First-Ever Double Champion Crowned At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14
Who emerged victorious on January 5th?
The build-up to Wrestle Kingdom 14 centred upon the Double Gold Dash in which Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White, and Kazuchika Okada faced off for the right to be crowned New Japan Pro Wrestling's first-ever double champion.
On January 4th, Naito overcame interference from Gedo and emerged victorious against White to win his fifth IWGP Intercontinental Championship. In the final match of night one, Okada defeated Ibushi after 39 minutes to retain his IWGP Heavyweight Championship and confirm his place in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 14.
On January 5th, The Rainmaker faced the Leader of Los Ingobernables De Japon for the third time at Wrestle Kingdom. In their two previous encounters at Wrestle Kingdom 8 and Wrestle Kingdom 12, Okada had emerged victorious but Naito wished to put his failures at New Japan's biggest event behind him.
During the match, Okada hit multiple Tombstones and Rainmakers but found himself unable to put his opponent away. Ultimately, after 35 minutes, Naito connected with a final Destino and pinned Okada for the 1-2-3.
With that, Naito's six-year journey culminated at Wrestle Kingdom as he ended the night as IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion.
On January 4th, Naito overcame interference from Gedo and emerged victorious against White to win his fifth IWGP Intercontinental Championship. In the final match of night one, Okada defeated Ibushi after 39 minutes to retain his IWGP Heavyweight Championship and confirm his place in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 14.
On January 5th, The Rainmaker faced the Leader of Los Ingobernables De Japon for the third time at Wrestle Kingdom. In their two previous encounters at Wrestle Kingdom 8 and Wrestle Kingdom 12, Okada had emerged victorious but Naito wished to put his failures at New Japan's biggest event behind him.
During the match, Okada hit multiple Tombstones and Rainmakers but found himself unable to put his opponent away. Ultimately, after 35 minutes, Naito connected with a final Destino and pinned Okada for the 1-2-3.
With that, Naito's six-year journey culminated at Wrestle Kingdom as he ended the night as IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion.
Written by Aidan Gibbons
Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons
