One of the most decorated wrestlers in history has joined All Elite Wrestling.
Kazuchika Okada officially joined AEW on the March 7 episode of AEW Dynamite, after leaving NJPW recently. Fightful Select has learned additional details on the signing, which we’re told wasn’t actually signed until fairly recently.
Okada is expected to be full-time with AEW, and is planning to relocate to the United States. We aren’t told if this was his idea or recommended by AEW, but he is expected to work a complete schedule. A Tokyo Sports article claimed that the deal was for three years, and roughly $4.5 million per year. We can confirm those numbers.
In addition, the decision to introduce Okada as a heel with the Elite, and for Kenny Omega to be kicked out in absence was made months ago. (EDIT: Apologies, as a Patreon error cut off this paragraph originally)
WWE claims there were no talks between the two sides, though we can confirm with WWE sources that Okada had reached out to WWE talent while weighing his next move, and had considered the possibility in going to WWE. At one point, we’d even heard he’d showed renewed interest in possibly going back in January.
Fightful Select had reported that Okada was joining AEW and was expected in the fold by that episode.
We’re told that as things stand, there is no timetable on Kenny Omega’s potential return. The angle was to debut Okada, add to The Elite, and set the stage in the event of Omega’s return down the line.
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.
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.
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