Kazuchika Okada Deciding Between WWE and AEW

Imagine Kazuchika Okada wrestling at WrestleMania 40? It could become reality.

Pro wrestling’s newest free agent?

Kazuchika Okada.

Courtesy AEW

The New Japan Pro-Wrestling icon has decided that it is time for a new challenge. He confirmed the news on Thursday night, making it official through a New Japan announcement.

Kazuchika Okada to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestlinghttps://t.co/FqviUJW8fP#njpw pic.twitter.com/OAPINjp9Zq

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 19, 2024

Though this is a major loss, multiple NJPW sources all relayed the same message to Sports Illustrated: it was not unexpected, nor did it catch anyone by surprise.

Kazuchika Okada Set To Become Free Agent In 2024

As of this moment, AEW is the favorite to land Okada. He has a pre-existing relationship with AEW owner Tony Khan, and his visit to Dynamite this past October 25 was, for all intents and purposes, an opportunity to see how the company operated at a live television taping. Okada has struck up a friendship with on-screen rival Bryan Danielson, who has gained his trust, and he remains close with AEW EVPs Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks’ Matt and Nick Jackson.

There is also significant interest from WWE, specifically from Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Shawn Michaels, Sports Illustrated has confirmed. While it is difficult to procure information from Okada’s camp, multiple sources close to NJPW revealed that he has always wanted to perform at a WrestleMania. Levesque is aware of this and has the right opponents–specifically AJ Styles and Finn Balor–who have pre-existing relationships with Okada, and would both be perfect for Okada’s debut if he were to wrestle at WrestleMania 40.

Okada defeated AJ Styles to win the IWGP heavyweight championship at the Dominion event at Osaka-jo Hall in June of 2015

For WWE, this is a chance to change the wrestling landscape. If WWE lands Okada, it represents an opportunity for Levesque and WWE President Nick Khan to build a genuine relationship with New Japan. That does not necessarily mean that WWE will replace AEW and hold its own version of the Forbidden Door joint pay-per-view, but if WWE signs Okada and allows him to work a major NJPW show once a year, it will go a long way in building trust with NJPW.

A point of emphasis, which strongly plays into AEW’s favor, is that Tony Khan is willing to sign Okada regardless of where he lives. If Okada wants to continue living in Japan, he can still sign with AEW. But that would not work in WWE, where he would need to relocate to Florida.

TNA sits as a distant third. The company cannot outspend Tony Khan, who is willing to make Okada one of the highest paid performers in AEW, and TNA does not match the allure of WWE.

Okada’s decision is expected to be made fairly soon. If it is AEW, then the Revolution pay-per-view on March 3 would be a date that makes sense. If he signs with WWE, the announcement could be even sooner.