10 Academy Awards (For Pro Westling)

5. Best Costume Design - Kazuchika Okada

Omega Oscar
NJPW.co.jp

At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12, Kazuchika Okada debuted what can only be described as "God pants"; jettisoning his trademark trunks, Okada instead marched through the Tokyo Dome donning a pair of Jimmy Rave specials. They looked, at first glance, ridiculous; retaining the already ostentatious gold and purple signature colour scheme, Okada made the curious sartorial choice of flared trousers, a look rendered completely antiquated since the advent of the Strokes and the pervasive 1980s nostalgia boom.

The effect wasn't just superficial; having defeated against all expectations the hottest babyface in the entire country, the gear became synonymous with Okada's new role as the God of New Japan. His flared trousers were a symbol of Okada's elevation from mere company Ace to the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time.

The psychology behind the gear stretches yet further. The New Japan fandom is growing resentful of this unprecedented push - and what better way of infuriating them further by wearing attire so outrageous in its arrogance? Only one man is capable of pulling flares off, and he is singular also in his legend.

Honourable Nominee Mention: Cody looks like a superstar in a suit, dressing for the role he aspires to. He's a hell of a worker.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!