Kazuchika Okada Reveals Why He Didn't Work NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty

January 5 saw NJPW host AEW, ROH, CMLL, and STARDOM for Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome, but there was a noticeable Kazuchika Okada shaped hole in the show.

The legendary ‘Rainmaker’ departed NJPW for AEW in early 2024, and whilst former NJPW stars like Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks wrestled on the show, Okada did not.

Speaking with Tokyo Sports, Okada revealed why he wasn’t at Wrestle Dynasty:

"I can't really say anything about it (laughs). Whether I get an offer or not is another matter, but I don't think it's the right time yet. I quit with the feeling that I would never compete again (in Japanese matches). If I were to go back while I was feeling like I wanted to fight well in the US, then something might have changed in my feelings. I don't have any intention of competing in a single match, so that's the feeling I had when I went to the US," Okada explained.

Okada’s first year in AEW has been a slow burn, with Okada putting on excellent matches with the likes of Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson, amongst others, but mainly being used in a comedic heel role with The Elite.

H/T Fightful

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