After a record setting 12 successful IWGP Heavyweight Title defenses, it’s easy to forget Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016. It was the first of the Rainmaker’s historic run and a matchup that probably doesn’t get enough credit. This was an incredible match.
With New Japan Pro Wrestling working with Pro Wrestling NOAH once again, it is interesting to take a look back at their previous partnership which was nearing its conclusion by the time King of Pro-Wrestling rolled around in 2016. NOAH wrestlers weren’t seen on a big NJPW show after this, and Suzuki-gun would be recalled at year’s end.
But that’s a different story for another time. The focus here is on the subtle, understated greatness of Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016.
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Background
One of the main reasons that Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016 is overlooked is due to their match during the G1 Climax 26. It was named as Match of the Year by Tokyo Sports and was excellent.
The result itself was stunning with Marufuji pinning the IWGP Heavyweight champion on the first night of the 2016 G1. Okada would also lose to Bad Luck Fale and Tomohiro Ishii that year but it was the NOAH man who challenged him to a title match at King of Pro-Wrestling.
Looking at Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016
Having been at Ryogoku Sumo Hall to see this match, I can safely say it was even better in person despite the awkward box seats. That being said, there were a few notable differences between being there live and watching the broadcast.
Firstly, there was a fair amount of NOAH supporters at Sumo Hall. Now this wasn’t a road game for Okada or anything like that. But Marufuji was well supported on this night and that isn’t something that comes through on the NJPW World replay. Of course, the anti-Rainmaker sentiment from fans would become a staple of his historic title run. A good number of people wanted to see him lose which kind of made each defense even better.
Secondly, the opening of the match was a little flat. A majority of the crowd didn’t really believe in Marufuji during the first few minutes. However, the possibility of an upset became more realistic as the contest progressed.
It was similar to watching a college football game between a top-5 team and a major underdog. You don’t believe the upset can happen in the first quarter even if the scores are close. If the game is tied at halftime, you start thinking it’s possible. And if you go into the fourth quarter and the underdog still has a chance, you’re hooked.
That is what happened with Okada and Marufuji at King of Pro Wrestling. As the match progressed and the challenger stood toe-to-toe with the champion, everyone in the crowd began to believe the upset was possible.
That led to an epic closing stretch that is incredible to watch five years later. A brutal, hard-hitting encounter ended with a sequence that was unpredictable. You literally thought Marufuji might win. Now he didn’t, but that doesn’t take away from just how great this match was.
Aftermath
Okada would go on to defend the IWGP Heavyweight title 11 more times before finally losing to Kenny Omega at Dominion in Osaka Jo-Hall some 20-months later. Marufuji went back to NOAH and did his own thing over the years. He would win the AJPW Champion Carnival in 2018 and managed to win and lose the GHC Heavyweight title in 2021.
Ultimately, this excellent match gets lost in the shuffle which is a shame. However, with NJPW and NOAH working together once again, maybe it will get the credit it truly deserves.
