Is Kazuchika Okada coming to WWE?

Kazuchika Okada is one of the biggest wrestling international stars at the moment. Since the news broke that Okada will leave NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) on January 31, 2024, every massive wrestling company is aiming to have the athlete for themselves.

Among them, WWE is also after the 36-year-old superstar, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years. The former IWGP Heavyweight and the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion joining WWE might just be the opportunity that he needs.

Is Kazuchika Okada WWE bound?

As new talents like Mustafa Ali enter NJPW, old talent like Kazuchika Okada is set for a shocking departure from the company. The Rainmaker has been a member of the Japan-based promotion for over 13 years and has become the global face of the Japanese wrestling promotion.

Okada’s talent as a wrestler is undeniable as he is a seven-time World Champion, so international promotion’s desire for his talent is unsurprising. During the Bryan and Vinny Show podcast, Bryan Alvarez spoke on Kazuchika Okada’s departure, revealing the likely reason behind The Rainmaker’s decision to leave NJPW.

He said, “He’d been thinking about leaving once and then he had a meeting with New Japan and he wasn’t thinking about leaving anymore. And it wasn’t because he was offered a lot of money. I don’t know exactly what he was making but people today were like ‘This is the most underpaid, greatest wrestler of all time ever.’

So whatever he was making – if you compare it to what the top stars are making in America today, he’s grossly underpaid in New Japan. He’s done a lot of shows in AEW and don’t think he doesn’t know what they’re making there. They’re making a lot of money.”

Bryan Alvarez continued by explaining how Okada might go to Tony Khan’s AEW instead of WWE. He also revealed how Shinsuke Nakamura has hinted at Kazuchika joining the company a number of times.

“It’s certainly believed that AEW is the front-runner for Okada. I would not say it’s a lock that he’s going to AEW, but I would say it’s very likely he’s going to AEW but it’s not like WWE ain’t throwing a lot of money around and it’s not like WWE ain’t got interest in Okada. Shinsuke Nakamura kept saying he was going to bring chaos to WWE. It is no coincidence that Nakamura has talked about chaos and there is a chance that Okada would end up in WWE but it seems very likely that he’s going to AEW.”

WWE in recent times, has been in the rumors for some major signings. Even the Chief Content Officer of WWE, Paul “Triple H” Levesque has hinted at major talents joining the promotion in the upcoming times. Fans are wondering if the Stamford-based company is really targeting NJPW’s star wrestler as their new potential talent.

The Rainmaker’s storied career in Japan

Kazuchika Okada, ‘The Rainmaker,’ had a great run in NJPW. He holds the record for being the longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion for 720 days. Okada is also a two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The 36-year-old athlete started his wrestling career in 2004 and is presently one of the greatest stars in Japan.

The Rainmaker’s greatest rivalry that fans still cherish is his all three matches with Kenny Omega. Both superstars have out-maneuvered each other several times, and this dynamic competition is among the most iconic conflicts in NJPW.

Kazuchika Okada’s signing to WWE might create the greatest international signing in recent times. Fans are hoping to see the wrestler in WWE instead of other promotions.

What do you think of Kazuchika Okada’s departure? Do you think he will sign with WWE? Let us know in the comments section below!