forget a heel/face alinement. By it's very name this is a fight without honor. Ring of Honor for the most part in era was a very sports based promotion but in this case it's a fight. And in a fight it's about survival now honor. This match is also a great showcase of how well rounded Bryan Danielson is. He shows he can a wild almost Monday Night War era brawl. 

By August of 2009 Bryan Danielson signed with the WWE. You very likely know the story. How against all odds he become so beloved by the fed's most diehard fans even the WWE itself had to push him. How he would have ultimate moment main eventing WrestleMania XXX. The heartbreaking retirement followed by the amazing comeback. How he left the WWE and went to AEW and made it clear he's not just the of era but a serious contended for single greatest ever. Takeshi Morishima had a much more tragic tale. Circumstances out his control limited the impact he would have in Japan. A combination of health issues and mental burnout ended his career. For the full story I suggest this video. 

18 Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi New Japan Pro Wrestling Wrestle Kingdom 10 01/04/16- "Thank you for your efforts!" With those simple words what many call the great feud in modern wrestling if not all time kicked off. It's actually kind of surprising it took me this long to get a New Japan match on the list. NJPW was started in 1972 by Antonio Inoki. Some of the greatest of all time would call the promotion home Inoki of course but Keji Muto, Mashiro Chono, Jusin Liger, Tiger Mask among many others. Inoki could be company's biggest asset and greatest weakness. As MMA grew popular in Japan, Inoki would drive his company's product to be very MMA influenced which backfired in a number of ways. In 2005 Inoki sold NJPW to Yukes a video game company. Hiroshi Tanahashi grew up loving New Japan and debuted for the company 1999. He woulds stay loyal to the company through bad years ahead. At time where New Japan was mostly pushing MMA fighters turned wrestlers or wanted wrestlers to work a MMA style (or actually fight MMA) Tanahashi was a classic wrestler. The fans that remained flocked to him. 2006 would see Tanahashi claim his first IWGP championship. Slowly but surely Tanahashi would help to rebuild the company. 

January 4th 2012. Tanahashi is in the midst of his fifth title reign, he's held the title for over a year now and has just set a record for title defenses with eleven in the Tokyo Dome the biggest show of year. To the shock of everyone Kazuchika Okada only 24 years who had just returned from a disastrous excursion in American entered the ring and declared "Than you for your efforts but it's the rainmakers time." The bigger shock came a month later when Okada defeated Tanahashi to win the title. This was pretty much unheard of. In the blink of an eye Okada had it all. It's the kind of move that could easily backfire. Instead it was a success. Kazuchika Okada was a truly special talent. He took the ball and ran with it. Okada and Tanashashi would spend the next few years trading the IWGP title back and forth  and trying to stake the claim as NJPW's top wrestler. Since 1992 New Japan has run a yearly show at the Tokyo Dome every January 4th. It's the promotions biggest show and the biggest single wrestling event in Japan every year. While it went through a number of names in 2012 NJPW was bought by Bushiroad who settled on the name Wrestle Kingdom for the event. Going into this match Tanahashi and Okada had been in the Wrestle Kingdom main event twice each time saw Tanahashi win. 

The second Tanahashi win was particularly shocking. As everything pointed to Okada winning that match cementing himself as champion and ace of the company. Instead as Tanahashi celebrated middle of the ring an exhausted and beaten Okada collapsed into the arms of his manager Gedo tears flowing. With it all on the line he had failed. 2015 ended on a upswing though. Tanahashi lost the IWGP title to AJ Styles. Okada would go on to beat Styles. When Tanahashi won the G1 Climax Tournament the stage was set for a third encounter in the Dome. Could the main calling himself The Rainmaker finally get the job done? What would become of him if he couldn't?

 If you ever watch this match I highly recommend watching the pre match VTR/hype video as well as the entrances. Tanahashi enters to his iconic high energy theme. The man nicknamed the once in a centaury talent confidently strides to the ring holding the briefcase signifying his contractced title shot. When Okada's music starts it pauses for a moment. The IWGP champion appears wearing his robe and gold chain. The title wrapped around his waste. As the music starts again money rains from the sky. We are seeing two superstars fighting on the biggest stage for the most important prize in wrestling.  

Early on Okada forces Tanahashi back into the ropes on a lock up. He teases he's going to strike but than teasingly pats the challenger on the chest. An annoyed Tanahashi goes to slap the younger man in the face but Okada ducks it and lands an elbow. There is a moment plays off past matches as well as the dynamic. Okada's the young punk, Tanahashi the veteran, but Okada's also learning. Where in the past that slap lands it's Okada that lands the blow instead. Both men look for control when Tanashi ducks a clothesline he comes back with an eblow of his own. Both men taunt each other resulting in Tanasha land his slap but all that does is piss Okada off. He drops Tanahashi with an elbow and then  running big boot. The match moves into grappling exchanges. It goes back and forth with each man trading head lock. When Okada has control though Tanahashi hits a knee breaker and than clips the leg from behind. With the leg injured Tanahashi goes on the attack kicking, stomping, stretching, and evne splashing into it. For Tanahashi this is all about taking away Okada's abilty to plant and have a base for key moves. 

Even when Okada kicks him away with his good leg his efforts to mount a comeback are hampered. During a scramble Takahashi winds up on the apron. Using the ropes the Okada lauchines himself into a dropkick knocking his challenger to the floor. A replay shows Tanahashi lands hard on his back. Now Okada has a target he drives Okada into the guardrail back first sending him over it. Okada backs up and spring down the ringside area and leaps over the rail to hit a crossbody. It's another of those moves made all the more impressive by Okada's height and weight and just how perfectly he takes flight. Back in the ring Okada hits a body slam, following up with a sling shot senton crashing his body onto Tanahashi's stomach. Now desperate Tanahashi launches a series of strikes but on a charge he is placed on the top rope. The fans know what is coming Okada loves this spot, place the opponent on the top in the corner before landing a dropkicking that sends them to the floor. But Tanahashi gets his boot up knocking Okada back. Tanahashi looks for a flipping senton only Okada rolls out of the way. Once more this part of the Okada is always learning aspect of the match. In the pasy Tanahashi could land that senton this time he can't. 

Mounting offense Okada land a series of big moves ending with a diving uppercut that gets two. Tanahashi is placed in a strigh jacket hold and then a neck crank. Another example of Okada having learned all of Tanahashi's tricks plays out. Okada goes for a running move across the ring, Tanahashi tries to cut him off with a dropkick to the leg only for Okada to sidestep at the last second. Okada smiles he's got the "old man" where he wants him. But the delay is just enough as Tanahashi moves when Okada goes for a senton. Okada tries to whip Tanahshi into the corner again but this time the cutoff dropkick works. Okada tries to cut off the comeback with a running big boot only the leg is caught allowing Tanahashi to hit a dragon screw leg whip. Hurting Okada rolls to the floor. Looking for a huge move Tanahashi climbs the ropes. Okada cuts him off but in the resulting scramble Okada's good leg is trapped in the corner allowing for Tanahashi to hit a dragon screw on that leg. Another dragon screw in the ropes follows, capped off with the sling blade a jumping twisting lariat on the apron. Once more Okada is on the ground. When he stands back up he is met by Tanahashi flying off the top to hit a crossbody or as it will be dubbed in later years Aces High. 

Okada is down as Tanashi rolls back in the ring. Gedo, Okada's manger begs him to get up as the ref counts. At 16 he is up but falls off the apron, At 18 he slips again just barley beating the count. Back in the ring Tanahashi hits his high fly flow a frog splash onto legs. Okada has to scramble to the ropes when Tanahashi goes for a cloverleaf submission hold. After a scramble Okada makes a huge mistake, he hits a reverse neckbreaker the problem is the move is done by driving an opponent's neck into the knee. It's a big move but he's also hurt himself doing it. Both men are able to stand and start to exchange elbows. Okada wins the exchange when he manages to land a dropkick on charging Tanahashi. Okada lands a series of boots to Tanahashi's face and covers for two. Climbing to the top rope Okada launches himself a for a missile dropkick but again only gets two. Knowing he's back in control Okada goes back to the tope and a spectacular flying elbow drop. Standing over his fallen foe he does his Rainmaker pose and sets up for the rainmaker ripcord larait (Rainmaker is both Okada's nickname and the name of finish). Tanahashi ducks. 

We are back to scramble with both men unable to get control until Tanahashi dropkicks Okada's leg and follows up with another dragon screw. Finally Tanahashi is able to lock in the cloverleaft hold stretchign Okada'a lower body. Okada reaches for the ropes but can't get there finally he's able to force Tanahashi over enough to get his break. Tanahashi lands a neckbreaker and a sling blade. Tanahashi knows it's over if he can hit one final big move. He back to the top rope looking for the high fly flow but Okada rolls out of the way. Okada hits a tombstone piledriver again doing damage to Tanahashi's neck at the cost of hurting his own legs. Okada stands and calls to the crowd and lands the rain maker. He's finally done it. He's finally beat Tanahashi in the dome. He's already celebrating pumping his fist as the ref count only for Tanahashi to kick out. If you watch enough sports you've seen moments like this, the fighter who drops his hands to taunt and eats a punch to the face, the basketball player who turns his back only for his shot to miss, the football player who is starting his TD dance only to have the ball stripped at 1 yard line. Okada's face turns to shock. He even begs the ref to say it was three. It had to be three. But it wasn't three.

If he's not going to stay down, Okada is going to make Tanahashi pay. He climbs to the top hitting the high fly flow of his own. The added insult he will beat him with is own move. But again, Tanahashi kicks at two. Okada looks for the rain maker again, but Tanashi ducks and hits his own rainmaker. Both men are down, both men are hurt, and exhausted. Okada is up first and all Tanahashi can do is kick at the legs to keep him off. Okada looks for the rainmaker again, but Tanashi uses the momentum to hit the sling blade and follows up with a dragon suplex. Back in control Tanashi spring to the top and hits the high fly flow. He hits a second one. Now it's Tanahashi who knows it's over. As he had done time and time again in the Tokyo Dome he's weathered the storm, he managed to put the other man down. Okada is good hell he'll even admit Okada is great but he's not Tanahashi. The ref counts one and two. Okada gets his shoulder up. Tanahashi goes to the top rope, but Okada is able to get up and land dropkick as Tanahashi takes flight. Okada grabs the waste lock. Tanahashi fight and goes all he can to get free but when he does he lands runs into another dropkick. A huge German suplex by Okada and he looks for the end. 

Another attempt to set up for the rain maker. Tanahashi hit a stiff slap to the face a slap that in the past has dropped many including Okada. But on 1/4/16 Okada won't let go. One year earlier he lost the grip on the wrist late in the match. When the wrist slipped away so did his chances at victory. This year though he keeps the grip landing two hard short clotheslines. He pulls Tanahashi back to his feet and launces him into the rainmaker. Falling on top there is no posing, there is no celebrating there is just the slap on the mat for a third time. 

An amazing match. Filled with heart, passion, and drama. This match is also a perfect microcosm of the long running feud. Okada's early success stopped by Tanahashi's veteran knowledge. Okada figuring out how to overcome Tanahashi only for Tanahashi to refused to be put away. We even reach that point where Okada has given all he's got and now must dig deeper than ever. A year earlier Okada cried but in the end he picked himself up and kept fighting regaining the IWGP. In this match he's faced with this moment again. He has to get back up he has keep fighting or he will see his chance to cement himself as New Japan's top name slip away for good. This isn't just a battle to be a champion its a battle for two men fighting for the soul of New Japan. Tanahashi gave his all to rebuild the company and now he's giving his all to hold off the next generation. But Okada loves New Japan he seems himself as the perfect man to take the company to the next level. He's no longer the cocky youngster who first challenged Tanahashi. He's a battle hardened veteran in his own way now. The rebuilding of NJPW was long over. The Okada vs. Tanahashi feud had in fact begun a golden era for the company and with htis win Okada was set up to take NJPW to it's peak.

 Effectively this was the end of feud between the two. After his loss Hiroshi Tanahashi came down the card. He was still a top name, even main eventing many major shows but outside of one final and somewhat surprising IWGP title reign years later there was no doubt who the top man was. Kazuchika Okada was no the man in New Japan. He would main event all the big shows drawing massive crowds. As NJPW's grew around the world finding a level of success in the US it was Okada on top. The Tanahashi feud had made him a superstar. It another feud that would make him a legend.

19 Kazuchicka Okada vs. Kenny Omega New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 11 01/04/17- There is no single way to be a pro wrestler and so often those that innovate/change wrestling are often hated by the past generation. No one fits this discerption better then Kenny Omega. The man's role in the modern state of wrestling can't be understated. And there is tons of hate directed at him by mostly bitter guys from the 80's and 90's who can stand he's made tons of money. Omega began his career in his native Canada. He had a brief sting under WWE developmental deal but that company in fact failed to develop him. Instead, Omega would find himself in Japan working for Dramatic Dream Team or DDT. Mixing comedy in with amazing wrestling has allowed DDT to stand and survive for over twenty-five years. Omega thrived in the company and gained a following. After a number of guest appearances New Japan. After a stint as a Junior Heavyweight, Omega's big break came when a number of wrestlers departed NJPW for WWE. Moving up to heavyweight Omega was made the leader of the popular Bullet Club stable. In the summer he become the first foreigner to win the G1 Climax tournament. Okada was now in the midst of his fourth reign as IWGP champion. Japanese wrestling was largely built on the idea of brave Japanese hero fighting off the evil foreigner and that is pretty much that being done again.  

For his entrance Omega takes inspiration from the movie The Terminator a video plays reenacting the scene where the T-1000 arrives. When Omega appears on the stage he in a black leather jacket, a half facemask and holding a prop shotgun. Wrestling fans have abused the term aura but this is aura. It's a man who has been years pushing his way to top finally just one step away from being there. Not to be outdone Okada entrance gives the visual that he's a force from the heavens arriving in the Tokyo Dome. As he walks he stops and looks around venue almost like he's seeing every single face he's brought in for this event. Everything about this, screams big fight. 

It's an even trade off with both men early on. They look for control but can't get a clear edge. When Okada gets a headlock Omega plays dirty going to the eyes. He then starts to attack the arm looking to take away the rain maker. When Omega grabs a headlock Okada tries to shoot him off only to get dragged to the mat, when he goes for a backdrop to get free Omega still keeps the hold on. The men wind up enchaining pinfall attempts and arm drags with Okada finally taking overusing an armbar. He plants Omega with a shoulder tackle. Omega changes the pace using his speed to avoid Okada's big attacks and cut off others. Omega tries mind games getting Okada to chase him to the floor but the champion is able to land a boot to the face. He tosses Omega to the floor where both look to land a devastating move. It's Okada with the edge when he hangs Kenny on the guardrail and hits a DDT. Okada grabs a table. In the lead up to the match Omega had put him through one. While he tries to set it up Omega attacks but Okada gains the edge sending his challenger over the guard rail. Okada lands his running flying crossbody. Back in the ring Okada does his bodyslam and sling shot senton combo but only gets a one count. A neck breaker by Okada gets two. 

It's Omega's speed the turns things again it let's him land a dropkick to the knee and than a bulldog. Omega lays in a single chop with a thud and Okada acts like he's been shot. Omega follows up with an elbow to the back. These might seem small but they are sending a big message. Omega is able to do damage with single shots. A running knee to the stomach cuts off Okada come back. A snap hurriccanara sends Okada to the floor. Omega does the terminator dive/topa con helio. A flipping dive over the top rope. Getting aggressive Omega body slams Okada into the apron. Back in the ring Omega comes off the top rope landing a dropkick to the back of the head. Hurt Okada can only save his title but grabbing the tope on the pinfall. Changing it up Omega goes Muay Thai style knees to the body but Okada manages to grab the leg and gets him to his shoulder and slams him down. Okada mounts the comeback making use a boot, running elbows, and a diving uppercut. He again picks up the leg and drops him face first. Okada than locks in a modified chin lock known as Red Ink. When Omega gets free Okada retains control hitting his reverse neckbreaker. Running through his big moves Okada goes to the top rope for the flying elbow only to crash into Omega's knees. 

Omega picks Okada up and hits a back breaker. Okada goes to the floor just to get Omega's boots driven into his back sending him over the guardrail. Omega springboards and comes off the top with a moonsault. It's a spectacular looking move down so fluid. Getting up Omega takes time to celebrate with The Young Bucks of Nick and Matt Jackson who are in his corner. Okada gets back over the rail but is cut off by Omega. The challenger than slams the table from early onto Okada and comes off the apron with a double stomp. Back in the ring Omega channels Kawada using the folding powerbomb and gets a two count. Showing off Kenny Omega locks in a waste lock and pulls Okada up, holds him in the air and finally hits another power bomb this time a sit out style. Both moves only get two. On the Floor the Bucks set up a table. Omega looks to do something with the table but is stopped by the referee. Instead Omega just drives knees and elbows into Okada's injured back. The desperate fans chant for Okada trying to will him on. Omega finally slips up letting Okada recover a bit and land a few boots but Omega regains control with a firemen's carry rolls and a quick moonsault off the second rope. Digging in deep Okada catches a charging Omega and sits him on the top rope before dropkicking him off and to the floor. 

Both men wind up on the apron. Omega is able to get Okada up on his shoulders and looks like is about to hit his devastating One Winged Angel off the apron and through the table. Okada barley saves himself by slipping off and into the ring. Back in the ring Omega lands chops but when he runs the ropes Okada is able to launch him over the top rope. Omega destroys the table when lands on it. Okada could very win via countout but he wants do damage. He tosses Omega back in and hits shotgun dropkick off the sending Omega across the ring. With a bitter angry look on his face Okada lands his top rope elbow and does his pose. The Rain Maker Pose is of course a bit pro wrestling theater but it's also cue to the fans. When Okada does this, it means he thinks the match is getting close to the end. It's his single to the fans he's going into the final gear and put it all away. Okada grabs the wrist wanting the rain maker lariat but Omega dives for the ropes. It just lets the still angry Okada lands blows into his back. The champion looks for his finish again but Omega ducks and is able to drive Okada into the corner hard. Exhausted and beaten up Omega tries to pick Okada up but can't. Instead the two men exchange slaps. Finally, Kenny Omega gets Okada on the top rope. Okada tries to fight him off but Omega refuses to be stopped. Standing on the rope Omega locks in full nelson and falls back hitting Okada with a dragon superplex. The crowds says it best when Okada lands we just here "OHHH!" Omega with a neckbreaker out of the vertical suplex. Looking for the knockout blow, Omega goes for his running the jump knee the V-Trigger. Okada at the last second sidesteps it using the moment as Omega hits the ropes lands a German Suplex. Now Okada wants the KO and sets for the rain maker. Omega ducks again and lands the V Trigger. But he gets greedy goes for a second only to run into the drop kick. 

Each man blocks some big strikes until finally Omega hits a V Trigger again. With Okada rocked Omega gives him a poison rana a moves that forces the wrestler taking it to go backwards onto his head. Another V Trigger and Omega knows it's almost over. He lifts Okada onto his shoulder looking for the One Winged Angel but Okada flips out of it lands on his feet. Omega jumps looking for a move (most likely the V trigger again) But Okada catches him and hits a tombstone piledriver. There is one step left. Okada takes the arm and does the rain maker. But it's not enough. Omega kicks at two. Okada is in shock. Omega is desperate and weakly strikes at Okada's stomach when that doesn't work he goes back to the eyes. All it's done is tick off Okada off he comes back with a dropkicks than sends Omega crashing into the corner.  Okada goes back to the tombstone but Omega revers the position and hits a cradle version of the move. Still a two count. On there knees the two men exchange elbows. When they stand up more elbows. It's all they can do at this pont. They have given everything. Finally Omega slips behind and hits the snap dragons suplex dropping Okada. Two V Trigger and again he tries for the One Winged Angel but Okada slips out again and hits modified rainmaker. Desperate Kenny Omega kicks trying to break the wrist hold but can't get away and finally eats a shot lariat. But he some how comes back to land his own dropkick. 

Taunting Okada he does the ripcord motion but instead of a lariat he lands a knee strike. Omega knows he's got one last chance its back to the One Winged Angel. It's a move that if he can hit it, the match is over only one person has ever kicked out of it when Omega used it. But it's a move that is compilated to apply. He's got to the left the other man onto his shoulder in the electric chair position then get leg over and finally cradle the head. It's a move that on this night is to complicated. Okada escapes and hits a spinning tombstone. One final thunderous rain maker by the IWGP champ. 1 2 3 and still. Okada wins. 

This match was Kenny Omega's breakout performance. He had a lot of really good if not downright great matches but this was the match that made him a superstar worldwide. A lot of that was due to the world we know live it. Great matches from Japan no longer tricked over to the USA via tape trading or real player files. Fans could watch this match live via New Japan's streaming service. The rise of social media made it easier to spread the message of "You have to see this." Other wrestlers including Bryan Danielson, Steve Austin, and Mick Foley all heavily praised it. Wrestling journalist/historian Dave Meltzer when reviewing match the gave it six stars on a scale's that previous high had always been five (five plus for particularly great matches). Omega more than rises to occasion here. He's spot on throughout the thing. Adding tons of little details that playout throughout the match. But Omega is not alone here. Okada's plays everything to near perfection. He knows when to sell and how much to sell it, he also knows when to play the dominate champion. I can't stress how great this match is. The timing is new perfect as is the pacing. Even running over forty minutes it flies by. The entire time the crowd is fully into the match.

The story they tell is both simple yet multi layered. Going into this match you have to wonder does Kenny Omega belong in this spot? And that question is answered early on. He keeps up with Okada, he manages to hurt Okada. He controls the match and seems like he's going to pull off the upset. When he's celebrating with the Young Bucks it's a QB who had just built a three touchdown lead while the other team can't even get across the fifty-yard line. Problem is Okada is Tom Brady he almost always going to find a way back into the big game. For Omega the big lead slips away and in overtime the title slips away. This match was all time great but they were only getting started. 

Okada and Omega redefined wrestling

20 Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega New Japan 6.11 Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall 06/11/17- For once I don't do a writing to explain the lead up. The first match had been huge for New Japan. Okada has kept the IWGP title, Omega has picked up some wins and it's time for the rematch. Kenny Omega is dealing with some issues in the Bullet Club. At Wrestle Kingdom Cody (Rhodes) debuted in New Japan. It soon became clear Cody was looking to usurp Kenny's spot as both Bullet Club's leader and as the top non Japanese wrestler in the company. For Okada this event marks one full years as champion. 

We get another mostly even start as both men jockey for control. Okada lands a body slam and goes for his slingshot senton but Omega gets the knees up. Both try for their finishing move early. Finally, Okada goes for a sequence he's had a lot of success with. Whip the man into the ropes hit the dropkick coming back. But Omega hooks the ropes. Okada comes down and tweaks his knee. Omega hits a snap rana and Okada rolls to the floor. Omega looks for the Topa Con Helio. However Okada is back in the ring lands a boot to the face and Omega rolls to the floor. Okada now dives but injures his leg again. Omega seeing his chance dropkicks the injured leg and snaps at it. He does a sling shot dropkick to the knee and Okada crumples. With the champion down Kenny Omega locks in the figure four. Just like that this match takes on a different patch than the first one. With his knee key Okada weapons are taken away. The first match had already show Omega's speed advantage over a healthy Okada. Kenny Omega drags Okada to the floor so he can pick him up and slam him knee first into the apron and than onto the ringside table. Back in the ring Omega stomps the leg and begins to lay in kicks. Willing himself up Okada stands and strikes. When Omega returns to attack the leg Okada is able to side step and lands a running boot of his own to Omega's face and follow up with a flapjack dropping Omega to the mat face first.

Okada stays a step ahead countering out Omega's moves and getting him to the mat for the Red Ink submission. Still the leg affects Okada he is slower and even when landing the moves are less powerful. With the knee weakened Omega gets the ropes. On the floor Omega seems to be taking control even looking for a moonsault off the guardrail only for Okada to shove him off. Omega crashes hard. Pushing through his injury Okada lands his running crossbody. You get the sense that the early injury combined with being so close in the first match is causing Omega to press. He is rushing through big moves but all that does is give Okada opening for counters. A reverse neck breaker by Okada. But again is leg bothers him as he climbs the ropes and tries to get his balance. Okada looks for the flying elbow but the delay is enough let Omega move. Omega lands a backbreaker that sends Okada to the floor. Omega nails a top rope asai moonsault. It's an amazing looking display of balance and athletic ability. Returning to the ring Omega with the dropkick off the top rope catches Okada in the back and than into the Dr. Wiley Bomb a gutwrech suplex into a sitout powerbomb that gets two. Omega hits a Finlay Roll and then goes for the follow up moosnsault. Okada moves and lands the uppercut. Champion and challenger exchange strikes and on this night Okada' seems to be the more powerful until Omega lands a big chop that drops him. 

Both men look for a big move off the ropes. Omega gets the edge and looks for the top rope dragon suplex. The first match this move was devastating. Logically if Omega can hit it here when he's much fresher it might enough to end things. Okada desperately fights to get free. Both men spill to the apron. Okada takes the edge with a high angle death valley driver slams Omega hard onto the apron. Omega tries to get back into the ring but Okada lands a shotgun dropkicks sending him flying back into the guardrail. Okada again pulls out a table and sets it up. Omega has gotten back in the ring but that's what Okada wanted. Now it's Okada's turn to look for a move he hit in the dome. This back the back drop that sent Omega through the table. Omega is able to block even landing a knee. Omega looks for a running powerbomb but the damage to his back is to much and Okada escapes. Again Okada looks for the backdrop but Omega lands on his feet on apron. Omega looks to spring board back in only to get taken out with a dropkick. Okada wants the rainmaker but Omega lands a series of back elbows stunning him just we get the thirty call. Omega lands a a superplex off the top rope. Still hurting Omega has to crawl to get the cover for two. Following up Omega hits his suplex into a neckbreaker. Another call back to the dome. Omega looks for the V Trigger, Okada move and uses the momentum for a release German but this time Kenny lands on his feet and hits the V Trigger after all. Both men tease there finishes. Omega looks for the V Trigger but Okada catches the knee and moves into a series of German Suplexes and hirs the rain maker. Okada covers the ref counts one, the ref counts two. Omega kicks out. Okada hit his best move but Omega survived it this time.

Okada again goes for the whip into a dropkick, but Omega has a counter ready. He leaps into the air and catches Okada in sit out powerbomb gaining a two count. Omega lands a snap dragon suplex makes the mistake of charging into the corner. Okada gets him on the top turnbuckle and dropkicks him off to the floor. Okada places Omega on the table he set up earlier so he can climb to the top and hit the flying elbow. The table doesn't break which actually makes the moves more brutal as it means the table didn't any of the force or impact. Both men stay down for a while and likely it's due to both needing time to regain their breath. Back in the ring Okada lands his top rope dropkick sending Omega flying. Omega kicks out as the forty minute call comes in. Okada with a series of running dropkicks to the face. He covers and Omega has to get a rope break to save himself. Hurt and exhausted Omega strikes and Okada's who looks down at him with scorn. A short arm lariat by Okada drops Omega, he pulled up and takes another. You see in Okada's face and body langue he's had enough. To him 1/4/17 was a fluke. Kenny Omega had the best night of his career he lost but people have gifted him a moral victory. Now's he spent another forty plus minutes with this guy. He's ready to put Omega away.

It's here the match has a moment that I'm mixed on. The rest of Bullet Club make their way to ring. Cody has a towel in his hands and is ready to throw it in. The Young Bucks who have been in Kenny Omega's corner stop him and the three fight. I get why this is going on. It's part of a larger story within the Bullet Club. Cody can play it as he's worried about Kenny but it's also his way to assure Kenny doesn't win the title. But it's kind of distracting. What save it though is the argument is short two it's the reaction to how affects Omega. Seeing one of his men about to toss in the towel light a fire under him he drives a knee into Okada's face and does the revers rana. I also give the rest of Bullet Club credit they play it perfect. There is shock and then celebration. In a nice touch Omega grabs the towel from Cody. Omega is back up off the mat and looks for the V-Trigger but he runs into the dropkick by Okada. Okada looks for the rain maker but Omega slips it and comes back with the knee. Omega looks for the One Winged Angel but Okada slips out but Kenny is right on him with the jump knee again. Omega gets Okada up  and finally after eighty plus minutes hits the One Winged Angel. He he's dropped Okada on his head with force and makes the cover.  It's a one it's a two than Okada's long leg falls into the ropes. The pin is broken. Like a wide receiver in football only making a catch due to his long arms Okada has saved himself. 

Kenny Omega taunts the champion daring to pose in front of him before hitting a move. Okada uses this to pull him into another short arm lariat. Both men are down long enough the referee counts like this is a boxing match. Both men barley gets up to break the count. With nothing left they lands forearms and Omega drops Okada with a shot right to the chin. Another snap dragon and Omega looks for a V trigger but Okada is ready with a dropkick. Now fifty minutes in they are back to trading elbows. Omega goes for knees and drops Okada and falls on to for another two count.  Okada crawls into the corner his back exposed Omega lands the V trigger and sets up for the One Winged Angel once more. Okada escapes and hits the tombstone. Both men are down again. Okada wills himself back up. He's know he's got to put this away. So he loads up for another rain maker but in a fantastic moment of story telling. Omega collapses and Okada sails over top of him. Okada had done such a great job of wearing Omega out, Omega was too tired to stand and eat the kill shot. Now with precious time to recover it's jut enough for Omega to block another tombstone. Omega drives another knee into Okada's face at the fifty five minute call. There are five minutes left in the time limit. Omega lands another V trigger and goes for One Winged Angel but Okada slips out the back and hits his dropkick. The spinning tombstone by Okada. Digging deep Okada hits a German suplex and bridge for a pinfall. Omega digs deeper and kicks out.

Okada goes to pull Omega up but is trapped into an inside cradle. Okada escapes and once again lands a dropkick. Omega rolls across the mat. The two minute calls and Okada is so spent he has to crawl across the mat to keep up the attack. Omega desperately clings to the ropes to block the rain maker. Another dropkick and finally Okada lands the rain maker again but he's to far away to cover right away. Okada crawls again as Omega rolls over just far enough to be out of reach. The bell sounds the time limit is up. Even as its over, even as they can move anymore both men reach out wanting to still fight on. At Wrestle Kingdom Okada was better man but just barely. At Dominion though they are even. The crowd stands and applauds both men.

I've long stood by the belief longer does not automatically make a match better. Often it makes a match worse. Guys have to drag out the match with rest holds or stalling. Or it's wrestler's egos wanting to "get all there stuff in." Many times the hour-long draw done due to a wrestler not wanting to lose or a booker being too cowardly to pick a winner/greedy and wanting another rematch. This match isn't that. Omega and Okada once again but in a high pace match. At no time do I feel like either man is just stalling for time because they aren't sure how to fill the run time. Every moves seems to be in services of getting the win. There is also the larger context of New Japan's ongoing stories. By the time this his fourth reign as IWGP champion ends Okada will have set new records for both the longest reign but most defenses in a single reign. He is unbeatable at this time. Yet here is Kenny Omega a man who came so close once and now while Okada's kept the title it's not a win. It's that one blemish.

Given the acclaim of the first match there were some doubts and fears about the rematch being so soon. This included Kenny Omega who wanted to wait closer to a year. Thankfully this is a case of at worst it's a worthy sequel at best is surpasses the first. It's a wild ride well worth seeing over and over again. For Okada he still had the IWGP title for Omega it was a goal left unachieved. And a match like this demands another rematch, it demands a true winner.