Top 5 Kazuchika Okada matches for new fans before Forbidden Door
On this week’s AEW Dynamite show, we saw a massive twist in the IWGP World Heavyweight championship picture when ‘The Rainmaker’ Kazuchika Okada made his AEW debut. It was later confirmed by AEW that this Sunday at Forbidden Door, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jay White would defend the championship in a 4- way match against Adam Cole, Hangman Page, and Okada. Kazuchika Okada is one of the greatest professional wrestlers in the world today and has been putting on classic matches for the last decade. In this article, I will be discussing the top five Okada matches for new fans.
Top five Okada matches for new fans
5. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (6/9/2018)
This is the fourth match between Okada and Omega. The story leading up to this match was that the series was tied up at one win for Okada, one for Omega, and one-time limit draws between the two. This match was a no-limit, 2- of- 3 falls match at Dominion and would take both wrestlers to the limit. The match would last over an hour and elevated the Omega/Okada rivalry to legendary status. The match ended with Kenny Omega being reunited with Kota Ibushi and Okada finally capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
4. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (1/4/2016)
When it comes to Wrestle Kingdom matches, Okada has become the Mr. Wrestle Kingdom because of the level at which he performs. Wrestle Kingdom is NJPW’s biggest event of the year, and all of their wrestlers always go above and beyond to perform outstandingly. Okada won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship by defeating AJ Styles and faced the 2015 G1 winner Tanahashi at the Wrestle Kingdom the following January. This was Okada’s shot at redemption against Tanahashi after losing to him one year ago. Okada successfully defended his championship, and this match helped establish him as a top star in NJPW.
3. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito (1/5/2020)
This was one of the most important matches Okada was ever in because he was able to help create a new mega-star in Tetsuya Naito. Okada was the IWGP Heavyweight champion heading into the matchup, but the story was built around Tetsuya Naito, who had dreams of holding both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles at the same time. This match was a classic between two of New Japan’s biggest stars. This is a wrestling match that fans should go back and watch because of the storytelling involved in the match, Tetsuya Naito was on a mission to be one both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion because it was something he dreamed of becoming.
2. Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata (4/9/2017)
In 2017 when Katsuyori Shibata won the New Japan Cup, wrestling fans were given the opportunity to see the build of one of the greatest matches in NJPW history. Kazuchika Okada was the IWGP Heavyweight champion at the time, and this match proved to be a big clash of personalities because Shibata was a more down-to-earth no-nonsense type of wrestler and Okada was a more flashy type of wrestler. The classic match is considered by many the match that took NJPW’s signature strong style up to an unimaginable brutal level. It also garnered a lot of criticism because One headbutt by Shibata gave him a subdural hematoma, which effectively meant he was bleeding from his brain. Shibata would be forced to retire as a result of the injury.
1. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (1/4/2017)
In 2016, Kenny Omega made history when he became the first foreigner to win the NJPW H1 Climax, a flagship tournament. Omega winning the tournament meant he earned the opportunity to face IWGP Heavyweight champ, Kazuchika Okada, in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom. This match was the first of Okada and Omega’s iconic four-match series. This match brought a lot more eyed to NJPW, and it showed because NJPW would keep the rivalry going, and Okada and Omega would deliver time and time again. This match not only kicked off one of pro wrestling’s most legendary rivalries but also woke the world up to how great of wrestlers Okada and Omega are. Kenny Omega needed this match with Okada so that wrestling fans could see how great he truly is in the ring.