NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11: Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega full video highlights

Results and highlights from the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 main event of Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 promised to be a great show as a whole. Even still, no one would make the mistake of saying that the main event was always set to steal said show. Fighting for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Kazuchika defended his title against Kenny Omega. With these two men having established their rivalry over the past year—in unison with Omega’s ascent to superstardom—this match always looked to be a classic. And from their entrances and throughout, it had that feel.

Out of the gate, both men tried to find control with grappling on the ground. Exchanging headlocks, armbars, and various holds, neither man was able to get the upper hand off the bat. However, the pace started to pick up whenever each tried for a quick pin attempt, leading to arm drags—and then ultimately a bit more posturing and grappling.

Things really began to heat up, though, after a few whips into the corner were exchanged, leading to Omega to go for the One-Winged Angel and Okada to try and counter with the Rainmaker. Both missed, ending with Omega spitting in the champion’s face.

After Omega retreated outside, it became a bit of a cat and mouse game at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11. Though he took some blows, the challenger appeared to have found some room for a big move. He set up Okada for a suplex onto the barrier rail. The champion countered, however, hanging the leader of The Elite’s feet off the rail and driving him into the floor with a DDT.

Okada then went underneath the ring and introduced a table to the action, but Omega was fighting back before it could get set up. The champ then sent challenger over the rail with a whip, then launching himself over the rail to take down Omega—nearly sending both of them into the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 crowd.

Methodically, Okada then began trying to tear down his opponent with a variety of attacks, hitting all over the body. Omega wouldn’t be denied, though, getting his wind and fighting back with wicked forearm strikes. After grounding the champion, Omega seemed to find control and aimed to viciously go after the back and midsection of Okada.

Challenger firmly in control, Omega seemed interested in punishing his rival. As often happens, though, the always boisterous Bullet Club member got a bit too cocky. Even after taking brutal attacks for several minutes, Okada was able to catch his opponent and counter with a big death valley driver. Finding another gear, the champ then went after Omega with big ground strikes and various other maneuvers before locking on a wicked modified crossface.

Once able to break the hold, though, Okada wasn’t able to keep Omega down long at all. And as the challenger has shown throughout his time in New Japan, once he gets an opening and a head of steam, he’s exceptionally dangerous. After landing a big neckbreaker, he sent Okada outside and landed a monster senton over the barrier rail. The table finally came into play then as Omega rolled his opponent back up ringside and hit a double foot stomp off of the apron into the table laid upon Okada. Back in the ring, two powerbomb variations made it seem as if it might be close to over.

But the champion has tremendous fight and kept displaying his heart. Omega went up to the top rope and got caught before coming off by Okada. A huge dropkick sent the Bullet Club’s leader hard to the floor. After countering one another’s attempts to put their opponent through the then-raised table, Omega finally ate it, getting flipped out of the ring right through it. Even that wasn’t enough to end the match, though.

That said, Okada was still in control, attacking the now ailing midsection of the challenger. Even when Omega tried to counter with his offense, his pain in his back was evident. Yet he kept fighting and was able to stun Okada, raise him up to the top turnbuckle, and hit a monstrous Snap Dragon Superplex.

Not even that would totally incapacitate the champion, though. And when Omega got a bit desperate to put him away, Okada landed his signature dropkick. Though stunned, the challenger still rose up to try for the One-Winged Angel again. Okada flipped through, however, then landing a forearm and the Rainmaker. It appeared over, but Omega kicked out.

Another dropkick later and Omega looked spent—but wouldn’t give in as the two exchanged strikes with what seemed to be their remaining reserves of energy. In the end, Omega earned the upper hand from the strikes. But he was again denied the One-Winged Angel as Okada fought off the arm trying to lock in his neck, then somehow countering into a second Rainmaker. Then, though, the champ was unable to capitalize after the beating he took. That was so much so the case that Omega almost had him beat again—that is until Okada countered for another Rainmaker.

Omega refused to stay down, though, again fighting through to try and land his finisher. Alas, Okada kept coming and wouldn’t allow it to happen. It took ultimately four Rainmakers and a counter of another One-Winged Angel attempt into a jumping tombstone before Omega could fight now more.

Highlights

As is typical in the main event of these Jan. 4 shows for New Japan, this match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 built from a slow start to a fever-pitch. And we are all better for it. That was a five-star match in the highest regard, delivering and more on high expectations.

Next: 50 Best Professional Wrestlers Of All-Time

Many thought that Kenny Omega deserved to win on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. However, it’s hard to argue with how strong he looked in defeat in a classic match. That doesn’t change the fact that he needs to get the IWGP Heavyweight title in 2017, but there’s still a lot of year left for that to happen.