Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Kenny Omega: The Essential Battle For NJPW
As did Omega. His new philosophy is a brutal subversion of Tanahashi’s finishing sequence; where Tanahashi did everything possible to avoid the rain, Omega unleashes a spectacular but treacherous cloudburst of big, big moves.
Fascinatingly, Tanahashi and Omega meet in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13. The programme has taken on a meta layer of intrigue. To Tanahashi, and there’s demonstrable truth in this, Omega transgresses upon the pure art of wrestling storytelling. To Omega, and he’s only working, Tana is a boring old man wrestling an antiquated style.
At Wrestle Kingdom 13, more is at stake than the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
It’s perhaps no overwrought exaggeration to state that a generation depends on the outcome. Omega possesses the potential to genuinely star in WWE, and acclimatise to its safer ring style, leaving only a grim precedent behind. The generation in thrall to him may not. Tanahashi, meanwhile, is in the twilight of his career. Nobody can follow his genius, that much is certain; the way he hobbles to the ropes, feigning knee pain, is so heart-wrenching and authentic that he could sell Vince Russo to Jim Cornette. Tanahashi has endured a great deal of punishment throughout his career, but will surely close the door on it in a reasonable state of health.
Many have predicted one last big euphoric Dome win for the Ace.
It would represent, in more ways than one, the ultimate babyface victory.