Kazuchika Okada is ending his lofty New Japan Pro Wrestling career on a high with a victory over Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Beginning in Osaka 2024.
Before the match began, the crowd delivered a thunderous “Okada” chant inside the EDION arena. Okada got the early advantage by sending Tanahashi to the floor with a drop-kick. Some dirty tactics from Okada, including using the barricade, elicited boos from the crowd.
Back in the ring, Okada landed Tanahashi’s signature dragon screw, drawing more boos from the Osaka crowd. Tanahashi took control with a senton and his own dragon screws. Okada caught Tanahashi mid-run and followed up with an air raid crash and elbow drop before hitting his Rainmaker pose.
Okada’s first attempt at the Rainmaker was reversed into Tanahashi’s sling blade. Tanahashi later climbed to the ropes for High Fly Flow but Okada blocked by extending his knees. Okada used a dropkick and a piledriver to gain wrist control. Seeing the writing on the wall, Tanahashi tried to escape, but Okada landed the Rainmaker. Okada then pinned Tanahashi to win the match.
Post-match, the two men embraced. Okada took a moment to soak up the response from fans before bowing to the lion mark.
You can check out some of the highlights from the match below.
RAIN MAKER @rainmakerXokada
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/7AybC5KYqR
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
.@tanahashi1_100 "High Fly Attack"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/w56oSZrurq
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
.@rainmakerXokada "Heavy Rain"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/Pqm9QGFAzj
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
.@tanahashi1_100 "???"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/FihMXOyP6N
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
.@rainmakerXokada "???"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/VGonrqlBEc
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
?THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA?
?????????????12?…
??????????"?????"????????????????? @rainmakerXokada × @tanahashi1_100#njpwworld ?????
??????https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW pic.twitter.com/oRnrATtDYJ
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
Thank you @rainmakerXokada.
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/mDKkLSHoGP
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2024
What’s Next for Kazuchika Okada?
A highly talented individual, it’s no surprise that both AEW and WWE are hopeful to sign Okada when the time is right. Of the two, it has been reported that Okada is believed to be WWE-bound. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has reportedly always dreamed of competing at WrestleMania, something those in WWE are well aware of. WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER recently stated that Okada would be more than welcome in WWE.
