Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi result, plus main event for Dominion confirmed

General
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Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2018/05/04/kazuchika-okada-vs-hiroshi-tanahashi-result-plus-main-event-for-dominion-confirmed/

Kazuchika Okada retained the IWGP heavyweight title in the main event of Friday’s Dontaku card over Hiroshi Tanahashi in Fukuoka.

The win puts Okada in sole possession of the IWGP title defense record with his 12th defense, which breaks the mark of 11 that he shared with Tanahashi previously.

The match was tremendous with the story that Tanahashi has slowed down but is still a big match performer that the audience was solidly behind to end the legendary title reign of Okada’s.

Okada attacked the neck of Tanahashi throughout the match with a pair of draping DDTs and later attacking the neck with a dropkick to the neck to set up the cobra clutch, which was never applied in the match.

Down the stretch, Tanahashi consistently avoided the Rainmaker and always had an answer. He connected with a High Fly Flow to the back but missed the follow up with Okada getting his knees up. Okada later caught Tanahashi coming off the top with a dropkick.

The finish saw Tanahashi break free of Okada’s wrist control, he went to the run the ropes, but Okada grabbed him by the tights and hit the one and only Rainmaker of the match to pin Tanahashi at 34:37.

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This match was excellent and for drama, may have been the best of the year.

After the match, Kenny Omega entered the ring to settle their feud. The rivalry stands at one win and a draw for each.

Okada proposed a no time limit match, Omega countered with a 2/3 falls no time limit match and both agreed.

Okada vs. Omega IV will take place on Saturday, June 9th, in the main event of Dominion at Osaka-jo Hall.

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I really hope this is when they pull the trigger on Omega. I think there’s a ton you can do with him as champ and you do Ibushi winning the G1 to build to that match at Wrestle kingdom.

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A little gutted to hear Omega/Okada are set for Dominion because I hoped that would’ve been for the Cow Palace show that I got tickets for. Here’s hoping Omega finally goes over and faces Naito who I think Omega works better with.

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Omega beats Okada
Cody challenges Omega having the win on Super Card
NJPW gets to do Omega Cody as headline for Cow Palace
Okada Omega V at All In which winds up broadcasting on New Japan World
Ibushi wins G1 and we get Golden Lovers for the title at WK13!

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Sounds like a solid plan. The only downfall, I’m planning on going to the show at the Cow Palace. And I’m so-so on seeing another Kenny vs Cody match.

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That match under New Japan could be 10x better than the overbooked run in fest that ROH sponsored

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Man, I’m all for a little protection in my booking but I would have had Okada not get the knees up on the 2nd in a row High Fly Flow. Not sure there could have been a more perfect near far spot designed with the situation as it was with the title defenses and in a match with the guy he’s tied with. The crowd would have lost their minds with a near fall there and they would have totally bought it hook, line, and sinker. The Coors light would have been spilled all over the Chaos locker room on that also.

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