When it came to potential matches for the main event of the 50th Anniversary show for NJPW – you can’t do better than this. On one side, we have the NJPW Dream Team of Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi – as well as the legendary Tatsumi Fujinami. The other has Zack Sabre Jr. and Minoru Suzuki of Suzuki-Gun – and one of Fujinami’s greatest rivals, Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
Tatsumi Fujinami was in the opening match of the first match in New Japan Pro Wrestling history, on March 6th, 1972. He would go on to become a six time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Aside from Antonio Inoki – you don’t get more iconic than The Original Dragon.
Meanwhile, Yoshiaki Fujiwara was more known for his time in UWF – and helping to develop the shoot style of wrestling. However, he made his NJPW debut on November 12th, 1972 – where he lost to Fujinami. Now, in 2022 – they meet for perhaps the final time in a New Japan Pro Wrestling ring.
193 Years Of Combined In-Ring Experience In The Ring For This Historic Main Event
Kazuchika Okada would start this match alongside Zack Sabre Jr – and it was as grappling heavy as you’d expect. ZSJ brings the British Style of submission wrestling, while Okada has a great background in the Mexican style due to his early days being spent there.
Minoru Suzuki would tag in and would get a chance to work with Fujinami – who was one of his trainers back in the New Japan Dojo. Suzuki would have to fight off an attempt at a heel hook, before Tanahashi & Fujiwara got tags. Fujiwaru would show his technical skills, but in his old age could not match the power of Tanahashi.
Okada would get the tag and get his chance to lock up with this legend, and went for a headbutt – which was a mistake. No one has a harder skill than him – and he’d prove it as he headbutted the steel of the ring post. Okada would take this headbutt straight on, before getting the tag to Fujinami.
Just like fifty years ago, these two would grapple in the middle of the ring – with Fujiwara getting the better of the exchange. Tanahashi got the tag, before Fujirwara would tag in ZSJ. Suzuki & ZSJ would make quick tags and trade control of the arm of Tanahashi, before ZSJ applied a tight neck lock.
Kazuchika Okada Claims The Win To End The 50th Anniversary Show
Tanahashi would get a rope break, but Fujiwara would try to kick his foot off the ropes. Caught in dangerous territory, Tanahashi would have to fight his way free before hitting the scoop slam and somersault senton on ZSJ for a two count. ZSJ would get the armbar applied, but Tanahashi moved into a pinfall to break the hold.
Suzuki got the tag, but he’d walk into a Twist & Shout from Tanahashi. Okada & Fujinami would work together to set up a Dragon Screw on Suzuki. Tanahashi would hit one to ZSJ, and Okada would nail the neckbreaker on Suzuki. Landslide would be blocked before Suzuki nailed a headbutt. Fujiwara would show Suzuki how it’s done, and Okada would be battered with headbutts before Suzuki applied the Fujiwara armbar. ZSJ got the hold on Fujinami, and the innovator himself got the hold on Tanahashi.
Okada got the ropes, and would have to absorb a series of PK’s from Suzuki. He’d hold strong, before Fujinami got him in the Dragon Sleeper. Tanahashi hit the Slingblade, before Okada in the spinning tombstone. One Rainmaker attempt later, he was suddenly in the Rear Naked Choke. Suzuki would lose control and take a dropkick. Landslide would finally set up The Rainmaker – and once again in 2022? Okada wins.
Will Kazuciuka Okada be able to reign supreme as he enters the New Japan Cup tomorrow? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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