Why Kazuchika Okada Vs. Kenny Omega IV Was The GREATEST Wrestling Match EVER

Nothing was difficult to reconcile, so unquestionable was its brilliance. Okada and Omega only executed the spectacular reaches of their respective arsenals to perfection having sold perfectly, or having discovered in the moment a surge of intensity born purely from fighting spirit.

At its climax, Okada and Omega, at 1-1, used the space between moves and the big moves alike to put this over as the most arduous match ever, as well as the best. Omega could only crumple to the floor in a latter attempt to hoist Okada on his shoulders. Okada in response could not connect with a late Rainmaker attempt; he himself, in a beautiful passing of the torch moment, fell slowly to the floor as Omega had one year prior.

The comeback - from behind, elevating the stakes to a sky-high realm - was on.

The narrative altered irrevocably as Omega again did the impossible - really, we must stop doubting him - and somehow reversed a Rainmaker into the One-Winged Angel, requiring the sort of timing and dexterity no other wrestlers before have been capable of.

You could see Okada’s brain scrambling behind his eyes after the impact. Omega was unable to take the pin, physically exhausted. He could only join Okada slumped on the ropes, creating an impeccable visual of parity, before using the last millimetre of his energy bar to just avoid removing Okada’s head from his shoulders with a gruesome V-Trigger.

Then, he made history.

To cap his own wonderful character arc, he defeated the best wrestler on the planet to end the best reign in wrestling history in the best match in wrestling history. Subjectively, there are several close contenders in each mentioned criteria. Objectively, we have never witnessed such a gloriously improbable - but immaculately-plotted - convergence of all-encompassing and undeniable genius.

And, beyond all that, this fourth instalment was safer than the original. Of all the emotions generated, anxiety - of the dubious sort - was not felt. This was gruesome in patches, to be sure. But not once was it difficult to watch.

Since 4 January 2017, we have doubted Gedo. Why? He has rendered the art of fantasy booking extinct in the context of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Kazuchika Okada exited Osaka without his title, but his reputation as wrestling’s greatest ever champion intact.

Kenny Omega did not just compel us into a state of astonishment, but genuine happiness so rare in this age of the wrestling heel. After wrestling his masterpiece, he delivered us the most joyous moment in wrestling since WrestleMania VII with the unexpected and just lovely formation of the Golden Elite.

A simultaneous restoration and evolution of the pro wrestling ideal, this was the greatest pro wrestling match of all time. It felt definitively, unbeatably perfect.

And still.

And still there are questions. Omega still hasn’t defeated Okada, operating at 100%, in one fall.

And still there are subversions, narrative possibilities. Okada, in what would be the best, most shocking and most well-earned finisher kick-out spot in wrestling history, has not kicked out of Omega’s finish. How can this rivalry have everything, and still be understated?

Should Okada roar back, and capture the G1 Climax briefcase - thus setting up Omega Vs. Okada V at Wrestle Kingdom 13 - don’t approach it with suspicion. The old rules do not apply anymore.

Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada are capable of everything we cannot imagine.