NJPW Announces a Huge Match for Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 15

NJPW’s annual mega-show, Wrestle Kingdom, just got its first gigantic match-up, according to New Japan World. The 15th edition of the event will see Will Ospreay face off against his former faction member, Kazuchika Okada.

The match was set up at NJPW Power Struggle, after Okada beat the Great O-Khan. O-Khan helped Ospreay beat Okada in the G1 Climax, costing the Rainmaker a spot in the finals.

Ospreay and Okada are giant names in international wrestling

Will Ospreay is a huge name in New Japan. He is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a former NEVER Openweight Champion and a two-time winner of the Best of the Super Juniors.

The high flyer has established himself as one of the greatest wrestlers of the 21st century.

Kazuchika Okada is an absolute legend. Often labeled the ‘God of Pro-Wrestling’, he is arguably the biggest star outside of an American promotion.

He is a five time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a former G1 Climax main eventer, and the longest reigning IWGP Champion of all time at a staggering 720 days. The historic reign was ended by none other than AEW’s Kenny Omega.

Okada heads one of NJPW’s most iconic stables, CHAOS. The faction features some of the company’s best wrestlers like Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and, of course, Will Ospreay.

The Ariel Assassin joined the stable on March 3rd, 2016. His association with the stable and its leader Okada led to Ospreay quickly becoming a fan favourite in Japan.

Will Ospreay beat Okada in the 2020 G1 Climax

In the 2020 edition of the G1 Climax tournament, Okada and Ospreay were scheduled to face each other on the final night of the A block. This gave the bout a lot more importance than it already had.

Ospreay and Okada wrestled a 5.75 star match at last years G1 Climax. Dave Meltzer, who gave the match the ridiculous rating, called it one of the best matches of the tournament.

Both Okada and Ospreay entered the contest with huge chips on their shoulders. Okada had beaten the likes of Shingo Takagi, Ishii and Minoru Suzuki, while the RevPro Champion had conquered Ishii, Suzuki and former G1 Climax finalist, Jay White. It was a must win match for both wrestlers if they wanted to reach the finals of the tournament.

After twenty minutes of breathless action, the Great O-Khan emerged and distracted Okada, allowing Ospreay to capitalise. Okada managed to put down Ospreay, but with the help of Bea Priestley, Ospreay’s real life fiancée, O-Khan was able to deliver an Iron Claw Chokeslam to Okada, allowing Ospreay to hit Okada with the Stormbreaker for the win.

Ospreay’s heel turn against Okada adds another layer to their storied rivalry

Post match, Ospreay destroyed Okada with the Hidden Blade, confirming his transition to the dark side. At Power Struggle, Okada managed to put away the Great O-Khan, before being challenged by Ospreay to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 15.

Ospreay pondered upon one question: “What could happen if I ended ‘The Rainmaker’s’ career?” He said what better way to end him than at the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 15. Okada grabbed the microphone to respond back to Ospreay’s challenge, “If you want it, you got it!”

Lo-and-behold, Wrestle Kingdom has its first big match on the card, and it is sure to be an absolute banger.