{"id":37262,"date":"2017-01-08T16:13:38","date_gmt":"2017-01-08T22:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=37262"},"modified":"2017-01-08T16:13:38","modified_gmt":"2017-01-08T22:13:38","slug":"njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-review-14-pt-3-3-okada-vs-omega-iwpg-hvt-title-tanahashi-vs-naito-iwgp-ic-title-shibata-vs-goto-never-openweight-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2017\/01\/08\/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-review-14-pt-3-3-okada-vs-omega-iwpg-hvt-title-tanahashi-vs-naito-iwgp-ic-title-shibata-vs-goto-never-openweight-title\/","title":{"rendered":"NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 11 REVIEW 1\/4 (pt. 3 of 3): Okada vs. Omega for IWPG Hvt. Title, Tanahashi vs. Naito for IWGP IC Title, Shibata vs. Goto for Never Openweight Title"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-3467367336\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3>WRESTLE KINGDOM 11 REV, pt. 3 of 3<br \/>\nJANUARY 4, 2017<br \/>\nTOKYO, JAPAN AT THE TOYO DOME<br \/>\nREPORT BY R.W. ANDREWS, PWTORCH SPECIALIST<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(8)\u00a0Katsuyori Shibata (C) vs. Hirooki Goto &#8211;\u00a0Never Openweight Championship Match<\/h3>\n<p>This one is going to hurt.\u00a0 Two guys who hit hard and actually LIKE getting hit back?\u00a0 God dammit!\u00a0 I\u2019m ready for this one, cummerbund unlatched and bowtie dangled along the collar.\u00a0 Goto has a beautifully haunting soundtrack that fits his war monger in-ring style to a tee.\u00a0 Fire shoots to the air as he makes his way down the ramp, hood covering his face as he stops to stretch before entering the warzone.\u00a0 Holy s- its Shibata!\u00a0 The crowd erupts as that blue velvet crush backdrop announces his arrival.\u00a0 The guitar licks the arena speakers as Shibata walks with purpose to the ring, holding TWO titles?\u00a0 What have I missed?\u00a0 He has an awesome black towel with THE WRESTLER in bold white letters draped over his shoulders.\u00a0 He\u2019s got tape all over his back and left arm, no doubt nicks and bruises picked up from charging into one battle after the next.\u00a0 He and Goto meet in the middle of the ring and the stares they lay on one another do not carry good intentions.<\/p>\n<p>The crowd is boisterous right off the bat.\u00a0 Ahh, Kelly lets us know that Shibata\u2019s second belt is the Rev Pro title that Shibata won\u2026by beating Zac Sabre Jr.!?\u00a0 Are you serious?\u00a0 Oh I need to get these two eyes on that match stat.\u00a0 But first, business.\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 Masahiro Chono, friend of the Batsu game, is at ringside.\u00a0 When they show his face on the screen the crowd let out another collective \u201cOooooh\u201d.\u00a0 Shibata lands a low kick on Goto to start before they reverse waistlocks into the ropes.\u00a0 Shibata smacks Goto HARD on the chest as the crowd explodes.\u00a0 Headlock by Shibata, slowly broken out of by Goto to apply one of his own.\u00a0 Corino talks about Goto\u2019s potential, but says that his head isn\u2019t always there.\u00a0 Shibata does a headstand to get out of Goto\u2019s headlock and transitions into an armbar and snapmare. He juuuust whiffs on a kick to Goto\u2019s face and the crowd applauds.\u00a0 Sick bastards in Tokyo.\u00a0 That would have imploded his skull if it landed.<\/p>\n<p>More great mat wrestling, reversing in and out of wristlocks before Shibata can pin Goto down and stomp his arm.\u00a0 Goto rolls outside to the apron where Shibata hooks on a rear-naked choke.\u00a0 Goto drops to his rear, giving Shibata the freedom to hit the ropes and come back full steam with a dropkick to the back.\u00a0 Shibata goes out to get his old friend, rolling him back in as the crowd applauds.\u00a0 Shibata\u2019s back on the arm, stomping away on it before Shibata kicks Goto in the back and goes for an armlock.\u00a0 Shibata traps the arm in a bend, then switches to get the armbar, but Goto gets the ropes.\u00a0 This is great stuff, Guys.\u00a0 Shibata boots Goto in the back and begins paint brushing the back of Goto\u2019s head and face.\u00a0 Goto gets some offense, scoring with a lariat as the crowd boos.\u00a0 Forearms by Goto before he sends Shibata to the corner.\u00a0 Shibata boots Goto in the face, throws him in the corner and goes to town with forearms.\u00a0 He whips Goto into the opposite corner, but it\u2019s reversed and Goto hits a spinning heel kick.\u00a0 Shibata fires back, dropping a knee on Goto.<\/p>\n<p>Shibata goes for a headlock, but is suplexed hard to the mat and is holding the back of his head.\u00a0 Goto scores a clothesline in the corner and goes up top.\u00a0 He hits a falling elbow to Shibata\u2019s chest for two.\u00a0 He props Shibata up and punts him in the chest.\u00a0 Shibata rolls back, then rolls into an upright sit with his legs crossed and his arms at rest on his knees.\u00a0 The crowd picks up at the sight.\u00a0 Another kick.\u00a0 Shibata shakes his head as Goto puts his hands on his hips.\u00a0 Another kick, this time causing Shibata to groan.\u00a0 He\u2019s up to his knees, eats a kick, and another, and rises as the crowd cheers.\u00a0 Goto delivers another kick to Shibata\u2019s chest as Shibata screams.\u00a0 Goto goes for another, but it\u2019s caught and Shibata OBLITERATES Goto with a forearm to the face.\u00a0 Goto is down!<\/p>\n<p>Shibata hauls in Goto and whips him into the corner, chasing in quick pursuit with a high kick.\u00a0 Goto\u2019s legs wobble and as he falls to the mat where Shibata stomps the hell out of his chest.\u00a0 There it is, that wonderful floating dropkick by Shibata.\u00a0 Shibata hits a suplex in the center of the ring for two.\u00a0 Abdominal stretch by Shibata, wrapping those long limbs around the squatty Goto.\u00a0 Goto gets the ropes, but Shibata doesn\u2019t break and hits Goto with a belly-to-back.\u00a0 Goto pops right back up and charges Shibata with a clothesline.\u00a0 Shibata doesn\u2019t budge.\u00a0 They go head to head before Shibata hits the ropes and boots Goto in the face.\u00a0 Goto is unfazed.\u00a0 They go for each move again to the same result.\u00a0 Goto rocks Shibata with the next clothesline, but Shibata pops up and hits a German Suplex!\u00a0 Goto pops back up!\u00a0 Shibata goes for a pickup, but Goto reverses, snatching Shibata\u2019s hair to pull him down against the point of his knee.<\/p>\n<p>Goto picks Shibata up for a suplex, driving back the way they came to drive Shibata on his knee.\u00a0 Goto goes for a kick to the chest, but it\u2019s caught.\u00a0 Shibata bends Goto\u2019s leg as he spins him around and hits a German Suplex.\u00a0 Goto pops right back up and plows through Shibata with a clothesline.\u00a0 He lines up another shot, but Shibata blocks it and drives Goto down to the mat with a STO!\u00a0 Good lord!\u00a0 The two meet on their knees and Goto lands a forearm, which can only mean one thing\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Batsu game!\u00a0 Forearm by Shibata, forearm by Goto, forearm by Shibata, forearm by Goto, three mind-alteringly stiff forearms by Shibata when they get to their feet, European Uppercut by Shibata and he heads to the ropes to end the game.\u00a0 Goto catches Shibata, but Shibata reverses out of Goto\u2019s clutches and slaps on a rear-naked choke.\u00a0 Goto is fading, lunging for the ropes to break the hold.\u00a0 Shibata immediately kicks Goto in the chest, dashing behind Goto to lock it on again.\u00a0 Goto reaches for the ropes a second time, but Shibata snatches Goto\u2019s arm and locks the choke in deeper.\u00a0 He plants down on the mat and Goto slowly rolls to the ropes to break it.\u00a0 Awesome stuff!\u00a0 Shibata tries to pull Goto away from the ropes, but Red Shoes backs him off.\u00a0 Holy s-!\u00a0 Shibata shoved Red Shoes into the ropes and he\u2019s down!\u00a0 Shibata peels Goto off the mat and is headbutted flush in the face.\u00a0 And another.\u00a0 Goto and Red Shoes are probably Eskimo Brothers or something because Goto got all kinds of pissed by Shibata\u2019s treatment of Red Shoes!\u00a0 The last headbutt rocks Goto as well and he drops to a knee.\u00a0 A PK lands clean, but Shibata falls to the mat face first.<\/p>\n<p>Shibata hits the ropes for another PK, but Goto catches him and drops the back of Shibata\u2019s head against his knee.\u00a0 They fight for suplex position, with Goto driving Shibata to the mat for a close two.\u00a0 Shibata is struggling to get up as Goto is the first one up.\u00a0 He screams at the crowd and blasts Shibata in the chest.\u00a0 Shibata\u2019s up!\u00a0 They trade forearms, elbows, and headbutts.\u00a0 Goto headbutts the back of Shibata\u2019s head until Shibata goes limp.\u00a0 Goto lifts Shibata, whose body is just dangling in his hands, and drives Shibata\u2019s head onto his knee with a downward clothesline.\u00a0 Shibata is left lifeless, absolutely whiskey di**ed in the ring!\u00a0 Goto lifts Shibata and drops him with the GTR!\u00a0 He hooks the leg and gets the three!<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3967399729\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Winner: Hirooki Goto to win the NEVER Openweight Championship<\/p>\n<p><em>(Andrews Analysis: Brutal.\u00a0 BRUTAL!\u00a0 It was shorter than I expected, but they maximized their minutes.\u00a0 Shibata showed why he perennially holds the title and Goto\u2019s story was well told as the guy who couldn\u2019t win the big one.\u00a0 He had to go through hell to win the big one and Shibata loves going to war in the depths of hell.\u00a0 Definitely watch this and as always keep those speakers turned up loud.\u00a0 I hope by dropping the title that it means that Shibata is about to get a promotion within the company.\u00a0 He deserves it, and Goto deserves to be the next NEVER Openweight champion if that promotion is coming.)<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(9)\u00a0Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi\u00a0&#8211; IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match<\/h3>\n<p>Crank up the volume because we\u2019re about to get hit with some Dynasty Warriors.\u00a0 Tanahashi is out first, air guitaring down the ramp to a new entrance theme not quite up to snuff to his previous, though doable.\u00a0 His entrance video is a hectic display of Technicolor words strobing in and out for seizure-inducing pleasure.\u00a0 Naito\u2019s entrance has received an injection of life as well.\u00a0 Green laser beams search for life as his face pops up on the screen, his head drawn downward in a stoic pose.\u00a0 As the guitars kick in, the beams flitter frantically about the arena.\u00a0 The large eye screen is transformed into a socket where an eyeball begins gazing across the Tokyo Dome like Sauron.\u00a0 His theme is up-tempo Mega Man music.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t quite fit him, but Naito\u2019s tremendous so he can do no wrong with me.\u00a0 His suit for the night is a plum colored three-piece with a mask much more put together than the older incarnation I\u2019ve seen on AXS.\u00a0 Naito strolls with the belt dangled at his side, gnawing on gum as members of the crowd scream out his name.\u00a0 He takes a slow lap around the perimeter of the ring before slooowly entering to toss the belt near Tanahashi\u2019s feet.\u00a0 I love this guy more and more.<\/p>\n<p>Red Shoes has recovered from the shove by Shibata to ref this one, but has to be wondering when Naito is going to attack.\u00a0 The bell rings, the crowd explodes, and Kelly\/Corino\u2019s voices get a hair higher.\u00a0 This is the first time that a Tanahashi match has started that I\u2019ve seen where the crowd didn\u2019t break into chants of his name.\u00a0 It\u2019s 50\/50 in the building.\u00a0 They go to tie-up, but Naito walks away.\u00a0 Another Naito fake on the tie-up.\u00a0 When they finally lock together, Tanahashi decides against a clean break and drills Naito in the stomach.\u00a0 It gets a mix of boos and applause.\u00a0 Naito tosses Tanahashi outside, hits the ropes, and slides to the mat for a leisurely lay down.\u00a0 Tanahashi gets booted on his way inside and gets strapped up in a side headlock.\u00a0 Kelly tells us that Tanahashi is 7-3 against Naito.<\/p>\n<p>Tanahashi gets a dropkick and strums the air guitar.\u00a0 He gets Naito in the corner, delivering a few forearms before going to the second rope.\u00a0 Naito cuts him off with a dropkick to the left leg.\u00a0 Naito stays on the attack, stomping away at the leg and dropping elbows to inflict more damage.\u00a0 He whips Tanahashi into the corner, jumps over the top rope with a kick, heel trip, and back in with a rope-assisted dropkick to Tanahashi\u2019s leg.\u00a0 It\u2019s so gorgeous and f****ng Kelly and Corino don\u2019t even acknowledge it.\u00a0 Wake up, Guys!\u00a0 Naito circles the ring\u2026and down goes Red Shoes with a little shove into the corner.<\/p>\n<p>Tanahashi tries to fight back, but Naito rakes his eyes, swings his leg towards Red Shoes who catches it, and dropkicks the leg.\u00a0 Lovely stuff.\u00a0 Naito gets a shin-breaker on Tanahashi and bounces off the ropes for a low dropkick to the leg.\u00a0 A modified Deathlock is broken up at the ropes, kind of.\u00a0 Naito keeps it on and Red Shoes, the coward, is too afraid to count. He just kind of pries them apart.\u00a0 Naito fires up Tanahashi with some boot-brushing to the face.\u00a0 Forearm by Tanahashi, forearm by Naito, forearm by Tanahashi, fore \u2013 Naito pulls back and kicks Tanahashi in the knee.\u00a0 This guy even disrespects the rules of the Batsu.\u00a0 He\u2019s a loose cannon I tell you!\u00a0 Naito gets his first full house of boos by spitting on Tanahashi.\u00a0 Yeah, that\u2019ll do it.<\/p>\n<p>Naito smiles through four forearms and dropkicks Tanahashi\u2019s leg.\u00a0 Another flurry by Tanahashi is cut off by a kick to the leg, but Tanahashi lunges forth with a flying forearm to stay in control.\u00a0 Corino speculates that Naito\u2019s game plan is to have Tanahashi blow himself up by getting in spurts of offense before he can end it with a leg shot.\u00a0 Well done, Steve.\u00a0 Nice touch.\u00a0 Tanahashi hits a scoop slam in the corner and lands a somersault senton for two.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes for a low dropkick of his own, side-stepped by Naito, and Naito feigns a kick to the face only to stomp on the leg.\u00a0 He hits another shin-breaker, then the ropes, and Tanahashi counters with a low dropkick to Naito\u2019s left knee as the crowd applauds.\u00a0 Corino is focused now, saying that Naito\u2019s weakness is his right knee and Tanahashi should be focusing on that instead of the left.<\/p>\n<p>Naito is clinging to the top rope as Tanahashi tries to drag him back to the center of the ring.\u00a0 It\u2019s broken up by a wad of spit stirred up deep within Naito\u2019s lungs.\u00a0 Red Shoes got a little shrapnel on him as well, adding insult to prior injury.\u00a0 There\u2019s overwhelming boos in the building from the Red Shoes section of the crowd.\u00a0 Naito tries for a tornado DDT using the ropes, but he\u2019s propped outside with his left leg dangling like bait back into the ring.\u00a0 A dragon screw leg whip by Tanahashi stops Naito cold, popping his ligaments like the tab on a snapback.\u00a0 Tanahashi rolls out to the apron and hits a Slingblade, banging the back of Naito\u2019s head on the apron.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes up top and rockets skyward for a High Fly Flow that not only connects, but swallows up Naito\u2019s upper torso as a loud thud echoes off the floor!\u00a0 Two words: concussion protocol.\u00a0 That was a nasty spill.\u00a0 Classic Red Shoes, as he waits for the worst possible scenario for a guy before starting the count.\u00a0 Although, Naito was the one who shoved and sent a side-order of spit his way.\u00a0 Fair enough, Red Shoes.\u00a0 Fight on!<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3648990087\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Tanahashi rolls in first, mocking Naito\u2019s lay down pose on the apron.\u00a0 He rolls back out and gets Naito in before the twenty.\u00a0 Naito is sent to the corner, limping as he nears the padding, and gets stuffed by a cross-body from Tanahashi.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes back up top, his undercarriage eating the cable as Naito stumbles into the ropes.\u00a0 Naito hammer-fists Tanahashi\u2019s knee before joining him up top for a Frankensteiner.\u00a0 German suplex by Naito, bridging it awkwardly for two.\u00a0 Kelly surmises that it was Naito\u2019s right knee that actually buckled, allowing Tanahashi to kick out.\u00a0 Naito smacks the back of Tanahashi\u2019s head with an enzuigiri and races to the ropes to land a flying forearm.\u00a0 He hits a hammerlock backdrop for two, then goes for the tornado DDT that\u2019s blocked by Tanahashi.\u00a0 The low dropkick wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>Tanahashi gets a low dropkick of his own.\u00a0 He takes off for the ropes instead of staying on Naito, getting victory rolled and transitioned into a modified kneebar as opposed to whatever he was thinking.\u00a0 Jeff Fisher strikes again.\u00a0 Tanahashi is screaming as he pries Naito\u2019s legs away and reverses into a Cloverleaf.\u00a0 He sits back deep as Naito fights for the ropes.\u00a0 Right when it looks like Red Shoes was going to call for a stoppage, Naito slithers under the ropes.\u00a0 Tanahashi keeps pressing, grabbing Naito\u2019s left leg for a low dragon screw.\u00a0 Slingblade by Tanahashi, and another, driving Naito\u2019s head down with force.\u00a0 He covers, but Naito kicks out at two.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes to the top turnbuckle, waiting for Naito to get to his feet.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes airborne, landing the High Fly Flow to put Naito back down.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes up again, skyrocketing for the High Fly Flow, but Naito rolls out of the way.\u00a0 Destino by Naito!\u00a0 He goes for another, reversed by Tanahashi for a dragon screw neck whip!\u00a0 The crowd is rabid as both guys hobble to their feet.<\/p>\n<p>Batsu game!\u00a0 Forearm by Tanahashi, forearm by Naito, forearm by Tanahashi, forearm by Naito, forearm by Tanahashi, forearm by Naito &#8211; the crowd is roaring with each shot \u2013 they trade six more forearms, kick to Tanahashi\u2019s leg, kick to Naito\u2019s leg, kick to Tanahashi\u2019s leg, kick to Naito\u2019s leg, four more exchanges and Naito ends the game with a low dropkick to Tanahashi\u2019s leg to put him down!\u00a0 Good lord!\u00a0 Naito picks Tanahashi up and is smacked in the face.\u00a0 Tanahashi plants Naito into the mat with a dragon suplex, holding him down for two.\u00a0 He bolts back to the top rope, landing on Naito\u2019s back with the High Fly Flow.\u00a0 He goes back up again as the crowd loses their s-!\u00a0 Tanahashi soars for another High Fly Flow, crashing down on Naito\u2019s knees and both men are writhing on the mat.<\/p>\n<p>As both men make it to their feet, Naito stumbles into the corner.\u00a0 Tanahashi shuffles forward, grabbing Naito\u2019s leg for another dragon screw but an enzuigiri stops him cold.\u00a0 Super Destino from the second rope!\u00a0 1, 2, get the f- out of here!\u00a0 Tanahashi kicks out!\u00a0 Corino is screaming over the sound of the raucous crowd that Tanahashi didn\u2019t get his shoulder up in time.\u00a0 Another Destino!\u00a0 1, 2\u20263!<\/p>\n<p>After the match, Naito demands that Red Shoes raise his hand.\u00a0 He gets the belt and tosses it aside, posing over Tanahashi and pounding him on the heart.\u00a0 He backs away and bows to Tanahashi as Kelly wonders if it\u2019s the end of an era.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Tetsuya Naito to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship<\/p>\n<p><em>(Andrews\u2019 Analysis:\u00a0 War after war after war!\u00a0 The past three matches have been an onslaught of spectacular wrestling!\u00a0 Both men could barely walk with leg injuries worked to death.\u00a0 What a great story told by these two men.\u00a0 Tanahashi gave everything he had, but Naito kept slipping away every time it looked like Tanahashi could win.\u00a0 Yes, this is a must-watch.\u00a0 Yes, you\u2019re going to enjoy yourself.\u00a0 And yes, clean victories in the middle of the ring are ALWAYS the way to go.)<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(10)\u00a0Kazuchika Okada (C) vs. Kenny Omega &#8211;\u00a0IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match<\/h3>\n<p>The eye shows a video of Omega, completely in the nude mind you, in the Terminator pose.\u00a0 He roams the wasteland, coming across a few neighborhood toughs.\u00a0 Omega takes out the toughs in a deleted scene and gets the main guys\u2019 clothes.\u00a0 Smoke fills the arena and Omega appears wearing half a Terminator mask that might have been left over after HHH made a mockery of himself with the same get-up.\u00a0 Omega makes this work though.\u00a0 Oh, and he has a tactical shotgun with him, sooo gunplay?\u00a0 Red Shoes must be stressing the f- upon seeing that.\u00a0 The Young Bucks are with Omega, confiscating the shotgun just in case.<\/p>\n<p>Okada gets a lovely entrance, the eye looking like the galaxy\u2019s abyss.\u00a0 Very pretty visual as it travels space to get to the Tokyo Dome.\u00a0 We hear a coin as the arena glows with gold and Okada walks out.\u00a0 Money is cascading through the air, and if that Niffler from Wrestle Kingdom 10 survived the stampede to the parking lot then you can bet your ass that he\u2019s all business at the moment.\u00a0 Gedo, STILL looking like Chavo Geurrero is walking behind Okada.\u00a0 Ok, I know he\u2019s a legend and everything, but so far I\u2019ve seen Gedo just come out with Okada and cheer him on.\u00a0 He\u2019s essentially Salacious Crumb!\u00a0 Hey, you guys know damn well by now that a Star Wars reference is getting shoehorned into my reviews somewhere each week.<\/p>\n<p>Red Shoes shows the title to Omega and tells The Young Bucks to beat it.\u00a0 They don\u2019t.\u00a0 Omega grabs an Okada buck and crumples it before the bell rings.\u00a0 Corino informs us that The Young Bucks leaned in and told him that they haven\u2019t seen anything yet.\u00a0 I\u2019m willing to take their word for it.\u00a0 Okada and Omega trade wristlocks before Omega tries to get an armbar.\u00a0 Okada scrambles for a headlock, wrenching it on tight as Omega breaks it with a hair pull.\u00a0 They exchange clubs to the back and Omega gets in a headlock, holding it tight as Okada tries to shove him off.\u00a0 Okada backdrops Omega, but Omega hangs on.\u00a0 He tries to free himself again, but Omega grabs Okada\u2019s hair, flips out of a backdrop, and back-elbows Okada.\u00a0 Omega leaps off the second rope for a sunset flip, but Okada rolls out, sentons, and is bridged away by Omega who gets a backslide for two.\u00a0 A series of armdrags leads Okada into an armbar.<\/p>\n<p>They trade position at the ropes, with Okada tapping Omega on the back.\u00a0 Okada gets a shoulder-block, but Omega is shifty, scampering around to score a club to the back.\u00a0 After trading reversals at the turnbuckle, Omega gets Okada up for the One Winged Angel, but Okada bails and goes for the Rainmaker.\u00a0 Omega slaps his hand away and spits in Okada\u2019s face.\u00a0 He steps outside for a breather as the Young Bucks tell him he\u2019s doing just fine.\u00a0 Great cornermen.<\/p>\n<p>Okada chases Omega outside before booting Omega when they get back in.\u00a0 A beautiful low dropkick by Okada sends Omega outside.\u00a0 Hmm, Corino says that Gedo is the ultimate rule breaker and has a game plan for Okada.\u00a0 Okada whips Omega into the guardrail and hits a sick sounding DDT on the floor.\u00a0 Okada, the face of the company, grabs a table from under the ring.\u00a0 Omega attacks Okada, nearly sandwiching Red Shoes, and is sent over the other side of the guardrail.\u00a0 Okada gets a running start and sails over the railing for a crossbody.<\/p>\n<p>Back inside, Omega is scoop-slammed to the mat and Okada hits his slingshot senton for two.\u00a0 After a long chinlock, Okada lands a neckbreaker for two.\u00a0 Omega is whipped to the ropes, redirects with his forward-forward-dash transition for a low dropkick and the leapfrog bulldog.\u00a0 Omega lays in a chop to Okada\u2019s chest and elbows him in the back, hard.\u00a0 And another, even harder.\u00a0 Corino talks about how bodyslams and hits to the back set up the One Winged Angel perfectly because the move compresses the spine.\u00a0 Okada knees out of suplex, but can\u2019t find a way out of Omega\u2019s standing Frankensteiner, sending him outside the ring.\u00a0 The Terminator theme is pounded off the mat as Omega takes flight and flips onto Okada.\u00a0 \u201cSweet replay,\u201d hollers one of the Young Bucks as it\u2019s shown on the eye.\u00a0 Omega scoops up Okada and slams him onto the apron.<\/p>\n<p>Omega rolls Okada back in and hits a missile dropkick from waaay up in the atmosphere.\u00a0 Okada\u2019s head was jolted from the impact.\u00a0 He goes for two, but Okada reaches grabs the ropes.\u00a0 Omega gets on a camel clutch, but again Okada gets the ropes.\u00a0 He tries, tries, and tries again for a piledriver, but Okada dead-weights him and strikes back with a suplex.\u00a0 Omega gets rocked by three running elbows, followed by one in the corner and a DDT.\u00a0 Okada kips up, driving a running European Uppercut at Omega\u2019s jawline.\u00a0 Flapjack by Okada, transitioned into Red Ink (Corino didn\u2019t know what it was, but Barnett\u2019s learning tree has us covered).\u00a0 Omega gets the ropes as Corino apologizes for not knowing the move.\u00a0 Dude, it\u2019s ok.\u00a0 This is a five hour show.\u00a0 Omega runs into a tombstone attempt, which he transitions into his awesome modified neckbreaker.\u00a0 Okada goes up top for the elbow, but Omega gets his knees up.\u00a0 He hits a backbreaker and Okada rolls outside.<\/p>\n<p>Omega is feeling it, darting after Okada for a baseball slide that sends Okada over the railing.\u00a0 Omega looks at the turnbuckles for a moment, shooing Red Shoes away with a push before jumping onto the top rope to springboard off with a moonsault onto Okada.\u00a0 Jesus Christ, Dude!\u00a0 That was every bit as good as Ibushi\u2019s and that\u2019s saying something!\u00a0 Red Shoes, yet again caught slapping his tackle around and not paying attention, starts his count after a good ten Mississippi.\u00a0 Omega says the hell with it, ducks outside to place the table over Okada and leaps off the apron to bring down a double stomp to Okada\u2019s stomach.\u00a0 \u201cBall game!\u201d yells Nick Jackson.\u00a0 Omega rolls Okada back in and plants the champ down with a powerbomb.\u00a0 1, 2, not yet Sir!<\/p>\n<p>Omega is so powerful, hoisting Okada up from a gut-wrench to powerbomb him again and hold on for the cover.\u00a0 Still, just a two.\u00a0 The Young Bucks have the table set up as Corino mentions that it was Okada who brought it out to begin with.\u00a0 Both men are on the apron as Red Shoes pries Omega away.\u00a0 They both get back in and Okada continues working over Okada\u2019s back.\u00a0 Gedo slams the mat as the crowd break into an \u201cOkada\u201d chant.\u00a0 Omega doesn\u2019t give a f-, unleashing an Irish Whip that drops Okada in the corner.\u00a0 Omega rushes in, eating consecutive boots.\u00a0 Omega gets Okada up on his shoulders and front-flips him to the mat before springing off the second rope to hit a moonsault.\u00a0 Okada gets out at two as Omega looks bewildered.<\/p>\n<p>Okada manages to get Omega perched up top, landing a HIGH dropkick that drops Omega outside.\u00a0 They\u2019re back on the apron with Omega scooting out of a potential \u201cGod knows what\u201d onto the table and lifts Okada up for the One Winged Angel, but Okada drops back inside.\u00a0 He eats a knife-edge chop when Omega gets back in, with a few extra for the hell of it.\u00a0 Omega hits the ropes and is backdropped from the heavens onto the table outside!\u00a0 The table detonates, sending shards all over the god damn place!\u00a0 A doctor and the Young Bucks try to help Omega up, but Okada goes out to roll Omega back inside.\u00a0 As Omega struggles to a knee, Okada goes to the top rope and dropkicks Omega &#8211; back laid flat and both feet out like a gentleman.\u00a0 It looked awesome.\u00a0 \u201cRed Ink!\u201d Corino yells after receiving word of the submission hold applied eons ago.<\/p>\n<p>Okada calls for rain, the camera pulling waaaay back for the shot of the giant eye hovering over the proceedings.\u00a0 Omega clutches the ropes, receiving a club to the back as opposed to rain.\u00a0 Okada tries again, but Omega runs him into the corner.\u00a0 Two Okada forearms are met by a loud slap and Omega sets up Okada on the top turnbuckle.\u00a0 Okada fights him off, but a frustrated Omega goes right back after him.\u00a0 Holy f***ing s- he hits a top rope dragon suplex!\u00a0 Okada lands on the side of his head and collapses!\u00a0 Omega covers &#8211; 1, 2, kickout!\u00a0 Omega picks up Okada, delivering a neckbreaker to the knee!\u00a0 Omega races after Okada, missing a knee that would have made Okada\u2019s brains shoot out of his ear canal.\u00a0 High-angle German Suplex by Okada!\u00a0 He holds on, but misses the Rainmaker.\u00a0 Omega shoves Okada away and strikes back with a knee to the face.\u00a0 Okada is rocked.\u00a0 Omega hits the ropes, sling-shotted back and into a high dropkick by Okada.<\/p>\n<p>Okada\u2019s Rainmaker is blocked by Omega, who retaliates with a high knee to the face.\u00a0 And another one!\u00a0 A reverse Frankensteiner spikes Okada to the mat!\u00a0 Omega mows down the side of Okada\u2019s head with a sprinting knee.\u00a0 Okada flips out of One Winged Angel, counters with European Uppercut, and tombstones Omega!\u00a0 Rainmaker!\u00a0 1, 2, kickout at the last possible millisecond!\u00a0 Okada is befuddled, pacing around Omega\u2019s body.\u00a0 With Omega trying to fight back you can hear the faintest Terminator clap in the crowd.\u00a0 Eye poke by Omega, but Okada comes right back with a dropkick that ejects Omega backwards and into the corner.\u00a0 \u201cHe can\u2019t beat you,\u201d assures one of the Young Bucks as Omega looks like he\u2019s been knocked into a stupor.<\/p>\n<p>Okada lifts Omega up for another tombstone, but Omega reverses it, packages Okada up, and drives him into the mat.\u00a0 This time Okada kicks out with inches of space between Red Shoes\u2019 hand and the mat.\u00a0 This is incredible!\u00a0 \u201cWhat an instant classic,\u201d chirps Kelly.\u00a0 The men meet on their knees, landing labored forearms until they get to their feet and\u2026Championship Batsu game!\u00a0 Forearm by Omega, forearm by Okada, forearm by Omega, rapid fire forearm exchanges, reversal by Omega into a snap dragon suplex, pop-up and DEVOURS Okada\u2019s soul with a lightning fast knee to the face!\u00a0 Championship Batsu Game pin!\u00a0 1, 2, f- outta here!\u00a0 Okada kicks out!<\/p>\n<p>Omega launches another running knee to Okada\u2019s head.\u00a0 He gobbles up Okada\u2019s body into a One Winged Angel, but Okada blocks it and laces Omega with a Rainmaker and both men are down!\u00a0 THIS IS INCREDIBLE!\u00a0 Okada refuses to let go of Omega\u2019s wrist, repeatedly getting hoofed in the face and chest as Omega tries to break free.\u00a0 Okada drops, still holding on, and gets SMACKED by a knee to the face!\u00a0 He\u2019s still holding on, receiving two more shots right in the face!\u00a0 Rainmaker!\u00a0 Good lord!\u00a0 Rainmaker again!\u00a0 Okada goes for another one which is ducked by Omega.\u00a0 Omega goes for one of his own, but Okada ducks.\u00a0 Okada scoops up Omega for a tombstone, but the challenger breaks loose.\u00a0 Okada hits the ropes and gets dropkicked square in the face by Omega!\u00a0 Omega calls for rain!\u00a0 He spins out Okada, foregoing the clothesline for a big knee to the face!\u00a0 Okada\u2019s poor fu***ng skull!\u00a0 Omega goes for the One Winged Angel, but it\u2019s reversed into a jumping tombstone!\u00a0 Rainmaker!!!\u00a0 1, 2, 3!<\/p>\n<p>Winner:\u00a0 Kazuchika Okada to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship<\/p>\n<p><em>(Andrews\u2019 Analysis:\u00a0 A masterpiece.\u00a0 This was high stakes, high drama action from start to finish.\u00a0 Both men worked their assess off and took the absolute best from one another.\u00a0 Omega played the role of challenger willing to do anything for the title to perfection.\u00a0 Okada was the resilient champion who would never quit because he\u2019s the final boss.\u00a0 This match had absolutely everything.\u00a0 High flying?\u00a0 Check.\u00a0 High impact? You bet your ass.\u00a0 Obligatory table spot?\u00a0 Why the hell not.\u00a0 Reversal after reversal after reversal?\u00a0 You better believe it!\u00a0 I don\u2019t watch enough wrestling to judge what is a match of the year candidate and what isn\u2019t, but come the f- on.\u00a0 This is unlike anything I have ever seen, rewarding my investment by continually churning out heart-stopping moment after heart-stopping moment until reaching a crescendo of two desperate fighters pulling out all the stops to secure the win.\u00a0 This is among some of the best wrestling on the planet and you owe it to yourself to witness it.\u00a0 Lord knows these words could never do it justice.)<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>OVERALL THOUGHTS<\/h2>\n<p>This was a marathon of matches, but it was paced rather well considering the five-plus hour runtime.\u00a0 Skip the rumble if you know what\u2019s good for you, but the rest was all enjoyable, piggy-backing off of one war to the next until we got the war of all ages.\u00a0 I\u2019ve become a fan of some fresh faces to me during this show and some of my favorites did not disappoint.\u00a0 Naito is a star, Takahashi and Goto are amazing, KUSHIDA and Shibata remain high atop my list of favorites with hopefully Shibata receiving a promotion up the ranks, Okada and Tanahashi delivered as only they can, and Kenny Omega put in the performance of a lifetime.\u00a0 On a side note, I know that Omega could go elsewhere at this point.\u00a0 And he just very well might do so.\u00a0 IF it is the end for Omega in New Japan, he went out with a bang.\u00a0 I have enjoyed every second of the matches I have seen from Omega.\u00a0 He\u2019s a unique talent who does things I never knew were possible in the ring and his matches are always stellar.\u00a0 Wherever he goes he\u2019s going to be a megastar because you can\u2019t shove someone so unique down the card.\u00a0 Well, I suppose you can, but no one\u2019s that big of a prick, are they?\u00a0 I am ecstatic to have finally seen the biggest show of the year and I\u2019m still buzzing about it.\u00a0 What an event that I can\u2019t recommend enough.)<\/p>\n<p>Thanks a ton for even reading one line of this.\u00a0 It was long, it was wordy, but we did it together dammit.\u00a0 You guys are great and I appreciate your time.\u00a0 Now that I have NJPW World I\u2019ll have a massive library to comb through and learn more about the best wrestling promotion in the world.\u00a0 Feel free to stop by and read along anytime you like as I find my way through The World.\u00a0 And of course, kick a little ass this week.\u00a0 Make it a big week for yourselves.\u00a0 You deserve it after reading through this scattershot salvo of bad jokes and miscalled moves.\u00a0 Where\u2019s that damn JR and Barnett!\u00a0 How the hell did they get the night off anyway!?<\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2878886323\"><div id=\"pwtor-579268144\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WRESTLE KINGDOM 11 REV, pt. 3 of 3 JANUARY 4, 2017 TOKYO, JAPAN AT THE TOYO DOME REPORT BY R.W. ANDREWS, PWTORCH SPECIALIST (8)\u00a0Katsuyori Shibata (C) vs. Hirooki Goto &#8211;\u00a0Never Openweight Championship Match This one <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2017\/01\/08\/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-review-14-pt-3-3-okada-vs-omega-iwpg-hvt-title-tanahashi-vs-naito-iwgp-ic-title-shibata-vs-goto-never-openweight-title\/\" title=\"NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 11 REVIEW 1\/4 (pt. 3 of 3): Okada vs. Omega for IWPG Hvt. Title, Tanahashi vs. Naito for IWGP IC Title, Shibata vs. Goto for Never Openweight Title\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,18,542],"tags":[2274,4016,4017,91,306,404,4015,94,95],"class_list":["post-37262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spotlightarticles","category-tvshowsandevents","category-new-japan-ppvs","tag-hirooki-goto","tag-hiroshi-tanahashi","tag-katsuyori-shibata","tag-kazuchika-okada","tag-kenny-omega","tag-njpw","tag-tetsuya-naito","tag-tokyo-dome","tag-wrestle-kingdom"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2017\/01\/WrestleKingdom11_stage_3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37262"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37264,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37262\/revisions\/37264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}