In the annals of professional wrestling, few rivalries have transcended time, borders, and promotions quite like the one between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada. A clash not just of styles, but of philosophies, pride, and legacy, the Omega–Okada saga has become synonymous with epic. From their thunderous showdowns in New Japan Pro Wrestling to their high-stakes battle set for AEW’s All In: Texas, this is not just a wrestling feud—it’s a legacy war.
Now, in 2025, as both men prepare to write the final chapter in this mythical series, we revisit the journey that’s brought them to the biggest match of their careers: a Winner-Takes-All unification showdown for the AEW Unified Championship.
Chapter I: The Rainmaker Reigns – Wrestle Kingdom 11 (January 4, 2017)
When Kenny Omega won the G1 Climax in 2016, he didn’t just elevate his own status—he altered the global wrestling landscape. That January, Omega challenged NJPW’s golden ace, Kazuchika Okada, for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 11. The result was a historic, 46-minute war that shattered star ratings and launched their rivalry into legend.
Okada retained the title, but Omega emerged from defeat as a made man. Critics called it the greatest match of all time—and it was just the beginning.
Chapter II: The Draw Heard Around the World – Dominion 6.11 (June 11, 2017)
The rematch came six months later at Dominion, and this time, no man could claim victory. In a grueling 60-minute marathon, Omega and Okada went the distance in a time-limit draw that many considered an even greater achievement than their first encounter. Omega showed he could go toe-to-toe with The Rainmaker at his peak.
It was storytelling at its finest—Omega, slowly unraveling the enigma that was Okada, and Okada, proving that his championship reign was no fluke. Both men left everything in the ring. The rivalry now had its mythology.
Chapter III: One-Winged Revenge – G1 Climax 27 (August 12, 2017)
In a surprising twist of fate, the third match happened not on a grand stage, but during the G1 Climax tournament. This time, Omega finally pinned Okada clean—his first victory in the series. It was short, explosive, and decisive. Omega’s win clocked in at just under 25 minutes, proving that he had finally cracked the Okada code.
The score now stood at 1-1-1. A trilogy, but unfinished. Their saga was too colossal for a typical finale. The fourth bout would have to be the definitive ending… or so we thought.
Chapter IV: The Epochal Epic – Dominion 6.9 (June 9, 2018)
No time limits. No excuses. Just two titans colliding in a best two-out-of-three falls match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Over the course of an hour and four minutes, Omega and Okada crafted a masterpiece of drama, emotion, fatigue, and athleticism. Omega won the final fall, dethroning Okada and ascending as NJPW’s top champion—and perhaps the best wrestler on Earth.
It was hailed as the greatest wrestling match ever. Omega’s victory wasn’t just about the title—it was about proving he belonged among the gods.
And then… the rivalry went dormant. Omega would leave NJPW. Okada would reclaim his throne. But unfinished business simmered beneath the surface.
Chapter V: Across the Forbidden Door – AEW, 2025
Fast-forward to All Elite Wrestling, where both men have found new homes—and new gold.
Kazuchika Okada, now aligned with Don Callis and the twisted Don Callis Family, reigns as the AEW Continental Champion. Charismatic, methodical, and every bit the master strategist, Okada holds his title with a ruthlessness that echoes his NJPW dominance.
Kenny Omega, back from injury and defying time, captured the AEW International Championship earlier this year. Though physically diminished, Omega remains mentally sharper and more dangerous than ever—resilient, introspective, and fueled by legacy.
The confrontation was inevitable.
After Omega’s title defense at Fyter Fest, Okada emerged—calm, smug, and calculating. A formal challenge was issued. The stage? All In: Texas. The match? Champion vs. Champion. Winner Takes All. The stakes? The unification of AEW’s midcard titles into the new AEW Unified Championship.
But the personal animosity escalated fast.
At the Summer Blockbuster special, a contract signing turned violent. Okada—wielding a police baton—struck Omega repeatedly, targeting his midsection and injuring the very area Omega has battled diverticulitis in. Bloodied and stretchered out, Omega vanished for weeks.
In the interim, Okada faced Omega’s old tag team partner and dear friend, Kota Ibushi, at Dynamite 300. After dispatching Ibushi, Okada launched another heinous assault—until Omega returned to a thunderous roar, saving Ibushi and officially reuniting the legendary Golden Lovers.
The feud is no longer about titles. It’s personal. Deeply. Irrevocably.
Final Chapter: All In Texas (July 12, 2025)
For the first time in over six years, Omega and Okada will go one-on-one. This isn’t the same Omega. Nor is it the same Okada. They are older, scarred, hardened by time—but still undeniably the best in the world.
AEW has positioned this bout not just as a dream match, but as the match that defines the modern era of wrestling. There is no rubber match. There is only this match.
Two champions. One legacy. One winner.
This is more than a five-match saga.
This is Omega vs. Okada: Eternity in Motion.
Tale of the Tape
Wrestler Title Saga Record Key Trait
Kenny Omega AEW International Champion 1 Win, 2 Losses, 1 Draw Resilient Visionary
Kazuchika Okada AEW Continental Champion 2 Wins, 1 Loss, 1 Draw Calculating Rainmaker
Final Thoughts
Wrestling fans often speak in hyperbole, but Omega vs. Okada defies even that. This is a rivalry that defined an era. It reshaped what main event wrestling could be. It blurred borders between East and West, strong style and storytelling, sports and art.
Now, at All In: Texas, the final battle looms.
Not just for a new championship. But for wrestling immortality.
Who walks away with the gold—and who walks into history?
We’ll find out July 12th. One more time.
Forever.
