40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told
38. Kenny Omega Covets The IWGP Title (NJPW, 2016-2018)
What was that about pro wrestlers telling stories physically with their bodies more than grabbing a nearby microphone to spit venom at opponents? Guys like Kenny Omega wrote the book on that, more so over in Japan before AEW launched and 'The Cleaner' began doing a lot more talking. He did chat in New Japan, of course, but physicality and pure matches ruled the show.
Kenny won the cherished G1 Climax in 2016, then lost his resultant match to Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 11. Even so, the pair had put on a stunner that had people begging to see more. This wouldn't be the end of Omega's IWGP Heavyweight Title journey. Far from it. He grew obsessed with a vision that included him standing proudly with the iconic strap over his shoulder/around his waist.
That turned into a healthy obsession. Omega would be IWGP Champ or the world would burn.
He and Okada dazzled with a follow up 60-minute time limit draw at Dominion 2017, then they had a fabulous 2-Out-Of-3-Falls scorcher at Dominion 2018. That's where Omega finally won the belt he'd coveted more than any other, and the true beauty of the story lurked in its gorgeous simplicity.
Throughout, New Japan and Omega himself presented the IWGP Title as the Holy Grail. It was a must have - the single most important thing in Kenny's life. He needed that championship like the human body needs oxygen and pro wrestlers need Deep Heat.
Stunning work across multiple years. True storytelling bliss mixed with puro quality.