20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now
1. Kazuchika Okada
On January 4th, 2016, Kazuchika Okada scored what will likely go down as one of the most important victories in puroresu history. Not only did he defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he inherited his greatest rival's status as NJPW's undisputed ace, installing him as the promotion's biggest star, draw, and primary focus.
Two years of complete excellence have followed. 'The Rainmaker' lost his belt that April, but retained it in June, and has since become the longest reigning champion of all time. After 570+ days on top, Okada has amassed an incredible array of defences. The Katsuyori Shibata, Kenny Omega, and Naomichi Marufuji bouts stand out the most, but each is at least very good, if not great, and no two feel the same.
Okada's success as the ace is palpable, as NJPW came close to an all-time great business year with him at the helm. Between the ropes, he's an exceptional storyteller who absolutely thrives in slow-building main events, but has demonstrated great versatility through vastly differing matches with the likes of Minoru Suzuki and Cody Rhodes. His charisma? Impeccable. Gimmick? Perfect. Athleticism? Elite.
The one knock on Okada was always his inconsistent limb selling, but that old flaw is now all but gone, as proven in the Suzuki bout. At 30 years old, there's a chance he hasn't even peaked yet. That's scary, as health permitting, 'The Rainmaker' could conceivably be in this position for the next decade.