WWE & AEW To ‘Fight Hard’ To Sign Major Free Agent

WWE, AEW

Both WWE and AEW are both reportedly set to ‘fight hard’ to sign a top international free agent, according to a new update.

With NJPW dropping the bombshell that seven-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada would be departing the company on January 31, naturally attention has shifted as to where The Rainmaker will end up signing next.

Considering Okada has featured numerous times on AEW TV previously, many believe that Tony Khan’s company could be the likeliest destination; however, WWE have reportedly also held a long-standing interest in the 36-year-old.

Now, in a new update courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it has been confirmed that negotiations have not yet begun, but both companies are of the belief they have a “strong shot” at acquiring Okada’s services in 2024.

Meltzer writes:

Both WWE and AEW made pitches for him. One person close to Okada “Nothing has started yet but seems both are gonna fight for him hard.”

It was believed that AEW has made the stronger first offer but no contract has been signed at press time. As noted months ago, WWE was of the belief they had a strong shot at getting him, with the idea that they could convince him he had done all he could do in Japan and because of the economic differences in wrestling because sports rights fees just aren’t close to the same level in Japan, the American scene is far more lucrative.

As noted, one of the reasons that Nakamura had gotten a renewed push was to show Okada that they would push a Japanese star at a high level.

As well as WWE and AEW, another recent report from Fightful Select mentioned TNA Wrestling as a potential destination for Okada; with his recent return to the company for their Snake Eyes event on January 14 said to have gone well.

Despite Okada’s NJPW contract expiring on January 31, The Rainmaker is still advertised for several dates with the company in February.

For all the latest updates regarding Kazuchika Okada’s future make sure to stay locked to WrestleTalk.com.

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• Kazuchika Okada
• AEW
• wwe

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