Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

[5.0] "this might be the hottest wrestling take i have but i genuinely dont think these matches are that good i prefer more of a faster paced match and since the matches are really long they dont have the energy but being said the faster paced action in them are really good"

[10.0] "This match is probably my all time favourite. Omega's work in New Japan in the mid to late 10s is really what brought me back to pro wrestling. Every time I watch it, I start to believe it could go either way. That's the beauty of it. There is not much more to say than that"

[7.0] "I mean.. Is it great, yes Is it 2 of the best going band for band but yknow what else it is lengthy and over drawn I just get bored, I feel this match should be over half way into it, long match does not always equal good match and that is exactly the case here. Still great"

[7.0] "I didn't like this, although it would probably be wrong to claim that it's not great on some level. Maybe I'm biased because I don't like these two (especially Omega), but they certainly didn't do anything to change my opinion. I was in a bad mood before the match even started; the promo video was devoid of any substance, and Omega comes out doing Terminator cosplay which I just find cringy and tiresome. The first 20 minutes of the match were pretty empty and scatterbrained. They start with uninspired Western chain wrestling, before eventually going down to the floor. We get some slightly more exciting spots down there with Okada landing a hard whip into the guardrail and an elevated DDT to Omega. Omega eventually starts to focus his attack on Okada's back and kidneys, hitting some solid strikes and slams. Omega's scoop slam onto the ring apron is the first thing in this match I really like, and Okada sells it well. Omega follows up with a nasty dropkick to the back of Okada's head, a Camel Clutch, and a piledriver, sort of shifting to working the neck now. But Okada just hits a big fireman's carry slam, and then some of his usual offence. I guess none of that work really mattered much after all. Omega nearly fades in Okada's Red Ink, which is a completely ridiculous near fall. Omega eventually gets back the advantage as he puts his knees up after Okada goes for a textbook flying nothing. Omega hits some impressive spots here in his control segment: a springboard moonsault, a running stomp onto a folded table with Okada underneath, and a few powerbombs. The Bucks set up a table on the outside for Okada to fall through, but actually it is Omega who falls through it with a brutal looking back body drop. A crazy spectactular bump and probably the most memorable thing about this match. From this point onwards Omega's selling is completely ridiculous and cartoonish. We get a long finishing stretch where not too much stands out, except a top rope dragon suplex that looks like hell for Okada, and a Rainmaker kickout. The false finish with the Rainmaker is actually quite convincing, and Okada gives a great facial reaction for once; he looks shocked and despondent. They take turns hitting moves, with Omega trying the OWA a few times; he never hits it though, and eventually he falls to a second Rainmaker. Overall, this seems like a match where they tried to throw all their shit at the wall to see what stuck. They hit plenty of big spots but they fall short on all the little things: structure, characterization, narrative, struggle. I would go so far as to say these two are actually quite bad at those little things: they pull ridiculous faces; they swing wildly between overselling and not selling at all; they don't make much effort to hide their co-operation or exude any sense of heat; they spend significant time doing work that eventually comes to nothing; and so many other problems. It's excessive, flashy, occasionally exciting but ultimately hollow and forgettable. [***3/4]"

[7.0] "Too. Goddamn. Long. This match could have been thirty minutes and no one would complain about the match being too short. It was very good, no doubt, but seriously, New Japan matches have no right to go as long as they do."

"I know its the top match of the list so there is nothing i can say that hasnt already been said. Omega and Okada are two of the all time greats. real graps. the false finishes and the big spots are completed to perfection and this match truly encapsulates the beauty of pro wrestling"

[9.0] "I had no clue that this was Cagematch's highest rated match and I'm glad I didn't know that going in. While I can definitely see the appeal obviously because I still rate this incredibly highly and I can see how much of a game changer this was at the time, it wasn't quite that level of perfection for me personally. The match is front to back a blast to watch and is a great demonstration of what made Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada so great in their prime. They perform with a level of intensity that is hard to match and is rarely seen from either of them lately. Omega specifically is at this point the most explosive wrestler on god's green earth, everything he hits in this has the impact that should make a man crumble. Okada is still that reserved heavy hitter but he comes across as far more calculated and strategic rather than the cocky above it all persona he adopts in the west. You can clearly see how much Omega has to throw at Okada early on and how much Okada has dig deep in the final stretch. All this being said as much I think Kenny was the soul of the match he is what slightly lets the match down for me. I love how Kenny moves, everything is so exaggerated but fluid and purposeful but he had a tendency in the early goings of this match to maybe be ahead of the ball. Bumping a bit too early or overshooting a move, not to the point of blowing a spot but it definitely stood out as the rest of the match is as hard hitting as you'd expect from a Wrestle Kingdom main event. It's just one of those all time classics that have one slight issue with it that has a ripple effect into how I perceive the match and it's really unfortunate but the reality of how I felt"

"This match genuinely changed my life. I remember sitting down with my father when it just happened, not knowing either of the two involved, going in completely blind, and just being blown away. From that point on I became obsessed with the world of wrestling outside of Wwe. Even though their 4th match may be better thanks to the emotion. The impact this match had on me makes it possibly my favourite match ever"

[7.0] "[3. 50*] This just went way too long. The first part was boring and not needed and every counter was predictable for the last stretch. There still was a lot to like though, it is easy to see why this is seen as "the best match ever"."

[10.0] "Does the hype live up to this match? Yes. Plain and simple yeah this match rocks. It's just so......it's it's own thing if that makes any sense. It's just special. I watched this match years ago for the first time. I binged all four matches in one week I was sick. I took my time and I am of the belief that this was the best one. I rewatched them all again recently....and I still kinda think this is the best still"

[10.0] "I like their other matches more, but this was foundational to the wrestling landscape of the 2010's and for good fucking reason. I can't argue against the finer points of this match, if it is your favorite ever by all means, all the power to you I cannot find a flaw in it. It is the slowest paced of this trilogy, but its wickedly smart in its pacing. It consistently leaves you on the edge of your seat, wondering when it will end, and as much of a brawl as it is it still carries weight with it feeling as though these two guys will kill one another for this opportunity. And I can't say enough how many people this match saved wrestling for, myself included. My present years-long love affair with this sport stema directly from this moment in time, as do countless others' love for the sport. It proved New Japan to be a worthwhile place for a western wrestling fan to spend their time, ir proved these two guys they had may have been the two top acts in the entire world at the time, and it proved to a large mass of people that wrestling should be considered an artform as well as sport. It is one of the great matches of all time, inarguably, and is a perfect bout."

[6.0] "To be honest, I didn't really like this match. Watching it live was really tiring. When I watched it again, it was still very tiring, and the last time I watched it, I really didn't enjoy it at all. To be honest, it's a really good wrestling match. For some reason, I just can't like it. I never liked it. It doesn't appeal to me in any way. Even Rainmaker Kickout didn't really impress me. I should mention that I fainted when Ibushi kickout The Rainmaker. Their matches never really appealed to me. From their first match to the All In Texas match, I honestly didn't really care. Despite everything, I think it's a match worth around 6.5 - 7 out of 10. Although it's described as the best match in history, the fact that it didn't strike me as good is perhaps the part that bothers me. For some reason, I don't like this match. But still, a 6 out of 10. It seems a bit overrated. It feels like a normal 1v1 match."

[10.0] "What can be said that hasn't been said already? One of the greatest examples of wrestling at its finest both as an art form and as a medium for story-telling, with two men in their primes putting together one of the greatest bouts you will ever see."

[10.0] "The Greatest Professional Wrestling Match of All Time, At the biggest sage possible in Japan, The 2 best wrestlers in the world going 1v1 for the first time ever. It had that big match feel to it. Everything Kenny & Okada did was Perfect. Every Move, Every Sequence, Every counter was so smooth and flowed together perfectly. They both hit all of their signature moves that we love, they both pulled out of all the tricks out of their bag, Kenny hit this Springboard Back flip to the outside on Okada and it looked brutal. Kenny he a bunch of V Triggers that looked disgusting. The Story told was Kenny trying to hit the One Winged Angel because nobody kicks out of the One Winged Angel. But every time he came close to hitting it Okada had an answer for it. Once Okada hit the Rainmaker everyone though it was over but at 2.9 Kenny Kicked out and had a spark adrenaline Kenny hit a couple more Devastating V Triggers and in position for the One Winged Angel but countered it into a Spinning Piledriver and then into one more Rainmaker for the 123. These two went to war for 46 Minutes and threw everything they had at each other. It's tough to put into words how fucking great this match is, no words do it justice."

[10.0] "These two have absolutely mastered the art of pro wrestling. The finishers, the pacing, and above all, the climax. Everything in this match is executed to perfection. The crowd was incredible, and the way they controlled the audience's emotions was simply masterful. They had everyone in the palm of their hands from beginning to end, knowing exactly when to build tension, when to explode into action, and when to make every near fall feel like the end. It is a perfect example of how to structure a wrestling match. Every big moment matters, every finisher feels decisive, and the climax is nothing short of spectacular. Probably one of the easiest 5/5 ratings you can give in wrestling."

[10.0] "There's a reason this match is a praised as it is and that is simply cause it's perfect. Both wrestlers are in their peak and they put on an amazing show. The first in the series of an amazing feud between two legends."

[10.0] "What an absolutely incredible match and one of the best ever, it gave made NJPW relevant among casual American fans and it introduced many people to a world of wrestling outside of WWE. This match has literally everything, intensity, athleticism, drama, it's the second best match ever imo behind the Omega/Okada match in 2018"

[9.0] "Do I think it's the best of all time? No. But is it still a phenomenal match? Absolutely. Pretty slow to start but once it picks up, it really, REALLY picks up. Still a pleasurable and, in my opinion, essential watch."

[10.0] "Everyone has heard of this match and so it obviously has a large reputation but it 100% lives up to it."

[10.0] "Best Matches of all time. A banger by two of the greatest of all time for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in the greatest stage of NJPW ! A CLASSIC !"

"[9.0] My only complaint is that it runs a bit slow in places, but otherwise this is as good as it gets, there's a clear, well told story in the ring and both men give everything they have to tell it. One of those great matches you can show someone without context and they'll still be blown away."

"[6.5] In my opinion, the fight is good but a bit overrated considering both are great fighters, but it's still meh. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's just a normal 1v1 fight."

[9.0] "This is pretty much THE wrestling match. The one that is atop every list, broke every record, and given millions of stars across the planet. On this account, I plan to document my journey through all of these legendary matches, beginning here. I watched this with my friend, who had never seen NJPW, and we had a fantastic time. Do I think this match is slightly overrated? Yes, personally, I do. But in many ways, this is still one of the best wrestling matches ever. The storytelling, the emotion of Omega struggling to land the one-winged angel, the desire to be the man atop the food chain, it's incredibly entrancing. I love the physicality these men give, and the impact you feel from every strike, big and small. While it is not a 6-star classic to me personally, it is still a fantastic watch that deserves every ounce of praise it receives for the impact it has left on wrestling history."

[10.0] "Been watching wrestling for decades and this is still in my opinion the greatest wrestling match of all time & it will never be topped. Both Okada & Omega came out of this being on another level like it elevated both of them at the same time which is proof that they created something generational"

[10.0] "I wonder if it still holds up, given the kind of matches that have taken place since then. However, nothing will compare to Omega/Okada I. Pure magic in the bottle with limited finisher spam and the negatives that plague some of the NJPW main event matches. Truly perfect in every way. It's one of my favs"

[9.0] "A monumental wrestling match. It's got so much to love, and while the negatives are here, they're hard to even mention with how great this match gets. I do like the stories going on here, Omega unable to land the OWA, his confidence fading & leading to his demise, Okada's resilience & in-ring brilliance. There's a lot of storytelling going on here. It's an incredible champion v. challenger bout. For negatives, Okada's selling is my biggest one. Omega's too, but his improves. The damage to the back of the Okada in the early goings doesn't really go anywhere, and the damage to the neck near the end also doesn't quite go anywhere. On one hand, in-real life, Okada did land on his neck from the top rope and wasn't holding it like it was hurt in-real life. On the other hand, I think it could've meant more to the match if he was selling it throughout that finishing sequence, and if he was unable to do certain moves because of it. Omega's selling in the early-goings isn't great, but when he goes through that table, it's a whole different story. His confidence is gone, and his pain is prevalent as can be. It can also be said that the lack of selling is to show the endurance, and that's why both guy's targets on the body do change throughout the match. However, I just think it would've boosted the match if there was more moment-to-moment selling throughout. The closing stretch here is something special though. The audience is going crazy, and you can feel the desperation in Omega to land the OWA. Both guys do show great emotions throughout, and as said before, the storytelling is there. The action is out of this world, with very good pacing I felt. It may not be the best ever, but it's definitely one of the best of the decade. A truly incredible match. Remembered for a reason. [****.75]"

[9.0] "Magical. theres nothing else to say but that word sums up my emotions pretty well. better is still too come, but for the first bout, truly unbelievable"

"I literally felt frozen in time by the end of this match. this match is proof that it truly takes two to make a thing go right. Omega kicking out of 3 out of 4 rainmakers had me absolutely gob smacked."

[10.0] "I don't know why I put this off so much. The rating and overall legendary status that people put on this match made it really intimidating to give it a shot, but I'm so glad I did. It really is on a whole other level of pro wrestling. I don't even have the vocabulary to explain why, but it was just so incredible, and even though I knew who was going to win, I still believed the false finishes (especially that one rainmaker holy shit). The selling in this match is top-notch, which is really what makes the match great imo. Everything feels impactful and Okada's selling of his abdomen feels so legit. I just don't have enough words to praise this match. Unbelievable."

[10.0] "I discovered Professional Wrestling by 2008 (I think), but that was the match that made me a fan of it. And talking to some friends, I wasn't the only one. Likely the greatest match in PW history, a match that everyone (Wrestling fan or not) should watch at least once in his life. I don't even gonna list the spots and moments in this match, or I will be the whole morning here; just know that I love this match, more than I can express in words. (*****)."

[10.0] "Best wrestling match of all time in my opinion and the match that change my view for wrestling and introduced me to njpw and other wrestling promotions"

[10.0] "An exceptional match in every respect. The opening section takes a moment to establish the pace and tone, but once it does, the match builds steadily, unfolding at a compelling rhythm with what feels like an endless run of beautiful sequences, memorable spots and intense, unpredictable action -- including perhaps the greatest near fall of all time. Kenny's Golden Triangle to the outside, the Tiger Suplex from the top rope, the table spot and the missile dropkick all stand out, as does Okada's brutal german, the save out of the One Winged Angel, but perhaps most of all his selling and passion in the closing stretch. The atmosphere, drama and overall composition, combined with the technique, athleticism, creativity and precision of both men, are sustained at an almost inconceivably high level without ever tipping into excess. If there is anything to criticise, it is that at times Kenny's selling lacks realism, occasionally coming close to ridiculous, and some of his technical work early on -- particularly the wrist-lock sequences out of the lock-up -- look slightly weak and momentarily break the illusion. Ultimately, however, that is redundant in the context of what is achieved within the totality of the match, which transcends the art form as it had been understood up to that point. Given how much it accomplishes without ever overstaying its welcome or feeling bloated, it has to be the greatest match of all time."

"Finally got around to watching this match and it absolutely deserves all the praise it gets. Truly a once in a lifetime performance from these 2. The spot where Okada counters the one-winged angel and lands on his feet is utterly beautiful. Not a single misstep taken, not a moment I was taken out of the performance. Absolutely one for the ages."

[10.0] "This is one of those rare matches where 5* doesnt even cut it, the story told in this match is beautiful Kenny is very much a underdog Okada has been in this moment so many times hell he was Omega when he was vs Tanahashi in the Dome, Some really Naraly spots like the Table spot Okada diving over the barricade, the Story is one winged angel would end it and Okada avoids it so many times, theres also not much false finishes which I also enjoy, Kenny does it all here to beat Okada try to hit a rainmaker hitting V-Triggers and All, Kenny kicks out of a Rainmaker which shocked me, both men just give this their all for 46 mins and it is just beautiful storytelling of Okada v Omega, Okada becoming the unbeatable one for so long after this match until he eventually loses it to Omega in 2018. 6*"

"It is rare to witness a moment that instantaneously shifts the paradigm of an entire industry, but Wrestle Kingdom 11 provided exactly that. Omega vs. Okada I didn't just break the scale; it shattered the ceiling of what was considered possible in a wrestling ring. This was the perfect storm of the right characters, the right venue, and the right era. We witnessed the clash of two distinct philosophies: Okada's traditional, stoic 'Strong Style' excellence versus Omega's dynamic, western-influenced explosiveness. The synthesis of these styles created a hybrid bout that felt both deeply respectful of NJPW's past and radically forward-thinking. To call this a '6-star match' almost feels like a disservice because it implies it can be measured by standard metrics. This was art. It set a bar so impossibly high that it forced the entire wrestling world to step up. A true watershed moment that will be studied for decades."

"This wasn't just a match, it was a resurrection. After years of drifting away from wrestling, convinced I'd outgrown it, Okada and Omega tore through the Tokyo Dome and absolutely broke my brain. Every desperate counter, every brutal table spot, every time Kenny clawed for the One Winged Angel only to have Okada slip away. I kept thinking "wait, they can DO that? " When that final Rainmaker connected and the crowd lost it, I realized I wasn't just watching incredible wrestling; I was falling back in love with this whole damn thing. This match didn't just meet the hype, it shattered everything I thought was possible and reminded me why I used to stay up until 3am watching this stuff as a kid. I like to watch it with the Japanese commentary every once and awhile to capture the real excitement."

"Greatest piece of media ever. This was what really made me fall in love with wrestling, and it was the first match outside of WWE that I ever saw. Thank God for Kenny & Okada"

[10.0] "My favourite Omega Okada, in this match there is the best kickout in this sport. The fall from Omega to the table is unbelievable"

[8.0] "It's a good match, but to say it's the greatest ever is eh. Of course, there is nothing wrong if you wish to say that it's the greatest match ever, because A. It's your opinion and B. It's still a good match. But for me, I view this as just too long. You might be wondering, what is the perfect match length. I'd say somewhere between 20-35 minutes for modern wrestling. This is just how I view things (and I understand my view point is a bit eccentric.) but I think, especially now with how modern wrestling is big on the big moves, head drops, etc. You're telling me that they can wrestle for 40+ minutes. A bit wild to me. Still, the moves hit were gorgeous, and I like the story to it."

[6.0] "So I have reviewed this match 2.0 dozen times and this time, THIS TIME is my last time. It has gone from a 6, to a 9, to a 10, and now backdown to a six because this time around, I decided, you know what? I am not gonna put this down on in the background, I am going to sit down and give my analysis of this match, I am going to analyze it in terms of storytelling, in ring action, pacing and the overall athleticism involved but the main focus was storytelling and to sum up my finding it's these. The storytelling in this match is very inconsistent. I get they were doing the David vs Goliath story but it feels like they threw it out midway through and Omega was working on Okada's arm early on, but then stopped like midway through and it never came up again? Then Omega was kind of attacking Okada's leg but they do nothing like that. So at some point, the storytelling just went out the window. Second, the in ring action. While incredibly physical, it's nothing impressive. That's all. Except for THAT nearfall. So this section is short because of it. It's not really action, like a lot of it is selling and then something big happens, and then more selling.. Third, pacing. Pacing is almost non existent. It's slow, super slow, and only reallly picks up near the end and for the love of God. Pacing is what hooks your audience and it is fundementally how you control the emotions of the people. If you fuck it up, it's inexcusible. And finally, athleticism. Lot's of rest holds. Not much. Overall. Six."

[10.0] "The greatest match of all time. Incredible from finish to end. The absolute prime of both guys career and it reached an incredible climax in this match. Amazing, just amazing."

[10.0] "Missed 10 years of wrestling after quitting in 2015. This was the match that got me back into it and got me hooked."

[10.0] "this match is naturally building up to an insane climax that you are clamoring for at the halfway point. I could not type more, i was invested start to finish and loved everything."

[10.0] "What the actual fuck did I just watch, my gosh golly gee I can't even wrap my brain around what the hell type of match was Wrestled, but how do you do this 4 times over again, I'm sorry my goat top 5 list just got shook up because this rn to me is the greatest match ever Wrestled. Cagematch we need an 11 out of 10 Rating."

[10.0] "What is there to be said about this match that hasn't already been said? This is, in my opinion, the greatest match of all time. This is the match that got me into pro wrestling. If you haven't seen it yet, wtf are you doing? Go watch it right now!"

[10.0] "Absolutely everything was well done, what a fucking professional wrestling match between these two. Peak Omega was something else."

[10.0] "There have been many greates matches in the history of pro wrestling. This may be the only match that one could call life-changing."

[10.0] "As a mainly WWE guy since I was a kid, I've been waiting to see this match for a very long time. And as someone who hasn't really dabbled in other companies outside of WWE, the question on my mind was always, "What more could they have done? " And I got my answer in spades because what I saw was unlike anything I've ever seen compared to the wrestling matches I've experienced before."

"Just brilliant, Kenny's selling and bumping was off the charts. Two of the best ever at their prime in the best venue on the most important night. It was always going to be good. Some of the most consistently excellent and tight wrestling you'll see. The conditioning to keep this level of execution up for 47 minutes, with countless high spots and essentially no rest is insane. It is one of the best matches ever, not my personal pick though. The snap dragon off the top rope was disgustingly sick and the strikes were so stiff. There was no need for Kenny to take every simple back bump onto his neck but i rate it for the love of the game. *****1/4"

[10.0] "HOLY FUCK. This is the 1st time I've watched this match and I was fucking BLOWN away. This is amazing in any space and time. The fucking martians would come down and pray down to this masterclass of professional wrestling. Entertaining on all levels! What a way to close the fucking show! [*****1/2]"