Between the matches- Kenny Omega in kayfabe rebounded quickly from the draw at Dominion. When New Japan held shows in Long Beach California he won two night tournament to become the first IWGP United States champion beating Michael Elgin, Jay Lethal, and Tomihirio Ishii. Meanwhile Okada made his seventh defense against Cody during the US tour. This set both me up for the G1 Climax, New Japan's annual summer tournament. Okada was past two time champion of the G1 while Omega entered as the defending winner. In storyline Omega was in for two huge shocks. One was the return to New Japan of his former partner Kota Ibushi. In 2015 Ibushi had challenged than Bullet Club leader AJ Styles for the IWGP title. Omega has been in Styles' corner providing a momentary distractions that cost Ibushi the match. Shortly after that citing injuries and burn out Ibushi left Japan. While he had returned in 2016 it had been as the masked Tiger Mask W. This would be Ibushi first appearances under is real name.
The other surprise for Omega was the news he and Okada would be in the B block together. For those unaware the G1's current format sees wrestlers split into two blocks. A wrestler will face everyone in there block once in 30 minute time limit match. A victory is worth two points a time limit draw is worth one. The wrestler in the block with the most points advances to the face the winner of the other block in no time limit match. Okada and Omega's match was set for the final night of block action. And because it's wrestling Okada entered the night with 1 more point. Meaning Kenny had to win to keep his goal of a second G1 and a second Wrestle Kingdom main event alive.
Match Three G1 Climax B Block Finals August 27th 2017 Ryogoku Sumo Hall- So of course the question for this match is how can can Kenny? Keep in the mind the first match went 45 minutes the second went 60. And Omega hadn't won either match. Meanwhile Okada could afford to just ride out the time limit and advance. Due to this being the G1 both men get there normal entrances no special gear. Once again The Young Bucks are with Omega and Gedo is with Okada. Rocky Romero is on commentary along with Don Callis and Kevin Kelly. So we have a neutral guy in Kevin, an Omega guy and an Okada guy. Kevin points out Omega is trying to be the first to go back to back since Tenzan did it in 03 and 04. Rocky points out Omega has never beat Okada. Don claims Kenny has never hit the One Winged Angel and Kevin corrects him. Don does point out Okada didn't kick out he got a lucky rope break. Kevin poitns out a win would give Okada 15 points a new record. Rocky says Okada won't be looking to just run the clock.
They tease another slow start but Omega lands a boot and a chop. Okada goes for a drop kick but Kenny hooks the ropes. V Triggers misses. Rain Maker into snap dragon. V Trigger misses again. Seated drop kick cut off. One winged angel attempt but Okada escapes drop kick off the ropes and Omega falls to the floor. Okada grabs his neck selling injury from early in the tournament. Omega is whipped into the guard rail hard than Okada boots him over the top rope. Diving crossbody over the guard rail by Okada. I really love this start. Both men want the win and both know they can't afford to waste time. Its like the first two matches were the Daytona 500 a long race while this is a 300 mile event during NASCAR's summer season.
Elbow drop by Okada and see just how heavily tapped up he is. Okada does the rain maker pose as Kevin asks "Can he do it in less than five minutes." Kenny blocks the rain maker and sends Okada to the floor. Pescado by Omega and Okada hits the guard rail hard. Back to the ring and the top rope missile dropkick by Omega gets a two count. Omega twists the head of Okada. Okada tries to get the ropes but Omega traps the leg and reigns down elbow before pulling off the trainers tape. Omega with a running back breaker covers again for two. Stiff kicks to the back than a chop to the chest than into a chin lock. Okada powers up to his feet but takes blows to his back and neck. Okada reveres a whip and hits a boot. He goes for the senton but he pays for it as Omega gets the legs up. Omega wants a piledriver but Okada bases out and than gets the back body drop. Okada misses the running elbow but does manage to get Omega in the reverse neck breaker position. Finally Okada with the running back elbow than the one in the corner followed by the DDT. But we than get a sign of just how beat up Okada is as he can't do a kip up.
Its worth nothing on 8/8 Okada has faced Suzuki meaning he faced the heavy hitter much letter than Omega did. And of course in the G1 everyone is banged up by the end. Omega blocks the tombstone. Okada lets go and grabs his neck showing he's hurting it even going for moves this lets Omega land a clubbing blow. Chop to the back. Omega goes for the you can't escape but Okada gets his lets up on the moonsault. Okada goes for a running attack but Omega recovers and hits a Frankenstenier. Okada to the floor and takes a drop kick to the back of the head. Rise of the Terminator is cut off by the Okada flapjack. Tries for the tombstone again but Omega slips off the back to the apron. Omega springboards but Okada cuts him off with a dropkick. Omega crashes to the floor. Okada sees his chance to end it he goes for a tombstone on the floor but Omega is still to free he slips out and nails a reverse rana.
We get a great shot of Omega in shock at what he just did. The replay makes the move look even more brutal. Red Shoes calls for the doctor. Even Callis is concerned. The fans chant for Okada. Omega shoves the doctors away and pulls Okada to the apron. Kenny sets for snap dragon and hits it. Okada is thrown back in. Aoi Shoudu and Omega covers. But Okada kicks out. Now we see Omega in shock again this time he can't believe Okada won't stay down. Okada isn't moving but Omega shoves Red Shoes away so he can pull Okada up and hit knees on him. 15 mintues down 15 to go. On the floor we see a very worried looking Gedo with the towel in his hands. Okada weakly swings at Omega. Its a nice reminder from the earlier matches. Omega had been the one hurt late weakly trying to fight back now it's Okada in that role. One stiff chop drops Okada. Another chop but Okada starts to fire up but a rapid fire series of blow to the neck drop him.
Omega goes for the V trigger but Okada catches it. Elbows by Okada but a standing V trigger stuns him. One Winged Angel attempt Okada turs into the tombstone and hits it. Chants of Okada rain down. Kenny sits Okada on the top rope and chops him. Rocky points out even with Okada hitting a big move it was Omega who recovered faster. Omega going for a super fishermen's buster but Okada knocks him off. Missle dropkick by Okada that looks like it move cave in Omega's chest. But again Okada is hurt having landing on his neck. Okada is up first shot gun drop kick and he screams. Rain maker is blocked exchange of strikes. V Trigger than a dropkick. Rainmaker blocked again. Omega leaps onto Okada's back seems like he's going for another reverse rana but Okada gets him off. Okada with a German Suplex. He keeps wrist control but Omega turns it into a Urinagi that spikes Okada down again.
Okada with the last of his strength is able to escape a one winged angle and hits the rain maker. But that was just its the last of strength. Like the second match he loses the wrist and falls away from Kenny. But unlike that match we hear the twenty minute call. Meaning Okada has ten mintues to make the cover. He finally does but Omega gets his shoulder up. Now the chats are for both men. Okada stands up but grabs his neck. Kenny is still down. Okada pulls the US champ up looks for the tombstone but Omega with a victory roll for two than a backslide for two. Okada thought has the wrist and hits a quick rain maker. He holds on Okada wants the full rain maker he knows that is what it will take. Another rain maker but not the full spin. Okada feels he needs 1 more. He can't let Omega kick out again. Omega ducks and gets the German suplex. Omega with a second. Okada thinks he's elbowed free but it's a trap a reverse rana by Omega for two.
Omega looks for the one winged angel Okada tries to hammer free but again its a trap as Omega with Coyte's Wrath. Cover and count of one, count of two Okada kicks out. Omega goes for the running v trigger but Okada with the drop kick. Omega is right back up through. Rain Trigger than the Tiger Driver 98. V trigger and the one winged angel. The Bucks jump up on the apron because it's over. After three matches and over two hours of ring time Omega has beat Okada. The young lions help Okada to the back while Omega hears the official announcement he will face Naito in the finals. Omega gets the microphone and in Japanese I think puts Okada over. He switches to English to talk about Naito. Kenny promises to win the G1 again. Good Bye Good Night!
Conclusion- Due to being in the G1 its both the shortest and the some what forgotten match in the series. Part of that is due to it being non title with a predictable finish. Under the modern rules with the G1 winner getting a title shot the IWGP champ doesn't win the G1 or even reach the finals. So it was the perfect time for Kenny to finally get the win. I personally I really enjoy this match. The two do a lot with the short time they have. Both me going for big early makes sense given the fact they don't have the time to feel each other out like they did in the two title matches. Okada does a great job selling his neck. Again the crowd is really hot here. I think it helps its rare they see in Okada in this much trouble.
It could be argued New Japan should have kept them apart longer. But given how many shows they do in G1 season you need big matches to help sell them. Also I think it was wise to give Omega a win over Okada given how the feud ends. Kenny is great here he playing the guy that knows the tide is turning. He can see the path. Beat Okada tonight, beat Naito the next night than beat Okada again to win the title. Winning the US title and the peace at the time with Cody has put him in a better headspace. But for Omega a fall was coming but we must fall to rise.
Between the matches- Kenny Omega's goal of winning a second G1 was denied when in the finals Naito took the victory. Post G1 Okada made one more title defense for 2017 beating EVIL at King of Pro Wrestling. The win also assured her would break two major IWGP title records most collective total days as champion and most days in single title reign. Shinya Hashimoto's record of 489 days stood since 1997. At Wrestle Kingdom 12 Naito fell to the Rainmaker. After that his tenth defense was a success for SANADA at New Beginning. On 21st he beat Zack Saber meaning he now tied the record for most defenses in a reign with eleven. That left one big name for him to face. His old rival Tanahashi whose record he was looking to break. Years early Okada had ended Tanahashi's streak at 11 in 2018 the Ace was unable to return the favor. Now with 12 title defenses there was just one bit of unfished business left.
Omega's post G1 was a roller coaster. He made three successful defenses of the US title vs. Juice Robinson, YOSHI-HASHI, and Trent Barretta. But tensions were growing in the Bullet Club again. Cody had a new target Ibushi. And than Chris Jericho returned to New Japan. What started as a series of Tweets escalated including a violent attack at World Tag League show and brawls at a press conference. Finally at Wrestle Kingdom Omega defeated Jericho in a No DQ match. But than Jay White targeted Omega and the US title. During the New Beginning tour Omega lost it all. White beat him for the US title and than tension with the Club exploded leaving Kenny estranged from the rest of the Elite. As Cody looked to strike him down Ibushi made the save. The Golden Lovers reunited and while still estranged from the Elite Omega picked up momentum once again.
After his victory over Tananhashi, Okada called Omega to the ring. While Okada had made twelve title defenses he had not gotten twelve victories. It was nearly a year since there time limit draw and with Omega winning the G1 the record was 1-1-1. Okada wanted to once and for all prove he was the better man. As a result a no time limit two out of three falls match was set. At Dominion there would be a winner once and for all.
Match Four Dominion 6.9 June 9th 2018 Osaka-jo Hall Two Out of Three Falls- So once again Red Shoes will be the referee. Of course Gedo is with Okada he wouldn't turn on him until the fall. But it's Ibushi in Omega's corner. In storyline he was still estranged from the Young Bucks. Although BTE had been teasing some type of resolution to that story. The pre match VTR really foucs in on the draw while showing what the two men had done since. In the VTR Omega hype he's got more stamia than Okada and how going for now time limit is a mistake. HE also says he's stronger with Ibushi by his side. For Omega's entrance we a video wit himin pain as he recalls the past time he came up short vs. Okada and the issues with the Bullet Club. Finally a feather falls in front of him and we see Ibushi in white. Kota asks Kenny if he's ready for what is to come. Than what he is cost just before we see the Bullet Club logo vanish. Kenny answers it cost him everything.
I think the point of this is to show this is a very different Omega than has faced Okada in the past. The anger the cockiness even the willingness to cheat is all gone. Ibushi has brought back out the old fun loving Kenny only with the body and skills of the Bullet Club Omega. And easily this is the best shape Omega has ever been in. Okada enters with his Okada dollars falling as Kevin Kelly hypes his various accomplishments. This is also during the pants era for Okada. Remember how before match one I said the video seemed to make Okada god like? Well here I almost wonder if they did nothing to speical in an effort to make him look more human. More likely to fail than he had been in the past two years. Don Callis says there will be no doubt who the better man is after tonight before the bell rings.
First Fall- Okada again stays in the corner on the bell like the other two title matches. Omega doesn't charge but his body language is clear he's ready to go. Finally a lock and Kenny with a go behind but Okada controls the arm and than gets teh waste. Exchange of control before both wind up standing. A Okada chant starts but is than drowned out by an Kenny chant. Another exchange of control positions but Okada with a chin lock takes Omega down. Kenny escapes and gets a hammer lock and rolls Okada into a cradle for two. Bit of story telling there Omega know that won't get a win but he's already forcing Okada to kick out. Kevin Kelly talks about what both men did to get ready he says Okada took time off to heal up old injures while also going fishing which is how he relaxes. While Omega was in an intense training camp. Its a nice bit of added story telling by Kevin and you can buy both. Given the two years Okada has had it makes sense he would need time to recover mentally and physically. While you can also buy Kenny who is failed to win the title twice would feel the need to come in combat ready. Okada with a knee bar but Kenny goes for the face and manages to get the ropes. Okada drives Kenny into the corner and gets him to flinch before a clean break. Kenny tosses Okada into teh corner and mocks Okada with the clean break.
Suddenly the paces picks up Kenny goes for a v trigger he misses. Okada looks for the tombstone but Kenny escapes. Drop kicks are missed rain maker is countered into the set up for One Winged Angel. Okada fights and both men spill over the top to the floor. I notice that in both match one and two both men were willing to to take it easy until the felt the other picked up the pace. In match three both men came out hot given the time limit but hear again they play a bit. But once they take it up level they quickly hit 100 MPH. Although it makes sense both men would want an early edge. If you can put a man down a fall early you are playing with house money. Exchange of forearms on the floor. Omega set hard into the guard rail than Okada boots him over it.
Okada goes for his diving cross body right into the V Trigger. I love this spot. Okada has used this with so much success. But than Omega has gotten the timing for it. And now what is normally big move has hurt him. Omega throw down some guard rail and slams Okada on it. Back in the ring he covers for two. Elbows to the chest and neck by Omega and another pin attempt for two. Running elbow dorp by Kenny before he kicks Okada in the back and pots him in the head than the kick to the back again. Okada calls for Kenny to it again. Basement dropkick to the head by Omega. Big chops in the corner by Omega and than a running back breaker. Chin lock by Kenny as he sits on the back. We actually year Okada yell no. Which I don't think I have heard befor or since. I think it really is a nice way to sell the idea he's hurt badly by the knee earlier. Omega into the camel clutch but Okada finally gets the ropes.
On the outside Gedo is doing his usually "Come on rainmaker!" but it sounds more than usual. I guess a good comparison would be if you watch boxing and saw Canelo Alverz get knocked down in the second round of a twelve round fight. He hasn't lost it just feels huge based on how rarely he's at a disadvantage. Flapjack by Okada when Kenny charges but Kenny is up first. Okada with a hard forearm to the gut than one ot the face and than more. Running back elbow and Okada knocks Kenny down. Corner elbow and than the DDT for a two count. Cobra clutch but Okada but he can't get it locked in. Kenny dumps him to the floor. Topa by Kenny but Okada moves. Topa by Okada connects. Okada tosses Kenny into the ring Boot to the face by Okada but Omega with a snap rana to get control back. Okada to the floor. Drop kick to the head by Omega. Okada sent over the guard rail. Sling shot cross body by Omega a call back to the huge spot from match one. Callis even points out this time Kenny got all of it.
Kenny stands and raises his arms drawing a cheer from the fans. Back to the ring and Kenny hits the Kotaro Krusher for a two count. Aoi Shoudou by Omega than the V Trigger but it misses. Okada with a release German suplex by Omega lands on his feet. V trigger blocked but a second knee connects. Kenny goes for the reverse rana but Okada has hooked the ropes so its Omega who takes the damage. German with a bridge for two by Okada gets two. Omega drives Okada into the corner when he grabs the wrist. Okada gets seated on the top rope. Kenny is looking for something big off the ropes but Okada fight him off. Back to the ground but Okada hits a forearm that drops Okada. Kenny sits Okada back on the ropes this time looking for the Dragon Suplex off the tope. Okada manages to get the apron. He pulls Kenny down. Tombstone on the apron. Nice call back there. Okada is able to avoid a move that badly hurt him in the Dome and instead badly hurt Kenny there. Kenny finally stands up on the apron allowing Okada to drop kick him off the apron. Omega now yelling the pain even grabbing his back.
Red Shoes teases he might stop it. Okada hits Omega in the back and than tosses him back in. Missile dropkick by Okada and gets two. Omega even yells in pain kicking out. Body slam by Okada and he goes to the top coming off with the elbow drop. Okada smiles and hits his pose but Omega with a rolls up out of no where. I really like this with 1 minor issue though. In this moment you get the sense Okada is convinced he's taken the worst Kenny can do and it nearly cost him. My issue is on NJPW's camera crew. They are normally top notch but when Okada does the pose they do this thing where they pull the camera back. So miss the roll up and we never get a replay. Back to the match Kenny with a picture perfect rise of the Terminator. 25 minute call just before Omega puts Okada back in the ring. Missile dropkick to the back of the head by Omega. Snap dragon block but Okada with a chop the back. One Winged Angel block, rain maker blocked V trigger. Back to the OWA but Okada fights free so its croyt's wrath instead for two. Running V Trigger. Back to One Winged Angel but Okada out the back dropkick to the back. Another dropkick.
Okada lets out a primal scream and gives Omega this look that makes it clear he's had enough. He is ready to end this first fall. Rain maker attempt but Kenny ducks into rain trigger and he Omega stacks the pin for another two. Omega looks for the Tiger Driver but Okada rolls him up to escape. Tombstone another yell. Rain Maker but Kenny ducks and goes for a sunset flip. But Okada sits down grabbing the legs. One Two Three!. I think that is great twist to use. We get so caught up in watching for the finishers its just this simple perfect pin that gets Okada the win. Its also a huge set back for Omega. Don Callis points out Kenny has to beat Okada twice in a row now and Okada sometimes loses less than twice a year. We get a two minute break between falls. Okada seems calm he's in control even with the early move. Meanwhile Omega seems on the verge of a breakdown and Ibushi has to grab him to get him to calm down and refocus.
Fall Two- Okada stays calm while Omega is trying is ready to spring out of the corner at the start. But Kenny messes up it lets Okada boot him. But Kenny with hard strikes. Okada shuts it down with the seated corner dropkick to seen Kenny to the floor. Okada follows up and than he places Kenny in the guard rail and pulls on him. I think the idea is supposed to be he's stretching Kenny but ist just kind of looks like he's pancaking him like you brother used to do when you were kids. Omega tries a moonsault off the guard rail but Okada knocks him off. Elevated DDT on the floor by Okada. Back to the ring. Omega with chops but Okada no sells. Omega tries to charge but eats a big boot. Cobra clutch by Okada in the center of the ring. Kenny fights to his fee and hits a stunner. Okada tires a head lock but that lets Omega get a back drop suplex. Both men to the floor. Omega with the back suplex onto the apron. Omega brings a table in from ringside and slams it on Okada. Double stomp off the apron by Omega. Kenny sets up the table. Okada tosses Omega into the ring post.
They return to the ring. Scoop slam by Okada. But Kenny gets the legs up on the Senton. Death Valley Driver by Okada to get the momentum back than the shotgun dropkick and Omega is sent hard into the corner. Okada climbs the ropes but Omega cuts him off. Top rope superplex by Omega. You can't escape by Omega but Okada has the knees up. Running uppercut by Okada. Back on his fee the champion looks at the table he tries to back drop Kenny through the table like he has in the past. Omega escapes and comes back to hit a Tornado DDT. Again a great call back while also adding something knee. Champion and Challenger out to the apron. Omega wants to German Suplex Okada off the apron through the table. Okada blocks Omega changes looking for the Dragon Okada knocks him off with elbows. The tease hitting there finishers on the floor. Omega finally gets the reverse rana on the floor. Omega climbs back in the ring and tells Red Shoes to count. Gedo again desperately calls out "come on Rainmaker!" Okada tries to get back but he falls back down. A second effort he is back in where Kenny is waiting. V Trigger hits. Kenny looks for the one winged turned into Okada's jumping tombstone.
Kevin Kelly declares "He's going to shut the door. Two fall sweep." As Okada looks for the rain maker But Omega hits a high Impact Yurinagi. Both men stand once more and exchange forearms but Omega appears to have the stronger one. Big chops by Omega but it wakes Okada up. Snap Dragon by Omega. Okada with a drop kick. Kenny with is own dropkick looking just like Okada's. Again we get a miscue from the production. They are showing a replay of the Omega dropkick but we nearly miss a spot where Okada goes for his own drop kick only for Omega to hit a sit out power bomb. Omega rolls Okada through so he can knee him in the face. Kenny goes for Tiger Driver 98 but Okada blocks and looks for the reverse neck breaker. Omega blocks but winds up on his back Okada sits lie he did to win fall one but Omega kicks at two. V Trigger and this time The Tiger Driver connects but it only gets two.
Running V Trigger to the head and One wined angle and we are all tied up. I really enjoyed the final build to the second fall. Having Okada go back to the move that won fall one was a nice touch. We see where Omega might just have the edge as long as he can hit The One Winged Angle. Between falls Omega is more secure but also exhausted. Gedo meanwhile stalls even arguing with Red Shoes. You actually see stuff like this in boxing a corner taking a extra second to get out or spilling water so they can stop and whip it up. Its about Gedo trying to buy his champion time.
Fall Three- Okada hasn't been able to stand between the falls. Omega comes out and hits a V trigger to the back of the head. He looks for the one wined angel but Okada escapes. Rain Maker but Okada can't follow up. Love this open. Again to compare to a real fight Kenny knows he's got a the chance to land the KO blow. But in his wanting to end it he's not as precise with his move so he instead takes the big shot putting the back to even. Okada like in match two and three has to crawl to make a pin. When he finally gets a hand on Omega its just a two count. Okada uses the ropes to get up first. Omega blocks the tombstone at 50 mins. Omega tries the Dr. Wiley bomb but Okada blocks. Ax handle to the back by Okada Uppercuts but Okada drops Omega. Okada wants his drop kick off an Irish whip but Omega hooks the ropes and Okada crashes to the mat. Okada blocks Omega attempts at power bomb. Hard palm strikes by Omega and he tries again. Okada tries to turn it into a rana but Omega blocks. Styles Clash by Omega for two.
Another great move to pull out it adds a few layers. One AJ Styles beat Okada in the past, two Omega has used that move buts not a usual move so three is a move Okada would not have as well scouted coming from Omega. Okada is stuck in the corner V Trigger by Omega. He looks for the one winged angle but he's so exhausted he collapses. Omega tries again using the ropes. Okada slides out but Omega keeps rolling. Bastard Driver by Omega gets two. Again its Kenny pulling out moves Okada hasn't seen him use before. We get a shot of Ibushi who is in shock. He is calling for Omega to go to the top. Don doesn't like this and points out its like AJ vs. Ibushi.
Omega goes for the Phoenix Splash. Okada moves and Omega hits hard. Dropkick by Okada. Omega escapes a tombstone and Kenny with the V trigger. Don says Omega has the tombstone scouted. More knees to the face by Omega. Okada catches the leg shoves off and hits a dropkick. Another dropkick. And than Rain Maker but than something shocking happens. Kenny doesn't go down. Its Okada who goes down first. Okada was so spent he couldn't so the usual follow through. Kenny finally goes down and the referee counts like a in boxing. Both men get to there knees. Don says there bodies are shutting down as the men exchange blows on there knees. They start to fire up adn the blows grow more intense. Headbutt by Omega drops Okada. Omega is up but Okada hits rain maker this time able to follow through and knock Kenny down.
Okada has wrist control and hits a second one but again Okada collapses before he can pin Kenny. The champion wants the full Rain Maker but the challenger ducks. German Suplex by Omega and he keeps control of the waste as the Omega chants start again. Another German dumping Okada on his head. Omega goes for a third. Okada escapes into a German of his own Okada gets the wrist. Rain Maker ducked. Omega Snap German than a reverse Rana. Kenny has to pull himself up using Red Shoes. He looks for the V Trigger. But Okada calls upon his fighting spirt and is able to get back up to hit dropkick. Okada know its time to end things. We are now over an hour. The rainmaker is set up but Omega has his own fighting spirt he gets behind and his the one winged angel.
Fighting spirt is not about no selling its about pushing on when you are hurt. Both men are down again and wind up locked up together in the ropes. The crowd is cheering for Omega and it pushes him back up. Running V trigger with the knee right to the face. 720 days, 12 title defenses, millions of dollars earned for himself and NJPW, ONE WINGED ANGEL and IWGP Champion 66 is crowned. With Don Callis screaming hook the leg hook the leg Kenny Omega has won. There is a great beauty in this final fall. Both men have taken everything the other man has to give. Each time it seems Kenny has it won Okada finds that little bit. Finally in the end they wind up exhausted and spent right next to each other. And its Omega turn to find that little bit. All Okada can do is watch as the knee hits him and than he's lifted up and slammed down again.
Post match Okada is left unmoving in the middle of the ring in a nice touch Omega on his knees just looks at him before taking his hand to show respect. Omega and Ibushi embraced. meanwhile the Bucks have come down to ringside. They climb into the ring and Omega embraces them. Its his crowning moment and he wants all three of his best friends there. The IWGP championship is placed around his waste and he's a microphone. In Japanese he says for ten years the IWGP title has been his goal. He tells the fans in this match he saw the future of wrestling and says he wants to go to next step. Finally he switches to English saying New Japan is world wide. He says people have called him a waste, that he should just take the payday. Kenny says is not his way he makes his own rules and does it his way. Says with his best friends he can do anything before doing his Good Bye Good Night Bang out. Cody makes his ways out to the ramp setting up Omega's first title defense. Because the feud with Okada is over.
Conclusion- This match goes one hour and four minutes. Now you got that long there has to a good reason for it. And well this a rare case of having several good reasons for it. You had this record setting title reign ending along with this feud that had gone on for eighteen months. It does help they don't go very far over one hour. It goes long enough to justify doing this gimmick but not so long it feels to long. I also feel the pace of the match really helps things. Both Omega and Okada are cardio machines and while they do have to rest at times it never feels like its done just drag out the match. They selling is very good during the match. There is no real time where they just stop selling something instead its a case of them pushing through he pain. I love so many of the call backs to the past matches it helps gives the sense of both men have been studying of the other encounters.
Frankly my biggest issues came from the production side. Mainly them missing the roll up and than the power bomb spot. Now again if you aren't big fans of either man I can see you not enjoying this. Both guys spam certain moves especially Okada with the rain maker. You can tell both guys wanted to make this the best of there four matches. Omega is really on his game during this match. He does a great job playing his role as the challenger who know this is his last yet best chance to get the victory. Also really helping this is Kevin Kelly and Don Callis. Don makes it clear who is rooting for but never goes full on heel. It reminds me of a MMA fighter calling his teammates fight for the UFC.
After the matches- Omega would make his first title defense just a few weeks later against Cody that night saw the Bullet Club finally blow up GOD and Bad Luck Fale attacking The Elite after Kenny's win. From there both men entered into the G1. If fans were expecting Okada to storm back to the title picture they were in for a shock. Dying his hair and coming out with balloons The Rain Maker seemed more worried about making mischief than making money Neither man reached the G1 Finals. But something bigger was brewing. On September 1st 2018 both men worked the All In. Post All In Okada would find himself in Kayfabe he was betrayed by Jay White and his long time manager Gedo. As for Omega he was a facing a big question. You all know the story Tony Khan had approached The Elite about starting what would become All Elite Wrestling.
Outside of a tag match Okada and Omega has been kept apart after the title change. Reports say had Omega stayed with New Japan he and Okada would have main evented the 2019 Madison Square Garden show. At that MSG show Okada regained the IWGP title for his 5th and to date final reign. Omega would of course join AEW. While fans had been hopeful for a working deal with NJPW and AEW when Omega returned to Japan it was for his old promotion DDT Pro. Reports even suggested New Japan attempted to block Kenny from entering the country. With the recent opening of the Forbidden Door it seems a fifth match may happen as the world gets closer to normal after COVID-19.
Final Thoughts- Are these the greatest matches of all time? Well that is subjective. One guy I consider a friend and whose opinion on wrestling I really respect would say no. It really comes down how much you like Okada and Omega's matches. I don't always agree with Dave Meltzer but his star ratings have come to mean something and he does rate these matches highly. Myself? Well I do enjoy all these matches I find I enjoy them more now actually. But when I first saw the first Omega vs. Okada match I thought it was good but no so good it would warrant breaking the traditional five star scale. I feel that way about every match in the series. I really enjoy them but I can't say they are so much better than other legendary matches. But I am grateful for what these matches gave to wrestling as a whole.
Its often been said that Omega vs. Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom was the match that led to AEW. But I think the Okada and Omega matches are what made the Jericho match happen. Omega became a much bigger star. Remember it was unthinkable that in 2018 that Chris Jericho would wrestle outside of the WWE. Omega needed the boost from the Okada feud to make him be someone Chris Jericho would want to wrestle. It also a did a lot for Okada remember the lay of the land in New Japan at the time. Okada's feud with Tanahashi had more than run its course. AJ Styles was gone and Prince Devitt had been gone even longer. While had had good chemistry with guys like Naito and Suzuki he had faced them in the past. Omega gave Okada a new rival one he just happened amazing chemistry with. These matches helped to push New Japan more into the states which helped to bring things like more English commentary. Or New Japan Strong and the LA Dojo that is putting out some good talent.
At the end of the day if you have a couple of hours to kill and want to watch some great wrestling you can do a lot worse than the four matches between The Rainmaker and the Cleaner.
