Original Plans For Bryan Danielson's NJPW Power Struggle Appearance Revealed

It’s official; Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada will clash in singles competition for a second time at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4 2023.

The match was made official at NJPW Power Struggle in Osaka on November 4, with Danielson challenging ‘the Rainmaker’ via video. However, this was not the originally planned announcement for the match.

A report from Sports Illustrated suggests that Danielson was originally meant to challenge Okada in person in Osaka, however his recent orbital bone injury precluded him from flying to Japan for the angle. 

Danielson vs. Okada I occurred at Forbidden Doo II this past July, with Danielson getting the win over OKada with one arm, having fractured his forearm during the bout. Danielson’s recent orbital bone injury happened during a recent match with Andrade el Idolo, but in storyline it is being chalked up to a stiff Rainmaker from Okada, with Danielson vowing revenge on the New Japan legend.

Their match on January 4 will be Danielson’s first ever appearance at a Wrestle Kingdom event, with ‘the American Dragon’ making no secret of his desire to wrestle in a New Japan ring again before his career ends.