Kazuchika Okada Reveals Hope For Japanese Crowds Following Forbidden Door

NJPW

Kazuchika Okada has reflected on his match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

During the show, Okada faced off against Hangman Page, Adam Cole and Jay White for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. White ultimately retained his title after pinning Cole.

In the post-show media scrum, Okada noted that he was very happy to be wrestling in front of a hot US crowd.

Hopeful that Japanese crowds will take steps towards being the loud crowds following the crossover event, Okada said: (translated by NJPW commentator Chris Charlton):

“Obviously very, very happy to have performed in front of a hot crowd. It’s a happy feeling rather than a surprise.

“Really, America is sort of setting the model for how we’d love to be performing in front of our crowds in Japan as well. Obviously, Japan will do it their own way, and it’s a ‘softly, softly’ approach, and we’ll get there, but hopefully people will see this here tonight and sort of take those little steps and a little step forward to being the way we want to wrestle in front of.”

Japanese crowds are traditionally quieter than Western wrestling crowds, however NJPW audiences have been virtually silent apart from clapping since the beginning of the pandemic due to mandates discouraging shouting or singing in public spaces.

As the world begins to open up, many are hoping that Japanese fans will be able to cheer and chant in the upcoming weeks.

The NJPW G1 Climax tournament begins in July, with this year’s line-up consisting of 28 competitors. You can view the announced blocks for the round-robin tournament right here.

Transcription via Wrestling Inc.

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