Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada are two of New Japan Pro Wrestling's biggest stars, and their rivalry beginning in 2012 is commonly regarded as one of the greatest in the history of professional wrestling. The many matches they have had since, whether for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship or in the G1 Climax tournament, have been legendary in every instance.
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Receiving numerous 5* ratings from Dave Meltzer and the 'Wrestling Observer Newsletter', Tanahashi and Okada never fail to capture magic in the NJPW ring together. But which rank as the best in the litany of epic wars these two men have waged?
14 The New Beginning 2012, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
A great first-time meeting between Okada and Tanahashi, with Okada returning to NJPW after his excursion and looking to upset ‘The Ace’. He did exactly that in a superb moment as Okada rocked the NJPW climate with his IWGP Heavyweight Championship victory.
As for the match itself, while not on the level of their later efforts, it was great in-ring work with stellar drama and psychology. This was all about the moment though as Okada shocked the world.
13 G1 Climax 29 - Tag 1, A Block
A stellar match between Okada and Tanahashi here on Day 1 of 2019’s G1 Climax 29, taking place in the United States. The crowd was obviously red-hot for the epic encounter, and it did not disappoint.
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A fast pace and a shorter run time led to a fantastic back and forth with a greatest hits match of sorts, with clever callbacks and spectacular atmosphere. However, compared to their other classics this does not rank as one of their best encounters. Still, a great bout on its own, as Okada scores the victory in just over twenty-two minutes.
12 G1 Climax 23 - Tag 8, A Block
A fantastic match in their first G1 encounter in a follow-up to their Invasion Attack classic earlier in the year. With a stellar pace the match sways back and forth as Tanahashi initially targets the arm but transitions to brutalizing the leg. Brilliant psychology as always and nice callbacks to their previous bouts.
As the intensity and drama grew, time winded down as both men countered one another in spectacular fashion. The closing stretch was excellent as the two throw everything they can at the other only to reach a time-limit draw. Stellar bout.
11 Wrestle Kingdom 7, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
A superb third meeting in this epic saga at 2013’s Wrestle Kingdom 7, with the brash Okada challenging ‘Mr. Tokyo Dome’ and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tanahashi. This was slower paced but still excellent throughout with stellar psychology and selling, but the story was front and center here.
It culminated in an incredible final few minutes with breathtaking intensity and near falls, as Tanahashi emerged victorious to retain in a spectacular main event.
10 G1 Climax 31 - Tag 2, B Block
Another incredible match in the G1 between these two, this time in 2021’s G1 Climax 31 tournament. Once again, a stellar display of storytelling and psychology as both men demonstrate their knowledge of the other. A slower, methodical start for the first half of this bout, kicking into another gear once it passed the 15-minute-mark.
The in-ring work was as always, tremendous, with the drama ramping up as viewers pondered whether they would draw once again. The near falls were off the charts as were the final couple of minutes as Okada barely emerges victorious with twenty-five seconds to go. Spectacular match.
9 G1 Climax 26 - Tag 17, A Block
Another epic G1 draw between these two in the semi-final slot, in this 2016 re-match following their Wrestle Kingdom 10 classic. Incredibly exciting in-ring action throughout with excellent atmosphere to boot as Tanahashi and Okada displayed their magical chemistry once more.
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The final few minutes were off the charts with incredible sequences, counter wrestling, and drama with epic near falls. However, it would end in a time-limit draw in spectacular fashion as Tanahashi hits High Fly Flow only for Okada to kick out as the bell rings for 30 minutes.
8 Dominion 16.6, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
An amazing meeting at 2012’s Dominion 6.16 between Okada and Tanahashi, the second of their many classic matches. This re-match had an incredible story going in after The New Beginning that both men executed to perfection in the ring. The match was paced superbly as the psychology on display was simply sensational from both men.
The final third was off the charts with epic drama, intensity, and a scintillating closing stretch as Tanahashi emerged victorious as champion once again in a brilliant babyface triumph.
7 G1 Climax 28 - Tag 17, A Block
A superb G1 semi-final in 2018’s G1 Climax 28 between Okada and Tanahashi. With the crowd electric, the urgency from both men was off the charts with splendid pacing, intensity, and physicality. The selling was extraordinary with Okada expertly selling Tanahashi’s leg work, as both men made each maneuver feel incredibly important.
The final third was unbelievable with incredible atmosphere, drama, and in-ring work as both men fought to overcome the other. In the end, it was Tanahashi hitting a High Fly Flow only for Okada to kick out as the bell rang for a time-limit draw. Tanahashi would advance thanks to the draw in epic fashion.
6 Destruction In Kobe, IWGP Heavyweight Championship #1 Contendership Match
Another classic in 2018 from these two. With Okada vying for a place in the Wrestle Kingdom main event and Tanahashi looking to defeat Okada for the first time since Wrestle Kingdom 9, the stakes were incredibly high. Once again, a masterclass of storytelling, psychology, limb work, callbacks, emotion, everything viewers have come to expect from these two.
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The match was paced splendidly building the intensity gradually to the final stretch. As always, simply electrifying with incredible in-ring action, atmosphere, and drama. It would be Tanahashi conquering Okada in epic fashion hitting a High Fly Flow onto Okada hung on the second rope.
5 Wrestle Kingdom 9, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
An amazing match in Okada and Tanahashi’s second Wrestle Kingdom meeting at 2015’s Wrestle Kingdom 9. After their epic trilogy in 2013, this was the ultimate culmination of their stories colliding in the Tokyo Dome. The emotion was off the charts as the match takes a slow burn approach with each man targeting the others’ legs, but it heats up in spectacular fashion.
Some unreal spots throughout as they approached the final third, which was utterly sensational. This was a masterclass of emotion, drama, high-octane maneuvers, and a fitting finish as Tanahashi hits two High Fly Flows to retain with Okada in tears on his way back up the ramp.
4 Wrestling Dontaku 2018 - Night Two, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
This was an absolutely incredible match between Okada and Tanahashi at 2018’s Wrestling Dontaku. Okada’s twelfth defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his epic reign, the crowd was white-hot for Tanahashi to overcome the odds. Simply a masterclass in storytelling with a cocky Okada opposite a fiery Tanahashi who is out to prove he is still ‘The Ace’.
The pacing, selling, intensity, and physicality throughout was utterly superb as both men gave their all. The atmosphere was electric throughout with unbelievable drama in the final few minutes, with incredible in-ring work to boot. It would be Okada reigning supreme, however, after one emphatic Rainmaker to retain in a classic war.
3 King Of Pro Wrestling 2013, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Another masterpiece from Tanahashi and Okada in their final 2013 meeting. Tanahashi’s character work was sensational as he feigned a knee injury and brutally targeted Okada’s arm in heelish fashion. Okada’s fiery babyface comebacks were excellent as he sold his arm very well, with the crowd electric throughout.
As always, the final third was unbelievable with incredible offense, atmosphere, intensity, emotion, and drama as both men gave their all countering one another at every turn. It would be ‘The Rainmaker’ prevailing, however, in an instant classic.
2 Invasion Attack 2013, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
A masterclass in storytelling and psychology once again from these two in this 2013 Invasion Attack classic. After his loss at Wrestle Kingdom 7, Okada would win the New Japan Cup to earn the right to face Tanahashi here. The intensity, drama, selling, and emotion from both men was off the charts as the match built superbly to the always-electrifying closing stretch.
Despite a weakened arm Okada would prevail in epic fashion to reclaim the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, with the young, cocky Okada conquering ‘The Ace’ Tanahashi once more.
1 Wrestle Kingdom 10, IWGP Heavyweight Championship
An absolute epic at 2016’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The stakes were incredibly high to see if Okada could finally conquer Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome, with the atmosphere other-worldly. As always, a superb display of psychology with Tanahashi targeting Okada’s legs, with both men countering one another as the match progressed.
Once the pace quickened the drama hit an all-time high as both men threw everything at one another. After a sensational closing stretch with unbelievable emotion, intensity, and in-ring work, Okada finally prevailed after a series of Rainmakers in a Wrestle Kingdom classic and Okada and Tanahashi's best effort together.
