Fightful: Okada Headed to AEW

[kingoftheindies]

Could be wrong, but not totally unexpected

[Chiral]

[Urethra Franklin]

The way I see it, Okada has a higher ceiling with WWE than he does with AEW.

But he also has a significantly lower floor with WWE than he does with AEW.

This was, by far, the safer choice.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

That’s good. I hope his presentation at least matches what he had in New Japan.

[floundertime]

I totally expected this, good for Okada. Get the money, less schedule, and maybe still live in Japan.

From an AEW standpoint, I think it’s a waste. You’re paying him top dollar, not top dolla. How much does he move the needle? AEW’s hardcore niche they have will go bonkers but is he bringing in any casual fans? I don’t think so. So he’s another big contract that doesn’t grow the company. I feel Mone is the same too. Big money, doesn’t move the needle.

[Deleted]

Unless something catastrophic would have happened during negotiations IMO this was always his landing spot simply because WWE was no doubt willing to give him an amazing offer but TK was going to give him anything he wanted.

[kingoftheindies]

Feb 11, 2024 14:06:24 GMT -5 Urethra Franklin said:

The way I see it, Okada has a higher ceiling with WWE than he does with AEW.

But he also has a significantly lower floor with WWE than he does with AEW.

This was, by far, the safer choice.

Okada I saw very much in the same vain of Ospreay in why I felt AEW was more likely than WWE. Felt relocation was a deal breaker.

[SneakMan]

Feb 11, 2024 14:10:18 GMT -5 floundertime said:

I totally expected this, good for Okada. Get the money, less schedule, and maybe still live in Japan.

From an AEW standpoint, I think it’s a waste. You’re paying him top dollar, not top dolla. How much does he move the needle? AEW’s hardcore niche they have will go bonkers but is he bringing in any casual fans? I don’t think so. So he’s another big contract that doesn’t grow the company. I feel Mone is the same too. Big money, doesn’t move the needle.

Who, in your opinion, is a signing that would draw in “casual fans” that isn’t currently under contract with WWE?

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 11, 2024 14:10:18 GMT -5 floundertime said:

I totally expected this, good for Okada. Get the money, less schedule, and maybe still live in Japan.

From an AEW standpoint, I think it’s a waste. You’re paying him top dollar, not top dolla. How much does he move the needle? AEW’s hardcore niche they have will go bonkers but is he bringing in any casual fans? I don’t think so. So he’s another big contract that doesn’t grow the company. I feel Mone is the same too. Big money, doesn’t move the needle.

Isn't making the roster stronger and the show better worth more than the idea that they can sign anyone who will bring in 'the casuals'? Like, what human even exists who AEW could sign that would do that? They shouldn't sit out bids for top talents because of some idea that in the short terms they won't make someone who's never tuned in to AEW give it a shot.

[Chiral]

[Kalmia]

I gain nothing from AEW making more money. But I gain a lot from seeing Okada on my screen and that's all I care about.

[Cyno]

The Jacksons' wrestling gear will no longer be safe.

[Moppy]

In AEW's situation you either pay big bucks for the world's biggest free agent stars, in an attempt to grow your brand, or you don't. And if you don't you just perpetuate your status as #2 and basically open up the door for them to walk right into #1.

If you're TK you gotta go for it.

[KME]

Incredibly exciting if it goes through, and perfect timing really with Mercedes and Ospreay about to arrive too. People will say the roster is too stacked already but long term Danielson won't be full time for much longer and Jericho is no longer a top guy and is winding down, medium term Kenny's out for who knows how long, MJF is out for a while and short term Cole's injured, and I just don't think you turn down the opportunity to sign Okada if it's there.

So many exciting things they can do with him, both new matches and old classics revisited. Don't really care if he moves the needle, bonus if he does but it's not why I watch. AEW has grown a huge amount already by largely doing things like this, getting the worlds best wrestlers, don't see why they'd stop doing it.

[fw91]

Good. he wouldn't fit in wwe at all imo.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 11, 2024 14:22:23 GMT -5 Moppy said:

In AEW's situation you either pay big bucks for the world's biggest free agent stars, in an attempt to grow your brand, or you don't. And if you don't you just perpetuate your status as #2 and basically open up the door for them to walk right into #1.

If you're TK you gotta go for it.

And it's not like WWE hasn't tried to run victory laps and PR with every talent they managed to get to jump. Even ones who AEW didn't even want anymore, like Pillman Jr. just being left to fall off because they didn't want him, but WWE still made it sound like they poached him. They offered Jade so much money that Tony didn't even try to guess at what kind of counteroffer he'd need to make, and they have run every second of promotion they can with her. If they'll do that for a dude as mediocre and as unknown as Pillman, imagine what they'll do if they can land Okada. There's a real, tangible status loss in repeatedly taking Ls on competing for talent, and AEW are still getting narratives thrown their way despite the big wins they've landed on this front.

[kingoftheindies]

Feb 11, 2024 14:22:23 GMT -5 Moppy said:

In AEW's situation you either pay big bucks for the world's biggest free agent stars, in an attempt to grow your brand, or you don't. And if you don't you just perpetuate your status as #2 and basically open up the door for them to walk right into #1.

If you're TK you gotta go for it.

Yes and no. Much like 2021/22 I think AEW is right to go after talent that comes available but they've got to know what they're getting into. Now people like Okada you make an exception and get him if at all possible, but signing a bunch of top talent that came available was in part an issue they ran into with some of the down time AEW had. With big talent comes big egos.

Now is AEW more equipped backstage to deal with that? Sounds like they may be

[ASYLUMHAUSEN]

Feb 11, 2024 14:22:13 GMT -5 Cyno said:

The Jacksons' wrestling gear will no longer be safe.

Don’t kind me, just over here counting the days until I see a picture or video clip of Okada trolling the locker room while wearing Nicholas’s blood covered, ‘$5,000’ suit

[jm]

TK: "F*** them casuals!!! Time to make it rain!!!"

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

AEW's brand is built on providing the more exciting in-ring product. It's essential for them to maintain that in the face of some talent needing to slow down or step back, and signing freakin' Okada is the best way to ensure that they maintain the advantages they have in the market.

So yeah, from a business business business standpoint, Okada's a pretty essential hire.