Recently – we would see one of the most exciting NJPW shows of the year, as they worked alongside the roster of Stardom for Historic X-Over. Capped off with two big title matches and also featuring three entertaining mixed tag team matches and the final NJPW match of The Great Muta – it was a smashing success. It’s led many to ask if NJPW will re-visit the show in 2023, but one name in the company seems to disagree with this approach – that being Kazuchika Okada.
Kazuchika Okada Doesn’t Want Historic X-Over To Become A Stale Idea
While speaking to Tokyo Sports, Okada would seemingly warn against NJPW relying too heavily on this type of concept, out of a fear that it would lose it’s excitement value. Okada would have the following to say – comparing Historic X-Over to The Olympics or World Cup.
“I think it’s a good thing that we have such a large audience. I wonder what the company will do from now on, and maybe it would be better to get involved from time to time. STARDOM wrestlers might bring back New Japan customers, and vice versa. I think it was a good way to go. I think we should fix what is wrong with it… But I don’t think we should do it too often. The Olympics and the World Cup are not interesting if they are held every year. I don’t think anything will change unless it has that kind of value. If we do it consistently, people will say, ‘It was just like this last year, wasn’t it?”
Even without the Historic X-Over branding, we are set to see an uptick of Stardom action in NJPW. The IWGP Women’s Championship was awarded to KAIRI in the main event of Historic X-Over, and she is set to defend the belt against Tam Nakano as part of Wrestle Kingdom 17 in the Tokyo Dome. While challengers might be decided on Stardom shows, it seems like the belt will be mainly defended on NJPW branded events.
What might keep Historic X-Over as a unique part of the NJPW calender is the idea of mixed tag team matches, which many would agree were a great change of pace in terms of undercard tag team matches in NJPW. Okada was featured on the 2022 Historic X-Over card, teaming with Toru Yano & The Great Muta.
Do you think Historic X-Over should be an annual event for NJPW & Stardom? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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