10 NJPW Matches We Most Want To See In 2018
7. Kazuchika Okada Vs. Yuji Nagata
Yuji Nagata's arc throughout his final G1 Climax yielded the sort of drama only possible following years and years of foundation.
He announced that the 27th iteration would be his last - adding the loftiest sudden death stakes to a tournament already predicated on relentless do-or-die drama. Physically performing well beyond his advancing years, while simultaneously mining the currency of his age, Nagata spared no second in his full-throttle grip on audience sentiment.
There remains scope to transpose this sentiment to one last emotional rollercoaster: a self-imposed last opportunity to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the expense of Kazuchika Okada. In order to really put this over, as a measure of gratitude to Nagata's loyal service, and to cast the outcome in genuine doubt, this should be framed as a major match on a major show - either Dominion, or better yet, King Of Pro-Wrestling, prior to which 'Blue Justice' won't have killed himself in the G1. Nagata knows every last veteran trick with which to conceal his shortcomings - but, as he demonstrated during G1 27, has retains the fire to go flat-out with his successors.
A potential match rich in emotion, Okada Vs. Nagata repesents one last celebratory swansong for a man fully deserving of it.