10 Terrible Wrestling Debuts (That Led To Awesome Careers)

5. Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada Kenny Omega Wrestle Kingdom 11
NJPW.co.jp

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.

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Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!