NJPW Wrestling Dontaku results: SANADA challenges Okada & more

SANADA Comes Close But Can’t Shut The Door On Kazuchika Okada

IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs SANADA

I make no secret of the fact that I’m a SANADA lifer. In a landscape where there are incredible talents up and down the entire New Japan roster, SANADA stands out as one of the most dynamic personalities in his calm coolness while dishing out star-making performances. As the finals of the New Japan Cup came to light, he was my hope to take the win and move onto MSG against Jay White.

Unfortunately for Cold Skull, Okada came up victorious in the Cup extending his streak against SANADA to 5-0. As we know, Okada was successful against Jay White at G1 Supercard but before he regained his IWGP Heavyweight Title he made a simple promise: if he won the title, he would make his first defense against SANADA.

And so we arrived at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku. We also arrived at a brand new look for SANADA, finally seeing him trim that godawful beard and sporting some new gear. Could new pants be the secret to unseating Okada?

Starting things off slowly, SANADA and Okada came to standoff exhibiting the fact that they are so equally matched across so many levels. Similar in size, both men are unafraid of taking to the air to mix high-flying with their power and mat games. Okada eventually slowed things down to settle into his familiar big-match pace.

SANADA was able to shine throughout the match as he eventually locked Okada in the dreaded Paradise Lock on his third attempt. A moral victory capped with a dropkick to the butt, SANADA used the swell in confidence to begin to control the champion.

Around the 25 minute mark, SANADA locked in the Skull End and Okada began to show signs of fading. The Rainmaker wouldn’t slip away just yet, though SANADA kept up the pressure. In a fun spot mirroring EVIL’s match with Ishii, SANADA hung Okada’s feet on the top rope and drove him to the mat with a swinging neckbreaker. Even when competing in different matches, the synergy between LIJ members is unmatched.

The last ten minutes or so of the match would see SANADA and Okada coming close to putting the nail in the coffin for one another. SANADA repeatedly locked in the Skull End draining the life out of Okada but left himself open to mistakes. When attempting the Mutoh-inspired moonsault, SANADA landed on his feet and felt his right knee buckle under the impact.

On another attempt of the moonsault, Okada got the knees up and used the time to recover a bit of energy. Still, though, SANADA rallied and made a case for himself as the main event player we all know he deserves to be.

At 35 minutes, SANADA leveled Okada with his own version of the Rainmaker (Skullmaker?) but it wasn’t enough to keep the champion on his back. Once again looking for the Skull End, SANADA attempted to get into position via Shiranui but was countered by Okada into a tombstone.

The tombstone was a major player in this match as both men repeatedly looked for the move throughout the match, but here Okada was finally able to spike SANADA before connecting with a decisive Rainmaker for the bittersweet victory.

SANADA is now 0-6 against Okada in singles encounters but has more than showed his worth as a main event wrestler in New Japan. I don’t know if any doubters still existed out there, but anybody on the fence with SANADA can’t possibly be wavering at this point.

Post-match, Okada looked for a handshake from SANADA to show his respect to his challenger. Cold Skull gave him about a half handshake before fist bumping Okada and exiting the ring.

Okada has now officially broken the Zero Defense streak set by Tanahashi and White, but who is next on the Rainmaker’s calendar?