Various: Update on WWE & AEW’s Interest for Kazuchika Okada, Giulia Career Future Update, Satoshi Kojima Suffers MCL Injury

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

As noted before, Kazuchika Okada’s contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling officially expired this past January but he is still currently scheduled to work at three more events for NJPW this month. Both WWE and AEW have been very interested in signing Okada to a contract with their respective companies.

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrrasso reported that his sources stated that AEW is the current frontrunner to sign Okada to a deal.

Barrasso reported that the main factors for this belief are Okada already has a level of trust with AEW CEO Tony Khan and is also close friends AEW EVPs Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Other factors reportedly include AEW’s offer being “extremely” high and them allowing him to continue residing at his home in Japan. Barrasso reported that if Okada were to sign with WWE, he would have to move to Florida to be closer to their Performance Center in Orlando.

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Update on WWE’s Interest in Signing Giulia – Giulia Reportedly Delaying Going to WWE to Help Rossy Ogawa’s New Promotion

As noted before, WWE is currently very interested in potentially signing Giulia once her current contract with Stardom expires at the end of March of 2024.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that Giulia is currently expected to delay her start in WWE to help out Rossy Ogawa with the launch period of his new promotion.

Meltzer reported that Giulia had given her word that she would help Ogawa’s new promotion and had postponned her plans for her upcoming arrival to WWE as a result.

Ogawa was recently fired from Stardom over allegations by Busihroad that he was poaching Stardom talent and staff for a new Joshi promotion.

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Satoshi Kojima Suffered MCL Injury

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that they have pulled Satoshi Kojima from their Road to The New Beginning 2024 events on February 8th in Iwaki and February 9th in Koga, Japan due to him recently suffering a MCL injury.

It was also announced that they have also pulled Jeff Cobb from these upcoming events due to him still recovering from a left thigh injury. It was also announced that they have pulled Tomohiro Ishii from these upcoming events as well due to him being in the United States this week for AEW’s Collision show.

Official press release:

Change made to cards on February 8 & 9

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Jeff Cobb, due to a left thigh injury, and Satoshi Kojima, due to a left Medial Collateral Ligament(MCL) injury, will miss action on February 8 and 9.

Additionally, Tomohiro Ishii will be absent due to wrestling on the AEW’s show this week.

Cobb will be replaced by Great-O-Khan, Ishii will be replaced by YOSHI-HASHI, and Kojima will be replaced by Ryusuke Taguchi.

We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Cobb, Ishii and Kojima wrestle and appreciate your understanding.

NJPW joins fans in wishing Cobb and Kojima a full, speedy recovery.

■Card changes:
February 8
2nd match
El Desperado, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi
-> El Desperado, Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi

5th match
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Kosei Fujita
-> Hiroshi Tanahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Kosei Fujita

6th match
Jeff Cobb, HENARE, TJP, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman vs David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney
-> Great-O-Khan, HENARE, TJP, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman vs David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney

February 9
3rd match
Shota Umino, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma vs EVIL, Ren Narita & Dick Togo
->Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi vs EVIL, Ren Narita & Dick Togo

5th match
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask vs Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Kosei Fujita
-> Hiroshi Tanahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask vs Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Kosei Fujita

6th match
Jeff Cobb, HENARE, TJP, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman vs David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney
-> Great-O-Khan, HENARE, TJP, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman vs David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney

■Road to THE NEW BEGINNING