86. Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Kenny Omega (2/3 Falls Match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, NJPW Dominion 2018)

So now we come to the fourth and final match between Okada and Kenny Omega. Their first was a stone cold classic; their second still very good, but bloated and full of under/no-selling; their third a (relatively) brief second stone cold classic. Their fourth, this time a 2/3 Falls Match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, had no time limit…so I feared both wrestlers’ penchant for excess would be nurtured. I was right…

85. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega (G1 Climax Block B Final, NJPW G1 Climax 2017)

After the bloated, excessive rematch between Okada and Onega, it’s fate that their third match took place during the first round of the G1 Climax tournament. It meant they were contained to thirty minutes. Everyone needs limits, don’t they? This contrainst reaps rewards, creating a contest that’a a clear five star match, and close, so close, to the exceedingly cracking quality of their first bout.

84. Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Kenny Omega (IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match, NJPW Dominion 2017)

Could the inevitable rematch between Okada and Omega live up to the greatness of the original? According to Dave Meltzer, it surpassed the original; he awarded it 6.25 stars!!! At the time, that was his highest rated match ever. He was right about their first bout…but their rematch fell below my very high expectations.

83. Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Kenny Omega (IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11)

Time to move from one famed Okada feud to another, one that began with a match that set the wrestling world on fire. Dave Meltzer rated the match 6 stars (yes, 6 stars out of five!), and it won countless Match of the Year (2017) awards. And, truly, Okada vs Kenny Omega deserves all the plaudits it was given. Every once in a while, some things do live up to the hype, and Okada vs Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 11 indeed lives up to the hype.