Ranking The 10 Biggest Wrestling Matches Coming In September
2. Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Kazuchika Okada (New Japan)
You ever rekindle with an old flame, and suddenly, you have a new energy, and your love becomes stronger than ever?
Well I haven't, because I'm bitter husk who writes wrestling listicles, but something similar has happened with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. Winning the Wrestling Observer feud of the year in 2012 and 2013, Okada and Tanahashi's rivalry helped repopularize New Japan Pro Wrestling internationally after a long, quiet period. The two produced in-ring classics and won Match of the Year and earn numerous 5-star ratings from Uncle Dave Meltzer.
The two remained separate for the entirety of 2017, and for a while, it seemed like Tanahashi was finally on the downslope of his career. Then Wrestling Dontaku happened in May, and just like that: the Ace was back. Although he lost in his title match with Okada, the two had an absolute barnstormer and earned 5.5 stars from Dave. The two then wrestled to a draw on the A Block final in this year's G1, and it was arguably the best match of the tournament.
So now that Tanahashi has won the G1, he will defend his right to challenge at the Tokyo Dome against Okada. The match will take place on the 23rd at Destruction in Kobe. With the main event of the Tokyo Dome in the balance, this is one of the most high-stakes matches in either man's career, so you can bet they're gonna give absolutely everything in the ring that they can.