Kazuchika Okada Makes Case For Why Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Match Should Main Event NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20
Okada makes his argument.
At the top of the billing for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 is Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match, which will see Tanahashi face five-time IWGP Heavyweight and current AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada. Also on that billing is a double title match that’ll see IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji versus IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita.
While speaking to NJPW1972.com, Okada shared his thoughts about Takeshita being the IWGP World Champion and both of them being in prime spots at Wrestle Kingdom. He said once they find out what the main event is, maybe it’ll determine who the better of them is.
“I think it’s great,” Okada said about Konosuke Takeshita being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. “I’m an AEW wrestler now. So I’m glad to see that he, as another AEW wrestler, can come and show that AEW guys are able to perform at that level to win a G1 and win the IWGP. I’m grateful for that.
You know, he likes to snip at me and we do butt heads. I understand how he feels. I understand that he would have me on his mind having won the G1 and the title. I think it would be weird if he didn’t. Maybe when we find out who’s in the main event in the Tokyo Dome, that will put a line in the sand of who’s the better man. To an extent, I think that’s at stake here.”
Okada spoke further on the Tokyo Dome situation. He always felt like the World Title match should go last, but in this scenario, he feels Tanahashi’s retirement match should be the main event.
“I’ve always thought that the IWGP title should absolutely go on last, but in a situation like this, Tanahashi’s last match should absolutely go on last. That’s what people are coming to see. Maybe this is pushing it a bit but it’s kind of like eating your meal, having dessert and then in comes a second entree. People might be stuffed, but even then, maybe because of that, I like the main event better.”
In AEW, Takeshita and Okada are part of The Don Callis Family. The two had a run-in on the 12/3 AEW Dynamite. For more on that interaction, check out Fightful’s review of the show.
