The Complete A-Z Of Wrestling In 2018

25. B - Broken Kazuchika Okada

Asuka Zack Sabre Jr
NJPW

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.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett