Real Reason AEW’s Kazuchika Okada Missed Wrestle Dynasty

When AEW went to Japan, many thought Kazuchika Okada would be front and centre but now the Continental Champion has explained why he didn’t compete at Wrestle Dynasty.

Kazuchika Okada shocked the world when he announced he was leaving NJPW in early 2024. Okada soon made the jump to AEW where he immediately joined The Young Bucks and Jack Perry in the new look Elite.

For almost a year, The Rainmaker has been the AEW Continental Champion and won the 2024 Continental Classic to round off a landmark year. Many fans presumed he’d kick off 2025 as part of the Wrestle Dynasty show in the Tokyo Dome but that didn’t prove to be the case. Kenny Omega returned to the ring for the first time in over a year at that event but Okada wasn’t involved at all.

Kazuchika Okada Not Returning To Japan

Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Kazuchika Okada explained exactly why he wasn’t part of the show as he casts doubt on ever competing in his native Japan again:

I can’t really say anything about it (laughs bitterly). Whether I get an offer or not is another matter, but I don’t think it’s the right time yet. I quit with the feeling that I would never compete again (in Japanese matches).

If I were to go back while I was feeling like I wanted to fight well in the US, then something might have changed in my feelings. I don’t have any intention of competing in a single match, and that’s the feeling I had when I went to the US.

Even when the notion of Kazuchika Okada meeting long-time rival Hiroshi Tanahashi one last time in Tanahashi’s retirement year, Okada questions why can’t they have a match in AEW:

Well, then let’s do it in AEW. Wouldn’t it be okay to have a farewell match like that here? I think American fans have a special attachment to Tanahashi.

Kazuchika Okada is expected to rekindle his rivalry with Kenny Omega in AEW later in 2025 with a match between the two men seemingly set for All In Texas in July.