Update On Kazuchika Okada's NJPW Deal Amid WWE Interest
Kazuchika Okada's deal expires sooner than you may think
WWE may well have the opportunity to sign Kazuchika Okada in early 2024.
Shinsuke Nakamura has repeatedly called out an unknown target in recent weeks, noting on the November 20 episode of Monday Night Raw that the unnamed wrestler is close. There has been plenty of speculation about who the wrestler could be and while informally saying it could be Kazuchika Okada on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion's deal with New Japan Pro-Wrestling is set to expire in February 2024.
"His deal's up in February. I doubt he's coming to WWE," Meltzer said.
It is common for NJPW deals to expire following Wrestle Kingdom.
WWE have been interested in signing Kazuchika Okada for a number of years and that interest has been renewed in recent weeks. WWE have even looked to entice Okada to the company by giving Shinsuke Nakamura a renewed push that saw him involved in the World Heavyweight Title picture.
For the time being at least, Kazuchika Okada is set to remain NJPW's top star and he will face Bryan Danielson in one of the headline matches at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4.
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Written by Aidan Gibbons
Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons
