Current Favorite Between WWE & AEW To Sign Kazuchika Okada Revealed?

NJPW

A new report has revealed the current favorite between WWE and AEW to sign former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.

On January 18, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that former seven-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will be leaving the company when his contract expires on January 31.

Okada is booked for the NJPW New Beginning tour with his final shows taking place on February 11 in Osaka as well as February 23 and 24 in Sapporo.

This news shocked the wrestling world with many fans believing “The Rainmaker” would eventually re-sign with his home promotion, but a move to WWE or AEW now seems inevitable.

According to Sports Illustrated, AEW is the current favorite to sign Kazuchika Okada at this moment.

The reasoning for this is Okada’s pre-existing relationship with AEW CEO Tony Khan and his recent visit to Dynamite on October 25 was, for all intents and purposes, an opportunity to see how the company operated a live TV taping.

The report notes that Okada has also struck up a friendship with on-screen rival and NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 opponent, Bryan Danielson, who has gained his trust.

Danielson holds a significant amount of backstage influence within All Elite Wrestling, notably heading up their disciplinary committee following CM Punk’s AEW All In incident with Jack Perry.

The report also notes that Okada has remained close to AEW EVPs Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks of The Elite as well.

Also worth noting, Okada has not seen a contract with AEW or any company at the time of this writing.

WrestleTalk will provide further updates on Kazuchika Okada’s status when they become available.

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• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW
• AEW
• wwe

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