Saturday Tetsuya Naito walks into Yokohama Arena to main event NJPW’s flagship show, Wrestle Kingdom. Except it isn’t the main event of Wrestle Kingdom, not the one that Naito wanted. This is the story of Naito’s complex relationship with the Tokyo Dome, the imperfect tapestry of a legendary career.
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At this point, part of me admittedly wonders if Gedo is saving the big main event Tokyo Dome win at Wrestle Kingdom for Naito’s retirement match. /s
I say that flippantly because I don’t really think it’s going to happen, but I suppose it would be doable if Naito decided he was going to pack it in due to some of his health issues. Declares he’s going to retire at the next Wrestle Kingdom, does the G1 for sentimental reasons, then pulls off a shocking win. Goes on to main event Wrestle Kingdom for one last match against Okada, no one thinks he’s going to win… pulls off a surprise victory and wins it. Goes ahead with his retirement (Naito was always better in the chase than as the actual champion anyway) but *finally* has that grand Tokyo Dome LIJ roll call. Roll credits.
Don’t get me wrong, Naito is one of my favorites and I hope (and expect) he will be wrestling for years to come, but I honestly couldn’t think of a better way for his career to end.
I’m a Naito guy. I flew to Japan for Wrestle Kingdom 14. That was the end of Naito’s story. Sure he’ll keep wrestling and have many more world class matches, but the story of the failed ace, turned dark ace ended at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in what I think is up there with the greatest matches of all time. The callbacks, the setting, the opponent, I’ve never felt elation for a performer like I felt for Naito that night.
To act like this is an ongoing thing is to completely misunderstand Naito and what he went through in the years before 14.
Naito is popular because of his struggles. If he was booked like Okada his character wouldn’t make sense and wouldn’t resonate within the primary fanbase. Okada v naito at wk 14 is my favourite match ever. It’s essentially a perfect wrestling match to me.
So if that’s his peak it’s a pretty good one
Maybe he should put an effort in? Have you seen him wrestle in his t shirts? Who wants a champ like that?! Does the man even own a comb?