Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bryan Danielson is set to have his rematch against Kazuchika Okada in January at Wrestle Kingdom 18. This will be the second time they face each other in singles competition. Danielson won the first time they wrestled at Forbidden Door.
Ahead of the event, the American Dragon was interviewed by New Japan Pro Wrestling. During the interview, Danielson shared what Strong Style and Fighting Spirit means to him.
“So… Fighting Spirit, Strong Style. All of what that means to me is continuing to fight despite the adversity. And where I think I’m better at that than Okada is because he hasn’t faced the adversity that I’ve faced. Right? He came to New Japan. And when he came to New Japan after he went on Excursion, they’re like, ‘Look at him. He’s tall, he’s athletic.’ He gets catapulted right up to the main events. And he has the skill to do it. Obviously. He has the skill to do it. He wouldn’t be as successful as he is, without the skill to do it. He didn’t have to do the things that I had to do to succeed. And this idea of… Okay I’ve got the eye patch on right now. I have fractured my orbital bone, thanks Okada for that,” Brayn Danielson said.
Bryan Danielson claims Kazuchika Okada has not struggled like he did
During the same interview, Danielson also mentioned that Okada has not struggled in pro wrestling like he did.
“This time around when I did this, it’s great. I work for AEW, I’ve got Medical Care all that kind of stuff. I fractured my orbital bone and detached my retina in 2007. And I didn’t have shit. I had to do that all on my own. And I was back wrestling three weeks later. Well before I should have been. Because if I didn’t, I didn’t make any money. So these are the things that have made me the wrestler I am today. That have made me the person that I am today. And they are the struggles. These kinds of struggles, the idea of not ever giving up and keeping…
“You always fight. You always fight. I think Okada has the same mentality. But he hasn’t had to go through the same struggles that I have. And… So when it comes to personifying what Fighting Spirit means or what Strong Style means, yeah he does. But he doesn’t do it the way that I do.”
Wrestle Kingdom 18 is set to take place on January 4, 2024.
Will Danielson be able to emerge victorious once again?
