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Post by firsttimelongtime on Nov 17, 2023 10:02:42 GMT -5
From this week's Observer...
"We’ve heard some talk of late regarding Kazuchika Okada and WWE. Obviously they’ve had interest in him for years. But he’s always been loyal to New Japan. The pitch is that he’s now 36 and he’s close with Nakamura and Nakamura has worked years in WWE and it’s far easier on his body. The idea is that WWE is the one thing Okada has never done and he’s done everything he can do in New Japan. One person who buzzed us about the renewed interest in Okada said that one of the reasons Nakamura is getting a renewed push is to show Okada that this regime is not going to treat Japanese like the stereotypical children-like role (although Tozawa is still playing that role) because Vince does that with people who don’t speak fluent English, but this is a new regime. Okada is a name always brought up but there’s no indication there’s anything new to this other than there’s been more talk of late."
While it seems like signing him is a bit down the road, this nugget really caught my eye. Would be awesome to see the Rainmaker in WWE.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Nov 17, 2023 10:07:17 GMT -5
If he signed with him, I do think he'd, for sure, be given a WWE championship reign. I feel like you don't spend Okada money otherwise and that it'd be a statement.
Of course, big if on any of this.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Nov 17, 2023 10:21:22 GMT -5
And fish are interested in water.
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Post by polarbearpete on Nov 17, 2023 10:23:28 GMT -5
I wonder if Okada’s contract is up at the end of January? Would be a huge signing if WWE can land him. I assume he’d pushed as a main eventer pretty much from his debut.
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Post by HIM on Nov 17, 2023 10:30:05 GMT -5
Yeah but man, all the years worth of stink on Japanese wrestlers due to Vince's booking ain't easy to get off. Even Stevie Wonder can see its a slim chance of course correcting that.
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Allie Kitsune
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Nov 17, 2023 10:36:09 GMT -5
Sure, they're interested in him, but he's probably not interested in them.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Nov 17, 2023 10:37:40 GMT -5
WWE (or anyone really) would need to dump so much money at his doorstep to get Okada. He's a different type of star than Nakamura or AJ or anyone else that left New Japan. He's their Hogan/Bruno/Austin. He's THE GUY over there. And Japanese companies have a loyalty to their top stars. He can stay there and collect great paychecks for the next 20 years. That doesn't mean he would never leave or consider an offer. But it will take a lot. Plus he has a family there and it's not always easy to justify taking a chance and uprooting your whole family's life for something like this.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2023 10:41:42 GMT -5
Nakamura has a renewed push does he....but where is that world title he should have won at Fastlane though? oh right.
Not to say there are no benefits if they were to land him but them trying to project Nakamura as a ...SEE THIS COULD BE YOU is funny as hell and probably not the smartest pitch to Okada to use to get him.
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Post by Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story on Nov 17, 2023 10:42:45 GMT -5
WWE (or anyone really) would need to dump so much money at his doorstep to get Okada. He's a different type of star than Nakamura or AJ or anyone else that left New Japan. He's their Hogan/Bruno/Austin. He's THE GUY over there. And Japanese companies have a loyalty to their top stars. He can stay there and collect great paychecks for the next 20 years. That doesn't mean he would never leave or consider an offer. But it will take a lot. Plus he has a family there and it's not always easy to justify taking a chance and uprooting your whole family's life for something like this. The only thing I've even heard that makes me wonder if there's a remote possibility is that Bushiroad is still having business issues post-pandemic. If for whatever reason they can't pay Okada what he wants and it's a Bret goes to WCW type situation, then I could see it. That feels like a stretch, though. I just don't see Okada leaving New Japan. He gets to work those shows and then come have the exact same presentation in AEW and get a taste of US exposure and wrestling. |
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Nov 17, 2023 10:47:04 GMT -5
WWE (or anyone really) would need to dump so much money at his doorstep to get Okada. He's a different type of star than Nakamura or AJ or anyone else that left New Japan. He's their Hogan/Bruno/Austin. He's THE GUY over there. And Japanese companies have a loyalty to their top stars. He can stay there and collect great paychecks for the next 20 years. That doesn't mean he would never leave or consider an offer. But it will take a lot. Plus he has a family there and it's not always easy to justify taking a chance and uprooting your whole family's life for something like this. The only thing I've even heard that makes me wonder if there's a remote possibility is that Bushiroad is still having business issues post-pandemic. If for whatever reason they can't pay Okada what he wants and it's a Bret goes to WCW type situation, then I could see it. That feels like a stretch, though. I just don't see Okada leaving New Japan. He gets to work those shows and then come have the exact same presentation in AEW and get a taste of US exposure and wrestling. Any shortfall Bushiroad may have, the Khan family could make up for in a Takeshita-style (even though his is with DDT) Joint Contract. |
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Post by thirteen3 on Nov 17, 2023 10:50:24 GMT -5
Booking Shmooking, if he ever comes to the WWE it's because of a paycheque.
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Post by Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story on Nov 17, 2023 10:51:15 GMT -5
The only thing I've even heard that makes me wonder if there's a remote possibility is that Bushiroad is still having business issues post-pandemic. If for whatever reason they can't pay Okada what he wants and it's a Bret goes to WCW type situation, then I could see it. That feels like a stretch, though. I just don't see Okada leaving New Japan. He gets to work those shows and then come have the exact same presentation in AEW and get a taste of US exposure and wrestling. Any shortfall Bushiroad may have, the Khan family could make up for in a Takeshita-style (even though his is with DDT) Joint Contract. Yeah, I could see that being what's happening with Ospreay. |
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Post by firsttimelongtime on Nov 17, 2023 11:08:12 GMT -5
I don't know why everyone is so quick to assume Okada wouldn't be interested in WWE. These are pro wrestlers. More money on a limited schedule matters the most, WWE can offer both in spades.
Nobody would have thought Nakamura would come over until he did. And by all reports, he loves being in WWE.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Nov 17, 2023 11:20:04 GMT -5
Nakamura has a renewed push does he....but where is that world title he should have won at Fastlane though? oh right. Not to say there are no benefits if they were to land him but them trying to project Nakamura as a ...SEE THIS COULD BE YOU is funny as hell and probably not the smartest pitch to Okada to use to get him. I did find that to be an odd part of the story. Nakamura has been pushed plenty during his WWE run and often harder than he's being pushed right now (I mean he won the Rumble). Asuka has also been pushed plenty hard at times. I fully believe WWE is interested in Okada. Who wouldn't be? But the idea that they're trying to change narratives seems silly. I'm sure Okada is already aware that someone at his level is going to be closer to Nakamura's level than Tozawa. The talent that should be more wary are the smaller guys like Kushida who can look to a longer list of folks who did not make it when they came over. But clearly that wouldn't apply here and Nakamura winning some matches on RAW wouldn't change that either way. |
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Post by Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story on Nov 17, 2023 11:25:52 GMT -5
I don't know why everyone is so quick to assume Okada wouldn't be interested in WWE. These are pro wrestlers. More money on a limited schedule matters the most, WWE can offer both in spades. Nobody would have thought Nakamura would come over until he did. And by all reports, he loves being in WWE. Okada's not just a "pro wrestler," he's NJPW's lead babyface and top guy. It'd be like Tanahashi leaving in the heat of his prime to go work WWE 8-10 years ago or Cena deciding to up and go work New Japan full time just to do something different. Sure, maybe he'll come over, but there's been enough out there about his fierce loyalty, his wife having a very cushy VO gig in Japan (it's a different level of fame over there) and a pretty young kid that it's more than reasonable to assume he's doing just fine where he is now. |
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Post by Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story on Nov 17, 2023 11:26:35 GMT -5
Nakamura has a renewed push does he....but where is that world title he should have won at Fastlane though? oh right. Not to say there are no benefits if they were to land him but them trying to project Nakamura as a ...SEE THIS COULD BE YOU is funny as hell and probably not the smartest pitch to Okada to use to get him. I did find that to be an odd part of the story. Nakamura has been pushed plenty during his WWE run and often harder than he's being pushed right now (I mean he won the Rumble). Asuka has also been pushed plenty hard at times. I fully believe WWE is interested in Okada. Who wouldn't be? But the idea that they're trying to change narratives seems silly. I'm sure Okada is already aware that someone at his level is going to be closer to Nakamura's level than Tozawa. The talent that should be more wary are the smaller guys like Kushida who can look to a longer list of folks who did not make it when they came over. But clearly that wouldn't apply here and Nakamura winning some matches on RAW wouldn't change that either way. This just kind of feels like WWE trying to take over some of the news cycles before AEW signs Billy GOAT full time tomorrow night. |
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Post by HIM on Nov 17, 2023 11:38:25 GMT -5
Nakamura has a renewed push does he....but where is that world title he should have won at Fastlane though? oh right. Not to say there are no benefits if they were to land him but them trying to project Nakamura as a ...SEE THIS COULD BE YOU is funny as hell and probably not the smartest pitch to Okada to use to get him. I did find that to be an odd part of the story. Nakamura has been pushed plenty during his WWE run and often harder than he's being pushed right now (I mean he won the Rumble). Asuka has also been pushed plenty hard at times. I fully believe WWE is interested in Okada. Who wouldn't be? But the idea that they're trying to change narratives seems silly. I'm sure Okada is already aware that someone at his level is going to be closer to Nakamura's level than Tozawa. The talent that should be more wary are the smaller guys like Kushida who can look to a longer list of folks who did not make it when they came over. But clearly that wouldn't apply here and Nakamura winning some matches on RAW wouldn't change that either way. Like, the only way that narrative can change is making a Japanese man world champion. Them getting a midcard title won't mean a thing because it's been done, same with a Japanese woman getting a world title because we're currently seeing it. If only Nakamura beat Seth. They had the perfect layup too. |
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Post by fw91 on Nov 17, 2023 12:06:36 GMT -5
Not a fit imo. I know it’s unpoular opinion, but I just can’t see him appearing on RAW in a non-smark city and fitting into WWE’s style
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Post by mistery on Nov 17, 2023 12:12:31 GMT -5
WWE (or anyone really) would need to dump so much money at his doorstep to get Okada. He's a different type of star than Nakamura or AJ or anyone else that left New Japan. He's their Hogan/Bruno/Austin. He's THE GUY over there. And Japanese companies have a loyalty to their top stars. He can stay there and collect great paychecks for the next 20 years. That doesn't mean he would never leave or consider an offer. But it will take a lot. Plus he has a family there and it's not always easy to justify taking a chance and uprooting your whole family's life for something like this. The only thing I've even heard that makes me wonder if there's a remote possibility is that Bushiroad is still having business issues post-pandemic. If for whatever reason they can't pay Okada what he wants and it's a Bret goes to WCW type situation, then I could see it. That feels like a stretch, though. I just don't see Okada leaving New Japan. He gets to work those shows and then come have the exact same presentation in AEW and get a taste of US exposure and wrestling. Bushiroad is absolutely having issues right now financially. Their card and mobile game division is doing really poorly (their biggest IP is in freefall) and on top of that, the Japanese economy (or rather the yen) is cratering. And the wrestling side of things can't really keep the company entirely afloat either. It's why I wouldn't be shocked if Bushiroad doesn't offer many pay raises come January, and potentially even cuts talent. It doesn't help that while the STARDOM side of business is very, very strong right now, the NJPW side is fairly weak due to a combination of baffling booking, and the AEW partnership not benefitting them (it's been talked about in the past few financial reports about how NJPW World has stagnated, and how they haven't really attracted new viewers/subscribers to the platform even with partnerships with western promotions). I would also be wary of claiming that Tony will snatch up Okada anyways, considering AEW's talent budget is likely VERY loaded right now, and while he has a ton of money, eventually its going to get to the point where he will have to make cuts, because right now he's blowing through his inheritance money (if Shad is to be believed as he mentioned it in an interview in the past that AEW is basically being funded by Tony's inheritance money), and if he wants to keep AEW afloat after that, I would fully expect him to make a pitch to investors who (in turn) would want to see actual profits being made. |
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Post by Tenshigure on Nov 17, 2023 12:28:04 GMT -5
Even if hypothetically Okada wanted to come back to North America for a full-time run somewhere, his relationship with the Bucks honestly is a major factor in this very unlikely to ever happen. It would take a combination of a major falling out between them as well as an irresponsibly large contract (think WCW levels) to get him into WWE at this point.
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