Kazuchika Okada Holds Talks With WWE, AEW Draws Up Creative Plans

Kazuchika Okada has been in contact with both WWE and AEW.

Ever since Kazuchika Okada confirmed he would be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling when his contract expired speculation around the star has been running wild.

WWE has long held an interest in The Rainmaker, while the man himself already has existing relationships with several AEW stars. A deal with AEW would also presumably leave the door open for further NJPW appearances, which is likely to prove a huge positive. However, Okada’s future remains up in the air.

A new report from Fightful Select has confirmed that the star has spoken to both WWE and AEW, but by the same token, fans shouldn’t read too much into his merchandise being pulled from PWTees. This was simply due to his NJPW contract coming to an end.

Okada has spoken to WWE talents to gauge the company’s offer to him and help inform a decision. It should be noted that no creative plans have been drawn up.

By contrast, for the last month, AEW has remained confident of landing his signature, so much so that “tentative” plans for a debut well over a month from now were drawn up. Furthermore, AEW is said to have made a “substantial offer.”

Every source Fightful spoke to denied any kind of contract had been signed.

Kazuchika Okada Comments On NJPW Exit

To celebrate his new free-agent status, Kazuchika Okada released a short statement thanking fans and NJPW for their support.

Okada still has three matches left with the company as it continues its annual New Beginning tour. Only one of those matches has been announced so far, with February 11th seeing Okada take on his biggest rival one last time when he faces Hiroshi Tanahashi in Osaka. The other two bouts will take place on The New Beginning In Sapporo shows on February 23rd and 24th.