Bryan Danielson.
Kazuchika Okada.
Two of the greatest wrestlers in the world, separated by different promotions—and different continents.
Long a dream match, the prospects of the two facing off appeared improbable. Danielson starred for WWE as Daniel Bryan, and the only way he was squaring off against Okada was if WWE lured him away from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. That, clearly, was simply an unrealistic proposition.
Mounting injuries then forced Danielson to retire in 2016. Okada focused his time and energy on redefining brilliance in the ring. Again, any potential pairing of the two between the ropes appeared, at best, a pipe dream.
Yet this Sunday at Forbidden Door, fantasy will become reality.
“I wanted this match for so long without ever thinking it was a possibility,” says Danielson, who has been exceptional since his return to the ring in 2018. “I started watching him while I was in WWE, but there was no place to go work where that match would ever be possible. Then AEW started. That’s why this is so special to me. I wanted it for so long, and it’s now actually going to happen.”
Okada entered Bryan’s radar roughly 15 years ago, leaving a particular impression in 2012 when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to start his first run as IWGP heavyweight champion.
“When Okada first won the IWGP championship, he started having all these incredible matches with Tanahashi,” says Danielson. “He started building this incredible legacy. The Tanahashi matches, the Kenny [Omega] matches, those stand out to me—their 60-minute one was just unbelievable. The matches with Shingo [Takagi], the matches with [Will] Ospreay, the matches with Zack Sabre Jr.
“When I watch Okada, I’m watching one of the best of all time. Now I get to experience actually being in the ring with him. What’s that like? That’s what I get to find out.”
Okada has carved out a place for himself at the pinnacle of wrestling in Japan, which Danielson accomplished in the United States. Their opportunity to meet takes place at Forbidden Door in Toronto, and capitalizing on the moment is a challenge Okada is embracing.
“I want fans to be excited to see how great professional wrestling is,” says Okada, speaking through a translator. “It’s cool to know that there are still world-class dream matches like this that bring everyone together. Bryan has done incredible things everywhere he’s been, WWE and AEW included. I think this is an awesome match to make.”
Wednesday’s Dynamite ended with Danielson calling out Okada, who arrived for a staredown. Wheeler Yuta attacked Okada, but in what could be foreshadowing for Sunday, the face of New Japan recovered and nearly hit his patented Rainmaker before Danielson escaped.
That moment was meaningful for Okada, who has held Danielson’s work in high esteem since he started watching his Ring of Honor matches in 2005.
“That is my strongest image of Bryan—when he was in Ring of Honor,” says Okada. “I haven’t seen many of his matches since he went to WWE. When I saw the time limit draw he wrestled with Kenny Omega in AEW, I knew he and I could do something incredible.
“I have respect for him. There’s no hate here. I think that’s the appeal—just pure, competitive wrestling.”
Okada has recently been more intertwined with AEW story lines. Earlier this month, he defended his NEVER openweight six-man tag titles with Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Shota Umino.
Over the past 18 years, Okada has developed more of an edge in his work. That has been particularly noticeable in his rough treatment toward Umino, who prides himself as Moxley’s protégé. The NEVER openweight title match at Dominion ended when Okada finished Umino.
“I think Shota felt the difference in levels between us,” says Okada. “For a kid like him, it’s important to be a champion. But I think he now understands that it’s important to beat me as well.”
Even though the match against Danielson is the center of attention (it is expected to go on last at Forbidden Door), Okada is likely to continue his ongoing battle with the Blackpool Combat Club—primarily with Moxley.
“My focus is on Danielson, not him,” says Okada. “But having wrestled him in tag matches, I felt he’s better than I’d imagined. I’d definitely be excited to wrestle him in a singles match someday.”
In addition to Danielson, another future dream match would pit Okada against CM Punk. When asked whether he would still like to wrestle Punk, Okada couldn’t resist showing off his sense of humor.
“I’m not sure—The Young Bucks are kind of friends of mine,” Okada says with a laugh, alluding to the issues between the Bucks and Punk. “But if fans want to see the match, I want to do it. In Chicago.”
By working together, AEW and New Japan have opened a world of possibilities for the entire industry. Performers are inspired to wrestle new opponents, and a rabid fan base benefits from watching incredible, pure pro wrestling. That is what is in store Sunday at Forbidden Door, where Okada and Danielson finally step onto the same canvas together.
“All good things come to an end, including this match,” says Okada. “So please enjoy every single moment of it before I win.”
While adding his own unique perspective, Danielson echoed Okada’s sentiment.
“I feel the exact same way as Okada, but turning it back to myself,” says Danielson. “I tell myself to enjoy it when it’s happening. It’s better when people love the match, and of course that is important, but when I do things now, I do it because I enjoy it.
“I’m telling myself to enjoy this moment, one I thought would never happen. Now I can do it in front of a passionate wrestling crowd in Toronto, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
