Subhojeet Mukherjee on January 31, 2024
Kazuchika Okada is slated to depart from NJPW later this month after enjoying several successful years with the promotion. His destination isn’t known but now there’s been a lot of development when it comes to his next pro wrestling home.
As reported earlier, Kazuchika Okada is set to become free agent at the end of January. The promotion then officially confirmed that Okada will be parting ways with the company after this month.
According to PWInsider, the prevailing belief among sources indicates that today is Kazuchika Okada’s final day under contract with NJPW. It is expected that tomorrow, he will officially become a free agent.
”The belief among those we’ve spoken with is today is his final day under contract with NJPW and that tomorrow, he will officially be a free agent. His final bout for the promotion will be 2/11 in Osaka, Japan against long-time rival Hiroshi Tanahashi, who is now the New Japan President.”
It was noted that there is a prevailing belief that AEW is the likely destination for Kazuchika Okada, given his long-standing friendship with The Young Bucks. During Okada’s early career in the United States, while wrestling for TNA, The Young Bucks supported and befriended him, assisting in navigating the challenges of living, traveling, and working in a foreign country.
Okada has remained steadfastly loyal to The Young Bucks over the years, and with his evolution into one of the best in-ring wrestlers globally, AEW appears to be the probable next chapter in his career.
”As PWInsiderElite.com has noted previously, the belief is that with his long-time friendship with The Young Bucks, AEW is Okada’s likely destination. When Okada was a rookie on excursion in the United States and wrestling for TNA, The Young Bucks took him under their wing and befriended him, assisting him out when most others left Okada to his own devices to navigate living, traveling and working in a foreign country. Okada has maintained a steadfast loyalty to the Bucks in the years since as he evolved into one of the best in-ring wrestlers in the world.”
On January 29, Kazuchika Okada initiated the process of filing new trademarks for “Kazuchika Okada.” These trademarks are intended for use in merchandising and as identification for his professional wrestling endeavors.
”Mark For: KAZUCHIKA OKADA trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of hats; Shirts; Socks; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts.”
”Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes.”
Kazuchika Okada’s merchandise was also removed from Pro Wrestling Tees. The likely reason for Kazuchika Okada’s NJPW exit was also revealed. Only time will tell whether Kazuchika Okada will actually end up in AEW, as that does seem like the most likely destination for him right now.
What do you think about this Kazuchika Okada story? Do you feel he will go to AEW in the end? Let us know in the comments section below!
January 31, 2024 10:12 am
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