4 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 (Night 1)

2. Okada Scores Sweet Revenge On Ospreay

The bones of Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay are classic pro wrestling fodder. Okada helped bring the Englishman into New Japan via Revolution Pro five years ago. He took the up-and-comer under his wing, built him up, and guided him for years, only to taste bitter betrayal when Ospreay decided he needed to split from Okada to become his own man, forming Empire in the process.

This sport need not be complicated and here, in the Tokyo Dome, Okada and Ospreay crafted their best singles match together to date, thriving in the night's first match with a true big fight feel.

Okada came flying out the doors with energetic bursts immediately, eschewing his usual methodical opening sequences for urgency. Having spent much of 2020 out of sorts by design, he still went to the derided Money Clip on several occasions, but wrestled with more fire than he did all of last year. Unquestionably, Okada wanted his former protege to pay.

Ospreay answered with similar violence. This was a rough, physical encounter familiar in structure, but bristling with hatred. From basic strikes to ripping powerbombs, everything had extra pop and snap, putting the story over the top.

Okada's first successful Rainmaker in close to a year ended Ospreay's night in 35 minutes that flew by. Undone by his old mentor, Will must now overcome his first major setback since forming Empire, having fallen to 1-4 against the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.