7 of the best NJPW feuds in recent memory

Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Arguably the greatest rivalry in NJPW history (Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura deserves serious consideration), Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi is more than just a feud between the two biggest names in men’s wrestling in Japan. That is to say, it’s a lot more layered and interesting than the John Cena vs. Randy Orton story in WWE.

Okada and Tanahashi have been on-and-off-again rivals starting eight years ago, when Okada returned from TNA, joined CHAOS, called himself the “Rainmaker”, and took the title from the “Ace”. His first reign lasted mere months before Tanahashi reclaimed the championship, but it was a hint of his dominance to come.

Since then, Okada has joined Tanahashi as a centerpiece in NJPW and has indeed surpassed him, setting the record for the longest title reign in the promotion’s history from May 2016 to June 2018.

Although the peak of their feud lasted from 2012 to 2016 on the road to Okada’s record-breaking title reign, Okada’s had two draws with Tanahashi and split a 1-1 record with him. The win? A record-breaking 12th title defense to beat none other than Tanahashi’s own record. And the loss? A match for Tanahashi’s title-shot contract, which set in motion Okada’s feud with Jay White.