10 Big Signings WWE Must Make In 2017
2. Kazuchika Okada
Kazuchika Okada’s is New Japan’s ace. He’s the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, an unparalleled big match wrestler, and already one of the best in the business at 29 years old. Okada’s legendary series of matches with Hiroshi Tanahashi should be required viewing for any pro-wrestling fan, and The Rainmaker has already built himself a stunning body of work that most wrestlers with twice his experience would kill to have.
If Okada becomes available, he should be considered a no-brainer. His former NJPW colleague Shinsuke Nakamura has been a tremendous success at NXT, and while Okada doesn’t quite have his electric charisma, he’s a bigger star than Nakamura ever was. If NJPW have their way, he’s the guy around whom their business will be built for the next ten years, and losing him would be a complete disaster.
WWE snapped up Nakamura, AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows at the start of the year, but Okada’s contractual situation is complicated. He’s thought to be under a two-year deal in Japan, but his willingness to sign a longer contract is always under debate. That being said, Okada has reaffirmed his dedication to helping NJPW grow from within time and time again: he loves working for the company, and it’d take a titanic offer to convince him to leave.
A difficult acquisition, but Okada would be worth every penny. His lack of English would be a problem, but his athleticism, personality, and proven drawing ability would make him a huge asset for WWE, and a leading light on either Raw or SmackDown.