Tapping Out Okada - Nope

I had the absolute pleasure of watching IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, defending against Zach Sabre, Jr. at Sakura Genesis in Sumo Hall. ZSJ, with his moniker of Just Tap Out, representing villainous faction, Suzuji-gun. While I always wish New Japan would cease just moving from one opponent to the next, allowing the just-finished match to breathe, I do agree with Ross and Barnett of Axs TV that Sabre has indeed made a BIG statement in 2018. The New Japan Cup trophy tournament four-win victory over the likes of Tanahashi and Ishii was huge, but his wearying arsenal of submission holds, applied from any position and location, were on full display as Okada had to endure a fair share of suffering in order to survive with his championship intact. It was survival and a steady diet of dropkicks and evasion from the stretching-limb offense that kept Okada from tapping. His physical advantage and punishing lariats took their toll on slippery-limb Sabre, who uncannily bent and twisted Okada in uncomfortable placements/situations that left the champion reeling. Kudos to ZSJ for almost crippling Okada, as the arms, legs, shoulders, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles were put to the test. I've never seen a foot turned around like that without snapping. As Sabre was carried out with spaghetti legs, exhausted countenance, and wearied gate; Okada stood tall but sweaty, hurting, and spent. Too bad Gedo dismissed Sabre and went on to challenge someone else, as Tanahashi arrived to accept.