Kazuchika Okada entered his fifth reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion when he captured the gold last month in New York City. In his previous four reigns as champion he never backed down from a challenge and was even open to face fellow CHAOS stablemates. Combined with the fact that he was the longest-holder of the championship, he’ll go down in history as one of the absolute greatest. Always looking for a challenge, he puts the title on the line against a competitor who has inched his way closer and closer to defeating him in previous encounters – Los Ingobernables de Japon’s SANADA.

Regarded more as a tag team wrestler, SANADA can hold his own in singles action when given the opportunity. A former singles champion here in the U.S. many years ago, he has since re-invented himself and has only gotten better within the squared circle. Adding a much-needed aggressive side, he has proven to anyone he locks up with that he is not just going to lay down.

Anyone watching SANADA can see he is ready to burst through the glass ceiling and reign over New Japan Pro Wrestling. It’ll be no easy feat. Can he figure out a way to bankrupt The Rainmaker? Or will this be the start of a series of successful title defenses in Okada’s fifth reign as champion?

All this and more in a special 2-hour episode of New Japan on AXS TV FRIDAY 8/7c!