Opinion

Kazuchika Okada 2018: The Evolution Of The Rainmaker

Published

6 years ago

December 30, 2018

Valentin Humez

Sometimes, one picture alone can say so much.

Kazuchika Okada had an intense 2018, complete with the loss of a great prize, a shift in character, and a huge betrayal. Valentin takes a look back!

This week, I want to look back at the year of someone who is arguably the best wrestler in the world today, the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada. It’s time to make it rain!

2018 is coming to an end, and as for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the promotion once again delivered in a very good way. While this year may not have been as great as some of the years prior according to different minds, it was still filled with a good amount of good to great stuff, whether it was, of course, in the quality of matches, to the storyline and characters developing throughout the year.

Let’s start off by giving out another opinion I have : Kazuchika Okada is the wrestler of the year. Obviously there are other guys with legitimate claims to be nominated as such, but this article will also serve the purpose of explaining Okada’s case, as I feel the need to bring up why, since his name doesn’t seem to be brought up as much as I think it should be, in that conversation.

Now that this has been said, we can start by going back right where Okada’s year started, on January 4th, at Wrestle Kingdom 12. The Rainmaker, who at the time held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship since June 19th 2016, went to his fourth Wrestle Kingdom main event in a row, the second as champion. The man he would face? Tetsuya Naito, the winner of the G1 Climax and the man Okada defeated to launch his fourth reign.

This match would be Okada’s 9th straight title defenses as Heavyweight champion, meaning that he surpassed his own personal record of 8th defenses, as well as tying Shinya Hashimoto in that same category. Speaking of defenses, as you all know, Okada wouldn’t stop there since he would reach the number of 11 defenses, overcoming not only SANADA, but also the winner of the New Japan Cup and latest addition to Suzuki-Gun, Zack Sabre Jr. The British submission master definitely was one of the most challenging opponents Okada had to face, yet, once again, the Rainmaker would prevail. As he tied Hiroshi Tanahashi with the most consecutive title defenses in one reign, only one man would be fitting to challenge the mighty champion : The Ace himself, looking to keep his record intact and go back to the top of New Japan.

The two rivals would face each other, in a battle to determine if Okada can become the man with the most defenses in one championship reign. For even more insight, this match would also be reminiscent of Tanahashi’s record of defenses because it was Okada who ended that streak at eleven. Yet again, while the crowd was on the Ace of the universe’s side, nothing would stop the champion from keeping on breaking records, as Okada manages to beat Tanahashi once more and become the IWGP Heavyweight champion with the most consecutive defenses, sitting at twelve. An history making, possibly even era defining moment happened on that day, in Fukuoka.

That history making victory, which is one of the main reasons why I made my claim at the beginning of this article, leads us to the next chapter of Okada’s year, which stars literally right after Okada defeated his greatest rival. The champion would take the ultimate risk, choosing to defend his championship against the only man who managed to draw with him, Kenny Omega. The two men, who built their own rivalry since Omega won the G1 Climax 26 and challenged Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 11 for the first time, would face each other one more time, in the same building they went to a 60 minutes draw.

This time? No time limit, two out of three falls. After a nearly 65 minutes classic, which is considered by many to be the match of the year, the mighty Rainmaker would fall to the Best Bout Machine, ending Okada’s reign at 720 days, being the longest reign ever, in possibly the best and most dramatic way one could have ever imagined.

From that moment on, absolutely everything would change for Okada. He is not the champion, he is not the mighty Rainmaker anymore. This is where the second argument supporting my earlier claim comes in. We got to witness a very different Okada, who, during his first appearance since Dominion, would not do his signature pose in the corner during his entrance. As time passed between Dominion and the beginning of the G1 Climax 28, Okada would drastically change his look, as well as his character approach.

The symbols of the Rainmaker would disappear, the robe, the necklace, the entrance theme, to leave out a nearly 30 years old man dying his hair red and carrying balloons to the ring. Even Gedo doesn’t accompany Okada to the ring anymore. During the G1, Okada and Gedo would confirm that they would not continue on together as the now famous pairing that they were for six years. They’d both remain in CHAOS, but the fans wouldn’t get to see Gedo alongside Okada again, managing him (We all know what happened further down the line). This drastic change of appearance, the more relaxed Okada we got to see over the latter part of this year is the biggest character shift he ever had to go through since 2012.

Obviously, Okada went from a cocky heel persona to a more approachable character for fans as time went on, as CHAOS itself evolved, just like its leader, but in the end, it was still the same Okada being way less heelish over time. With his recent change of character, Okada now looks like the weight of the world is finally off his shoulders and he can simply be himself, not the man who has to carry the company on his back. You see Okada bringing balloons with him, taking time to receive the fans’ appreciation during his entrance, becoming a funnier persona, you see him evolving into a new and improved version of the Rainmaker, that I would dare call “Tanahashi-esque”.

He’s obviously not exactly like Tanahashi, but if there was anything that Okada always lacked compared to his rival, it was the connection with the fans. While Okada managed to gain the audience’s respect and appreciation over the years, growing into a fan favourite, he still lacked that vibe which really makes fans relate to one’s character. Okada had to lose everything that made him so great in order to achieve just that. Losing the championship which defined him, his long-time manager and friend, and even parts of his character. Okada now starts to become a better and more relatable character than he ever was, and this is the second reason why 2018 was, once again, a year that Kazuchika Okada owned. Just in a different way than usual.

See, to me, and probably to others as well, being wrestler of the year doesn’t only mean putting on great matches day in and day out, which Okada has done. It is also being able to progress character wise, evolve, gain something new to who you are as a wrestler, as you’re being involved in different kinds of stories. Kazuchika Okada accomplished all of that this year, there is no doubt about it in my mind.

To fulfill his own destiny as Ace, Okada had to evolve as a character to reach new heights, to reach the heart of the New Japan fans. The road to become the true Ace of this new era will be long and hard, but at the end of it, the Kazuchika Okada character, the Rainmaker, will be complete.

Now tell me, what did you think of Okada’s evolution throughout 2018?

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1