WWE : 10 Wrestling Soul Mates of the Modern Era

#4 Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada

Passing of the torch

There's a sense of pitchforks coming out, considering how low this is on the list. Yet the truth is Tanahashi and Okada represent a quick generational change in New Japan.

If Tanahashi had it his way, the Kota Ibushi could have been at his place as a three musketeer long ago.

Instead, while much of his early rise reflects in feuds with Shibata and more importantly Shinsuke Nakamura. Tanahashi for many fans today ties to Okada, as much as the Rainmaker is defined by their feud.

Yet there's that sense that the two are balancing a rivalry and clash of generations more than anything else.

Sure Okada and Tanahashi do gravitate towards each other on many occasions, including now forming a respectful bond and possible tag team. Yet, their relationship is a singular feud of an upstart challenging an icon. It's a standard torch passing narrative.

Unlike the others on this list, there isn't any real mirroring or contrast to their personas; they're two versions of top guys any company would be lucky to have.

Okada has as much chemistry with Omega in the ring, while funnily enough ideological clashes stem between Tanahashi and Omega.

Yet these two are forever soul mates as they are a generation gap defining rivalry that goes on till the end of time, something no promotion has ever truly boasted off.

A microcosm of the never-ending continuity in pro wrestling.