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NJPW Wrestling Dontaku results: SANADA challenges Okada & more

By Corey Collins

OSAKA,JAPAN - FEBRUARY 11: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the match between Kazuchika Okada and Bad Luck Fale during the New Beginning of NJPW at Edion Arena Osaka on February 11, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
OSAKA,JAPAN - FEBRUARY 11: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the match between Kazuchika Okada and Bad Luck Fale during the New Beginning of NJPW at Edion Arena Osaka on February 11, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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The Road to Wrestling Dontaku has been long and winding with the final night of action hanging out on the horizon for weeks. At Saturday’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, Kazuchika Okada finally squared off with SANADA in the much-anticipated IWGP Heavyweight Title match.

Throughout the entire tour leading up to NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, we’ve seen every championship in New Japan defended. Adding to the fun, we’ve seen some rivalries reborn and reignited between Jushin Thunder Liger and Minoru Suzuki, as well as Tomohiro Ishii and EVIL.

Did I know how much I needed to see big boys Ishii and EVIL clobber each other for a couple of weeks straight? No, I did not – but now I know that I’ve always needed it and that I was a fool for never really considering it in the past.

The final night of NJPW Wrestling Dontaku featured some key pieces of action. Starting at the top, Okada defended the IWGP Heavyweight Title against SANADA in The Rainmaker’s first defense since winning the championship in MSG. Okada made a promise to make SANADA his first challenger after winning the New Japan Cup and that came to fruition in Fukuoka.

In the semi-main event, Ishii and EVIL locked horns in a battle for nothing more than pride and to win the prize in my heart of Best New Japan Big Boy. That’s not an official title just yet – I’ve yet to get confirmation from the IWGP committee, so it may be a while before New Japan recognizes it on air.

During the New Japan Cup, vignettes aired for the impending debut of El Phantasmo as the newest member of Bullet Club. Perhaps the worst-kept secret on the card was the first in-ring appearance of ELP as the partner of Taiji Ishimori. Billed simply as “X” leading up to the card to build intrigue to the “mystery” partner, ELP’s performance has immediately breathed new life into the juniors division.

Let’s break down the highlights from NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night two and what they hold for the summer in New Japan!

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