Inside Wrestle Kingdom 14 looks at the featured matches from both days of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) upcoming Wrestle Kingdom events on January 4th and January 5th. This article highlights the second Double Gold Dash tournament where Kazuchika Okada makes his v5 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against G1 Climax winner Kota Ibushi.
Once IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibushi enter the ring on January 4th, they will know who awaits in the finals of the Double Gold Dash tournament. By that time, either current IWGP Intercontinental Champion Jay White or Tetsuya Naito will be the reigning white belt champion and will be in the marquee of the historic second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14.
Okada and Ibushi have met in three singles matches prior to Wrestle Kingdom 14, with their most prestigious contest happening during the 2019 G1 Climax. Ibushi was able to best Okada for the first time and went on to defeat Jay White in the G1 finals.
Ibushi found a focused intensity in the weeks leading up to the January 4th contest, which brought a renewed intrigue to his showdown with Okada. However, Ibushi’s focus remains a talking point once the spotlight is on him.
The event has become such a spectacle that very few spotlights in professional wrestling are brighter than being part of a Wrestle Kingdom marquee. If Ibushi is to reach the pinnacle of professional wrestling, he will need to clear his head and overcome the imposing figure that is Kazuchika Okada.
Okada’s legacy is that of a wrestler who can conquer any obstacle no matter the pressure of the situation. Whether the opponent was Hiroshi Tanahashi, AJ Styles, or Kenny Omega — Okada has found ways to best them throughout his career when his back was against the wall.
However, his dismissive attitude towards the Double Gold Dash tournament may become his undoing against Ibushi or in the finals. His confidence borderline arrogance has been on full display going into Wrestle Kingdom 14, and that may not be enough to best the unprecedented mountain in front of him.
In the past, Tanahashi beat Okada with technique and overwhelming brilliance. Styles was able to defeat Okada with underhanded tactics combined with a dynamic offense. Omega was able to outlast Okada in battles of endurance. While in defeat AEW World Champion Chris Jericho was able to nearly defeat Okada by bringing a street fight instead of the finesse style Okada is comfortable with.
At Wrestle Kingdom 14, Kazuchika Okada looks to prove that he is unwilling to give up his place at the top of the wrestling world.
Inside Wrestle Kingdom 14 Series:
1. Both Nights On Better Pace Than Last Year, A Look At The Featured Matches
2. Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match I
3. G.O.D. Face FinJuice For The IWGP Heayweight Tag Team Championship
4. Lance Archer and Jon Moxley IWGP US Heavyweight Texas Death Match
5. Will Ospreay Defends His IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Against Hiromu Takahashi
6. Double Gold Dash, Jay White And Tetsuya Naito For The IWGP Intercontinental Championship
7. The Tanahashi and Jericho Match Has An Added Stipulation
8. Double Gold Dash, Kazuchika Okada And Kota Ibushi For The IWGP Heavyweight Championship
9. Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match II
10. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Contest
11. Zack Sabre Jr And Sanada For The RevPro British Heavyweight Championship
12. KENTA And Hirooki Goto Battle Over The Never Openweight Championship
