5 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2016

#1 Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada - Wrestle Kingdom 10

Undertaker vs. Kane.

Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio.

Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada.

Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels.

Misawa vs. Kobashi.

You can now add Tanahashi vs. Okada to that list of greatest wrestling feuds of all time.

As Tanahashi and Okada’s rivalry entered its fourth year, they once again stole the show with a 5-star performance. But not only was this an outstanding grappling match with fantastic athleticism, but there was also a deeper story that dated back to the previous year’s Wrestle Kingdom event. Okada had lost that match because he failed to maintain wrist control while setting up his Rainmaker.

He was so despondent over losing that he cried. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship meant that much to him. He struggled but managed to get one more chance at Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom, which made this encounter a do-or-die situation for Okada.

This match was off-the-charts great. Not only did Okada and Tanahashi wrestle at a blistering pace and hit so many gorgeous moves, but the story between them unfolded like a true masterpiece.

Each big move had some greater meaning and added to the drama unfolding in the ring. Okada would hit one of Tanahashi’s big moves and Tanahashi would do the same. Tanahashi would go for one of his signature moves and Okada would dodge it, underscoring how well these two men know each other. That particular concept is often lost on WWE wrestlers, as most stars hit their same ‘comeback sequences’ like combos that never get interrupted.

For over thirty-five minutes, Tanahashi and Okada fought in a brutal war that was bigger and better than every other match they had before. It featured more reversals, a deeper story, more believable finishing sequences, a thunderous crowd, and a never-ending sense of ‘this match could end at any time’. You couldn’t turn away for a second because you’d miss a big move that might end the match.

Finally, that element of wrist control came out in the closing moments. Okada refused to let go of the wrist, he held on desperately in order to hit a third and final consecutive Rainmaker to win.

This was an instant 5-star classic that not only cemented Tanahashi vs. Okada as the defining wrestling feud of the 2000s, but also signaling a passing of the torch. With this epic win, The Tanahashi era had ended and Okada had become the new ace of NJPW.