Update on Kazuchika Okada Leaving NJPW & Interest from WWE and AEW

As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced on Thursday that Kazuchika Okada will be leaving the company after his contract expires at the end of this January.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that both WWE and AEW have recently made offers to Okada. One person spoken to close to Okada stated “Nothing has started yet but seems both are gonna fight for him hard.” Meltzer reported that AEW’s initial offer was stronger than WWE’s offer but no contract has been signed as of the time of his report.

In regards to WWE, Meltzer reported that WWE officials had been under the belief several months ago that they had a strong shot at getting Okada with the idea they they could convince him that he has done all he can do in Japan for his career. WWE officials also were under the belief that due to the economic differences in wrestling, the American scene would be far more lucrative for Okada than staying in Japan. This belief reportedly was one of the reasons for Shinsuke Nakamura getting a renewed big push as WWE’s way of showing to Okada that they would push a Japanese male star at a high level in the company.

In regards to AEW, Meltzer reported that if Okada were to sign with AEW that would allow Okada to still work at select major events for NJPW similar to other AEW talents. Those spoken to within AEW reportedly ranged in reaction from being very confident in signing Okada to feeling that it could still go either way between them and WWE. Meltzer reported that fewer people were aware of the situation within WWE but had stated that there are currently no creative plans being worked on for a potential Okada debut for their company.

In regards to NJPW, Meltzer reported that NJPW officials very likely only recently found out that Okada made the decision to not stay in the company considering they had originally booked him for all of their shows with full cards released for this February. Meltzer also reported that NJPW naming Hiroshi Tanahashi as their new President of the company did not end up helping their chances at keeping Okada despite Okada being one of the people who pushed for the change to be made.

The Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez reported in a recent episode of the Bryan and Vinny Show podcast that his sources stated that one key reason for Okada’s decision to leave NJPW was due to him being “grossly underpaid” as a top star in the company compared to top stars in the United States. Alvarez reported that Okada had considered in the past of leaving NJPW but changed his mind at the time after he was given a substantial pay raise. Alvarez also reported that Okada was very likely aware of how much more money top stars were making in AEW following his recent appearances for the company. Alvarez also reported that AEW is the likely destination for Okada but he does not rule out WWE due to the amount of money that will be thrown towards Okada’s way for contract offers.