KAZUCHIKA OKADA: The Early Years - From Young Lion to Rainmaker

[@thewrestlingroad]

When was the first time you caught a glimpse of Okada? Was it before the Rainmaker? Have a shout about him in the comments, and thanks for watching. :)

[@mirocastillo1715]

G1 Climax 24. It was my first time fully watching NJPW/Puro as a whole, since I wad originally drawn to it by Prince Devitt at first and then by Shinsuke Nakamura. Okada beating Nakamura in the Final was my "oh shit, he's that guy" moment.

[@agiammarco94]

I think my first glimpse was when I first starting to see NJPW stuff back in 2013 - 2014 or so

[@jarvaruscarter]

Ring of Honor War of the Worlds 2014........ That show get me into New Japan

[@ivanmcgann1989]

TNA & I was astonished New Japan did the Rainmaker Shock. Even without the TNA run & just looking back, he looked so timid and unconvincing. His first match back is such a pile of nothing & he looked like 10 bucks making that challenge at the end of the show.

[@SmarkAngel]

I thought he was wildly overrated until basically the wrestle kingdom Tanahashi match where his post match breakdown won me over

[@rosspowers81]

This is a very well done video and incredibly accurate. Back then I worked for UWA Hardcore. One of my favorite matches during Okada's time in UWA wasn't featured. It was actually his first match in UWA against Puma. We knew we were witnessing something historic. To this date I still get chills when I watch it. In 2011 Okada was the best man in Osiris's wedding. After the ceremony the guys put on a private backyard wrestling show. Okada was in the main event and defeated Chris Bishop and Lionel Knight to win all 3 UWA Hardcore titles. I believe Okada is still the UWA champion. I can't remember the exact details surrounding the Chikara match. I remember something about Osiris or Okada being extremely sick or injured. I used to watch Okada and Osiris train together. This was not typical of either of their in ring capabilities at the time. For years I tried convincing the brothers to make the UWA story public. They had the foresight to book some of the biggest names in wrestling before they were famous. The main reason UWA shut down was because the brothers had a falling out. UWA only lasted a few years but it still stands as one of the top indys of its time. Those shows were something special that can never be emulated.

[@thecharmcityplayerbrandona8827]

Okada winning the IWGP heavyweight title against Hiroshi Tanahashi in his first title match send shock waves throughout the New Japan fan base at the time. But, it showed that management was really high on him.

[@BirdGang6]

The booking of Okada’s redebut in NJPW in some of the best in modern day history, completely lulled everyone into thinking he was still a young boy with years to go. Made his beating of Tanahashi that much more shocking.

[@chaosbringer82]

it's kind of bittersweet looking back at Okada's TNA run now. Last week I'd chuckle at it and be glad that that TNA was a thing of the past and that there's nothing but optimism for a company that has managed to rebuild it's reputation as well it's relationship with New Japan. But now that they've fired Scott D'amore, who was responsible for basically all of that, for the crime of wanting a bigger budget, the future's looking quite a lot bleaker.

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

Fun Fact: Okada also knocked one of Tanahashi's teeth out in their first IWGP Title match.

[@Cloudrim]

My first exposure to Okada (and NJPW in general) was the first Omega match, and that was all I needed to get into puro in general. Fascinating to see his early days, especially the pre-Nooj stuff. Great stuff as ever, Kim.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

The matches between him and Omega were the best I've ever seen in wrestling

[@brickbrickerson8419]

The chikara baba story is an all time favorite of mine cracks me up every time I hear it thanks for mentioning it

[@LordTeaboBaggins]

I remember both he and SANADA during their absolutely abysmal run in TNA. IIRC, it was TNAs handling of guys like SANADA and Okada that caused NJPW to sever their working relationship with TNA

[@LyonHall1]

and yet it was Okada who would tell you that he learned valuable lessons from his time in TNA and took those lessons when he did his tour of Mexico to forge the rainmaker chacracter

[@LordTeaboBaggins]

@@LyonHall1 of that I have no doubt!

[@arashitendou5941]

Which is a sadly interesting fact since in a way TNA would do that to themselves further with their OWN talent who would end up making even greater success in NJPW to further their careers in spite of TNA The Young Bucks got some success in TNA but outside of Ultimate X matches and a few title matches never won anything there, but once they got to NJPW they became even greater building further off their Indy work AJ Styles pretty much went straight to NJPW once he was given that terrible deal leading into his final leaving of TNA and shot straight to NJPW main event and biggest faction Bullet Club

[@joshuabelmonte12]

SANADA was with WRESTLE-1 and it was done as favor to Mutoh but Okada was spot on.

[@LordTeaboBaggins]

@@joshuabelmonte12 he was also in TNA. Highlight of his time there includes… being tied up in a barn and tortured by James Storm during his cult leader gimmick… DUDE! Wtf was up with TNA tying up and torturing Japanese wrestlers!?

[@uainjansun]

I just remembered that okada did had another last match in UWA.....tho its a interesting story as said event was a three way dance and he became double champion in the backyard

[@Leinkester]

YOSHI-HASHI losing to Okada is a tale old as time😭

[@jeyfromnowhere]

Like a lot of people I caught the New Japan (and puro as a whole) bug with the heavy Western push in late 2014 for Wrestle Kingdom 9. He and Tanahashi stood out for obvious reasons, and I made a point to catch every previous match of theirs together before January 4.

[@therealangelalexander1858]

I always thought Okadas presentation in the first month of his career was by design ngl. The way Tanahashi lil' bro'd him, to how drastically different and suddenly on point he was at New Beginning - the fact it was kinda acknowledged he looked like a tit . Will say that the purple streak was still an odd choice but it was the strange era of strange hairstyles in the early 2010s so I'm okay with giving that a pass. Wasn't expecting to see this in my notifications, but the fact that my favorite wrestling youtuber is doing a series on my favorite wrestler of all time has me hype asf!! This'll be as fantastic as your Misawa/Kawada series.

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

You are most likely correct about Okada's return being "sabotaged" to set up the big Rainmaker Shock.

[@therealangelalexander1858]

@@blitzerblazinoah6838 I'll always get a kick out of rewatching the match just for the pop when Okada wins. Even if it nearly makes me go deaf every single time lmfao.

[@DoneRandomLee]

It is wild to see okada was doing the baba chops before the rib. Also how could anyone know that the young okada would end up being one of the greatest wrestlers and a massive star

[@carolynbuckley8733]

Praise 🙏. Kim Justice is the Okada of KZbin content. Absolute Goat. I wish you all the happiness and success that you wish for. Thanks again for a absolute masterpiece

[@SmarkAngel]

Yesssssss One of my favorites. I cannot WAIT for the next video where we should really get into the Tanahashi feud and the monster run.

[@duckmercy11]

Showbuckle covered the Tanahashi feud years ago. It's on Internet Archives.

[@seantaft3853]

13:37 to be fair, I've said that to Josh Prohibition more than once. I don't live far from Cleveland and I've been at a plethora of AIW shows; that kind of stuff is normal and we all had a good laugh about it.

[@bigvanpapi]

My reintroduction into Puroresu was AJ Styles beating Okada in his first shot at Okada’s IWGP championship in 2014 and their trilogy of matches from the mid 2010’s and was hooked again!

[@elneco4654]

It's funny how such a small difference in essentially the same move makes so much more of an impact comparing the Rainmaker (the move) between the redebut and the Tana match. Also, I think there's another singular factor between Nagata's WCW run and Okada's TNA run, wasn't Vince Russo around on the latter still?

[@baseupp12]

Nothing but a traitor to New Japan in their hour of need. All jokes aside thank you Okada for the years of great wrestling and the memorable moments you got me into Japanese wrestling and I can't wait to see what the next chapter of your career looks like and also really I'm interested to see who will be the new Ace.

[@a2ilool]

excellent video Kim Okada first IWGP title win took place on my 16th birthday i turn 28 in a few days

[@sirjackthepleb2467]

Can’t believe they made the character from Yakuza 6 into a real person, such a bold move

[@Imhim247]

Finally! Okada get his video on here. Thank you!

[@uainjansun]

My fav wrestler getting a interesting video! Found his last toryumon match the other day and even in the footage you can see okada improving alot more in the action and how in the end he was grateful to the crowd reception towards believing him 22:10 correction their second as they did had a match in 2008 for the title surprisingly. Similiar case against shinsuke too

[@gamingcyborg88]

Anyone that has friends who happen to be casual wrestling fans who ask you who The rainmaker is point them to this video and tell them there's more a lot more

[@syahminorizan8064]

Fun fact: Okada appears in Yakuza 6

[@zemox2534]

I am not a huge Okada fan, but I did enjoy this documentary. This was a very insightful and entertaining video, Kim. Thanks for uploading it.

[@CarlosHernandez-pv6px]

Great work as usual here! I hope you're planning on doing the Okada 2016-2018 IWGP historic awesome reign like you did to Kenta Kobashi's legendary 2003-2005 GHC reign. 😉🙏🤞

[@ToontownBoltVids]

Babe, a new Kim's Justice video just dropped!

[@hailmendoza6106]

The first okada match I ever watched, as well as being the first ever new japan match id seen, was Nakamura v Okada G1 Final.

[@PhoenixNoKiseki]

I’ll never doubt El Dandy, Bret Hart told me I shouldn’t.

[@youssef11223344]

💯💯💯

[@BigBWolf90]

Honestly I like the Okato gimmick cuz I was a fan of the Green Hornet tv show when i could catch the reruns. But that being said it could've been done way better

[@GodLovesYou828]

I met okada in NJPW, tna before he blew up, and aew

[@1kld5mnb]

osiris/okada was like an infamous stinker among CHIKARA fans lol. I had seen the UWA-hardcore matches too so I knew he wasnt *that* bad but it was still pretty surprising (to me) when he became the NJPW ace.

[@neo-eagles5088]

You have perfect Heel delivery. Well put together. Very enjoyable.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the amazing review ❤

[@kevinmccaighy8380]

This is a truly outstanding new essay, Kim! I enjoyed it so much!

[@82gamerprincess31]

Say what you will about his TNA run, and yes it was brutal, but it also lead to many of his friendships with the people like Young Bucks and Alex Shelly things that bare fruit to this day. I’ve mentioned his loyalty to the Bucks as a hint to if he will sign with AEW or WWE. Make a ton of money, be able to stay living in Japan, and get to work with your friends who you respect and know will treat you well. That would be very hard to pass up just for the bright stage of WWE.

[@yourtube1424]

Okada looked like Miyahara for that Wrestle Kingdom debut 😅

[@SwannyTheMike]

"Hey, New Japan gave us this really important kid they're big on." - Some poor TNA staffer "Whatever, bro. You ever seen The Green Hornet, bro? Get that Korean geek in a Kato gimmick, bro." - Vince Russo, probably

[@DoneRandomLee]

For the rainmaker debut it negatively hurt my opinion on Yoshi hashi because I already saw rainmaker okada and I went back and with how bad that debut was my mind just thought "it has to be hashi's fault"

[@lwwkaleb2132]

Could you make a video about the early versions of the g1 i tried finding matches for it but it feels im possible and you seem to be a historian in Japanese wrestling

[@DeusExCanis]

Excellent work as always. I can't wait for Okada in AEW.

[@ChaoticMeatballTV]

I only discovered Okada thanks to Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks being the bridge from American indie wrestling to New Japan, and I was really happy to be exposed to a whole new presentation. It's a shame he's leaving and that New Japan has cooled off considerably since the introduction of AEW but I hope we get to see him in more American rings, whether it be the more likely AEW, or the chance of WWE.

[@Leinkester]

I was never aware of how much Okada’s moveset was inspired by Baba, it was truly a culture shock indeed.

[@gordonhowitt]

This is a really great video. Thank you ❤

[@Aliens4Humans]

Yes Plz!! Tyty always look forward to your videos!!

[@JasonTopo]

Kazuchika Okada stands as a paragon of excellence in the realm of professional wrestling. With his unmatched athleticism, technical prowess, and captivating charisma, Okada has cemented his status as one of the industry's greatest talents. His legendary matches, particularly his iconic encounters in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, have left an indelible mark on the sport, thrilling audiences worldwide. Okada's mastery of the craft, combined with his ability to tell compelling stories inside the ring, elevates him to a league of his own. A true maestro of the squared circle, Kazuchika Okada embodies the essence of what it means to be a wrestling virtuoso. Can't wait to see what's next (hopefully not the fed).

[@Kaltagstar96]

You know, I'd consider myself a fan of TNA (especially recently) but the stuff like making Okada into Kato from the Green Hornet is why I can't really blame people for still not thinking too highly of Impact. Also, holy shit, Okada looked like a backyarder doing a bad cosplay of himself in his first match as the Rainmaker, this was a really cool video and it's awesome that even a lesser known dude like Josh Prohibition got a shout-out, I had no idea that he was still going today, either.

[@paulellington1505]

Okada fell victim to the backstage politics of TNA and he had nobody backing him up so he got hung out to dry. But we all saw what he can do when then promotion has his back and he is in his own environment.

[@williambotner2317]

Great job

[@manchxz]

YOOOO this is sick

[@Smoke-e.d-Bear]

Thank you for your respect of all forms of pro wrestling

[@dravenpop]

MCMG are the unsung heroes of tag team wrestling of the era. Truly great team.

[@AgeOfWrestling]

awesome video!

[@MasterUpload2010]

This is going ro be awesome 🎉🎉

[@duckmercy11]

Thanks for this.

[@nafex3740]

Awesome as always ❤❤❤❤

[@ItsAVolcano]

It's a bit of a shame he had such a bad haircut when he first challenged Tanahashi, although in hindsight it worked as it made it easier for people to be convinced he wasn't going to win.

[@GodlessScummer]

Great video Kim.

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

19:20 Kobashi vs. Okada

[@cathalcully9752]

Another amazing video. I am hoping for the Stan Hansen video 😊

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

Marking out for Okada vs. Peak Takashi Sugiura.

[@The-d3s]

13:55 I popped! In the 80’s that would have been a DQ. In the 90’s that would’ve been a hell of a finisher.

[@GriffinNoel1]

Love the photo you used when it was time to talk TNA

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

Oh! Baby Okada!!! I first paid attention to him when he lost a non-title match in New Japan from 2009 against the then new GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki.

[@Blandalorian]

The GOAT.

[@vanthdreadstar8039]

Excellent work as usual, Kim Justice. Makes me wonder which Japanese wrestlers did the best during excursions. I think Keiichi Yamada/Jushin Thunder Liger was Stampede Tag Champion (with Mr. Hito). Same as Hiroshi Hase/Viet Kong Express #1 with #2 (Fumihiro Niikura) . Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata) as Sonny Two Rivers was North American Heavyweight Stampede champ

[@brandensimmons653]

First time I've seen okada was in Hogan's TNA and it was bad years later he is the goat of NJPW in this generation

[@geldofpunk32]

It's 2024 and I still can't believe how tna treated okada

[@youssef11223344]

Okaydo*

[@jaywong2626]

Just curious, will you be covering more about Okada's career after 2012?

[@devinrice1632]

Could you please do kenta kobashi vs mitsuharu misawa feud like you did with mitsuharu misawa vs toshiaki kawada fued

[@davidRevrendOnibrown]

I love your work🎉🎉🎉🎉!!!!

[@jjenk911]

Okada ate a lot of shit in TNA to become the Rainmaker.

[@moversrus4048]

He's supposed to look awful in that first match back, genius booking by Gedo.

[@johnnybernie3061]

Was gonna ask for an Okada video given recent events when you uploaded a new video. This really cool. Hopefully New Japan don’t be dicks about it

[@MrDp115]

Okada like Nakamura has a HOF career already, i hope it continues wherever he goes.

[@scrungo2271]

I’ll be so happy when Okada joins the fed I’ll get to be so sports entertained by okada vs shinsuke for 7 minutes until a judgement day run-in

[@jimmyjarrett-ws2iz]

Please do a Smokey Mountain Wrestling video, Al Snow, Kane as uni-bomber (pre evil dentist and fake Diesel) Thrill seekers (Jericho and Storms first US run) Gangstas first run (New Jack delivering promos that would get the promotion removed from TV immediately these days), Sunnys first run as a snooty "Yankee" (who looked up to Hillary Clinton which was not going to get you many fans down in Tennessee in those days) along with her real life boyfriend Chris Candido who is criminally underrated wrestler. Obviously Cornette was co-owner with a rather famous record producer, and anyone who knows about wrestling knows Corny is the second best manager in the history of the business in most people's minds (while the number one, the Brain, said In a shoot interview that Cornette was his favorite) but due to Bobby Eaton staying with WCW and Sweet Stan quiting SMW not long after it opening, Corny had to form a new Heel Tag team to manage, one that could fill a midnight express shaped hole, which was a pretty big ask, but he did very well with Jimmy Delray and Tom Pritchard as the Heavenly Bodies. He had them go up against one of the Midnights old foes, The Rock-'n'-roll Express. In the early days of SMW Cornette had a Link to WCW through their then booker Cowboy Bill Watts, this gave Jim the chance to borrow wrestlers that Watts needed to take off TBS for a while due to the fans becoming bored of seeing them week In week out. Bobby Eaton and Arn Anderson were sent to SMW to feature in 3 man tags, BE obviously joined Cornette and the Bodies while AA joined the Rock-'n'-roll. After Watts left WCW the loans stopped Due to WWFs Brother (Bruce Pritchard) Love being friends with Cornette, and his brother being one half of the Heavenly Bodies, Dr Tom Pritchard, Cornette was invited to appear on a Monday Night Raw taping and Vince actually acknowledged SMW which was a big deal. This enabled Cornette to borrow WWF guys to draw bigger crowds and gave Vince first dibs on Smoky mountain talent. The reason I've gone into so much detail, is to illustrate how interesting of a promotion SMW really was. But it also shows how much of an interesting subject James E Cornette would make for a video, obviously the SMW stuff is intriguing, especially considering he was managing WWF champion Yokozona, along with Davey Boy Smith, Owen Hart and Smokey Mountains own Heavenly Bodies when they went to the North East and had a great match with the Steiners. He was also managing Vader when he upset Mr Michael Hickingbottom at Summer Slam. Hope this comment might help to persuade you to consider doing a Smokey Mountain or Jim Cornette video. Thank you Love all your content.

[@Rorshach1004]

Okada is All Elite. Coming soon.

[@westendlolo3313]

Would love for him to be in the WWE and have a feud with Cody Rhodes ... Seeing him with one of the main singles belts would be cool

[@theSciFiHi]

The first time I saw him was in TNA. Terrible gimmick, but I could tell he was a star. TNA slept on a lot of great talent that they had.

[@hammadgill1333]

On the NJPW and TNA relation ending, thoughts on Jeff Hardy showing up at wrestle kingdom looking out of it being the actual reason? It's my personal conspiracy theory that this was the actual reason.

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

He probably was out of it.

[@elneco4654]

There's definitely more than just that, TNA giving the IWGP tag titles to British Invasion (funny to think that Brutus Magnus would eventually turn into Nick Aldis) without NJPW's permission is probably one of those factors.

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

"Okada doesn't work for me, brother."

[@marcusbrothers5221]

Please explain to me what the big deal is. I don't see it. Short arm clothesline? Sooo devastating. Is this another Naito/Kushida thing were only smart marks get it?

[@jarvaruscarter]

Oh mah GARFUNKEL!!!!! Okada video documentary BABY!!!!!

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

That Pope angle was potentially career killing. Hogan-era TNA was the total pits.

[@yadielenielbellecolon982]

Thank For the Story Video and Happy Love Day 📖🙊🤯🥰😍❤️💗💖💞💕🌧️💰👑🌟🥇🏆

[@eunanmcnicholl6679]

Is Okada’s impact of wrestling in the 21st century more than misawa in the 90s?

[@moversrus4048]

Nah but it's close

[@SimianScience]

theres many wrestling hills i'll die on and one of them is that Okada/Shibata was better than the kenny omega trilogy even with Shibata almost dying.

[@friendlymachine9667]

Being personally victimized by 2000s/2010s TNA Okada 🤝 The Bucks 🤝 Alex Shelley

[@blitzerblazinoah6838]

Okada really, really liked Giant Baba; in the same way that New Jack liked cocaine.

[@calinmarian98]

After 12 years of strong style,maybe Okada wants to go on the Nakamura path. But if he wants to join AEW,good luck.

[@melasnexperience]

It's a shame that Kenny Omega is still out sick now that Okada is going to spend some time at AEW; he'd be a much better opponent for Okada than the "we have HBK at home" dudes that so many people love at AEW but that I find kinda tedious.

[@STEPHENisSTEPHEN]

I like Okada I just didnt like him signing with AEW. Aew is bad at telling compelling stories and wont really elevate him but i guess the moneys good

[@____K_____989]

And now Okada is in AEW. ☹️

[@TheIceYvetal]

Soooo..... you're telling me Okada had a rough start as the ace of his company just like Roman Reigns? Huh. I kinda want a match between them.

[@duckmercy11]

He definitely got over much quicker than Reigns did though.

[@daddust]

Kim your pronunciation of Negro is from the Deep South of the US and not Mexico.

[@duckmercy11]

I was thinking that myself but KJ is from the UK so i won't nitpick lol.

[@daddust]

@@duckmercy11 A Brit, which I am, knows full well that’s not the pronunciation unless you’re an Alabama sheriff. Love KJ videos but come on.

[@lastdayonearthmysteryman4849]

Now he is a joke in AEW!