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The final Destruction show on the Road to Wrestle Kingdom yielded some great contests backed by a stellar main event between old rivals. For the first time since before 2013, Kazuchika Okada faced the prospect of not heading to the main event of the January 4th Tokyo Dome show.
Standing in his way was the man holding the world title shot, the Ace of New Japan; Hiroshi Tanahashi. To Okada it seemed simple, he hasn't been at his best but could get his best out of a man he has owned ever since his vindicating victory at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Yet Okada much like Kenny Omega earlier this year has been unable to see the bigger picture.
There's a snake in his garden, one which he is responsible for bringing to the fore. Okada's arrogance blinded him to the fact that Jay White is a danger to him and his group, this ceded into his breakdown recently, giving up on his trusted partnership with Gedo.
The Result?
Gedo fired back, taking out Okada and aligning himself with Jay 'Switchblade' White. Now there's true chaos unleased within CHAOS and the question remains, which side of the line will its members fall to in the civil war; with The Rainmaker CHAOS or Switchblade's 'Make CHAOS Heel Again!'.
12. Gedo and Jado
So this one's kind of obvious, Gedo played his hand at Destruction in Kobe, taking a stand against Okada after their unceremonious separation. While Jado doesn't do much these days, he will most likely side with his former partner en route to championing the doctrine of Jay White.
Gedo provides an interesting element to Okada's downfall, as he is the man who propped him up to the point to take over CHAOS. This was despite former leader Shinsuke Nakamura still being part of the promotion. It seemed to sit well with Gedo until it didn't, believing Okada responsible for his own downfall since losing the championship.
It also gives Jay White the same mouthpiece, to propel him further in the New Japan ranks ever since his return last year. White under Gedo will find the perfect guidance, connect to the Japanese audience and heat magnet to make him the top tier heel NJPW desperately craves.
Gedo (with Jado) breathes and becomes a member of Switchblade's CHAOS!
11. Toru Yano
Many fans forget that Toru Yano isn't just a comedic character but a fascinating wrestler. This is especially when playing a heel and that might fit into Switchblade's modus operandi for CHAOS. Yano can't leave Okada's side for one simple reason, his partnership, and loyalty to Tomohiro Ishii. Ishii ain't backing down from an irritant like White.
Yano is also one of the first members to form CHAOS with Shinsuke Nakamura, it puts another column on his possibility to join White and his heel style. Yet once more Tomohiro Ishii stands in the way. It's not a fear thing either, but rather that Ishii and Yano gel so well.
There are very few Japanese wrestlers that will leave Okada, it's why the CHAOS civil war has such an intriguing angle to it. It's hard to predict who will take a stand against Okada, even though Gedo has already defected. For some odd reason, his arrogance hasn't rubbed people the wrong way. This includes Ishii and with it Yano as well.
Toru Yano definitely remains loyal to Rainmaker's CHAOS!
10. Yoshi-HASHI
He made the rush to save Kazuchika Okada this past week at Destruction in Kobe, even splitting his head due to a slip and fall. Yet prior to that, on the other Destruction events, HASHI has been the puppet being pulled apart by a lax Okada and irate White. This seemed to indicate a turn to the dark for him.
Yet HASHI stuck around his tag partner, despite some communication mishaps. It places Okada in a very interesting situation. He's lost his backbone in Gedo, it'll soon be time to lose HASHI as well. This might just happen on the road to Wrestle Kingdom 13. A perfect homage to how CHAOS initially formed as Great Bash Heel's Togi Makabe saw his brethren fall like dominoes against him.
It will give White another psychological edge of a breaking Okada, furthering his downward spiral. Hopefully, Gedo shall play the long game as head booker for this Okada redemption story. Till then Jay White will gain massive leverage, adding Okada's occasional tag partner as a strategist for their inevitable Tokyo Dome clash.
Yoshi-HASHI betrays Okada, preferably during the tag league and joins Switchblade's CHAOS!
9. Rocky Romero
Another casualty of White's vicious breakdown this past week, there's no love lost between him and Switchblade. In fact, White's first task during his turn in CHAOS was to target Romero's protege's Roppongi 3K to turn against Okada. It hasn't worked so far but who's to say it won't?
He might be semi-retired at this point, but when needed Romero can still go. Employing the help of a young junior, Romero may just return to the tag team ranks.
This would be a huge boost for the floundering Juniors tag division, giving it a stellar and well-loved babyface unit. This is no matter who turns out as Romero's partner since he is a fan favorite for the Japanese audience. Maybe it could even be former partner Alex Koslov, who hasn't been seen of much since his so-called 'Sabbatical' in 2015.
Rocky Romero sticks with Rainmaker's CHAOS!
8. Roppongi 3K
Speaking of which, the new version of Roppongi 3k is quite raw and susceptible to White's manipulation. The two individuals clearly thought about Switchblade's words during quite a few post-match interviews. These are the guys Jay White can still gain a hold onto, as veterans are a bit too stuck in their old ways; Romero included.
Their singles quest during the Best of Super Juniors did give hints that Sho and Yoh will be the future of the Juniors division. Thus New Japan might see potential in splitting them apart across the CHAOS stable, so as to fill the ranks of an increasingly depleting Juniors scene.
Yet both still need seasoning and can become the kind of unit that the Juniors miss, now that the Bucks have gone heavyweight. It'd be the perfect opportunity for Sho and Yoh to show a sparkle more personality, away from Romero. Under White's tutelage, the two men could even turn their trio into a formidable foil for the ELITE of New Japan.
Roppongi 3k will beat down their mentor Rocky Romero and take sides by Switchblade's CHAOS!
7. Beretta
Where Rocky Romero goes, Beretta is bound to follow. The former partner of Romero is now a heavyweight but still an integral cog in the CHAOS scene. Most importantly his turn to the heavyweights has seen him trade Romero for another partner in Best Friend Chuckie T.
This is an odd one because Beretta's push to heavyweight had been an emotional moment for Romero. It was so Trent could fulfill his dreams to succeed as a singles star. Yet when one looks at it, Beretta is back where he was a few years ago, just with some added pounds. It doesn't help his cause.
Weirdly enough, before New Japan came calling for the formation of the Best Friends, the tag team between Chuckie and Trent had gone through its own rough patch. In PWG, Chuckie violently turned on his partner resulting in a heated rivalry for just a short month or so. It's disappointing as Beretta has stellar babyface fire and Chuckie showed some incredible viciousness as a heel. Hopefully, New Japan can see this too.
Beretta is taken down once again by Chuckie T and returns with heroic fire as a part of the Rainmaker's CHAOS!
6. Chuckie T
Beyond his credible stint around the Indies, if you're not a PWG fan or occasional viewer then Chuckie T might just seem like a warm body added to the CHAOS tag ranks. This isn't the case, or shouldn't have to as he can act as a stellar upper-mid card hand for New Japan. Chuckie's main reason to turn on his friend is to propel Beretta to a better standing in a heavyweight division threatening to pass him by.
T's horrible betrayal and break up of the Best Friends, maybe post a Wrestle Kingdom title shot will hit hard. Beretta has such a natural ability to obtain sympathy from viewers, that his partner's ruthlessness can give him a whole new dimension. Meanwhile still playing second fiddle, Chuckie T is so good that nobody can deny him maybe not even New Japan.
He'd make a colossal win for Switchblade, especially as another foreigner and the only one to join his ranks. It will give White an individual he can consider a trusty lieutenant. This is especially true as White establishes his motto of making CHAOS heel again.
Chuckie T destroys partner Beretta to name his allegiance to Switchblade's CHAOS!
5. Tomohiro Ishii
Wikipedia may state that Kazuchika Okada is no longer part of the CHAOS, but don't expect that to stick with the likes of Ishii having a word. The stone cold pit bull may not often interact with the Rainmaker, but there's a clear indication that he knows who the leader is. Ishii will side with the right in this case.
This is especially true since he really doesn't like Jay White. In a tag team match, Switchblade, clearly trying hard to get on Ishii's good side, miserably failed. Ishii will never fall for Switchblade's tricks, even with Gedo on his side. Expect him to try even bringing them back in line, or hitting hard on Okada to man up as well.
Ishii, of course, deserves far better, he is possibly the world's best wrestler today. The hard-headed fighter should gain a measure of breathing space to push his on and off career if New Japan allows it in depleted ranks. Ishii already got a world title shot, he's soon to push the stratosphere to help Okada reign in this chaotic situation.
Tomohiro Ishii remains staunchly loyal to Rainmaker's CHAOS!
4. Hirooki Goto
This one will come as a shocker and is possibly as unreal as they come, so hear me out. Hirooki Goto is a samurai, an honorable warrior who has done no wrong. His decision to join CHAOS, manifested by the groups' clear-cut turn towards the already heroic. Okada's friendship and respect meant a lot in 2016 for a Goto just getting ramped up, despite his age and longevity.
However, the position hasn't really led Goto far in his career. There was that one point where he made it to the G1 Finals, the year after joining CHAOS. Yet Goto has always been the bridesmaid, never the bride. Goto is surely not in a position to lead the faction nor overstep Okada's mighty shadow.
With a whole host of young stars passing him by, Goto could finally use the turn and being Switchblade's main man to gain leverage in New Japan. It would revitalize his career, meandering in the pool of the NEVER Openweight division. Goto becoming selfish could turn a new leaf for the career of a man, many are thirsty to see succeed.
Hirooki Goto does the unthinkable and joins Switchblade's CHAOS!
3. Will Ospreay
As soon as Will Ospreay joined CHAOS, he made a statement as the stable's most opportune chance to lead the Juniors division. In 2016 up till today, he's let that statement ring true with his performances including a title win at Wrestle Kingdom 12. Ospreay is just the kind of world traveling competitor to bring CHAOS notoriety.
Unfortunately, he's not the kind to elevate CHAOS's original motto of reviving strong style. He's hard-hitting but more in a fast-impact moves sort of way. He gives zing to the group and not the kind Jay White is really a fan of. This obviously positions him as a strong suit to keep loyal to Kazuchika Okada.
It helps that Ospreay is one of the few and first to have challenged Okada's growing ego during this past year. The two stable-mates fought while they were champions and while Okada came out the victor, he did so with a modicum of respect for his Junior division lead.
This is probably what stopped Okada from going into the deep end, had he beaten Ospreay soundly he might have completely snapped. Of course, it's Ospreay and that would be impossible since he is one of the world's best.
Ospreay sticks to his guns as a member of Rainmaker's CHAOS!
2. Jay 'Switchblade' White
Call his matches what you want, but Jay White works them under his character such that it gets under your skin. He has such a way with who he is portraying as the Switchblade that nothing else matters. New Japan has been clear in their favoritism towards the New Zealander, and rightly so.
White made some noise within the New Japan dojo and as a young lion in his contests with David Finlay. His excursion to Ring of Honor has been one of the biggest successes. It comes in line with Tetsuya Naito's own about turn change as Tranquilo. White got a huge return match of the bat against Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom and appropriately so.
In the story, Gedo knew this is the kind of ruthless man who could change the face of New Japan. Proving his point, his loss caused him to spiral further and destroy Bullet Club from the outside. Then Okada struck while the iron was hot. Big mistake!
If you give CHAOS to a man bred in chaos and if you bring some chaos into CHAOS, then only one thing was bound to happen. Blinded by his ego, scarred by his loss and distanced from his mentor; Okada just couldn't see it. Jay White is the poison that New Japan needed to fight the toxicity, all that's left is to breathe its residue and die yourself as well. Okada has done just that.
So say it with me; "Breath, with the Switchblade!"
1. Kazuchika Okada
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen."-Samuel 1:19, 1539; The Great Bible
A cliche no doubt but perfectly fitting the arc of Kazhuchika Okada. Ever since Dominion and the loss to Kenny Omega, it was as if a part of Okada's own soul got ripped from within his heart. The Rainmaker is no more, in his stead stands a red-haired, balloon popping pretender. If Okada is to fulfill his promises as the Ace of New Japan, then he must battle his demons one by one.
A trial by fire, Okada must follow his own road of penance much as Dante has done in The Divine Comedy. A resurrection awaits on the other end, don't expect Gedo both as a character and booker to make it easy for him. This is a long winding fruitful story. At the end of which the rainbow shall shine on Okada and he will find his pot of gold, his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
The first step is to burn out this disease that has infected CHAOS and threatens to overturn it into a horrifying beast. To slay this beast (not Brock Lesnar) Okada will need all the power he has within him and his friends, as well as break his own cracked ego. It is only then he will truly become the hero NJPW needs and deserves.
Bringing back Strong Style like A King!
Overall, with a distinctively different flavor as well as the chance of unexpected turns, the CHAOS civil war is fun compared to the stop-start Bullet Club version. The lead up to Wrestle Kingdom gives it an interesting dynamic. There's no doubt that Okada will take on Jay White, but Gedo could be as tempted to bring the peripherals of the story into it with a four-way main event.
Even if that doesn't happen and Okada does remain on the outside looking in at the main event in five years, he and White will undoubtedly tear each other apart in the semi-main event of the Tokyo Dome show. The question is what happens after?
Gedo isn't a man to just rush into his booking and allow even Okada the big vindicating win. It would kill any momentum that White has gathered in the past year. Okada losing could help elevate White's status and make not just Okada but others question their ability. His last three Dome opponents have been Naito, Omega and Tanahashi and this would be a huge deal.
A shocking prediction to make would be the continuation of this with a surprise element to make Okada's life even more miserable. If White's agenda to revive the chaos within CHAOS is clear, then why not bring the originator of this?
Yes, Shinsuke Nakamura will make his much-awaited return to New Japan and bring a force of CHAOS that could wash away the Rainmaker. YeahOh!!!
