8 Reasons Why Kazuchika Okada Is #1 In This Year's PWI 500
6. Ridiculous Quality Of Opponents
If calibre of opposition was the PWI 500's sole deciding factor, whoever happened to be on top in NJPW during the window of eligibility would probably win every year. The company's IWGP Heavyweight Title matches tend to deliver, and the G1 Climax tournament guarantees at least nine high quality bouts against some of the best wrestlers in the world in quick succession.
Kenny Omega stands out the most on Okada's resume, particularly for those who aren't die-hard New Japan followers, but the IWGP Champion's record is far deeper than that. Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi (well, Tiger Mask W), Katsuyori Shibata: each is a world class performer in their own right, and Okada has fought them all, delivering an elite performance every single time.
How do you improve on a list like that? Short of flying John Cena, AJ Styles, and Cesaro over for a brief New Japan sojourn, you can't. 'The Rainmaker' regularly tests his mettle against some of the best in the world, and while the same could be said for a number of his NJPW peers, the level of competition he has faced in his title defences sets Okada apart.