10 Terrible Wrestling Debuts (That Led To Awesome Careers)

5. Kazuchika Okada

The Debut:

In a wildly optimistic return from a risible LOLTNA excursion, Kazuchika Okada re-debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling under his Rainmaker gimmick at Wrestle Kingdom VI. He looked, in truth, like an awkward teenager making a foolish sartorial choice on a tragically misguided quest for a first shag. More Flock of Seagulls than wealthy playboy, his match with Yoshi-Hashi was a rushed, bland non-squash in which his opponent got too many licks in. His subsequent challenge of Hiroshi Tanahashi's IWGP Heavyweight Title was met with bemusement...

The Career:

...but he took not only his belt, but eventually, his status as the top star in the company. Okada became a master through his unparalleled perfection of the epic World Championship match. Moving at glacier speed to convey his unassailable dominance, Okada slowly cycles through gears in order to convey the need to intensify his assault against spirited opponents he invariably elevates. Okada wrestles every great version of a classic all at once, and one enriches the other: the slow pace erupts into frantic, desperate drama in such a way that it feels, every time, like his number is up.

From five disastrous minutes on January 4, 2012, the last five minutes of the best Kazuchika Okada matches are now the greatest ever wrestled.