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‘The Rainmaker’ Kazuchika Okada is not only one of NJPW’s biggest star ever, but also one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace up a pair of boots. Wrestling absolute classics against a litany of opponents since his return to NJPW from excursion in 2012, Okada has reigned supreme in legendary fashion as IWGP Heavyweight Champion on five occasions, and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion on one occasion.
Revolutionizing Dave Meltzer’s prestigious star-rating system with his all-time classics against Kenny Omega, which matches rank as Kazuchika Okada’s best according to Dave Meltzer and the ‘Wrestling Observer Newsletter’?
10 Vs. Shingo Takagi, NJPW G1 Climax 30 – Tag 13, 5.25*
This was a marvelous match between Okada and Shingo Takagi in 2020s G1 Climax 30 Tournament, even with Okada’s Money Clip phase still in motion. The two wrestled a classic regardless in their first encounter, with great back and forth early as the bout heated up quickly.
The in-ring work was superb as the drama increased heading into the final third, which was simply exhilarating packed with unbelievable maneuvers, counters, and near falls. However, Okada would prevail forcing Takagi to pass out to the Money Clip in a classic G1 clash.
9 Vs. Will Ospreay, NJPW WrestleKingdom 15 – Tag 1, 5.25*
This was a sensational grudge match between Okada and Will Ospreay at WrestleKingdom 15, after Ospreay’s heel turn against Okada in the G1 the year prior. A slow start as momentous Okada matches often begin with, as Ospreay turned up the aggression intertwined with his high-flying maneuvers. Okada sold Ospreay’s offense excellently. The final third was, as viewers would expect, simply tremendous as Ospreay and Okada dazzled the restricted Dome crowd with amazing in-ring action. The drama was off the charts as Okada managed to counter an Ospreay Rainmaker attempt into one of his own for a spectacular victory in an epic encounter.
8 Vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2018 – Tag 2, 5.5*
As is always the case when these two face off, this was an instant classic between Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi at 2018s Wrestling Dontaku event. An electric atmosphere for Okada’s twelfth defense in his epic IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, the crowd were firmly behind Tanahashi to conquer the Rainmaker here.
A masterful story as the cocky Okada taunted the fierce Tanahashi, with incredible in-ring work to boot as expected. Splendid selling, physicality, intensity, and scintillating drama particularly in the final few minutes. The crowd roared as they urged ‘The Ace’ on, but Okada would retain once again after only one Rainmaker in a terrific encounter.
7 Vs. Kota Ibushi, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW WrestleKingdom 14 – Tag 1, 5.5*
Here's another instant classic in the Tokyo Dome main event from Okada, defending against Kota Ibushi at 2020s Wrestle Kingdom 14. A slow start as expected but beautifully built with excellent exchanges and moments of storytelling sprinkled throughout. The second half is where this became truly incredible as the intensity and drama grew, with Ibushi going into monster mode brutalizing Okada as the red-hot crowd turned on him.
From here on, it was utterly masterful with incredible in-ring work, atmosphere, drama, and unbelievable maneuvers as Okada retained after a legendary closing stretch. An absolute WrestleKingdom classic between Okada and Ibushi.
6 Vs. Will Ospreay, NJPW G1 Climax 29 – Tag 7, 5.75*
This was an absolutely incredible match between Okada and Will Ospreay between the two CHAOS members at the time, with Junior Heavyweight Ospreay proving he can keep up with the heavyweights in NJPW. Superb storytelling early as they counter one another seamlessly displaying their knowledge of each other’s in-ring style.
The match does not take long to heat up with spectacular action as the two trade dazzling maneuvers in blistering sequences. The counters and near falls were especially fantastic with a red-hot crowd to boot, as IWGP Heavyweight Champion Okada triumphed thanks to multiple Rainmakers in a classic G1 bout between the two stars.
5 Vs. Will Ospreay, IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, NJPW WrestleKingdom 16 – Tag 2, 5.75*
This was an absolute classic as Okada defended his newly won IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Will Ospreay at WrestleKingdom 16 – Night Two. A masterclass in pacing, sequences, counters, physicality, and jaw-dropping maneuvers, this was everything viewers have come to expect when these two clash.
Even with the restricted crowd, the two stars achieved an epic war here with the final third simply off the charts. Incredible maneuvers, sequences, near falls, and counters as the two threw everything at one another, with Okada prevailing after one final Rainmaker in an instant classic once again from Okada and Ospreay.
4 Vs. Kenny Omega, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW WrestleKingdom 11, 6*
An absolute classic for the ages, this was the first meeting of Okada and Kenny Omega at WrestleKingdom 11, facing off in the main event for Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The first bout to ever receive six stars from Dave Meltzer, this was simply incredible in an other-worldly war between the two NJPW stars.
A beautifully executed 46-minute epic, the two started slow but it set the tone for what they achieved here. As the match progressed, there were some incredible spots; Omega’s springboard moonsault to the outside, Okada’s back body drop to Omega through a table on the outside, Omega’s top rope dragon suplex, this was utterly fantastic. But the match had only just then kicked into full gear. The two traded breathtaking maneuvers, counters, sequences, and near falls as the electric Tokyo Dome crowd roared, with even the commentators stunned as the two wrestled an absolute clinic. Okada would retain after an emphatic Rainmaker in an all-time classic match that was a well-deserved 6* rating.
3 Vs. Kenny Omega, G1 Climax 27 Semi-Final, 6*
The third meeting between Okada and Omega in 2017s G1 Climax 27 Semi-Final, this was once again an utterly sensational match with high stakes as the winner advanced to the G1 Final. Due to the 30-minute time limit, this was a differently structured bout than their previous two but no less exhilarating.
Kicking off with a blistering pace and sense of urgency, the atmosphere grew as the match progressed with excellent back and forth. Brilliant psychology here with Omega targeting Okada’s injured neck in brutal fashion as the time winded down. This splendidly paced action built to a magnificent final few minutes with the drama off the charts, as the two delved into beautiful maneuvers, counters, and near falls as the crowd roared. Omega would finally pin Okada to advance to the final in an epic moment to complete yet another instant classic.
2 Vs. Kenny Omega, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW Dominion 6.11, 6.25*
This was utterly epic once again from the legendary Okada/Omega rivalry, with the two facing off for the second time after their all-time classic at WrestleKingdom 11. With unbelievable anticipation heading in, the two stars lived up to the hype and then some with another legendary bout at Dominion 6.11. A 60-minute time-limit draw, this was perfectly executed by Omega and Okada. Superb pacing throughout with great technical work early, as they gradually increased the pace as the match progressed.
The in-ring work was brilliant throughout as the intensity and drama grew, with the Osaka crowd heating up in electricity. The match kicked into another gear, however, when Cody threatened to throw in the towel for Omega. From here on it was utterly amazing with other-worldly sequences, counters, selling, and storytelling as both grew in exhaustion. The emotion was off the charts as was the drama with the Osaka crowd roaring, as Okada desperately crawled to pin Omega after one final Rainmaker but falling just short as the bell rang. An absolute classic once again in this 60-minute war that received a deserving 6.25* rating.
1 Vs. Kenny Omega, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Two Out Of Three Falls, NJPW Dominion 6.9, 7*
With Omega looking to dethrone Okada’s legendary 720-day IWGP Heavyweight Championship run, the stage was set for an absolute war once again in this Two Out of Three Falls bout at 2018s Dominion 6.9. The first fall alone was a spectacular match on its own as Okada scored a surprise pin with a sunset flip counter, but the second fall is where this became something truly special.
An incredible display of storytelling, physicality, urgency, and drama, the Osaka crowd roared as Omega scored the pinfall in epic fashion to tie the bout at one apiece. The third fall continued this magic as the two stars sold the exhaustion to perfection still trading masterful maneuvers. The atmosphere was simply electric as the two went to war, draping over the bottom ropes after throwing everything at one another. However, Omega would rise first hitting a brutal V-Trigger, and an emphatic One-Winged Angel, to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion in a magnificent moment. An absolute classic in this 64-minute war, and the first bout to ever receive a whopping seven stars from Dave Meltzer.