NJPW Destruction in Kobe: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Final Thoughts

Show Rating: **** (4 stars out of 5)

The last match and the ending angle are the only thing people are going to be talking about here, as Gedo betrayed Okada. YOSHI-HASHI looked legit injured, so I hope he’s okay. Okada has been left completely broken, and carried out of the arena by the young lions. The picture of Okada being carried out was very similar to when he lost in his second Tokyo Dome match against Tanahashi. He looked completely and utterly broken. Have we seen the fall of the Rainmaker? Have we seen the resurrection of the Ace? Switchblade Jay White insists there is neither, and it’s his time now. With Gedo in his corner, maybe he’s right.

NJPW has setup several stories here, and ones that will carry them forward into next year. NJPW has established a new main event heel with Jay White. Time will tell if that will be a match we get at Wrestle Kingdom, but NJPW seems to be heading quite strongly in that direction. NJPW also seemed firm in wanting to establish Tanahashi as a guy who can still be the Ace and number one guy, and having him defeat Okada cleanly was a great way to do it. The next big step for Tanahashi looks to be Omega at Wrestle Kingdom in the main event, but we shall see how that goes at Tanahashi still has a grudge to settle with Jay White.

What is next for Tanahashi and Okada both will be very interesting to see. How all of this works going forward will be absolutely must see, and you can bet that what has happened here will have major effects on NJPW’s storytelling. NJPW consistently tells long term stories well, and this looks to be one that is going to be huge going forward.