10 Images Showcasing Precise Moments Wrestlers Got Over

8. It Really Was That Simple, Part 1

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Kazuchika Okada experienced such shoddy treatment in TNA - in which he was cast as Okato, a comedy jobber character inspired by The Green Hornet 1960s TV series - that creative kingpin Gedo quickly severed the inter-promotional agreement.

Okada's sudden push upon returning to New Japan in late 2011 seemed almost defensive. Okada was depicted as this impossible superstar, decked out in a ludicrous technicolour gown. His first major match, opposite YOSHI-HASHI at Wrestle Kingdom 6, was a squash barely surpassing "dud" status. This telegraphed a crack at Hiroshi Tanahashi's record-breaking, legendary fifth reign with the IWGP Heavyweight Title at The New Beginning one month later. Nobody expected this glorified undercard act to end it.

End it he did.

He did so in spectacular fashion, evolving from fringe act to headliner over the course of 23 scintillating minutes. Okada proved he possessed the athleticism, psychology and character to justify the faith Gedo had shown in him.

For more on Okada's meteoric rise, be sure to go to shop.whatculture.com and check out Issue 6 of our gorgeous, premium bookazine 'Wrestling' - penned by several published authors, the best WC staffers, and legendary wrestling names such as Dr. Tom Prichard - in which Okada's career is analysed by myself in the main feature.

Contributor
Contributor

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!