Kazuchika Okada Makes First AEW Appearance
After weeks of being called out, NJPW standout Kazuchika Okada has made his AEW debut.
‘Hangman’ Adam Page had made his intentions for Forbidden Door clear in recent weeks, calling out ‘The Rainmaker’ and insisting he still wanted a match with Okada despite his prospective opponent losing the IWGP Championship to Jay White.
This had also caused White to attack Page, who then claimed that there was no way Kazuchika Okada would appear at Forbidden Door. He also stated that Adam Cole, who thought he was in line for a shot at White’s gold, would not be getting one.
On the 22nd June 2022 edition of AEW Dynamite, Adam Page defeated Silas Young with the Buckshot Lariat whilst Adam Cole watched on from the commentary desk.
As Cole started an episode of ‘Story Time With Adam Cole’, he was interrupted by Jay White. White stormed the ring and attacked Page, and was later joined by Cole as the three brawled. When it reached a point where Cole was going to attempt to hit White with the IWGP belt, it was time for ‘The Rainmaker’ to appear.
The sound of that coin drop can only mean one thing: it's #TheRainmaker himself Kazuchika Okada (@rainmakerxokada) here at #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/l9INNq15Fo
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 23, 2022
Kazuchika Okada hit the ring, evening the odds and going after the man who beat him for the title, although Jay White managed to escape before getting hit with the signature rainmaker.
It was also confirmed on this week’s edition of Dynamite that Bryan Danielson is not medically cleared to compete at Forbidden Door, although his planned opponent Zack Sabre Jr. will still be in action. Malakai Black also secured his place in the inaugural AEW All-Atlantic Championship four-way match alongside PAC, Tomohiro Ishii and Miro.