Kazuchika Okada Seriously Considering WWE & AEW Interest

Could Kazuchika Okada be set to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling? 

It has emerged in recent weeks that WWE have renewed their interest in Kazuchika Okada and one ploy the company has utilised is to push Shinsuke Nakamura as an attempt "to show Okada that this regime is not going to treat Japanese like the stereotypical children-like role." The pitch from WWE is that Okada is 36-years-old, is close to Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE is the one thing he has never done, and the company's style is far easier on the body. 

While many quickly dismissed the idea of Okada leaving New Japan, Sports Illustrated has reported that Okada's contract with NJPW is up at the end of January 2024 and he is "seriously entertaining the possibility of wrestling for a different promotion." 

Okada performed on Dynamite in October, teaming with Orange Cassidy against Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli to help set up his Wrestle Kingdom 18 match with The American Dragon. In addition to the match, the purpose of Okada's trip was to get a better sense of AEW, which is the other landing spot for Okada if he opts not to join WWE. 

One advantage for AEW over WWE is that Okada would be able to continue living in Japan, which is reportedly a priority for the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. This is similar to AEW's arrangements with PAC and Will Ospreay as they continue to reside in the United Kingdom.