Okada still ignoring Kiyomiya is really entertaining to me.

16 comments

1. I know the lines are pretty soft on heel/face in NJPW, but a mean heel Okada would rule.

2. I hope they both confront eachother after their respective title defenses

3. I’m loving how this whole situation has brought out petulant Okada, can’t wait for what happens next. also, for those interested: [Kiyomiya responds to Okada’s boycott](https://youtu.be/-x36s56yvLQ)

4. Not so fun when your the older guy being disrespected by some young punk, is it Rainmaker. Maybe you should go ask Tanahashi how it felt?

5. This sounds really crazy but this is one of my favorite feuds of all time. Which is funny because I think they’ve only interacted twice ever? But it’s just so perfect. Okada sees himself in Kaito, him walking out crying after getting pinned by Okada was his WK9 moment, and Okada made sure to rub that in as much as possible. Then a year after that they run one of the greatest angles I have ever seen.

   I love so much that they haven’t forgotten that when Okada debuted he was this petulant little rich kid. He has grown a lot since then, and I think much of his ego (including when he reamed Kiyomiya after WK16) comes from a place of wanting to light fires under the people around him for the sake of strengthening the competition in his sport, so he can both uplift the sport but also uplift himself by beating all of the people he’s forced to compete at their fullest potential.

   But after WK17 it’s clear that this means something else to Okada. We didn’t see this with AJ, Kenny, Will, or Jay. We’ve seen him get emotional sure, but never raging like this. I can’t really identify why Kaito has incensed him to this extent but I’m sure it will come together in time. I think this is just fantastic stuff.

   I’m really impressed with how these two promotions are working together, considering last year it was just tag matches up and down the card and now they’re running what is objectively the biggest possible match they can do between their two world champions. This is how it should be. Both NJPW and NOAH are uplifted by this.

6. Okada knows he cant beat kiyomiya.

7. As he should 💁🏽‍♂️

8. Does anyone think that Kaito is going to show up tomorrow in Osaka?
   Rarely is there interference in big IWGP WHC/HW matches, but there is precedence. Might be the only way for Kaito to get Okada to notice him.

9. Is this going to be available on World for people in the U.S.? What’s the best way to watch?

10. Man’s just BURYING NOAH with that Golden Shovel adorned with Okada Bucks! This is AWESOME!

11. It’s gonna be an interesting weekend with both Okada and Kiyomiya having defenses a day apart. Wonder if one shows up after the other retains.

12. Is there any chance he won’t show ??

13. He may have patched up things with his greatest rival in Tana, had possibly one of the greatest title reigns in his V13 era, be presented and act as the standard bearer for NJPW, but I still love it when he brings back the part of his gimmick to remind us all that at the end of the day he’s still a spoilt arrogant rich kid who’s thinks he’s better than everyone.

14. I suspect that we get a surprise tomorrow, with certain person showing up in order to further provoke Okada so that he accepts the match 😉

    Best case scenario this leads to Shingo getting the belt even, as that would really motivate Okada to go after Mr Supernova.

    I really hope and expect something fun to happen tomorrow 😉

    NOAH invasion incoming!

15. As a njpw casual I have no idea who this kid is, but Okada is giving him the RUB. I love it.

16. Promo notes for Okada: In the future, just say, “you won’t see this” …., and then do the hand John Cena hand thing …. The fans will love it. Vince will love it.

    …And the New Japan fans will barf…