Fightful: Okada Headed to AEW

[polarbearpete]

AEW now has as part of their roster the main events of Wrestle Kingdoms 17 (Okada-White), 16 (Okada-Ospreay), 15 (Ibushi-White), 14 night 1 (Okada-Ibushi), and 11 (Okada-Omega).

[Platypus Mod, with a new hat]

Feb 11, 2024 16:02:02 GMT -5 EoE: Workin On My Night Cheese said:

It’s better for the industry as a whole that AEW can match and even surpass WWE in some areas at the negotiation table.

Yeah having two healthy companies willing to spend multimillion dollars on contracts is a GOOD thing for wrestling, especially from the wrestlers behalf.

Not going to say roster bloat that is a problem with AEW but when a guy like Okada becomes available you absolutely sign him because he will make money for whichever side gets him.

[BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps]

In all seriousness, Okada vs. MJF is gonna be hype. Just keep them both cocky dickhead faces and let the fun begin.

[Moppy]

Also feels pretty seismic for global wrestling that Japan’s undisputed #1 tip top draw has signed with the #2 company in the US, with them offering (presumably) a much higher compensation into the bargain. Like surely that’s never happened before.

[Hanky McCranky Jr.]

I like Jay White a lot, but even as the IWGP World Champ and top gaijin in New Japan, he was never their biggest star. Same with Ospreay. Amazing wrestler and one of their big upper card names, but still not the big name.

Okada was THE guy in NJPW. His stardom is on another level. I have faith AEW will do right by him. Maybe not immediately world title mix, but he'll feel like a big deal.

[gentlemengreg1]

Obviously great signing by Tony Khan.

Question is how do you bring Okada in when he first appears in AEW?

I would think about taking Okada alongside Young Bucks and have him become Corporate, Untouchable Top Heel….eventually becoming AEW’s Champion representing Young Buck corporate faction.

But Ospreay is also coming in as a heel, correct? So maybe this doesn’t work for Okada.

[daaave]

I think Ospreay will be a face. His promo when he signed was very face.

I'm hoping the first thing he'll do on day 1 is ditch Don. Basically say he used him to get a foot in the door of AEW and now he's here he doesn't need him. Then set up a feud and match with Takeshita at Revolution. Fletcher can turn on Don too

[khali]

The best thing for the wrestling industry would have been Okada staying in NJPW. But going to AEW is the second best thing for the industry. And for me as a fan.

Now granted, I’m not a casual fan. But still.

[Citizen Snips]

Feb 11, 2024 16:19:49 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

AEW now has as part of their roster the main events of Wrestle Kingdoms 17 (Okada-White), 16 (Okada-Ospreay), 15 (Ibushi-White), 14 night 1 (Okada-Ibushi), and 11 (Okada-Omega).

Also Wrestlemania 24, 30, and both nights of 37.

They should create a show called KingdomMania.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Feb 11, 2024 17:07:22 GMT -5 Citizen Snips said:

Feb 11, 2024 16:19:49 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

AEW now has as part of their roster the main events of Wrestle Kingdoms 17 (Okada-White), 16 (Okada-Ospreay), 15 (Ibushi-White), 14 night 1 (Okada-Ibushi), and 11 (Okada-Omega).

Also Wrestlemania 24, 30, and both nights of 37.

They should create a show called KingdomMania.

It's just a card featuring only the Undisputed Kingdom.

[bearned]

Feb 11, 2024 16:42:21 GMT -5 Hanky McCranky Jr. said:

I like Jay White a lot, but even as the IWGP World Champ and top gaijin in New Japan, he was never their biggest star. Same with Ospreay. Amazing wrestler and one of their big upper card names, but still not the big name.

Okada was THE guy in NJPW. His stardom is on another level. I have faith AEW will do right by him. Maybe not immediately world title mix, but he'll feel like a big deal.

Yeah he’s arguably the biggest signing they have ever made - maybe not at a Danielson level but he’s still got years left in the tank, whereas Danielson is at a different stage of his career.

[raymondo316]

twitter.com/sheslaydaily/status/1756749695123439616

This is one of the worst anti AEW accounts I've come across in the last year and keeps randomly appearing on my twitter feed, so I find this funny.

Apparently, Tony paying more for wrestlers than WWE is prepared to pay is bad for the wrestling industry hahaha

[polarbearpete]

Feb 11, 2024 17:07:22 GMT -5 Citizen Snips said:

Feb 11, 2024 16:19:49 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

AEW now has as part of their roster the main events of Wrestle Kingdoms 17 (Okada-White), 16 (Okada-Ospreay), 15 (Ibushi-White), 14 night 1 (Okada-Ibushi), and 11 (Okada-Omega).

Also Wrestlemania 24, 30, and both nights of 37.

They should create a show called KingdomMania.

I meant the complete main events of those shows. If we’re talking about just one competitor then they have nearly all of the WKs.

[jm]

Feb 11, 2024 17:31:18 GMT -5 raymondo316 said:

This is one of the worst anti AEW accounts I've come across in the last year and keeps randomly appearing on my twitter feed, so I find this funny.

Apparently, Tony paying more for wrestlers than WWE is prepared to pay is bad for the wrestling industry hahaha

AEW existing has truly broken people's brains.

[Ryushinku]

Feb 11, 2024 16:02:02 GMT -5 EoE: Workin On My Night Cheese said:

It’s better for the industry as a whole that AEW can match and even surpass WWE in some areas at the negotiation table.

Mmm. I'd say it's crucial, even.

A virtual monopoly just always leads to periods of stagnation. Hard to really put in your best effort when you're competing against yourself.

[jm]

[kingoftheindies]

I think AEW learned through the Punk fiasco and the overall drama/morale issues the last 2 years that for AEW to evolve and continue to grow their best bet is to focus on what they do best while also improving the production and presentation. While I personally feel the extent of this was over exaggerated, it's hard not to look at the shows AEW has been putting on and not say that they had been a bit to WWE lite for 2022/23... or at the very least they got away from what got them the momentum they had in the first place.

I also think fans need to realize that AEW/WWE just offer different things that will appeal to different wrestlers. For AEW the biggest thing has and for now will continue to be more creative freedom (and outside bookings). I've said before with Mercedes, just hearing stories about what she was unhappy with she clearly wants to spread her creative wings for a bit as a wrestler, and I think the same can be said for Ospreay/Okada (but again I think the lack of needing to relocate is bigger for them).

WWE I think is better at protecting/building up wrestlers who are not as good in ring. WWE will do what they need to to help get you over where as AEW wants you to get yourself over more. It's why I think you're seeing more of the free agents go to AEW... but I do think WWE will get their fair share as well..

Just to add after posting, most of AEW's issues now I think can be pointed more so at bad executives in areas where improvements were needed. It feels like the issues were solved creatively. Sounds like there's structure backstage for talent relations. Now to see how the Live Event changes and Merchandise changes makes

[Totorob101]

Feb 11, 2024 17:46:29 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

I think AEW learned through the Punk fiasco and the overall drama/morale issues the last 2 years that for AEW to evolve and continue to grow their best bet is to focus on what they do best while also improving the production and presentation. While I personally feel the extent of this was over exaggerated, it's hard not to look at the shows AEW has been putting on and not say that they had been a bit to WWE lite for 2022/23... or at the very least they got away from what got them the momentum they had in the first place.

I also think fans need to realize that AEW/WWE just offer different things that will appeal to different wrestlers. For AEW the biggest thing has and for now will continue to be more creative freedom (and outside bookings). I've said before with Mercedes, just hearing stories about what she was unhappy with she clearly wants to spread her creative wings for a bit as a wrestler, and I think the same can be said for Ospreay/Okada (but again I think the lack of needing to relocate is bigger for them).

WWE I think is better at protecting/building up wrestlers who are not as good in ring. WWE will do what they need to to help get you over where as AEW wants you to get yourself over more. It's why I think you're seeing more of the free agents go to AEW... but I do think WWE will get their fair share as well..

Just to add after posting, most of AEW's issues now I think can be pointed more so at bad executives in areas where improvements were needed. It feels like the issues were solved creatively. Sounds like there's structure backstage for talent relations. Now to see how the Live Event changes and Merchandise changes makes

Agreed with all and honestly with WWE losing out on the likes of Okada, Osprey, Jay White, Mone, potentially Kamille etc I think they should just focus on building talent from athletes,models and other areas as it's what they are best at while letting AEW have the pick of wrestling talent out there as it does seem current pro wrestlers want to join AEW far more now. Can't see WWE signing any more Japanese talent either as Tony will always have the advantage of hiring them now with Okada on the books.

[HIM]

We're going to get some crazy matches out of this. I hope that the storylines do well but at the very least the matches will hit. What I'm really interested in is a future Okada/Takeshita feud. With Okada's legacy and Takeshita's future, this might be what he needs to level up.

I'd honestly debut him on the same night Mercedes debuts. There was a thought in the back of my mind that it would be dope to see them both debut there, both being associated with money, it would just fit especially with them doing that one picture they took. Just go ahead and do it and we could be seeing a huge changing of the landscape. 2 prime main event level talents debuting on the same night. That's something we haven't seen since Bryan and Cole debuted.

[kingoftheindies]

Feb 11, 2024 17:55:47 GMT -5 Totorob101 said:

Feb 11, 2024 17:46:29 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

I think AEW learned through the Punk fiasco and the overall drama/morale issues the last 2 years that for AEW to evolve and continue to grow their best bet is to focus on what they do best while also improving the production and presentation. While I personally feel the extent of this was over exaggerated, it's hard not to look at the shows AEW has been putting on and not say that they had been a bit to WWE lite for 2022/23... or at the very least they got away from what got them the momentum they had in the first place.

I also think fans need to realize that AEW/WWE just offer different things that will appeal to different wrestlers. For AEW the biggest thing has and for now will continue to be more creative freedom (and outside bookings). I've said before with Mercedes, just hearing stories about what she was unhappy with she clearly wants to spread her creative wings for a bit as a wrestler, and I think the same can be said for Ospreay/Okada (but again I think the lack of needing to relocate is bigger for them).

WWE I think is better at protecting/building up wrestlers who are not as good in ring. WWE will do what they need to to help get you over where as AEW wants you to get yourself over more. It's why I think you're seeing more of the free agents go to AEW... but I do think WWE will get their fair share as well..

Just to add after posting, most of AEW's issues now I think can be pointed more so at bad executives in areas where improvements were needed. It feels like the issues were solved creatively. Sounds like there's structure backstage for talent relations. Now to see how the Live Event changes and Merchandise changes makes

Agreed with all and honestly with WWE losing out on the likes of Okada, Osprey, Jay White, Mone, potentially Kamille etc I think they should just focus on building talent from athletes,models and other areas as it's what they are best at while letting AEW have the pick of wrestling talent out there as it does seem current pro wrestlers want to join AEW far more now. Can't see WWE signing any more Japanese talent either as Tony will always have the advantage of hiring them now with Okada on the books.

Basically this. WWE will get their share of course, and that could be getting someone like Ricky Starks (since he seems to be a popular choice to jump), and he'll be a huge deal. But for WWE they're either going to get people who are already tailor made for them or who are blank slates they can build from the ground up.