Kazuchika Okada’s IWGP Title Reign - Every Match Ranked from Worst To Best
10. Vs. Naomichi Marufuji (King Of Pro-Wrestling 2016)
Unbeaten against Kazuchika Okada before this, Naomichi Marufuji's dominance over 'The Rainmaker' caused great consternation to both Okada and his eternal cornerman and supporter Gedo heading into the titleholder's last defence before January 2011's Wrestle Kingdom 11.
Clocking in at 28 minutes, the battle was another Okada sprint ahead of his year of epic encounters, emphasised in a breathtaking closing stretch featuring endless two-counts from Shiranuis, Rainmakers and a battle over the Mitsuharu Misawa's legendary Emerald Flowsion.
Ultimately, it was Okada that hit the move, earning an overdue victory over Marufuji to put to bed yet another record en route to breaking countless others during a reign that was nearer the start than its (as of press time) inconclusive end.
Quick, slick and deadly, the parade of reversals, kick-outs and nearfalls in the final third were dynamically delivered, whipping up an electric atmosphere that in hindsight was an extra requirement for the post-match stare-down between Okada and his next opponent Kenny Omega.
Marufuji would no longer be of the Champion's concern, but like most of those Okada left behind on his journey to immortality, he was no worse off for the battle.