When Bryan Danielson would choose to exit WWE, there was a list of matches that fans were hoping to see from him. We’ve seen him face Kenny Omega, but perhaps the top name when it comes to dream matches is Kazuchika Okada.
Widely considered to be the best professional wrestler of his generation, Okada has held an iron grip on the top spot of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Danielson acknowledges that Okada is good, but to be great – he must slay The American Dragon. This is a dream match, but could end up being one mans nightmare.
The Final Countdown To One Of The Biggest Dream Matches In Professional Wrestling
Danielson would hit the ring to his Ring of Honor theme song – The Final Countdown by Europe. This alone was an incredible moment, and the crowd was on their feet as they stared each other down.
Danielson would take the arm of Okada as they locked up, with Okada able to trip Danielson and get the foot. It was a stalemate, and the test of strength would follow.
Danielson would shift into the Romero Special as he was able to get Okada chest first on the mat, but was unable to get Okada up – so just stomped his knees into the mat.
Danielson would end up in a headlock, and shoved Okada off only to be dropped with a shoulder tackle. Okada would hit the ropes and build up speed before a crushing back elbow to the face of Danielson.
Flowing to the outside, Okada would send Danielson over the barricade with a big boot. Okada would try to hit the draping DDT off the barricade, but Danielson countered and sent him shoulder first into the ring post. Focusing on the right arm, Danielson was trying to break that arm down before The Rainmaker became a problem.
Back into the ring, a diving stomp to the arm would be followed by a two count.
Cattle Mutilation would be applied, before Danielson looked to shift into a pinfall – getting a two count in the process. Okada was on the defensive as Danielson nailed some strikes in the corner, but these just woke him up.
Kazuchika Okada Uses His Height Advantage On Bryan Danielson
Danielson would not be unnerved by Okada, and managed to strike him back into the corner. Okada would fight back, sending Danielson across the ring with a hammer throw before catching him with a sky high flapjack. A big boot to the jaw would follow, Okada taking full advantage of his extra height. The snap DDT would follow, but Danielson was far from done.
Danielson would be set up on the top rope, and tumbling to the floor with a picture perfect dropkick. Okada would send Danielson over the barricade, and showed his track and field roots as he got a running start and cleared the barricade with a crossbody splash. Back into the ring, Okada would look to lock in the Money Clip – but Danielson refused.
Air Raid Crash Neckbreaker would follow, before Danielson was set up on the top rope for the Landslide. Danielson would use the Hammer & Anvil Elbow Smashes to break free, before a missile dropkick from the top rope. Okada would take a series of European Uppercuts, and fired back with some strikes of his own.
A German Suplex would see Okada land on his neck and shoulders, before Danielson would set up his signature running dropkick.
Okada would take two, before hitting a dropkick of his own. Rainmaker was attempted, with Danielson ducking and hitting the ropes… only to take another picture perfect dropkick.
Bryan Danielson Has The Playbook Of Kazuchika Okada Memorized
Okada would head to the top rope for the flying elbow drop, with Danielson able to catch him and turn this into an attempt at the LeBell Lock.
The long legs of Okada would come into play, able to get the bottom rope. He’d take a breather on the apron, before taking a PK to the spine – before Danielson would take flight with a dive.
Okada caught him and tried for the rainmaker, but Danielson ducked and hit a running dropkick. Buzzsaw Kick would be avoided by Okada, before hitting a Tombstone Piledriver on the ramp. Danielson would be pulled back to the ring, and Okada hit the Rainmaker Pose.
The doctor would be brought in to check on Danielson, who was having some issues after the Tombstone on the floor. Okada would set up the Rainmaker, but Danielson had baited him in – ducking the Rainmaker and hitting the running knee strike. Danielson knows that his injury history is no secret, and uses that as another tool in his kit.
Okada would have his wrist clutched as Danielson would look to stomp the head in. Danielson would be nearly rolled up, with Okada trying to follow with the spinning lariat – but taking a rolling elbow. Buzzsaw Kick would land, and the Running Knee out of the corner was set.
A Shocking Submission Victory As Okada Chooses To Fight Another Day
The Yes Chants would ring out, and Okada would block with the dropkick. Landslide into the Rainmaker would follow, but Danielson was not going to rest yet. Okada has a deeper playbook, and likely didn’t prepare to win on the first attempt.
Okada would maintain wrist control, hitting a series of Short Arm Lariats. Another Rainmaker attempt was blocked, this time with Danielson looking to counter right into the LeBell Lock. Without much power in his right arm, Danielson was unable to get the full hold applied.
Instead, Danielson would go for a Figure Four Arm Lock, using his legs to apply the pressure – and forcing the submission. Okada had no chance but to tap out, unable to get his foot on the bottom rope.
With the G1 Climax so close – Okada had to choose between this match or that tournament, and made the business choice.
Tonight, Bryan Danielson was the better man – but there is room and demand for a rematch. This match and show was a love letter to professional wrestling – and AEW prevails as the best in the world.
Do you want to see Okada vs. Danielson II? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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