It was the epic. It was the biggest match possible, on the biggest stage available. Kazuchika Okada. Tetsuya Naito. The undisputed ace, and the leading alternative. It was fitting that it came down to the two of them on what was tipped to be the biggest, most historic two nights in the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Naito and Okada did battle in a match befitting their status. It was an exchange of masterful skill, amidst one of the most incredible atmospheres for a match I’ve ever seen. The Tokyo Dome was filled with around 40,000 diehards and their every roar echoed around the enormous dome in a fashion too dramatic, too instantly iconic to try and fake.
It was thought by some, including myself, to be the last true chance that Tetsuya Naito had to christen himself among the all-time greats of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s illustrious history. And at the end of the war, he managed to finally do what he had failed to do twice before; best Okada at the Tokyo Dome. In the process, he became the first man to ever hold the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles simultaneously.
You can see an excerpt of my recap of this match below:
Okada wants another Tombstone, Naito fights out of it but just falls to the mat. Loud chant of “Naito”! Okada pulls Naito up… A THIRD SPIT! And he collapses! Okada targeting the knee now, hoisting it up and smashing it against the mat! Boos for this offense, Okada cups his ear to goad it on! And another one now, for more heat! Grabs him by the wrist… Rainmaker! Keeps him hooked, and there’s another one, third of the match! Okada yells, pulls him up, spins him for one last one but Naito counters directly into a Destino!!! Covers!! Okada barely kicks out!!! Body slam from Naito… and he’s going up top now! STARDUST BREAKER!!!! NEARFALL?!?! Pulls him up… Destino try, Okada fights out but Naito nails him with a sudden Tombstone of his own!! A THIRD DESTINO!! AND HE GETS IT!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito
