There is no doubt that Cody has experienced a successful pro wrestling career post-WWE. Within the past 15 months, Cody has won championships for independent promotions, and most recently had his greatest achievement by winning his first major championship since his pro wrestling debut in 2006.
After the time limit draw between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega at Dominion 6.11, Cody was deemed at the front of the line to challenge Okada for the IWGP championship. This was before winning the ROH Championship from Christopher Daniels at Best in the World.
Seemingly, a world champion vs. world champion match to main event Day 1 of the first-ever independent United States NJPW event in company history would be widely accepted. However, reports state that it unfortunately was not.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cody received some negative backlash online for being chosen to face Okada at the G1 Special in USA event. This was due the feeling that “fans would rather see a guy who has a history of blow-away performances or a New Japan full-timer in that spot.”
The report also added that Cody is not over enough yet in Japan to represent NJPW as their World Champion, and since the there has only been four world champions in six-and-a-half years (Okada, Tanahashi, Styles, and Naito), the title is maintaining its prestige of being held by an elite class.
