NNew Japan Pro Wrestling

Whats your favorite way of countering the rainmaker

  • September 17, 2025


Whats your favorite way of countering the rainmaker



by Optimal_Fisherman803

18 comments

  2. Shinsuke Nakamura countering it into an armbar was a thing of beauty.

    Also while technically not a “counter” in the traditional sense, Kenny collapsing before he got hit by Okada is one of the best visuals I’ve ever seen.

  4. When Machine Gun shows Fergal the rainmaker and he just ducks it because he’s a real rockin rolla.

  6. Probably the hardest question I’ve been faced with on here. This is largely why it’s the greatest finisher ever in my opinion, you can literally work an entire match around rainmaker counters. There have been SO many excellent ones over the years it’s impossible to remember them all let alone narrow them down.

    I will say, I thought the Destino Rainmaker Naito used in the G1 Final was so uniquely cool. All of the counters of Okada’s main rivals were excellent and iconic – Tanahashi Slingblade, AJ Styles Pele Kick, Jay White Blade Runner, Ospreay Stormbreaker, Omega V-trigger, Ibushi and Takagi using thundercunt lariats of their own to counter…

    There are so many I’m missing from other wrestlers though, I’ve seen so many that deserve mentions.

    The Stormbreaker one is the coolest I think (and the rainmaker flip out counter to the Stormbreaker is EASILY the best counter I’ve ever seen in wrestling), but I think Ospreay only actually hit the Stormbreaker once with that counter (In America, and he lost anyway). The Rainmaker Destino won Naito the G1 against Okada, and to come up with something so fresh of a finish after 15 matches together is a stroke of genius from those 2.

  7. I recall Suzuki doing a cool reversal where he basically spinned back to the starting position of the rainmaker and then took Okadas leg.

  11. Underrated ones :

    – (MY FAVORITE) EVIRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU (G1 27 Okada vs Evil)

    – Jay counter ing the Rainmaker with a spinning uranagi (that looks beautiful and it just fits)

    – Zack countering the rainmaker into that pin of his to beat Okada at the first UK show from NJPW

    – Sanada when he beat Okada in G1 2019. He reversed the rainmaker into a pop cup cutter before finishing with the rounding body press

    – Fale LITERALLY TANKING IT.

    – Zack countering the rainmaker into his inoki clutch double arm submission with the very long name.

    – Marufuji spamming knees and back kicks everytime Okada even thought about starting a rainmaker

    – Will Ospreay LITERALLY just doing the clothesline before Okada does is such a savage one

    – Also the Hidden Blade reversal from Will.

  12. Underrated ones people haven’t mentioned are the Ishii counters. Lariat on lariart action, or a headbutt.

  13. I’m a big fan of Jay White’s “collapse like a pile of shit” counter. You just know he’s laughing at Okada when he does it and it’s such a fun heel schtick.

    Also, I’m trying to remember this… Wasn’t there a tag match where Shibata and Goto were teaming against Okada and YOSHI-HASHI. Okada had Goto dead to rights with the Rainmaker… Only for Shibata to block it with his arms, leaving Okada open to a headbutt from Goto.

  16. It’s either of the two highest profile times Shinsuke countered the Rainmaker with his rolling armbar.

    I’m partial to the one where he actually finishes Okada with it in a shock finish. Well, shock to me, at least.

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