NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Jay White (Bullet Club)

Okada came out with blonde hair, his old music, and his old ring gear, indicating that the Rainmaker is back. Okada has been reborn, and the champ, the greatest wrestler in the world, has returned to Wrestle Kingdom. So, can Jay White handle Okada at his best? His body language and eyes here told the story – Okada was not the broken Okada we have seen since losing the title. This was simple, beautiful storytelling.

Okada took it to White early, but White managed to turn it around and hurt Okada on the outside of the ring. White hit a big uppercut on Okada, then a Saito Suplex, driving Okada into the mat. White got the heat on Okada for the next few minutes before Okada fired up, hit an uppercut of his own, and a DDT, but White kicked out. White was on the top rope, but Okada leaped high into the air and dropkicked White right off the top rope to the outside of the ring.

Gedo attacked Okada from behind, and Okada sent him over the guardrail next to White. Okada that hit a flying crossbody over the guardrail onto both White and Gedo! Okada took it back to the ring, hit a flying elbow, and went for the Rainmaker, but White countered and hit a German suplex! Gedo tried to distract the referee while White grabbed a chair, but Okada sent White flying into Gedo and hit two dropkicks.

White hit a suplex that dropped Okada on his head, and then hit a Kiwi Krusher, but Okada kicked out. White went for the Blade Runner, but Okada countered and hit a tombstone! Okada went for another dropkick, but White countered. White went for another Blade Runner, but there was a series of counters that ended with another dropkick by Okada. After ducking a Rainmaker, there was another series of counters that ended with Okada hitting a spinning Rainmaker! Okada called for the Rainmaker again, but White countered and hit Blade Runner for the 1-2-3! Jay White wins, getting the biggest win of his career!

Result: Jay White 

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

This was a truly awesome match, as Jay White just beat Okada at his very best with one finishing move. Okada was pinned clean by White. The next year will be very interesting for Okada, as his redemption story begins now, and Jay White’s ascension as the top heel in NJPW begins here. Okada was carried out by the young lions, looking like he was crushed, just as he was the last time he lost to Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom years ago.