Why Dominion Is NJPW's Most Meaningful 'Top 3' Show Of The Year

Why ‘Dominion’ Is NJPWs Most Meaningful Main Event Show — Credit: NJPW/TV Asahi

Dominion 2017

Dominion 2016 paved the way for major storylines and matches to develop over the next few years. The effects of it unsurprisingly also fell into the following iteration of the showcase at Dominion 2017. There it was that Okada vs. Omega II took place. Fresh off their match at Wrestle Kingdom 11, one year after Okada won the world title, Omega began to pivot his place on the card and they were back in Osaka-Jo Hall.

The time limit draw between the two of course furthered intrigue in their long feud. The matchup would occur again at the following G1 Climax and, of course, another time at Dominion 2018.

Dominion 2018

Some beautiful things happened at this year’s Dominion to spread some icing on the cake. Omega and Okada tore it up for a fourth time, this time in a no time limit two out of three falls match. Once again, the result of the Dominion main event was a meaningful and impactful one. Kenny Omega finally became IWGP World Heavyweight Champion after ending Okada’s two year title reign at the very event it began.

Not only will this new title reign pose new challenges and feuds for Omega, but the win itself means that Kenny now has one up on Okada as well. The impressive two year run that Okada accomplished also poetically came to a close with the one move that he’s never kicked out of: the One Winged Angel.

Overall, Dominion brings such excitement every year to the wrestling world. Though it does not have as much theoretical gravitas as the G1 or Wrestle Kingdom, Dominion is not to be overlooked. The Pay Per View creates stars, breaks streaks, and ensures storyline progression in every sense. Dominion 2018 proved to put a nice cap on Okada’s two year title run and also start a new path in the forever evolving company of NJPW. Now we look to Dominion 2019 to continue the streak of this truly awe-inspiring event.

NJPW Dominion Results (6/9) Okada/Omega IV, Naito/Jericho, Rey Mysterio Debuts, More