Kazuchika Okada retained the IWGP heavyweight title in the main event of Friday’s Dontaku card over Hiroshi Tanahashi in Fukuoka.
The win puts Okada in sole possession of the IWGP title defense record with his 12th defense, which breaks the mark of 11 that he shared with Tanahashi previously.
The match was tremendous with the story that Tanahashi has slowed down but is still a big match performer that the audience was solidly behind to end the legendary title reign of Okada’s.
Okada attacked the neck of Tanahashi throughout the match with a pair of draping DDTs and later attacking the neck with a dropkick to the neck to set up the cobra clutch, which was never applied in the match.
Down the stretch, Tanahashi consistently avoided the Rainmaker and always had an answer. He connected with a High Fly Flow to the back but missed the follow up with Okada getting his knees up. Okada later caught Tanahashi coming off the top with a dropkick.
The finish saw Tanahashi break free of Okada’s wrist control, he went to the run the ropes, but Okada grabbed him by the tights and hit the one and only Rainmaker of the match to pin Tanahashi at 34:37.
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This match was excellent and for drama, may have been the best of the year.
After the match, Kenny Omega entered the ring to settle their feud. The rivalry stands at one win and a draw for each.
Okada proposed a no time limit match, Omega countered with a 2/3 falls no time limit match and both agreed.
Okada vs. Omega IV will take place on Saturday, June 9th, in the main event of Dominion at Osaka-jo Hall.
