In any kind of show business, what matters most are the ways that people can get invested in your content. In any given work of art or entertainment, the character’s importance cannot be overstated. The connection between character and spectator is paramount to the success of any show. Wrestling and its promotions, arguably more than any other form of entertainment, rely on the reception and popularity of the performers to dictate the direction of the program, their revenue, and their future.
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s recent boom comes about through many, extensively debated reasons. Its booking, presentation, atmosphere and storylines feel different from any other product out there. The quality of work provided by the wrestlers is as high as any era. And yet, this would mean nothing if its protagonists and antagonists weren’t interesting. Thankfully though, NJPW’s cast of characters is about as diverse a roster as you will find in any specific promotion, with performers talented enough to play their parts in and out of the ring.
This article will try to give newcomers to New Japan a feel as for how each of their wrestlers operate, what their motivations are, how their story drives them to be who they are, and how their actions inside and outside of the squared circle further their personas. Although this will contain historical data and a brief description of each wrestler’s past, its main goal is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to a performer’s history and achievements. Rather, we intend focus on two main topics: Character and in-ring work, to see how each wrestler on NJPW sets themselves apart from the rest of the roster, and what makes them truly unique and worth investing. We start, of course, with New Japan’s main star: The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada.
Kazuchika Okada
aged 30
191 cm
107 kg
Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, since June 19, 2016 (fourth reign)
Introduction: The lead actor of New Japan. The man who ushered the newest age, and who will probably steer this ship for as long as his still young body allows him to. The Rainmaker’s journey to the top was a fast one, but don’t confuse that with steadiness. His days as a Young Lion showed plenty of promise, but while on excursion at TNA, he languished. There, he was forced into portraying a stereotype, barely relied on for anything of substance, and spit out without much to show for. Except experience and a drive to reinvent himself. When he came back to New Japan, gone was the plucky and talented rookie. In his place was a brash, confident supernova. He was better than everyone and he would prove it in record time, ladder climbing be damned.
After a (admittedly shaky) re-introduction at Wrestle Kingdom 6, Okada immediately challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi for the company’s top prize. A month later, he had won it. How outrageous! That was so out of the norm, out of the blue! And that was the juice his ascension needed to work. He would prove the company right and his doubters wrong, showing charisma, poise, ability and capacity all way beyond his years. But behind all of the cockiness, his champion’s spirit began to rise, a much-hardened fighting spirit that kept him going through many battles, his dedication and perseverance allowing him to raise his status. Such that his current reign is now the longest in the storied promotion’s entire history.
Character: Okada’s character arc is one of big proportions. His TNA dark days drove him into a state of youthful exuberance and arrogance. When he came back to Japan, he had dubbed himself “The Rainmaker”, dyed his hair blonde with purple streaks (!), draped himself in a golden attire, and made money fall out of the sky. His message was clear: I’m going to be the best, I’m gonna shove it in your faces, and you won’t be able to do anything about it, because I’m young as hell and already the best. And that worked! At the beginning, at least. His superior talent allowed him to reach the top in no time. Staying there, though, was a much bigger problem.
See, New Japan already had a top guy, and Hiroshi Tanahashi wouldn’t give up his hard-earned status. So they battled. And Okada seemingly couldn’t truly shake off his rival, who adapted to his style, countered his strengths and capitalized on his weaknesses. They were on par, sure, but Okada never seemed to beat Tanahashi when it truly mattered. Their historic feud lasted years full of heated classics. And through the struggle for supremacy, a power struggle if you will, Okada had to learn to persevere. Talent alone wasn’t going to cut it. He had to humble himself (at least a bit), better himself, and just keep pushing. And that’s when we started to learn that this super rookie had more in him than just otherworldy talent.
After losing to Tanahashi in both WK 7 and 9, he finally bested him at WK 10, truly reshaping New Japan in his image. After that, he lost his championship only once to Tetsuya Naito, a title he recovered just two months after that defeat. Since then, many have tested his combination of gifts and guts, but the champion managed to fend off each increasingly difficult challenge, cementing this recent run as his most successful and critically acclaimed, and staking his claim, at just 30, as one of the best to ever do it. Also, his hair is now a much more palatable light brown, which is progress in my book.
In-ring work: Okada’s uncanny combination is shown characteristically throughout his matches. Both his flashiness and cockiness are displayed in his choice of moves: he is a big bombs type of wrestler, with an arsenal at his disposal of athletic, high impact moves that he can hit you with from any given position. From his trusted Rainmaker lariat that “inspired” many a wrestler’s movesets, to his explosive dropkicks with huge elevation, his deadly Tombstone Piledriver, the elbow drop and the Heavy Rain fireman’s carry neckbreaker and Red Ink submission, among others, Okada’s moves hurt. A lot. He utilizes his unique combination of athleticism, hard hitting, technical prowess, and instincts to dominate opponents. His gifts allow him to be the better man in any given match, because he can do most things better than other people.
Okada can get cocky, though. He had a penchant for allowing opponents to implement their strong suits, sometimes even trying to beat them at it, and get frustrated when things wouldn’t go his way. This left him open for attacks, which smart wrestlers like Tanahashi and AJ Styles could capitalize on. Over time, he learned somewhat from his mistakes, becoming more focused. But also, he learned to push through them and to comeback in his matches, upping his endurance greatly.
And this would prove to be his most valuable acquired asset, especially in his latest reign, with the big target on his back that makes opponents bring their A-Games, know his tendencies, adapt to his strenghts, attack his weaknesses, and pounce on his injuries. Okada got goaded by Naito, bullied by Bad Luck Fale, maimed by Minoru Suzuki, overwhelmed by Kenny Omega, beaten up by Katsuyori Shibata and surprised by EVIL, among others. Through all, he managed to find a way to comeback and notch the victory each time his title was on the line. He is flashy and entertaining, yes, but he is also a diverse and complete wrestler, who can dominate on most nights, and persevere in the situations he isn’t able to. Okada’s in-ring performance is that of a singular, gifted talent, but also, that of a true iron-willed champion.
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