Subhojeet Mukherjee on January 19, 2024
Kazuchika Okada has accomplished everything one would want to in NJPW and many wondered if he would ever remain with NJPW once his contract expired. Now NJPW has confirmed that Okada will not remain with the promotion after this month.
The Rainmaker has been part of NJPW since 2007 and is hailed as one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time for good reason. He has been the flagbearer of NJPW for so long that people can’t think of him without the promotion. However, fans will actually have to adjust to the fact he won’t be in NJPW anymore now.
As previously reported, Kazuchika Okada is set to become a free agent at the end of January this year. In light of this New Japan Pro Wrestling announced on their website that Okada will be leaving the promotion after his contract expires on January 31st.
Despite the abrupt announcement, they express gratitude for fan support and wish Okada the best in his future endeavors. Okada will participate in the upcoming New Beginning series on February 11 in Osaka and February 23-24 in Sapporo, with changes to event cards expected.
”Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.”
”Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the conclusion of his contract on January 31 2024.”
”We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future.”
”As the New Beginning series begins this weekend, Okada will appear on February dates on February 11 in Osaka, and February 23 and 24 in Sapporo. Changes will be made to forthcoming cards with an announcement to follow.”
”We appreciate your understanding and continued support.”
”Kazuchika Okada statement:
I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today. Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.”
It was previously reported that WWE has their eye on Kazuchika Okada and there is a chance WWE will end up snatching him up once he becomes a free agent if AEW doesn’t give him a big enough offer.
WWE has improved its chances of bagging Kazuchika Okada as well. Only time will tell whether The Rainmaker will make his way to WWE or AEW, as he will certainly be the hottest free agent on the market.
What do you think of this shocking story concerning Kazuchika Okada? Where do you think he will go next? Let us know in the comments section below!
January 19, 2024 5:11 am
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