IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Kazuchika Okada (with/Gedo) (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki - NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2017 05/02/2017
Likely the most controversial match out of Kazuchika Okada's title reign. And it’s either something that shows the brilliance of Kazuchika Okada (and Gedo as his aid) or his main flaw. And the arguments for the latter aren’t exactly wrong either, which is why the argument is so fascinating to me. Everyone knows the type of match Minoru Suzuki likes to do - Suzuki likes to focus on an arm or leg while highlighting his personality through taunting and baiting. Imagine that for 40+ minutes with it not paying off and the opponent hitting his signature moves that involve a huge vertical leap. So I understand why one would come off as disappointed or cold watching this. However, after watching the match, the things that could be a turn off was something that helped the match. The match’s story was Okada, the one on the defensive, overcoming his inferior skill and pain to make a comeback. This needed Okada’s selling to be great and when he was trapped in the holds Suzuki was throwing on him, he was excellent as milking the drama or the crowd to bite on, along with Gedo who was constantly on the verge of throwing in the towel. I thought Okada did a great job defending the holds themselves which made his lengthy time in them logical, as well as acting as a tease for the crowd who wanted Okada to make a comeback. Now the criticism of the match isn’t his selling in the holds, but rather outside of them. This is overstated imo. Okada’s offence was very limited. Okada hit a dropkick perfectly, yes. Okada didn’t hit the tombstone though, and Okada also only hit the Rainmaker in a last ditch effort after being under a barrage of slaps. It's not Okada making a comeback against Omega at Wrestle Kingdom. Okada overcame the odds to score the win by the skin of his teeth completing the match arc. I think it makes sense from a narrative point. The match isn’t a classic. It’s just a low-end MOTYC with a great story that’s done well. Suzuki’s performance alone - although I haven't mentioned anything about it - is worth watching. Okada’s is just a bonus. ****1/4
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