Kazuchika Okada Gives Tearful Farewell Ahead Of Potential WWE Move

AEW

Kazuchika Okada has vacated their championship in a tearful farewell address ahead of a potential move to WWE.

Following the shock announcement that 17-year NJPW veteran Kazuchika Okada will be departing the company on January 31, The Rainmaker has now vacated the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship.

In what proved to be an emotional night, Okada would compete inside Korakuen Hall for the final time before his departure; defending his titles alongside co-holders Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii against TMDK.

After successfully defending the championships, Okada would tearfully address the crowd and thank them for the support across his near two decade run (translation via NJPW Global):

“I don’t want to cry. I’ve cried enough already. But thank you for all your support for 17 years.

“Ishii put this belt on me, but today I vacate it. But this is the only team belt I’ve ever held in my career and I’m so thankful to Tanahashi and Ishii. This is the last match of my contract but I have three matches to go in Osaka and Sapporo. This isn’t the end, this isn’t goodbye and you still have the main event. Enjoy it.

“Thank you to NJPW wrestlers, staff and fans. I promise we will meet again, and I hope you’ll support the Rainmaker.

You can check out footage of Okada’s emotional farewell down below.

Following the news of Okada’s NJPW departure it was believed to be AEW that were in the driver’s seat to obtain his signature, however, in a new update from Monthly Puroresu the seven-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion now looks to be WWE bound.

However, in a follow-up report from Fightful Select this was said to be “premature” leaving the situation still in the balance.

WrestleTalk will provide further updates as/when they become available.

To catch up on all the news surrounding Okada’s future follow this link here.

Thank you @rainmakerXokada☝️

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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 24, 2024

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• Vacate
• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW
• wwe

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