A Decade of the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada
Jan 14, 2022 13:09:00 GMT -5
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Post by ANuclearError on Jan 14, 2022 13:09:00 GMT -5
On January 4th 2012, two wrestlers made their entrance in the Tokyo Dome, for a showcase match after returning from their excursions, young lions no more. These men were YOSHI-HASHI and Kazuchika Okada.
Whilst Okada would win the bout, a new chapter in the story of these CHAOS stalwarts, the match was not highly regarded. It was seen as an awkward, somewhat uncomfortable affair for the rookies on the big stage. His finishing move looked like it had been done wrong. As far as first impressions went, it wasn't the best.
The event continues, with established mames such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Naito and Keiji Mutoh took to the ring. However, at the end of the night, there was but one man who would stand tall... The Ace, the Once in a Century talent, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Tanahashi had just defeated the sadistic Minoru Suzuki, defending his claim to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. As Tanahashi stood in the ring, basking in the adulation of his fans, his next challenger would appear.
It was Okada, the cocky youngster just coming off his first match as a a proper member of the roster. He laid down the challenge to the champion, a completely unjustified confidence in him. And the Ace accepted.
It's now February 12th, a New Beginning. And never before has such as a name been more apt for a wrestling show. Okada, now christened the Rainmake and with Gedo by his side, stepped into the ring against the Ace. It would be one of the biggest upsets in NJPW. After 20 minutes of battling, Okada would hit the Rainmaker on Tanahashi, and go for the cover.
One. Two. Three.
At 24 years old, in his second match since returning, Kazuchika Okada became IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was the start of a dynasty. He would hold the belt another 4 times, including the legendary reign of 2016-18. And then, on January 4th 2022, 10 years since pinning YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada once again took his place at the top of NJPW. Long may the Rainmaker reign.
Whilst Okada would win the bout, a new chapter in the story of these CHAOS stalwarts, the match was not highly regarded. It was seen as an awkward, somewhat uncomfortable affair for the rookies on the big stage. His finishing move looked like it had been done wrong. As far as first impressions went, it wasn't the best.
The event continues, with established mames such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Naito and Keiji Mutoh took to the ring. However, at the end of the night, there was but one man who would stand tall... The Ace, the Once in a Century talent, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Tanahashi had just defeated the sadistic Minoru Suzuki, defending his claim to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. As Tanahashi stood in the ring, basking in the adulation of his fans, his next challenger would appear.
It was Okada, the cocky youngster just coming off his first match as a a proper member of the roster. He laid down the challenge to the champion, a completely unjustified confidence in him. And the Ace accepted.
It's now February 12th, a New Beginning. And never before has such as a name been more apt for a wrestling show. Okada, now christened the Rainmake and with Gedo by his side, stepped into the ring against the Ace. It would be one of the biggest upsets in NJPW. After 20 minutes of battling, Okada would hit the Rainmaker on Tanahashi, and go for the cover.
One. Two. Three.
At 24 years old, in his second match since returning, Kazuchika Okada became IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was the start of a dynasty. He would hold the belt another 4 times, including the legendary reign of 2016-18. And then, on January 4th 2022, 10 years since pinning YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada once again took his place at the top of NJPW. Long may the Rainmaker reign.