Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 6/9/2018)
Jun 11, 2018 9:50:29 GMT -5
Post by bossrock on Jun 11, 2018 9:50:29 GMT -5
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW Dominion, 6/9/2018)
Recency bias be damned, I'm nominating this. After an already thrilling trilogy of matches last year, Kenny and Okada still managed to top it at Dominion. This was a masterclass in storytelling, selling, and action. Going 69 minutes seems like it would be tough to pull off, but Kenny and Okada delivered and them some. There was some excellent learned psychology as both men seemingly had a counter or reversal for every signature move during the first fall. This was key as Okada was able to counter and get a quick pin. Fatigue began to set in for both during the second fall as Kenny and Okada masterfully sold rib injuries and near-exhaustion after every big move. The third fall was perhaps some of the most riveting and dramatic wrestling I've ever seen. Both men on the verge of passing out struggled for every inch, whether it be attempts at tombstones or forearms that had absolutely nothing behind them. It was the ultimate battle of survival and attrition between two of the best athletes in wrestling who were literally running on fumes. It also helped that Okada could not manage to pull off a Rainmaker until the third fall, making you think he was going to end it right then and there. Kenny was the star here, but Okada turned in yet another career performance as well. When it comes to selling peril and making you think either he or his opponent can end it at any minute, he is the best in the world.
I know it was over an hour, I know they never used the table outside of Kenny's double foot stomp, and I know this match just happened a few days ago, but this still might be one of the greatest wrestling matches I've ever seen.
Recency bias be damned, I'm nominating this. After an already thrilling trilogy of matches last year, Kenny and Okada still managed to top it at Dominion. This was a masterclass in storytelling, selling, and action. Going 69 minutes seems like it would be tough to pull off, but Kenny and Okada delivered and them some. There was some excellent learned psychology as both men seemingly had a counter or reversal for every signature move during the first fall. This was key as Okada was able to counter and get a quick pin. Fatigue began to set in for both during the second fall as Kenny and Okada masterfully sold rib injuries and near-exhaustion after every big move. The third fall was perhaps some of the most riveting and dramatic wrestling I've ever seen. Both men on the verge of passing out struggled for every inch, whether it be attempts at tombstones or forearms that had absolutely nothing behind them. It was the ultimate battle of survival and attrition between two of the best athletes in wrestling who were literally running on fumes. It also helped that Okada could not manage to pull off a Rainmaker until the third fall, making you think he was going to end it right then and there. Kenny was the star here, but Okada turned in yet another career performance as well. When it comes to selling peril and making you think either he or his opponent can end it at any minute, he is the best in the world.
I know it was over an hour, I know they never used the table outside of Kenny's double foot stomp, and I know this match just happened a few days ago, but this still might be one of the greatest wrestling matches I've ever seen.
