Kazuchika Okada Names His Dream Forbidden Door Match
Kazuchika Okada challenged for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at All Out but if he had his way, he would have had a dream collision with a top AEW star.
Taking place on June 26, AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door was an outstanding idea on paper but in execution, it sadly didn’t live up to expectations. Injuries were the primary reason for this, with a number of top AEW and NJPW performers unable to participate.
Bryan Danielson was among them. ‘The American Dragon’ was believed to be facing Zack Sabre Jr. in a technical masterclass at the event, though the bout was never officially made on television. In his place went the debuting Claudio Castagnoli, defeating ZSJ following a Ricola Bomb.
Kazuchika Okada, who faced Jay White, Adam Cole, and Adam Page for White’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, would have loved the chance to face Danielson if he could. Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, ‘The Rainmaker’ expressed his desire to face the Blackpool Combat Club man:
“I was hoping to meet Bryan Danielson at Forbidden Door, but unfortunately that couldn’t happen. Since we couldn’t talk backstage, I’m happy to meet him in the ring next time.”
Continuing, Kazuchika Okada commented on the potential of Forbidden Door II, noting that the event must be held in Japan next time since the inaugural noting was in the United States:
“AEW is a great promotion, I definitely felt that in my time there. There are places where they win out over NJPW, and areas where New Japan is superior as well. I think both sides came away with something to learn and work on, and I’d love to have another event with those lessons learned. Last time was in the US, so let’s have it in Japan next time.”
NJPW President Takami Ohbari has also previously stated interest in hosting a second Forbidden Door pay-per-view in Japan during an interview with Tokyo Sports.