Fightful: Okada Headed to AEW

[cjb01: Limited Edition Item!]

Okada, Ospreay, Mone, and potentially also others like Kamille

This is one of the craziest runs of signing talent I have ever seen from any wrestling owner. Probably surpasses even getting Cole and Danielson on the same night to me, because that's three of on paper, some of the best talents in the world for wrestling all available and all snatched up in relatively short order

Super pumped to see how Okada does, I think he could be a world champion, quite easily, but overall I'm just ready to see Okada have dream matches with an insanely stacked roster of talent

[yokohamacpfc]

I think his decision to leave NJPW was financial, with the Japanese economy the way it is getting paid in dollars goes so much further back home, the bigger offer was going to win. This does put a new spin on the title picture. Hangman, Swerve, Ospreay and maybe Darby were the four I assumed would be the big players post-Joe but pre-MJF return. You've got to imagine Okada will slot right into that batch.

[khali]

It’ll be very interesting to see how they use Okada as far as how often he wrestles. I’m sure if he’s doing matches on tv they’ll be great, but we’ve never seen what he’ll do with like a ten minute singles tv match. Or they could just have him be a special attraction who only does major main events on tv and PPV.

[mo]

Feb 11, 2024 17:36:54 GMT -5 jm said:

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.

It really is wild how offended some people got over a viable alternative to WWE existing in North America. These forums aren’t immune to some of those people either.

[Hanky McCranky Jr.]

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

Isn't that the person who got caught red-handed and called out by Tony Khan for pirating AEW PPV's?

[Chiral]

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

Yeah I know I've said it before but it feels like the choice between the companies for talent is increasingly like:

AEW:
+ Blank canvas for creative types
+ Ability to work all sorts of different in ring styles
+ A high number of top tier in ring talent is here
+ Take outside bookings
+ If you have a vision for your character and the drive to show it you have the most chance to show it here

- Lack of direction if you don't come up with your own
- if you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely ain't the place
- Your creative vision might just f***ing suck and it's on you if it fails
- Chance to get lost in the shuffle higher
- No big system in place for developmental


WWE
+ Significantly bigger spotlight with the big ol audience
+ Massive events like Mania and all the other stadium shows
+ If you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely is the place
+ Best chance for a springboard to other things like moviez
+ Big system in place for developmental

- No outside bookings
- Significantly less creative freedom
- You likely get to work one in ring style and that's it forever
- A lack of training for improv and for when things go wrong
- You are at the mercy of creative and could be renamed Qubierlius Fumbo

[Platypus Mod, with a new hat]

Feb 11, 2024 18:42:13 GMT -5 Chiral 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

Yeah I know I've said it before but it feels like the choice between the companies for talent is increasingly like:

AEW:
+ Blank canvas for creative types
+ Ability to work all sorts of different in ring styles
+ A high number of top tier in ring talent is here
+ Take outside bookings
+ If you have a vision for your character and the drive to show it you have the most chance to show it here

- Lack of direction if you don't come up with your own
- if you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely ain't the place
- Your creative vision might just f***ing suck and it's on you if it fails
- Chance to get lost in the shuffle higher
- No big system in place for developmental


WWE
+ Significantly bigger spotlight with the big ol audience
+ Massive events like Mania and all the other stadium shows
+ If you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely is the place
+ Best chance for a springboard to other things like moviez
+ Big system in place for developmental

- No outside bookings
- Significantly less creative freedom
- You likely get to work one in ring style and that's it forever
- A lack of training for improv and for when things go wrong
- You are at the mercy of creative and could be renamed Qubierlius Fumbo

some of the negatives for WWE are also currently up in the air due to well everything going on.

[daaave]

I'd like him to debut with the Bucks and part of their new gimmick I think. Start off with something different. Not a cookie cutter happy to be here babyface. Think you've got some good faces for him to work with in first year.

Edge vs Okada at Wembley. Any of Kingston, Mox, Darby, OC would be good matches

[Kalmia]

It's almost like having two major companies that appeal to different fans and different wrestlers is exactly how it should be. I don't know why so many fans get offended by a different company doing things differently.

[BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps]

I want an Okada-Swerve feud for the world title. Make that the big feud (with Joe and Hangman as the wild cards) until Max returns.

And keep him far away from FTR. They’ll poison his mind.

[KME]

Feb 11, 2024 17:36:54 GMT -5 jm said:

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.

I wouldn't say that it's broken their brains.

That implies they had a brain to break in the first place.

No knock on WWE now but I think most would agree it was a truly awful product for a long time, it takes a special kind of person to have watched that, and how god awful it was, and think "this is great! I hope we have this, and only this, totally unopposed, forever!".

But yeah that's a truly stupid viewpoint that guys got, if he even knows who Okada is I'm sure he'd be able to knowledge his bitterness is based around being gutted WWE missed out on the guy, therefore acknowledging how good he is, and if you know how good he is why would AEW not want him. Just hilarious to try and make out it's solely to hurt the poor underdog WWE. Genuinely hate fans like that. Someone being able to pay more than the company who always paid the most previously and being able to it without taking blood money is a great thing and incredibly healthy for the business.

[Allie Kitsune]

Feb 11, 2024 18:50:40 GMT -5 Platypus Mod, with a new hat said:

Feb 11, 2024 18:42:13 GMT -5 Chiral said:

Yeah I know I've said it before but it feels like the choice between the companies for talent is increasingly like:

AEW:
+ Blank canvas for creative types
+ Ability to work all sorts of different in ring styles
+ A high number of top tier in ring talent is here
+ Take outside bookings
+ If you have a vision for your character and the drive to show it you have the most chance to show it here

- Lack of direction if you don't come up with your own
- if you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely ain't the place
- Your creative vision might just f***ing suck and it's on you if it fails
- Chance to get lost in the shuffle higher
- No big system in place for developmental


WWE
+ Significantly bigger spotlight with the big ol audience
+ Massive events like Mania and all the other stadium shows
+ If you want to be told what to do and follow orders this likely is the place
+ Best chance for a springboard to other things like moviez
+ Big system in place for developmental

- No outside bookings
- Significantly less creative freedom
- You likely get to work one in ring style and that's it forever
- A lack of training for improv and for when things go wrong
- You are at the mercy of creative and could be renamed Qubierlius Fumbo

some of the negatives for WWE are also currently up in the air due to well everything going on.

If they don't clean house, their fate is just two green NIL guys staring at the hard camera for the rest of their existence.

[Kalmia]

One thing I do wonder is how much AEW's relationship with NJPW has helped them to nab wrestlers like Okada, Ospreay, and White. All of them have worked shows for AEW, have seen how AEW works behind the scenes, and seem to have been taken good care of during their excursions. If you're planning to make the huge move from a Japanese company to an American one, knowing what to expect might help to tip the scales a little.

[clifford]

Good. I wanna keep watching his matches.

[Fade]

Feb 11, 2024 18:02:14 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

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

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.

And Andrade

[Jindrak Mark]

Signing Okada/Mercedes/Ospreay/Edge within a few months would be one of the biggest signing sprees ever.

Some others I think would be WCW 94 with Hogan/Savage/Duggan/Beefcake/etc. WCW 96 with Nash/Hall/Steiners/Road Warriors/Rey/Jarrett. WWF 01-02 with all the WCW guys coming in. AEW in mid-late 2021 with Punk/Danielson/Cole/Andrade/Malakai. WWF late 99/early 2000 with Jericho/Taz/Benoit/Eddie/Saturn/Malenko (Angle debuted too but not really a new signing).

[Chiral]

Feb 11, 2024 19:11:26 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Feb 11, 2024 18:50:40 GMT -5 Platypus Mod, with a new hat said:

some of the negatives for WWE are also currently up in the air due to well everything going on.

If they don't clean house, their fate is just two green NIL guys staring at the hard camera for the rest of their existence.

AI Michael Cole on commentary: "A thrilling main event here with QUBIERLIUS FUMBO®, and BRICKS®!!!!!!!"

[Hanky McCranky Jr.]

I still find it weird when you see the people wringing their hands about Tony Khan poaching Will Ospreay when NJPW actually gave their blessing for him to negotiate with AEW as they're a friendly company.

And Okada is a free agent and was clearly going to either WWE or AEW, with friends and professional relationships in both companies.

[One of the Cooler, Candid TOKs]

Feb 11, 2024 15:52:27 GMT -5 jm said:

Feb 11, 2024 15:02:01 GMT -5 floundertime said:

I don’t have an idea who moves the dial that is realistic. I think it’s more, IMO, of just throwing money and getting the same results. Hey it’s Tony’s dads money so who cares. But if you look at it from a normal business point of view, imagine dumping a bunch of money into something and getting little to no results. I also understand it’s in a startup phase and most startups lose money.

Pour one out for all of AEW's shareholders.

I tried to pour a White Claw out but Tony popped up out of nowhere and drank it

[Kalmia]

Feb 11, 2024 19:27:43 GMT -5 Hanky McCranky Jr. said:

I still find it weird when you see the people wringing their hands about Tony Khan poaching Will Ospreay when NJPW actually gave their blessing for him to negotiate with AEW as they're a friendly company.

And Okada is a free agent and was clearly going to either WWE or AEW, with friends and professional relationships in both companies.

If I'm NJPW and I know with complete certainty that a wrestler is going when their contract is up, then I'm absolutely giving them my blessing to talk to AEW. If they sign for AEW, there's a very good chance they'll come back and wrestle for NJPW at some point in their contract. If they sign for WWE, it's very likely they won't.