8 Reasons Why Kazuchika Okada Is #1 In This Year's PWI 500

Another accolade for 'The Rainmaker,' but is it deserved?

Okada Pwi
PWI

It's official: Kazuchika Okada is the best wrestler in the world, according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion was unveiled as the first Japanese wrestler to ever top the PWI 500 yesterday, improving upon his second place finish in 2016, and knocking last year's winner, Roman Reigns, all the way down to fourth. AJ Styles and Kevin Owens finished second and third respectively, with Kenny Omega completing the top five.

PWI produce their rankings with kayfabe in mind, and there's much more to it than just listing the world's best in-ring competitors. Wrestling ability plays a role, but the criteria also includes win-loss records, title reigns, quality of opposition, feuds, and prominence within a wrestler's individual promotion(s). There's a lot to consider, in other words.

This year's eligibility window ran from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, meaning Okada's epic G1 Climax 27 run didn't come into play. Regardless, he is the first non-WWE wrestler to top the list since 2010, and has now done something that even legendary countrymen Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi could not.

How did 'The Rainmaker' pull it off? Let's take a look.

8. His Excellent Win/Loss Record

Okada Pwi
NJPW

Okada posted a record of 13 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws during the qualifying period. That's not a huge volume, but NJPW don't tend to book a lot of singles matches outside the G1 Climax and major title fights, but his win percentage is high at 72%.

His record becomes even more impressive upon further analysis. Each of those singles losses took place in the G1 Climax tournament, in which upsets are commonplace, and NJPW's champions are often booked to lose as a way of setting up future title shots.

Two of those defeats were to Naomichi Marufuji and Bad Luck Fale, but Okada overcame both in the tournament's aftermath. He rarely takes the fall when competing in NJPW's many tag matches either, and is usually paired with a reliable pinfall-eater like Gedo or YOSHI-HASHI when the company decides his side need to lose.

Okada is very well protected in New Japan, but never obnoxiously so. When he loses, he loses cleanly, which makes each defeat feel like a more momentous occasion. His employers have booked him the way a top champion should be, which has not only enhanced is reign, but helped secure his position in the PWI 500.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.