All Elite Wrestling's Intense Street Battle Transforms Gaming Fantasy into Reality

Video games and professional wrestling have a long history together, with wrestlers often incorporating their favorite games into their performances. In a recent episode of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite, the company took things to a new level with a thrilling Like A Dragon Gaiden Street Fight. The match featured a total of eight wrestlers, who wreaked Yakuza-themed havoc throughout the event.

The teams consisted of Chris Jericho, Paul Wight, Kota Ibushi, and Kenny Omega on one side, and Brian Cage, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, and Will "Powerhouse" Hobbs on the other. The action spilled out into the crowd, the backstage area, and even a private suite, making for an intense and unpredictable showdown. Both teams embraced the Yakuza aesthetic, with Kenny Omega proudly displaying the Ryu Ga Gotoku logo on his tights, and Konosuke Takeshita going all-out in a Goro Majima cosplay.

While street fights in professional wrestling often involve the use of weapons, this unique Like A Dragon Gaiden Street Fight infused a Yakuza-themed twist into each element. The ring corners were adorned with massive ramen menus for decorative purposes, while the competitors wielded milk crates and beer bottles as makeshift weapons during the intense match. To add to the immersive experience, a giant screen on the stage projected a bustling scene from Sotenbori, complete with citizens strolling by.

Notably, the match incorporated numerous references to the popular Yakuza game series. Many moments within the fight resembled the iconic Heat Actions and other abilities featured in the various games. For instance, Kota Ibushi bravely leaped onto a bicycle while brandishing a pipe, only to be mercilessly dropped headfirst onto the bike by Takeshita moments later. Additionally, Powerhouse Hobbs displayed incredible strength by slamming the 500-pound Paul Wight onto the hood of a car, much to the astonishment of the spectators.

Kyle Fletcher executed the most perilous maneuver of the match by executing a soaring piledriver on Ibushi, descending from the edge of the ring to the ground, and gracefully landing on a multitude of chairs arranged at ringside.

All Elite Wrestling, and specifically Kenny Omega, has not hesitated to incorporate elements from the world of video games. On one occasion, Omega made a memorable appearance on a Halloween episode of Dynamite, portraying Sans from Undertale, going as far as enlisting Toby Fox to create a distinctive entrance video. In January of this year, during New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 17, Omega made a grand entrance dressed as Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, accompanied by the iconic "One Winged Angel" as his entrance theme.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I'm thrilled to witness the convergence of video games and professional wrestling in All Elite Wrestling's Like A Dragon Gaiden Street Fight. This innovative concept brings to life the exhilarating action and larger-than-life characters of the Yakuza game series. The wrestlers' commitment to embodying the Yakuza aesthetic, from the elaborate cosplay to the incorporation of signature moves and weapons, creates an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional wrestling.

The seamless integration of video game elements, such as the Heat Actions and the bustling Sotenbori streetscape projected on the stage, adds depth and authenticity to the match. It's clear that AEW understands the passion of gaming enthusiasts and is dedicated to delivering a unique and captivating spectacle that appeals to both wrestling fans and gamers alike.