Kazuchika Okada defeated Adam Copeland to retain the AEW International Championship in the opening match of Full Gear.
The first-time singles meeting followed their involvement in last month’s Clockwork Carnage, where Copeland speared Okada during the closing stages of the AEW World Championship match.
Okada controlled much of Saturday’s encounter, with Don Callis repeatedly getting involved from ringside.
Early in the match, Okada removed part of the protective flooring to expose the concrete. Copeland later avoided a Tombstone Piledriver on the floor and fought back, including dropping Okada onto a chair and attacking his arm around ringside.
The champion eventually regained control and hit a Tombstone in the ring, but Copeland continued to survive and repeatedly avoided the Rainmaker.
Late in the match, Okada retrieved the International Championship belt. Referee Bryce Remsburg initially prevented him from using it, allowing Copeland to score a near fall with a roll-up.
Callis then grabbed Copeland’s ankle as he ran the ropes. Copeland charged toward Okada on the apron, but the champion had the title belt in position and Copeland collided with it.
Okada followed by dropping Copeland from the apron onto the exposed concrete with an Impaler DDT.
Rather than settle for a count-out, Okada returned Copeland to the ring. He twice lifted Copeland’s shoulder during pin attempts before pulling him to his feet and hitting the Rainmaker for the victory.
Okada celebrated on the entrance stage as officials checked on Copeland.
The champion then returned to ringside and went after Copeland again before retreating up the ramp.
The victory keeps Okada’s International Championship reign intact following his involvement alongside Copeland in the recent Blood & Guts match, where the Don Callis Family defeated Copeland, Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Steven Borden and the Young Bucks.
