Why Kazuchika Okada is Competing in TNA Again Despite Past Disdain

Kazuchika Okada is hailed as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and it is not hard to see why. The multi-time IGWP Heavyweight Champion has accomplished everything one would want to in NJPW and he will return to TNA next year, after a 12-year hiatus. Now the reason for his TNA return despite past disrespect has been unveiled.

In 2010 and 2011, Kazuchika Okada made his way to The United States and worked in TNA, where he was known as Okata, being inspired by ‘The Green Hornet.’ The run was an utter disaster and ended up souring the relationship between NJPW and Impact Wrestling for a long time.

In case you didn’t know, The Rainmaker is set to wrestle in his first-ever TNA match in 12 years at the Snake Eyes event on January 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. Naturally, many fans thought hell truly froze over because of this. After all, Okada made it clear in the past that he couldn’t care less about TNA.

During Fightful Select’s Backstage podcast, Sean Ross Sapp talked about Kazuchika Okada’s upcoming TNA appearance. Ross Sapp noted that Okada is working with TNA again as it isn’t the same company that screwed over NJPW back in 2010-11.

”This is so far removed that the TNA Okada was a part of and Okada really grew to have a disdain over. And that’s kind of what led New Japan and now TNA to work together again, was that this isn’t the same regime that screwed over New Japan and switched titles without their knowedge or approval and screwed over some of their wrestlers.”

Kazuchika Okada’s comeback match has been confirmed as well. We’ll have to wait and see how The Rainmaker’s first TNA match in so long will turn out, as fans are undoubtedly excited about it.

What do you think of Kazuchika Okada returning to TNA after so long? Do you think TNA should sign him in the long run? Let us know in the comments section below!

Transcription by Ringside News