The Complete A-Z Of Wrestling In 2018
25. B - Broken Kazuchika Okada
The greatest wrestler in the world became worse on his own terms in 2018, selling magnificently the loss of his beloved IWGP Heavyweight Title by briefly losing his marbles.
The gold godpants were blackened. 100,000 dollar bills raining from the ceiling were replaced with balloons released in the opposite direction. His shock of blonde hair became a shocking red. The iconic sting in his theme disappeared; in its place the pulsating beats of a performer on the edge and the literal sound of his subsequent deflation.
He worked down to the gimmick too, entering in knowingly weakened displays and even reviving the loose-armed Rainmaker he'd returned to NJPW with in 2012. NJPW's true kingpin will return one day, but his redemptive journey will be one we'll all experience with him.