Convoy
El Dandy
Rusev admits to being a sex addict to large applause.
Posts: 7,541
|
Post by Convoy on Jan 23, 2024 12:43:14 GMT -5
FWIW, I have Monthly Puroresu muted on Twitter because of their BS news and poorly translated interviews. Personally wouldn't take anything they say as breaking news. As much as they are a bunch of crybabies, Super J-Cast has better sources, for example. My understanding from the beginning was that Okada is still mulling things over and hasn't made a decision yet. He just knows New Japan is not the challenge for him at this point, and he wants to begin anew elsewhere.
|
|
El Pollo Guerrera
Grimlock
His name has chicken in it, and he is good at makin' .gifs, so that's cool.
Status: Runner
Posts: 14,768
|
Post by El Pollo Guerrera on Jan 23, 2024 13:12:54 GMT -5
The longer this speculation goes on, the more I want Okada to sign with NOAH. Somewhere, Kaito Kiyomiya is screaming in fury. Wouldn't that make it worth the while?
|
|
Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
FANatic
Writer, Lover of all things Wrestling. Analytical, Critical, Lovable (hopefully). Lets all have fun!
Posts: 237,306
Member is Online
|
Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Jan 23, 2024 14:19:23 GMT -5
Yeah I don't see this as a legit source
I especially just don't see Okada starting in NXT at all if he goes to WWE. There's no need for it at all even if there'd be some potential good matches.
|
|
Totorob101
Hank Scorpio
Glob Glob Glob
Posts: 5,617
|
Post by Totorob101 on Jan 23, 2024 14:48:36 GMT -5
Having Okada work NXT would be insulting to him in my book as he is one of, if not the, best in the world and being put in the develepment brand straight off would be a terrible idea so thankfully this probably isnt true. He just doesnt fit WWE and i would be very very surprised if he turned down AEW to work there as with AEW he would have everything he could wish for in terms of opponents, creative freedom and less stress and travel so its a no brainer. The pull of Wrestlemania is overrated and i cant see him caring to much about that.
|
|
|
Post by polarbearpete on Jan 23, 2024 15:27:32 GMT -5
Having Okada work NXT would be insulting to him in my book as he is one of, if not the, best in the world and being put in the develepment brand straight off would be a terrible idea so thankfully this probably isnt true. He just doesnt fit WWE and i would be very very surprised if he turned down AEW to work there as with AEW he would have everything he could wish for in terms of opponents, creative freedom and less stress and travel so its a no brainer. The pull of Wrestlemania is overrated and i cant see him caring to much about that. There were specific reports stating that he does indeed care about working a Wrestlemania. Also, if he is leaving for legacy purposes, then WWE does still offer that over AEW.
|
|
Bo Rida
Fry's dog Seymour
Pulled one over on everyone. Got away with it, this time.
Posts: 23,664
|
Post by Bo Rida on Jan 23, 2024 17:16:16 GMT -5
The longer this speculation goes on, the more I want Okada to sign with NOAH. He's too young for noah. Actually after the amazing story of Jake Lee coming in and beating everyone I dread what Okada would do. He'd have a longer title reign than Roman's.
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby on Jan 23, 2024 17:44:46 GMT -5
The longer this speculation goes on, the more I want Okada to sign with NOAH. He's too young for noah. Actually after the amazing story of Jake Lee coming in and beating everyone I dread what Okada would do. He'd have a longer title reign than Roman's. It's kind of funny how NOAH just gives off such old dude vibes even with wrestlers who aren't that old. Go Shiozaki and Naomichi Marufuji aren't even 45, but they feel so much older than they are because the promotion's roster feels so insular. Being young in the promotion's heyday, a heyday that is still called back to and celebrated by the promotion, just makes them feel like they are old news in a way that they kind of shouldn't by age and ability.
|
|
|
Post by Super Nintenjoe KBD on Jan 24, 2024 16:58:22 GMT -5
As a Rainmaker fan and non-WWE watcher, him going to WWE would be sad but I could at least understand the Wrestlemania motivation if that's the case. The idea of him going to NXT however is both unbelievable hilarious and nauseating. Mostly hoping he just follows KENTA's footsteps and shows up at OTT Scrappermania in March! (Jokes)
|
|
Legion
Fry's dog Seymour
Amy Pond's #1 fan
Hail Hydra!
Posts: 22,900
|
Post by Legion on Jan 25, 2024 14:40:33 GMT -5
Well, wonder if the other news has an impact on Okada's decisions now.
|
|
Chuck Conry
Dennis Stamp
zombies DON'T Run
Posts: 3,733
|
Post by Chuck Conry on Jan 26, 2024 4:51:48 GMT -5
Well, wonder if the other news has an impact on Okada's decisions now. I don't know. Japan wrestling is apparently pretty shady as is with all the rumors of Yakuza and what not.
|
|
salz4life
Grimlock
Prichard is a guy who gets that his job is to service his boss.
Posts: 14,045
|
Post by salz4life on Jan 26, 2024 12:45:13 GMT -5
Yeah I don't see this as a legit source I especially just don't see Okada starting in NXT at all if he goes to WWE. There's no need for it at all even if there'd be some potential good matches. I could see (if he were coming stateside) that they could show him off at an NXT PPV (Mania weekend?), but then he'd go to the main roster.
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby on Jan 26, 2024 14:13:42 GMT -5
Here is a thought I just had last night that I don't think has been discussed: is this likely to trigger NJPW to headhunt main eventers from DDT, AJPW, and NOAH? My general impression has been that the top stars in AJPW and NOAH especially have it good enough to stay put or to move from one to the other; but a big power vacuum in New Japan seems like it could be filled by someone like Kento Miyahara, Kenoh, or Kaito Kiyomiya if any of them became available in the next year or two. (Kaito's big loss to Okada aside.)
If this is off base, I would love to learn why.
|
|
Convoy
El Dandy
Rusev admits to being a sex addict to large applause.
Posts: 7,541
|
Post by Convoy on Jan 26, 2024 16:09:41 GMT -5
Here is a thought I just had last night that I don't think has been discussed: is this likely to trigger NJPW to headhunt main eventers from DDT, AJPW, and NOAH? My general impression has been that the top stars in AJPW and NOAH especially have it good enough to stay put or to move from one to the other; but a big power vacuum in New Japan seems like it could be filled by someone like Kento Miyahara, Kenoh, or Kaito Kiyomiya if any of them became available in the next year or two. (Kaito's big loss to Okada aside.) If this is off base, I would love to learn why. A bit off base, but not as much as it would be years ago. To get it out of the way, loyalty in business is a big thing in Japan. So even if you would like to headhunt, you wouldn't be super transparent about doing so and would probably just seek to work out an agreement between promotions to appease talents. Tanahashi has said dozens of times throughout the years that he would love to see various outside talents wrestle in New Japan, usually disguised as "[insert name] would be an interesting addition to the G1" or something like that. Now, with all these companies that control the promotions, everyone wants to stay on everyone else's good side so that you can have group events that benefit all parties. Which, to be fair, usually means a NOAH wants to play nice to get New Japan's exposure and ticket sales. Hiromu was setting a new standard last year by being a traveling champion, but that basically amounted to him visiting promotions to wrestle juniors he liked with the idea that they would all lose to him. Those companies got to promote Hiromu being in their ring, bumping tickets, and then Hiromu won showing New Japan's superiority. New Japan, while they'd love to have Kaito jump ship, would prefer he make the decision himself to move on, rather than muck up a relationship by trying to poach him and offering a big contract timed to his free agency. People like Shingo and Ishimori left their home promotions because, like Okada, they felt that there was nothing else left to them to do and they wanted a new challenge. MUSASHI of Michinoku Pro just noted he was leaving for the same reason, and hinted at everyone understanding what that challenge is soon. He just worked a tour for New Japan in the Fall as YOH's partner in the Super Jr. Tag League, and is now Master Wato's replacement for the NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania tour next month, so many think he's heading to work there full-time. Of course, everyone talks to each other more than ever and you have to think feelers were put out from talent-to-talent, but in most cases a Miyahara is going to stick by an All Japan until the wheels fall off. Which in that specific scenario might be sooner rather than later, because the All Japan President is pissing off guys who stayed over the last 25 Baba-less years. Is this system antiquated, and has New Japan lost people trying to be the nice guy? Absolutely. I'd personally love to see some new blood and fresh matchups for the NJC and/or G1 this year, but NJPW will likely remain respectful of other companies and their ongoing relationships with their respective talents for the foreseeable future.
|
|
|
Post by HMARK Center on Jan 26, 2024 18:10:48 GMT -5
Here is a thought I just had last night that I don't think has been discussed: is this likely to trigger NJPW to headhunt main eventers from DDT, AJPW, and NOAH? My general impression has been that the top stars in AJPW and NOAH especially have it good enough to stay put or to move from one to the other; but a big power vacuum in New Japan seems like it could be filled by someone like Kento Miyahara, Kenoh, or Kaito Kiyomiya if any of them became available in the next year or two. (Kaito's big loss to Okada aside.) If this is off base, I would love to learn why. A bit off base, but not as much as it would be years ago. To get it out of the way, loyalty in business is a big thing in Japan. So even if you would like to headhunt, you wouldn't be super transparent about doing so and would probably just seek to work out an agreement between promotions to appease talents. Tanahashi has said dozens of times throughout the years that he would love to see various outside talents wrestle in New Japan, usually disguised as "[insert name] would be an interesting addition to the G1" or something like that. Now, with all these companies that control the promotions, everyone wants to stay on everyone else's good side so that you can have group events that benefit all parties. Which, to be fair, usually means a NOAH wants to play nice to get New Japan's exposure and ticket sales. Hiromu was setting a new standard last year by being a traveling champion, but that basically amounted to him visiting promotions to wrestle juniors he liked with the idea that they would all lose to him. Those companies got to promote Hiromu being in their ring, bumping tickets, and then Hiromu won showing New Japan's superiority. New Japan, while they'd love to have Kaito jump ship, would prefer he make the decision himself to move on, rather than muck up a relationship by trying to poach him and offering a big contract timed to his free agency. People like Shingo and Ishimori left their home promotions because, like Okada, they felt that there was nothing else left to them to do and they wanted a new challenge. MUSASHI of Michinoku Pro just noted he was leaving for the same reason, and hinted at everyone understanding what that challenge is soon. He just worked a tour for New Japan in the Fall as YOH's partner in the Super Jr. Tag League, and is now Master Wato's replacement for the NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania tour next month, so many think he's heading to work there full-time. Of course, everyone talks to each other more than ever and you have to think feelers were put out from talent-to-talent, but in most cases a Miyahara is going to stick by an All Japan until the wheels fall off. Which in that specific scenario might be sooner rather than later, because the All Japan President is pissing off guys who stayed over the last 25 Baba-less years. Is this system antiquated, and has New Japan lost people trying to be the nice guy? Absolutely. I'd personally love to see some new blood and fresh matchups for the NJC and/or G1 this year, but NJPW will likely remain respectful of other companies and their ongoing relationships with their respective talents for the foreseeable future. If I recall correctly, before NOAH and DDT were under the same corporate umbrella, didn't NJPW and DDT have a falling out over Tanahashi putting out feelers to one of their top guys to jump ship while they were doing a jointly-promoted show? Can't remember all the details and everyone involved, but there was a decent dust-up over that.
|
|
|
Post by AwamoriRock on Jan 26, 2024 19:11:47 GMT -5
A bit off base, but not as much as it would be years ago. To get it out of the way, loyalty in business is a big thing in Japan. So even if you would like to headhunt, you wouldn't be super transparent about doing so and would probably just seek to work out an agreement between promotions to appease talents. Tanahashi has said dozens of times throughout the years that he would love to see various outside talents wrestle in New Japan, usually disguised as "[insert name] would be an interesting addition to the G1" or something like that. Now, with all these companies that control the promotions, everyone wants to stay on everyone else's good side so that you can have group events that benefit all parties. Which, to be fair, usually means a NOAH wants to play nice to get New Japan's exposure and ticket sales. Hiromu was setting a new standard last year by being a traveling champion, but that basically amounted to him visiting promotions to wrestle juniors he liked with the idea that they would all lose to him. Those companies got to promote Hiromu being in their ring, bumping tickets, and then Hiromu won showing New Japan's superiority. New Japan, while they'd love to have Kaito jump ship, would prefer he make the decision himself to move on, rather than muck up a relationship by trying to poach him and offering a big contract timed to his free agency. People like Shingo and Ishimori left their home promotions because, like Okada, they felt that there was nothing else left to them to do and they wanted a new challenge. MUSASHI of Michinoku Pro just noted he was leaving for the same reason, and hinted at everyone understanding what that challenge is soon. He just worked a tour for New Japan in the Fall as YOH's partner in the Super Jr. Tag League, and is now Master Wato's replacement for the NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania tour next month, so many think he's heading to work there full-time. Of course, everyone talks to each other more than ever and you have to think feelers were put out from talent-to-talent, but in most cases a Miyahara is going to stick by an All Japan until the wheels fall off. Which in that specific scenario might be sooner rather than later, because the All Japan President is pissing off guys who stayed over the last 25 Baba-less years. Is this system antiquated, and has New Japan lost people trying to be the nice guy? Absolutely. I'd personally love to see some new blood and fresh matchups for the NJC and/or G1 this year, but NJPW will likely remain respectful of other companies and their ongoing relationships with their respective talents for the foreseeable future. If I recall correctly, before NOAH and DDT were under the same corporate umbrella, didn't NJPW and DDT have a falling out over Tanahashi putting out feelers to one of their top guys to jump ship while they were doing a jointly-promoted show? Can't remember all the details and everyone involved, but there was a decent dust-up over that. The rumor was they had a working agreement but DDT ended it once they found out NJPW was trying to poach Tetsuya Endo.
|
|
|
Post by Lizuka #BLM on Jan 30, 2024 23:39:22 GMT -5
Bares noting PWTees have announced they've been told to pull Okada's merch, so if someone wants to grab something now's the time. It's specifically NJPW merch so it doesn't mean he's necessarily going to WWE.
|
|
|
Post by Jedi-El of Tomorrow on Jan 31, 2024 0:44:57 GMT -5
Bares noting PWTees have announced they've been told to pull Okada's merch, so if someone wants to grab something now's the time. It's specifically NJPW merch so it doesn't mean he's necessarily going to WWE. Yeah, Dave said it's just that he's no longer allowed to sell NJPW merchandise. It's not a sign that he's reached a deal with WWE or AEW.
|
|
Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
FANatic
Writer, Lover of all things Wrestling. Analytical, Critical, Lovable (hopefully). Lets all have fun!
Posts: 237,306
Member is Online
|
Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Jan 31, 2024 3:05:57 GMT -5
Bares noting PWTees have announced they've been told to pull Okada's merch, so if someone wants to grab something now's the time. It's specifically NJPW merch so it doesn't mean he's necessarily going to WWE. Yeah, Dave said it's just that he's no longer allowed to sell NJPW merchandise. It's not a sign that he's reached a deal with WWE or AEW. Yeah Jay White did the exact same thing for what it's worth.
|
|
|
Post by Jedi-El of Tomorrow on Jan 31, 2024 5:11:22 GMT -5
Yeah, Dave said it's just that he's no longer allowed to sell NJPW merchandise. It's not a sign that he's reached a deal with WWE or AEW. Yeah Jay White did the exact same thing for what it's worth. To add to that, lots of AEW wrestlers still have their shops open with old shirts. Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and CM Punk still have their shops open despite being in WWE. So, yeah it's a New Japan thing, and not an indication he signed somewhere.
|
|
Kalmia
King Koopa
Happy to be here
Posts: 11,856
|
Post by Kalmia on Jan 31, 2024 12:31:03 GMT -5
Okada apparently has Barry Bloom as his agent so wherever he ends up, he's going to get paid and paid well.
|
|