Being the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is not enough for Kazuchika Okada, and he’s been working his way to a victory in the New Japan Cup. So far, he’s been able to take out El Desperado & Master Wato – and has his first heavyweight challenger in Taichi. After defeating Toru Yano in the opening round, Taichi got a free ride to the third round due to Hiroyoshi Tenzan being injured. Now, he’s got a chance to take Okada out – which on its own will all but ensure he gets a title shot.
Taichi Avoids Early Defeat
Okada would push Taichi to the ropes to start this match, before offering a somewhat clean break. Taichi would be dropped by a big boot to the face, before rolling Okada into a PK from the back – before applying the Greco Roman Throat Hold. Referee Red Shoes Uno called it a choke, so Taichi showed him what a real choke looked like.
Cobra Twist would be applied, with Taichi having Okada bent at an odd angle before letting him free. A dismissive kick to the head would follow, before Okada came off the ropes with a back elbow smash. Taichi was placed on the top rope, before being sent tumbling to the floor with a dropkick.
On the floor, Okada would spike Taichi with a DDT – before looking for a tombstone in the ring. Taichi would slip free before nailing the hook kick. Okada blocked the mid-kicks of Taichi with elbows to the knee, before being buckled with the gamiguri. Buzzsaw Kick would get a two count, before Okada nailed the spinning tombstone.
You Can’t Stop Kazuchika Okada In 2022
Following up with Money Clip, Okada would look for the submission – before Taichi found the bottom rope with his foot. Okada would come off the top rope with an elbow drop. Taichi tried to get back into the fight after avoiding the Rainmaker, before taking the dropkick.
Money Clip was applied once again – but Taichi again broke free and nailed a stiff Axe Bomber. Gamiguri would follow, the fourth stiff headkick to land on Okada in this match. Going back to the Axe Bomber, Taichi would maintain wrist control and nail a set of lariats before the dangerous backdrop.
Okada would look to respond with a dropkick, only to be caught and slammed down with the chokeslam. Last Ride would follow, but Okada slipped out just before the three count. Black Mephisto would instead be turned into an Alabama Slam, but Taichi was slow on the cover.
Okada was taken to the top rope for a super Black Mephisto, before he slipped free and hit a sitout powerbomb. Two shortarm lariats would follow before the spinning lariat was met by the gamiguri. Okada would nail the dropkick, Landslide and Rainmaker for the finish.
Can Kazuchika Okada defeat CIMA and push to the semi-finals? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
