10 Reasons To Get Into NJPW In 2019
1. The Rainmaker's Redemption
Kazuchika Okada started 2018 as the most dependably dominant Champion in professional wrestling and broke records that literally confirmed him as such, but because wins, losses and especially the IWGP Heavyweight Title really matter in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the removal of everything that defined him sent him spiralling towards nothingness.
A man that figuratively made it rain money from the sky suddenly looked as if those clouds were literally sh*tting hell upon him. His hair and clothes and expressions went angry shades of red as he suffered a breakdown of sorts en route to further significant losses against Zack Sabre Jr, Jay White and others. A lost soul, he politely parted ways with longtime associate Gedo only to be turned on by him for apparently showing such disrespect. The Rainmaker clothesline that had despatched them all suddenly became as a loose and ineffective as his once-powerful dropkick.
A man people were confidently calling The Greatest ever was suddenly not so great, suffering as he was in a way one would when something as important as a very reason for being is taken away.
This convincing portrayal of an icon on the edge subverted all expectations for Okada and the very artform he excelled at, and the journey back in the right direction has hopefully just begun. His Wrestle Kingdom battle with Jay White will see him in unfamiliar territory outside of the headline spot for the first time since 2014, and will either mark the start of his redemptive road or the latest unexpected obstacle to overcome.