AEW Star Kazuchika Okada Potential Character Change Update

An update has emerged on AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada potentially undergoing a character change ahead of his NJPW in-ring return.

NJPW has now confirmed that Kazuchika Okada will be Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponent, with this retirement match slated for Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.

With Okada and Tanahashi set to add one more chapter to their storied rivalry, there has been some speculation about the Rainmaker’s presentation for his Tokyo Dome homecoming.

Kazuchika Okada has now shut down rumors that he will bring back NJPW’s version of the Rainmaker character for Wrestle Kingdom 20, confirming that he will wrestle Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match as the version of the character that AEW fans are more familiar with.

During the announcement press conference, Okada said:

“I won’t be the old Rainmaker from NJPW, I’ll be the AEW Rainmaker.

“In AEW I’m really doing whatever I want, so I might just hit Tanahashi low, roll him up and send everyone home crying.”

Also during the press conference, Hiroshi Tanahashi addressed the real reason Okada had been chosen to be his final opponent, click here to read more.

Via NJPW.