Kazuchika Okada

[10.0] "I don't really like the idea of ever picking a definitive best wrestler of all time, but if I'm put on the spot I usually say Okada. He's responsible for the best championship reign of all time, and he's had too many classics to name. Even now in AEW he's still capable of true greatness every now and then."

[8.0] "One of the best in the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Puroresu in general, but in my opinion, he is not the absolute best wrestler in any kind. His matches with Tanahashi, Styles, Omega, Naito and others are the stuff of legend, the second best IWGP Heavyweight Champion in my books."

[5.0] "To be honest okada in New Japan was a very great wrestler I loved his matches with Omega but in aew he's so boring he's very overrated he doesn't deserve anything from what he have if I'll talk just about New Japan he will take 9 and if I just talk about aew he will take 2 he didn't do anything to make you care about him in the elite to be honest and all of his great matches in the elite were good because he was wrestling a very very good wrestler like Kenny Omega , will osprey and a lot of other people so I see he's an overrated wrestler in my opinion"

[8.0] "Kazuchika Okada is still, at his peak, one of the most important wrestlers of his generation. His run in NJPW reshaped modern main-event wrestling, and his influence on pacing, structure, and presentation is undeniable. That said, revisiting his work with a more critical eye does expose flaws that are harder to ignore in hindsight, and they meaningfully temper the "all-time great" narrative that once felt unquestionable. The most persistent issue is predictability. Even against credible, dangerous opponents, Okada's matches often carry an air of inevitability. His opponents can dominate long stretches, land their best offense, and present themselves as genuine threats, yet the outcome rarely feels in doubt. That sense of dramatic tension, arguably the lifeblood of great wrestling, can be blunted when the Rainmaker formula kicks in and momentum swings feel preordained rather than earned. Character-wise, Okada's self-styled "Rainmaker" persona walks a fine line between confident and inert. His cockiness is well established, but it isn't always meaningfully challenged within the match itself. He absorbs punishment, survives scenarios where he appears outmatched, and still emerges victorious with remarkable consistency. Over time, that resilience can read less like heroic endurance and more like structural protection, especially when viewed across a large body of work. These shortcomings are even more pronounced in AEW. Removed from the NJPW system that maximized his strengths (long-term storytelling, familiar rivals, and a presentation built around his dominance) Okada has yet to feel special. His matches lack urgency, his character feels underdefined, and he no longer carries the aura that once made his big victories feel monumental. Rather than elevating the environment around him, he often feels like just another high-level name working good, but not great, matches. In sum, Okada remains excellent, but perhaps not untouchable. His legacy is secure, yet closer scrutiny reveals a wrestler whose greatness relied heavily on context, structure, and expectation. When those elements are stripped away, the cracks become visible."

[10.0] "One of the greatest to ever do it. From that incredible series with Tanahashi, to the equally as incredible series with Omega. His AEW run has been great to me, with his in-ring work always being in form to exceptional."

[6.0] "In my opinion, Okada is quite overhyped. His current run in AEW hasn't been impressive at all, and it really doesn't showcase the level of performance people claim he consistently delivers. Sure, he's a good wrestler with solid in-ring skills and undeniable presence, but based on what we've seen lately, I don't think he deserves to be considered one of the best in the world."

[3.0] "I can say that Okada isn't as bad as Nakamura. At least, unlike the second one, Okada doesn't seem to give a damn about his career, and it's clear that he's at least interested in his path--probably because of his arrogance. As a character and wrestler, those are all cons. What I just wrote might sound like whining in the style of "why do they give titles in bunches to Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, but not Ricochet, since the latter pulls off sick flips, " but honestly, it irritates me that top-tier wrestlers are booked against Okada: Mascara Dorada and Bandido. And yeah, Reigns is better than Okada. I hate the four-year Reigns reign, but he's genuinely good now--he's progressed, and the aura of that wrestler is undeniable. Meanwhile, Okada, over all these years of his career, has only learned to flip the bird and say "bitch." As a wrestler, he's very scripted, boring in the ring; his match with Omega in NJPW is even hard to rate above 4 stars. That match is just a Memezer's propaganda stunt. And speaking of their last match, only Omega really tried. Okada showed nothing interesting in that match, yet somehow he got the win. Just DDTs and dropkicks. I wouldn't have any complaints about him if he weren't being rated as the best wrestler on the planet, but rather as a comedic character, and if he weren't being fed to wrestlers who truly work hard. (And the Rainmaker in his execution looks terrible--given his size, he doesn't look like a powerful finisher."

[10.0] "I don't believe I've handed out a 10 on a wrestler but Okada will be my first. An absolutely unreal performer, with the only truly bad work of his career coming in his TNA run which was hilariously bad. However, since 2012 everything has been pretty much gold. His run in New Japan is the stuff of legend and for good reason. His later work in AEW has been a bit shaky at times, however I see him turning it up a notch when his feud with Takeshita boils over. I think my favorite thing about Okada is his general presentation, it's other worldly and he's one of the few modern wrestlers that feels like a genuine final boss. Also the fact that he will retire both Tanahashi and Tenryu is beast as fuck."

[10.0] "A once in a lifetime level wrestler. An unmotivated Okada has proven to still be a step ahead of most wrestlers, and when the lights are bright - few rise to the occassion like Okada can. So many of the best matches of the past decade have included Okada, his NJPW resume by the time he left was already the stuff of legend, and now he's well on his way to being the first Japanese born AEW Men's World Champion. Okada is an unstoppable force of wrestling, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon."

[6.0] "His work in Japan was genuinely admirable, but he never quite hit that mythic gear in AEW, and his TNA run was, frankly, disappointing. Still at full potential, few can match his ceiling. If he can reset, stay healthy, and land with the right creative, he absolutely has the tools to recapture that level. I'm hopeful he finds that spark again, even if my optimism is cautious."

"I have seen very little of his work outside of AEW, so to me Okada is a very interesting wrestler. Simply put, he wants to be the funniest wrestler ever, but he is forced to be the greatest wrestler ever. For someone paid so highly, I am impressed at how often he wrestles. The majority of his matches on weekly tv episodes are sort of repetitive semi-squash matches (him trying to be funny) but when he is requested to lock in, for certain matches on ppv he will genuinely turn into the greatest wrestler on the planet and will put on a never before seen level of godly performance. Its like he has a switch in his brain that he can flip at will, allowing him to be the best in the world, but he chooses to keep it turned off most of the time."

[10.0] "what this man has achieved throughout his career is simply unique, i think Okada is one of those dudes that were born for wrestling and embodied it the whole way, and it shows .. what a legend, hopefully the next generations will speak of him as such"

[8.0] "Okada is a great talent with a very cool moveset and has amazing ring psychology. He is also taller than most Japanese wrestlers and is a good story teller. He reminds me a lot of Randy Orton in more than one ways. However despite being a successful star in multiple promotions, I feel his style can on occasions not bring out the best in an opponent. His in ring chemistry must be met with someone who understands psychology on his level and then we get a true Okada classic"

[10.0] "I recently started watching AJ Styles run in NJPW as he was someone who I was familiar with. I had almost no knowledge of most other wrestlers in NJPW but I had heard some of their names. Okada was one of them. I was told that he is the best wrestler in the world during his prime in the mid-2010s and is in the conversation for the greatest ever. I can't say that I have watched every PPV match of his but I can definitely tell you that this guy is really a top tier wrestler. Everything about him, from his entrance and his RAINMAKER persona to his in ring ability and undisputed wrestling psychology, it's all iconic. The guy was money for NJPW and was IWGP Heavyweight Champion for two years in one of his reigns. Nowadays, he resides in AEW and yes I know its not the same like it was before but I think he is just enjoying his time there and I can't blame him at all for it. He will go down as one of the best ever in my eyes atleast"

[4.0] "I'm extremely disappointed with Okada. I only used to watch WWE before but then somewhere around 2019 I started to look out for other promotions like AEW or NJPW. I found out about him and omega and Ospreay. At that point I used to think Okada was in best in the world conversations. When he signed with aew I was so happy. However if I am being honest, his run in this company has nothing but a disaster. Very terrible matches except for a few ones where he was carried by his opponents. He isn't even old. He has no excuse. He just decides to phone it in. I am so disappointed by it. I was heart broken when that Okada VS omega match from all in didn't live up to its hype. It was barely even a 3 star match. I gave him chance after chance after chance. But I'm finally fed up. I don't believe in him anymore. What frustrates me is that he does bad matches on purpose. You can see how slowly he is moving in the ring on purpose I really want to give him a 0 because he's not taking this sport seriously and as a dir hard fan I am offended. But his matches with Omega, Shibata, and his other stuff in Japan saves him from being an absolute 0. I'll probably give him a 3 or 4."

[10.0] "'Okada! Okada! Okada! ' is not just a chant; it's an emotion! The TRUE 'the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be'!"

[9.0] "At his peak he was one of the best wrestlers in the world, feeling like the most important one too, but he did have periods of not doing much. His AEW run hae been the oppitamy of this."

[10.0] "I don't think Okada is forever done being a top guy, but his best run was so ridiculous that he could wrestle like Jenna Morasca for the rest of his career and still deserve a 10"

[10.0] "My Favorite Wrestler who had my favorite title reign of the 2010s, 3 generation defining rivalries with Tanahashi, Naito, Omega, as well as being a pivotal rival to Sanada, WIll Ospreay and Kota Ibushi. IMO he played the role of the Ace perfectly in NJPW and everyone he faced was elevated by their proximity to his championship. Still killing it right now as a highly anticipated wrestler on PPV, Okada is goated."

[9.0] "Well... Okada is there. Not the most skilled guy in the ring but he's a charismatic individual and he's one of the bests if we talk about in-ring psychology"

[9.0] "Kazuchika Okada is one of the best NJPW wrestlers of all time and noone can ever deny that. He's run as the Rainmaker and 2 year title reign are some of the greatest work you'll ever see. But it's been a few years since I last saw the legendary version of Okada. Sure, he works well and does still have great matches but something seems to be missing from it. I, unlike most have enjoyed his AEW run much more than his late NJPW one. While he's still missing something, his character explains him not being the top Tier athlete he was in the ring which is very smart. Okada is one of the best to ever do it, But hasn't been as good as he once was for a few years now"

[10.0] "I finally had the chance to see Okada live at DoN 2025, he is every bit as advertised! What a phenomenal wrestler Okada is!"

[6.0] "I am going to say this Okada is an Overrated, Overhyped, and down right just okay wrestler, I never got the hype of Okada i've seen his AEW stuff and his NJPW stuff and he was never more than just the other guy In my opinion. SERIOUSLY in every single one of his world famous feuds I have always found Okadas opponents more interesting than Okada, Naito, Ibushi, white, omega etc. he only has one thing and it's boring in 2025 and he is clearly just coasting through his AEW run and without all the glitter and gold he would just be seen as AVERAGE."

[10.0] "Now I must stress this rating is based purely on his New Japan run when the guy actually gave a fuck and tried. Kazuchika Okada might just be the best wrestler I've ever seen. He manages to bring out the absolute best in everyone he wrestles. An absolute master of pacing long matches. He had one of the best title reigns in wrestling history with his 4th reign as IWGP heavyweight champion. Had what I believe to be the greatest feud in history with Omega. Can have a 4 star match with Tanahashi in his sleep. Accomplished one of the greatest feats in human history by getting a good match out of Bad Luck Fale. He pulls off being arrogant while still being a face. Has generational G1 campaigns like it's nothing, as to him it's just a regular Tuesday. Just fucking incredible. My favourite wrestler ever."

[10.0] "Okada is not just an excellent wrestler, he's a phenomenon. He has produced countless classics. He revolutionized wrestling with Kenny Omega. These rivalries against Tanahashi, Naito and Omega are among the greatest in history. And he's responsible for the best world title reign in the history of the sport with those 720 days as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in 2016-2018. Kazuchika Okada is one of the top 5 wrestlers in history, and I don't think he's fifth."

[10.0] "Kazuchika Okada is more than just a professional wrestler--he is a living legend and one of the greatest performers to ever step foot inside a wrestling ring. Known as "The Rainmaker, " Okada redefined what it means to be a main event star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. With his unmatched athleticism, impeccable timing, and powerful presence, Okada has consistently delivered some of the most iconic matches in modern wrestling history. His rise to the top was meteoric, and once he got there, he elevated NJPW to global prominence. Okada's rivalry with stars like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Tetsuya Naito has produced timeless classics that will be remembered for decades. He carries himself with a rare combination of grace and intensity, commanding respect whether he's in victory or defeat. What makes Okada truly special is not just his in-ring ability, but his storytelling. Every move he makes, every gesture, every Rainmaker lariat is packed with meaning and emotion. He knows how to draw the crowd in, take them on a journey, and leave them in awe by the final bell. His charisma is undeniable, his dedication to his craft is inspiring, and his legacy is already cemented as one of the all-time greats. Kazuchika Okada is not only the heart of NJPW--he is the soul of modern pro wrestling. Watching him perform is witnessing greatness in its purest form"

[10.0] "Without a doubt is a mainstream celebrity in his home country. Not only does Okada consistently give fans amazing matches, he's also been in ads, commercials, movies, TV shows, and news shows. In fact, last month I saw a Japanese advertisement that had Okada advertising wasabi KitKats. But, his wrestling is where you really see just how amazing he is. His 4 matches against Kenny Omega have been billed as best matches in both of their careers. Okada is even a hero to some non-Japanese fans who treat him almost like a folk hero, because his skill is on another level entirely. And now that he's in AEW along with his hilarious b**** gimmick, just how much MORE can we see? When he retires, he'll be a legend for sure."

[9.0] "One of the best of all time... That's cooled off in his later years. He is still very capable of 5 star matches, but he's settled into being happy putting in less of an effort. Still great! But just not as good as he was."

[9.0] "This would be a 10 but recently he hasn't been as good as he was other than a few matches against pac or Ospreay. But regardless he is still one of the best wrestlers of the past 10-15 years. He has so many 5* matches and him being able to wrestle 60 minutes any damn time he wants and take a beating he has to go up as at minimum a top 5 wrestler of the decade."

[8.0] "I had him at a 10 but i think im dropping my rating down. I like Okada i think he is one of the best but now i look at his matches back then and his character in general, i think i drop my rating. For some reason his matches just feel like you know he is going to win, even if its a big threat wrestler, and Okada in AEW is just not good nor entertaining, he doesnt shine like he did in NJPW, and even in NJPW he wasnt the greatest. His character is this sort of cocky guy who proclaims himself as the rainmaker but somehow in matches when he absorbs everything he still wins a match even if hes outmatched, i dont know i thought he was one of the greatest untill i really looked at his matches."

[10.0] "Even with him "taking it easy" in AEW, he's still better than almost anyone else on the planet. While he isn't going as hard in the ring as often as he used to, he still pulls out the fantastic 5+ star-worthy match when it matters. Him coming to AEW has really allowed for him to showcase a bit of his comedic personality, and I very much appreciate that. Nobody on the planet sells as better as he does, save for maybe Will Ospreay. Selling throughout a match and after a match is such a lost art this day in age, so I appreciate him keeping this in the back of his mind as he works. His closing sequences are always the best, and I can't get enough of this guy. Everything about this guy's stories is told via bell-to-bell. No need for promos or video packages. Just watch the matches, and you'll see he's one of the very best of all-time."

[7.0] "Had I done the rating of Okada before now, I would've gone higher than a seven. However, I don't know what it is, maybe it's the age factor kicking in, but it really doesn't feel like he's giving it his all like he used to. Still arguably one of the greatest of his time, but I feel like father time has caught up to him, and now he's just phoning it in."

[9.0] "Okada is undeniably one of the best of his generation whenever he's got something to prove but he's grown rather stale from 2020 onwards. Seems that he's resting on his laurels and is still involved in pro-wrestling out of a sense of obligation rather than any real drive to achieve."

[10.0] "Okada is one of the best wrestler in the world and is on many fans and pundits' list of greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling. There are only a handful of wrestlers that could match his accomplishments. Many of his matches are among my favourite match of all time (Omega Vs Okada is #1). His fourth reign as IWGP Champion is the greatest reign(any championship reign at any promotion) in professional wrestling history. This guy is the G. O. A. T. of wrestling. My favourite wrestler of all time."

[10.0] "Okada is downright one of the best wrestlers of any generation. His skills in wrestling are unreal, which is why he was so protected in New Japan. He should've stayed in New Japan because I guarantee there would be more for him to do there then in AEW due to their stacked roster and mostly over/underbooked storylines."

[10.0] "It's a shame what they're doing with him in AEW, a one word merchant and always involved in the worst storylines possible. Okada is, absolutely, one of the best of all time, and hopefully he can win an important title in AEW, like the international or world ones."

[9.0] "the only complaint I have is that he doesn't give more in regular tv matches, but I understand, he saves his all for big matches, like for his match at world's end against Will Ospreay Kyle Fletcher. all i gotta say is this man is a living legend."

[7.0] "He did better in Japan, and it's clear he went to AEW just for a retirement check, which is licit. He still brings something to the game, but you can actually see the decline. I'm curious if they're gonna take him off the title scene, and still having him on TV."

[10.0] "Simply one of the best of all time, changed the wrestling world with his companions during his time in New Japan, blessed to have been able to watch his career and continue to watch it. Gotta love the rainmaker"

[10.0] "The best finishing sequence artist in the history of pro wrestling. The absolute best wrestler of the 2010s, no question. The modern day version of a Lou Thesz, Nick Bockwinkel, or Ric Flair. From the Rainmaker Shock and the following iconic statement match against Naito, to the legendary series against Omega, his final bow in the Tokyo Dome to now in AEW, one of the all time greatest to ever do it. The only real complaint you can give is that he's one of those guys that's so damn good that you sometimes get frustrated that he doesn't do more in lesser matches. Up there in the greatest of all time category for my money."

[9.0] "Okada is one of if not the best wrestler in the world! His time in NJPW cemented his legacy as one of the greats just based off his size, presence, & star power he embodies able to put on any type of match with perfection! Since coming over to AEW, he's impressed me even simply of his personality truly becoming the quote of "born to be a comedian, forced to lock-in as the best pro wrestler" and he does it to a tee!"

[9.0] "An amazing performer all around. With his heel work being always on point. He has a knack for hitting a nerve on the audience. His in-ring work is just as amazing. Okada is not far from being a synonym to a good match."

"Kazuchika Okada is wrestling excellence defined. His timing, versatility, and ability to elevate any opponent make him elite. Okada blends psychology and athleticism to create pure, unforgettable matches."

[10.0] "One of the absolute greatest to ever step foot in New Japan and while this is obviously subjective, in my opinion is responsible for the greatest championship reign of all time, just a big match machine in his prime years and even now has shown he is still fully capable when he locks in, easily a 10/10 in my opinion and an absolute all-time great."

"One of the best wrestler of the past decade. He is really great in elevating his opponents as well. His recent run in AEW has also been quite fun to watch as his comedic side is being explored more."

[9.0] "I think Okada had a great run in Japan. I first saw him in TNA, and though he had a silly gimmick that was very early in his career. New Japan really caught on fire when he became a top star in the company. I'm not of fan of what they're doing with him in AEW, and I feel like wrestling strong style so long he decided to slow down right when he's getting his biggest exposure to American audiences. Part of my rating is considering a wrestler's longevity, and I don't think Okada is going to reach the heights he did in New Japan."

"[9] In my opinion, Okada's greatest strength is his ability to elevate his opponents. On paper, his moveset isn't super flashy, but it gives him the ability to be incredibly adaptable and versatile, and work off anything his opponent's bringing to him. Anyone who fought Okada probably had their best match, or one of their best matches, with him. The downside of this is that I do often go away from those big matches more impressed by Okada's opponent than by Okada himself, but he more than makes up for it with his consistency by comparison. In terms of character work he's one of the best ever; not many people can go from cocky heel to dominant and confident champion to babyface fighting from underneath to goofball, but Okada makes it look easy. Sure, some people are salty that we're not getting the five star bangers in AEW yet, but I think he's more than earned a bit of an easier run away from the very top of the card, especially considering how young he was when he first got into that position."

[10.0] "While so far his American wrestling history has been less inspired, he's had one of the best 10+ year runs of any wrestler ever. He has a smoothness that makes everything feel easy for him, he's capable of some genuinely impressive athletic feats for his size, one of the best dropkicks in the history of the business, and really understands how to build his character within matches."

[9.0] "Kazuchika Okada is a great wrestler, delivering good handful of matches. His comedic side in All Elite Wrestling that can be a double-edged sword especially for those who watched him in New Japan but he's great doing it and I think he loves being that fun heel but behind that facade, everybody knows who he is.A truly great master of the ring."

[10.0] "One of the greatest wrestlers ever. Okada has it ALL. He was THE guy for NJPW in their golden years. His moveset is very good. He's had a lot of legendary matches with Omega, Naito, Tanahashi, and Shibata. His IWGP run was one of the best in modern professional wrestling."