7TH MATCH - 60 MINUTES LIMIT - SPECIAL SINGLE MATCH
KAZUCHIKA OKADA VS. JAY WHITE
- In NJPW, single matches are usually used for title bouts or tournaments set up to appoint number one contenders. The fact that this grudge match is the third to last match at an event this big speaks to how big this rivalry is at a personal level. The story for this match has been taking place for the last calendar year. This post would be longer than a Jay Jordan article if I went in-depth about the build, so here's a cliff notes version.
--- Jay White joins Chaos, which is led by Okada, after initially turning down an offer to join Bullet Club from Kenny Omega in early January. White beats Omega for the US Title in late January.
--- During the spring and early summer, White is apprehensive about doing some traditional Chaos spots in tag team matches and blames teammates for failures. White is more focused on winning matches and using heel tactics while the rest of the faction is neutral at worst and babyface at best. White loses the US Title to Juice Robinson in early July.
--- During the opening match at the G1 tournament in July, White beats Okada using nefarious means. After the match, White states his intentions to become the new leader of Chaos.
--- At the end of the G1 in August, Okada announces that he is splitting with Gedo, his manager of 6+ years.
--- In late September, White attacks Okada after the latter's match against Tanahashi. White easily dispatches Yoshi-Hashi, who was making the save, after he had the botch of the year when he performed a Titus O'Neal, but legitimately injured himself. Yoshi-Hashi has not been seen since. After White shoved Rocky Romero and was going to hit Okada with a chair, Gedo initially made the save, only to hit the Rainmaker himself. Gedo aligns himself with Jay White.
--- In early October at King of Pro Wrestling, Okada saves Tanahashi after he's beat up by White after their match. Okada initially beats up White and Gedo, but is stopped by Gedo's buddy and presumed peacemaker, Jado. The Bullet Club promptly heads to the ring and tells Okada to beat up Gedo, but this is a trap as Tama Tonga hits Okada with a Gun Stun, and the beatdown is on. White, Gedo, and Jado all join Bullet Club. White is appointed the leader by Tama Tonga around Christmas. White has also mentioned that a "mole" is working for him inside of Chaos during the latest build-up to the match.
- This is another interesting and unpredictable match with endless outcomes being possible. Okada is the supremely talented babyface who is, in my opinion, the best pro wrestler in the world. White is the brash, upstart heel who has taken NJPW by storm. Normally, people like White would not be in a favorable position to win, but this could be different. Letting White win would shoot his stardom into the next level and make him a favorite to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. That would be an aggressive booking decision, but one that I believe won't happen.
PREDICTION: Okada pins White after hitting multiple Rainmakers.
