Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega 4 In NJPW Is Still The Best Wrestling Match Ever
Owen Barnes 
Quick Links
In a word, yes, the fourth contest in NJPW between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega is the greatest wrestling match ever. But wrestling is subjective, and that's the beauty of it. After awarding their first three matches six, six-and-a-quarter, and six stars, respectively, Dave Meltzer gave Okada/Omega IV SEVEN STARS -- the only seven-star rating he's given. Now, let's dig in to what makes this match the best ever.
RELATED: NJPW Every Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega Match, Ranked Worst To Best
The Story Of Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega 4
The backstory of this feud is a pivotal reason why this match is the best. Kenny Omega's star in New Japan Pro Wrestling began to rise in January 2016, when he assumed leadership of Bullet Club after turning on then-leader AJ Styles. Omega made the jump to heavyweight, and would win the vacant IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi on February 24, 2016. Later that year, he became the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the prestigious G1 Climax tournament, earning him a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom 11 against IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.
Omega lost the match, but pushed Okada to his absolute limit for 46:45 -- the longest match in Tokyo Dome history to that point -- with many pundits calling it the greatest match of all time. Just five months later, Okada and Omega fought to a 60-minute draw at Dominion, in a match which many, including Dave Meltzer, felt was even better than their first. And two months after that, Omega finally got his win over Okada -- albeit in a non-title match during the G1 Climax -- making their series 1-1-1.
RELATED: The Kenny Omega/Kazuchika Okada Rivalry, Explained
Typically, when a champion in NJPW loses a non-title match, the winner will earn a title shot. But Kenny was preoccupied with Chris Jericho's unexpected appearance in NJPW, in-fighting in Bullet Club, and reuniting with his Golden Lover Kota Ibushi as he waited patiently for his title shot. Meanwhile, Okada was shattering NJPW records, as he broke Shinya Hashimoto's record for single longest title reign, and Tanahashi's record for most successful title defenses in a single reign -- earning his record-breaking 12th title defense in a win over Tanahashi himself at Wrestling Dontaku 2018.
Okada knew there was only one thing to do, and after defeating Tanahashi he called out Omega and challenged him to a title match. Kenny of course agreed, but requested a two-out-of-three falls match with no time limit, to which Okada accepted. The stage was set for Okada/Omega IV on June 9, 2018, at Dominion in Osaka Jo Hall, the same building where they had their 60-minute draw the year prior. There was one key difference for Kenny Omega this time -- he had longtime tag team partner and friend Kota Ibushi by his side -- and the two intensely trained together prior to the match.
RELATED: Kazuchika Okada Should Not Feud With Kenny Omega If He Comes To AEW
For those who had seen the sheer greatness of Okada and Omega's first three matches, and were dialed in for this story at the time, this match felt like the biggest of all time. The bell rang, and the Osaka Jo crowd was at a fever pitch, with most in support of Omega. What followed was 64:50 of pro wrestling magic between two fighters with unfathomable chemistry together, exhibiting the highest levels of storytelling, drama, emotion and athleticism ever seen in a wrestling ring
Okada Scores A Shock Pin To Take The Lead
The exhilarating first fall likely would've been at least five-star match itself. By this point, these two men knew each other's moves so well, and it led to some of the best and smoothest counters and reversal sequences ever seen. The conclusion of the first fall was sublime with multiple V-Triggers, near-falls, and counters to the One-Winged Angel (OWA) and Rainmaker, including a Rainmaker avoided by Omega, who went for a sunset flip, but Okada caught him and sat down for a shocking pinfall at 28:47. A hush silence fell over the previously raucous crowd.
Omega was in control for the majority of the fall, and it felt like it was going to be his. But Okada caught him, and took a 1-0 lead with a lot of confidence and a big grin into the second fall.
A Desperate Omega Evens The Score
Okada carried his momentum into the second fall, dominating Omega in the early going. The drama and storytelling elevated in this fall, as Omega's back was against the wall and had to score a pin by any means necessary. There was an awesome callback to their first match, as Kenny placed a table on Okada and hit a devastating double foot stomp. Another highlight was Omega countering a Rainmaker into a HUGE uranage, leading to another outstanding closing sequence, featuring more insane counters, dropkicks, multiple V-Triggers, and Omega eventually hitting the OWA to send it to a decisive third fall at 47:47.
The Brutal And Beautiful Conclusion
The action, emotion, drama and storytelling in the third fall were so great it's hard to put into words. The desperation was evident as Omega immediately hit Okada with his 9th V-Trigger of the match, lifts him for OWA, but Okada slips out and finally hits the Rainmaker! They're beyond exhaustion and fighting on sheer will as both men struggle to stay on their feet. The unhinged crowd, now overwhelmingly in support of Omega, pops huge for him hitting a Styles Clash, and gasps as he misses a Phoenix Splash attempt at the behest of Ibushi.
After getting hammered by three consecutive V-Triggers, Okada musters up the strength to hit Omega with a Rainmaker, but collapses from exhaustion -- the inverse to a similarly amazing spot in their second contest. The crowd and viewers at home are hanging on every move while witnessing greatness, and knowing the match could end at any moment.
Omega, pulling himself up using the referee, charges into a dropkick from Okada. Okada attempts a Rainmaker and Omega counters into a OWA! Omega collapses and can't get the pin. Among a loud chorus of "KENNY!" chants, Omega fires himself up and hits the biggest and final V-Trigger (14th) of the match. Omega picks Okada up and drops him with an emphatic OWA, as biased commentator Don Callis screams "HOOK THE LEG! HOOK THE LEG!" and Omega gets the three-count to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion, ending Okada's incredible reign at 720 days.
Post-match, the Young Bucks came out and shared a big hug with Omega and Ibushi, as Kenny Omega finally got his crowning moment in NJPW, after the most perfect wrestling match ever. Words simply cannot do it justice, especially in the blistering third fall. English commentators Kevin Kelly and Don Calls deserve their flowers for excellently guiding the audience through the match -- not to mention the boiling hot crowd throughout the entirety of the near 65-minute war.
Omega now holds a 2-1-1 advantage over Okada. With NJPW and AEW working together now, it's probably only a matter of time before we see Omega/Okada V. When that happens, strap in for the ride!
