Subhojeet Mukherjee on March 11, 2024
After The Young Bucks faced a setback at AEW Revolution, the dynamics in All Elite Wrestling took a significant turn with the introduction of Kazuchika Okada aligning with The Elite. This unexpected alliance introduces a fresh element to the evolving storyline. The response from AEW regarding Okada’s heel gimmick has now been revealed.
On the March 6th episode of AEW Dynamite, Kazuchika Okada made a surprising debut, entering a confrontation between AEW Triple Crown champion Eddie Kingston and the Young Bucks, who also hold executive positions in AEW.
Contrary to expectations, Okada did not come to Kingston’s assistance. Instead, he shocked the audience by betraying the Triple Crown champion and aligning himself with Nicholas and Matthew Jackson, officially becoming the latest member of The Elite faction.
According to Sean Ross Sapp behind Fightful’s paywall, the decision to bring in Kazuchika Okada as a heel alongside the Young Bucks was made well ahead of his signing with AEW. Tony Khan had the idea around the holidays that, once Kenny Omega was sidelined, they would effectively “fire” him from The Elite.
”The perennial Wrestle Kingdom main eventer and legendary Japanese star has already created a legacy that leaves him as one of the most highly regarded wrestlers of all-time, but his debut as a heel surprised many wrestling fans. So far internally, AEW is very happy with the move. Fightful Select reported recently that the decision was made well ahead of even Okada signing with AEW that the company wanted to bring him in as a heel with the Young Bucks. Sources we’ve spoken to say that Tony Khan had the idea as far back as around the holidays that once Kenny Omega was sidelined they’d effectively “fire” him from The Elite.’‘
Khan has long believed that Okada could be a major heel star on American wrestling TV, and AEW considers Okada’s recent performances a home run. The company is confident in Okada’s chemistry with the Young Bucks, and they were pleased with the response to Okada’s segments on AEW Collision, timing his debut immediately after Sting’s retirement for maximum impact.
”Specifically we’ve heard Tony Khan has long been of the belief even before AEW that Okada can be a major heel star on American wrestling TV. Sources in AEW claimed that this past week’s performances only solidified that and the company considered it a home run. Particularly, Okada’s facial expressions in the spot were received really well. The hope is that in AEW he can do things differently than he’s ever done in wrestling in the past, with an already decade-long track record at the top of NJPW.”
”AEW and Tony Khan were also very confident in the chemistry that the Young Bucks had, something they’d anticipated based on previous work together. We’re told that AEW officials were also very happy with the response to the AEW Collision segments that Okada was in, as well as the backstage interview and segments. AEW felt it was important to time his debut for immediately after Sting retired, to give them another big star in a big spot.”
Kazuchika Okada signed 3-year deal with AEW and is expected to be a huge figure on weekly television. It remains to be seen whether The Rainmaker will become a huge success in AEW.
Do you feel Kazuchika Okada will be a great heel in AEW? Let us know in the comments section below!
March 11, 2024 3:50 pm
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