Next Monday, Sanada will get his chance to become the IWGP Heavyweight Champion for the first time in his career.
However, before their match at King of Pro Wrestling was made official, both the challenger and champion got into the ring and confirmed the bout with a contract signing. As usual with these contract signings, there was some trash talk between the two competitors; however, the most interesting aspect was perhaps the little jab Sanada took at his Los Ingobernables de Japon partner, EVIL (Transcript courtesy of wrestlezone):
“Do you all like Sanada?” the challenger asked the crowd.
“Recently, I’ve been hearing Sanada chants all across Japan and abroad. People have been chanting for Okada too, but I think the time has come for people to see a New Japan with Sanada as the focal point, don’t you? Right now, New Japan doesn’t want Okada, or Naito, or Tanahashi. Not EVIL or Ibushi either. From now on, I, Sanada, will carry NJPW and all of wrestling on my shoulders.”
Of course, Okada wasn’t going to let his opponent have the last word and despite the former IWGP Tag Team Champion getting the win over him in the G1 Climax, Okada promises to remain the top dog in the heavyweight division following King of Pro Wrestling,
“It seems you aren’t too happy with a NJPW with Okada as its focus,” said Okada.
“I heard those chants. But I have something to say about that. The Rugby World Cup is awesome! But NJPW isn’t going to lose out to rugby for a second. King of Pro Wrestling is going to blow you away, and Kazuchika Okada is going to win in the main event!”
We’ll find out what happens next Monday when Okada and Sanada face off for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at King of Pro Wrestling.