The wrestling world was shocked Thursday when NJPW officially announced Kazuchika Okada’s departure from the company after his contract expires on Jan. 31. This news has had a major impact on NJPW and the Japanese wrestling landscape, but now there are also doubts about Okada’s next destination whether it would be the WWE or AEW.
Adding fuel to the fire of speculations was wrestling merch site Pro Wrestling Tees no longer being able to sell NJPW merchandise of Okada. However, veteran pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has shared his thoughts on the situation.
Dave Meltzer discusses Okada’s next move
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Dave Meltzer is an icon in pro wrestling journalism. The publisher and editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) is known as a trustworthy source for wrestling news and backstage happenings, and when fans’ speculations went full throttle after it was revealed that Pro Wrestling Tees would no longer sell NJPW merchandise of Okada, Meltzer shared his thoughts as he said, “On the Okada front, the Pro Wrestling Tees thing regards no longer being able to sell New Japan merchandise of his. It’s not a sign of going to WWE. It’s not a sign of going to AEW either.”
On the Okada front, the Pro Wrestling Tees thing regards no longer being able to sell New Japan merchandise of his. It’s not a sign of going to WWE. It’s not a sign of going to AEW either.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 31, 2024
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Though fans were quick to point out that he did not deny that there were no signs, some speculated that it could mean he is headed to TNA instead. However, as reported by Sports Illustrated, AEW is the most likely option for Kazuchika Okada because he has already developed a good relationship with Bryan Danielson and continues to have contact with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. In addition, his appearance on AEW Dynamite in October served to see how he handled himself on a live television show.
As for WWE, there is considerable interest from Shawn Michaels and Triple H. In addition, Sports Illustrated adds that NJPW claims that Kazuchika Okada has always wanted to wrestle at WrestleMania, and Triple H is fully aware of this. And with WrestleMania 40 almost here and major stars such as CM Punk possibly out of the PPV due to their injuries, it would be the perfect time to bring in a known face and high-caliber talent like Okada.
Read More: After Seth Rollins & CM Punk, Another Top Star Suffers Injury Ahead of WrestleMania 40
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Also known as ‘The Rainmaker’, he started in the world of wrestling instructed by the Last Dragon in Mexico in 2004, and in 2005 he won the Young Dragons Cup tournament of the Toryumon. The numbers of the 36-year-old athlete are impressive: 5 times IWGP heavyweight champion, 2 times IWGP world heavyweight, 2 New Japan Cups, 4 times winner of the G1 Climax, and 1 time winner of the Never Openweight. What do you think? Which promotion should Okada join next? Let us know in the comments.
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