Kazuchika Okada has fought his way back to the top of NJPW, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship from Jay White at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
At Wrestle Kingdom 16 in 2022, Okada kicked off NJPW’s 50th Anniversary year in style by defeating Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. The Rainmaker successfully saw off the likes of Will Ospreay, Tetsuya Naito and Zack Sabre Jr during his six-month reign. However, he was dethroned by the leader of Bullet Club, ‘Switchblade’ Jay White at Dominion in June.
At the 2022 edition of the gruelling G1 Climax Tournament, Kazuchika Okada fought his way to the Final with victories over the likes of Lance Archer, Jeff Cobb, and Tom Lawlor. On August 18th, he defeated Will Ospreay in a critically acclaimed bout to win the prestigious tournament for the fourth time, setting him on a collision course with the man who defeated him for the title at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Kazuchika Okada defeats Jay White to capture the gold
The match got off to a slow start with Jay White controlling the pace. Whenever Okada was able to begin mounting a comeback, the defending champion found a way to take back the upper hand, setting his sights on The Rainmaker’s core.
Okada was able to turn the tide by laying out both White and Gedo on the ramp and, back in the ring, hit a top rope dropkick on the Switchblade. However, out of desperation, White dropped Okada with a Complete Shot and followed up with Bladebuster for two.
Despite his best efforts, White couldn’t keep Okada down and he took control of the bout. when he tried for a Rainmaker lariat, though, White dropped to the floor to prevent the move. Gedo distracted the referee to allow White a Low Blow, but Okada prevented it before being taken down with a suplex.
White hit a Sleeper Suplex and a Regalplex for two and followed up with Bloody Sunday. Okada was able to counter a Bladerunner attempt with a German Suplex and hit a short Rainmaker followed by a second. When he went for Spinning Rainmaker White countered but was met with a Dropkick. Okada followed up with a Landslide Piledriver but White countered the Spinning Rainmaker again with Bladerunner for a long two-count.
White attempted a second Bladerunner but Okada fought out, leading to the Champion hitting his own Rainmaker. When he tried for Bladerunner again, Okada came back with a Rainmaker for two. The two battled with brutal strikes back and forth with neither man staying down. They tried to hit their finishing moves but it was Okada who struck with his own version of Bladerunner followed by Cobra Flowsion and a huge Rainmaker for the win.
With the victory, Kazuchika Okada has not only brought NJPW’s 50th Anniversary year full circle but has become the first man to hold the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship twice.
Following the match, Jay White seemed to confront Okada before collapsing and leaving the ring. Before the new champion had a chance to celebrate, Shingo Takagi made his way to the ring and congratulated him before making it known he would be the first challenger for the title.
Okada closed the show by paying tribute to Antonio Inoki and looking forward to the next 50 years.