40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told

'The Ace' and 'The Rainmaker'. 'The Rainmaker' and 'The Ace'. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada will forever be tied to one another as wrestling soulmates. New Japan's audience sat stunned at Okada beat Tanahashi to win the IWGP World Title at The New Beginning in February 2012. Hardcores couldn't quite believe that someone who'd been so nondescript in TNA had returned home to ascend the throne.

There were real worries that NJPW chiefs were making a mistake. That makes for ridiculous reading nowadays, because Okada went on to become just the tonic New Japan and puroresu generally needed. He was the right choice to supplant Hiroshi, but that wasn't evident to everyone back in Feb 2012.

In time, Kazuchika managed to convince everybody watching the product that he was the future and Tanahashi was definitely the past. Behind the scenes, Hiroshi continued working a gruelling schedule whilst simultaneously putting building blocks in place for Okada to rule as the beating heart of New Japan.

It was all handled marvellously.

Back to back high quality efforts at both Wrestle Kingdom 9 and 10 respectively in 2015 and 2016 showed the way. Years later, once Hiroshi was ready to call it a career, Okada returned to New Japan from AEW and challenged his old rival to one more match at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

In 33 wonderful minutes, both used their bodies to tell a story spanning decades. It ushered tradition and groundbreaking style under one umbrella as the pair put a bow on Tanahashi's in-ring exploits in the best way possible.