10 Things You Need To Know About Kazuchika Okada
6. His Rainmaker Finisher Helped Make Him A Star
When Okada returned to New Japan full time in early 2012, it was with the persona of "The Rainmaker" - an arrogant star who believed himself to be the key to New Japan Pro Wrestling's future business success. Still, the character was only part of the package - the rest came from a bold new finishing move.
To those who haven't seen it, the "Rainmaker" maneuver may sound like a simple short-arm clothesline, but it's so much more. Okada grabs his opponent in a wrist-clutch waistlock, spins him out, pulls him in, and levels him with a lariat. The power in the move is readily apparent, and until Wrestle Kingdom IX, nobody had ever kicked out of it.
What makes the Rainmaker even better, though, is how compelling it is from a story perspective. There are so many exciting ways the move can be countered, from ducking under the arm to blocking the lariat to leveling Okada with a slap or a headbutt. Add in Okada's more recent propensity to hold onto his opponent's wrist and deliver multiple Rainmakers, and the drama level is off the chart.