Kazuchika Okada’s Role in Removal of Ex-NJPW President Unveiled

Kazuchika Okada is hailed as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and it is not hard to see why. He truly loves New Japan Pro Wrestling with all his being and now his role in getting the former NJPW President kicked out has been revealed.

Back in 2020, New Japan Pro Wrestling decided to appoint Takami Ohbari as the president of the promotion, as the height of the pandemic had crippled the company in a big way.

Fast forward over three years, NJPW revealed a shift in its leadership, with Hiroshi Tanahashi being appointed as the new President of the promotion. This decision was reached during a meeting of NJPW’s board of directors and shareholders on December 23, 2023.

According to Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was revealed that there were a lot of issues between NJPW staff and Ohbari. It was added that Kazuchika Okada had heat with him and wanted Ohbari out of the President role.

‘‘A key reason Takami Ohbari stepped down as NJPW President was that there were issues with staff & Ohbari’s usage of power over them.

A major reason was that Ohbari had heat with a number of people, including Kazuchika Okada.

Okada was said to have wanted him out. Others said that Ohbari never really understood the wrestling business and didn’t respect the value of Okada.“

Hiroshi Tanahashi also made it clear he will continue to wrestle even after becoming President of NJPW. Only time will tell whether NJPW will prosper under Hiroshi Tanahashi’s care.

What’s your opinion on this story concerning Kazuchika Okada? Do you feel Takami Ohbari being removed as President of NJPW was the right call? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!