Tetsuya Naito has promised fans that by Wrestle Kingdom in 2023 – he will be back in the main event. That path could start tonight, as after pinning Kazuchika Okada in the New Japan Cup, he has another chance to become the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. In the historic Pay-Pay Dome here tonight, he will look to take down The Rainmaker for the second time in 2022, and earn his first reign as World Heavyweight Champion, and have a chance to wave the banner for NJPW during its 50th anniversary year.
Tetsuya Naito Controls The Match In The Early Going
These two are absolutely no stranger to each other, and know that a single mistake early on could cost the match. They have a 6-6 record in matches, and Okada would look to take the lead with some downright nasty shots. They traded forearm blows in the middle of the ring, before Okada hit a fast running elbow strike off the ropes.
Okada would lock on a chinlock, but Naito was able to find that bottom rope. Naito rolled to the floor, and Okada followed only to be driven into the barricade twice before falling to a neckbreaker. Back into the ring, Naito would nail two more fast neckbreakers for a one count. Taking this one to the apron, Naito hit another neckbreaker.
Okada was set up on the top rope, and taken down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Naito had this one entirely under his control, but Okada would not stay down. Full Nelson was applied on the mat, with Naito using his powerful legs to apply the pressure – but a rope break would be found.
Swing DDT was blocked, and Okada would level Naito with a big boot. The flapjack would follow, getting Okada a two count. Naito was set up in the corner, and sent to the floor with a dropkick. Okada booted Naito over the barricade, before going for the running crossbody over the barricade.
Back in the ring, Okada went to the top rope – and crashed down with a missile dropkick. Money Clip was applied, but Naito would scrabble to the bottom rope to get free. Naito was hit with a scoop slam before going up top for the elbow drop.
Kazuchika Okada Is Unbeatable In Title Matches Right Now
Rainmaker pose was struck in Fukuoka Dome, only for Naito to drop Okada with a spinebuster in the middle of the ring. Combinación de Cabrón landed in the corner, before Gloria for a near fall. Pluma Blanca was applied, but Okada was able to find the bottom rope. Super Hurricanrana was set, but Okada would block into a top rope sit-out powerbomb.
Okada would gain wrist control and would throw a lariat, before Naito dodged and nearly stole this one with a Jackknife pin. Naito went for Destino, but Okada blocked into a short-arm lariat. A second would quickly follow, before Okada looked for the Tombstone Piledriver – with Naito blocking into Evolucion.
Naito would start to rain down elbow strikes to the neck of Okada, a technique he perfected in the 2020 G1 Climax to set up Destino. Esperanza landed, before a running Destino got a near fall. A second Destino was attempted but blocked into a Tombstone. Spinning Rainmaker landed, but Naito was able to get two off Polvo de Estrella.
The rolling wheel kick was met by a dropkick from Okada. Okada would be able to land the Landslide Tombstone, but Naito blocked the Rainmaker into a Destino. Naito hit a scoop slam and went for Stardust Press, but Okada was able to avoid.
Both men struggled to their feet, but Okada would throw a rainmaker, but Naito dodged. Forearm shots were traded, with Naito winning out and looking for Valentia. Okada would try for Landslide, before the German Suplex would land. He’d try to move into Rainmaker, but Naito stayed in this fight.
Okada was rocked with a shot, but was able to block Destino and hit an enziguri. A cobra twist style Landslide landed, before Rainmaker got the victory.
Jay White Strikes On The BULLET CLUB 9th Anniversary
As Okada looked to celebrate another successful defence, another foe from his past would strike. All night, BULLET CLUB has reminded everyone that even after nine years, they run this company. They lost the NEVER Openweight Championship, but got the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championships.
Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson returned, and Juice Robinson shocked the world by joining their ranks. Now the mastermind of it all is back in Japan, as Switchblade Jay White struck Okada down. He’s here with a goal in mind, and that’s the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Will Jay White claim the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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