Kazuchika Okada: I’ll Be The AEW Rainmaker. I Might Hit Hiroshi Tanahashi Low, Roll Him Up, And Send Everyone Home Crying

Kazuchika Okada returned to NJPW on November 8th, confronting Hiroshi Tanahashi and announcing himself as the final opponent for “The Ace” at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Since leaving NJPW in 2024, Okada has taken on a new persona in AEW, aligning with Don Callis and flipping bitches off. In his NJPW return, Okada gave Rainmaker vibes with his old theme and Gedo by his side.

Speaking at a press conference, Okada warned fans not to expect the NJPW Rainmaker at Wrestle Kingdom.

From NJPW:

On the subject of Gedo, and his retro styled appearance in Anjo Saturday, Okada was quick to assert that the ‘nostalgia trip’ was ‘one night only’. ‘I won’t be the old Rainmaker from NJPW, I’ll be the AEW Rainmaker. In AEW I’m really doing whatever I want, so I might just hit Tanahashi low, roll him up and send everyone home crying.’ Okada said that his career favourite match was their last Tokyo Dome meeting at Wrestle Kingdom 10 ‘When I finally beat him,’ going on to say that ‘at the Tokyo Dome, I want there to be a lot of tears, on a lot of levels.’ Tanahashi responded that he hoped for ‘that money rain to fall on January 4, but for the sun to come out at bell time.’

Okada has won the last four singles matches against Tanahashi.

Fans can find more comments from both men on the bout here.