Bryan Danielson kicked Kazuchika Okada's head in at AEW x NJPW Forbiddden Door.
In a dream match for the ages, Danielson and Okada headlined the June 25 pay-per-view, where top stars from AEW and NJPW clashed. Okada and Danielson had never faced each other before, so their bout was a matchup of two competitors who are widely viewed as the best wrestlers in the world.
Before the bell, fans received a special surprise, as Danielson entered to "The Final Countdown" by Europe, his classic theme song from his Ring of Honor days. As for the match itself, the veterans showcased pure wrestling throughout the contest, and Danielson consistently targeted Okada's arm throughout the bout. Okada went for the Rainmaker twice in the early stages, but Danielson had it scouted.
The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion took a big swing when he dropped Danielson with a Tombstone piledriver on the steel ramp. They kept going back and forth, and in the closing moments, Danielson trapped Okada in a submission hold, as he wrenched Okada's arm. Leaving Okada with no room to escape, Danielson also twisted Okada's leg until he was forced to tap out.
IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
For the first time ever, Bryan Danielson takes on Kazuchika Okada in your main event on Forbidden Door!
Order #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor on PPV right now!
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Danielson baited Okada to attack!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
Order #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor on PPV right now!
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--: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/TzXkaEp1RS
.@bryandanielson sending shockwaves all over the wrestling world! #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor
— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) June 26, 2023
https://t.co/CkfxC2VBqd
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Click here to catch up on our coverage of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. For a full review, check out our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.