10 Things You Need To Know About Kazuchika Okada
2. He's Not Interested In WWE
The departures of Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles just after Wrestle Kingdom 10 are still a sore subject for many New Japan fans who saw two of the company's best workers depart for WWE with little warning. At the same time, though, NJPW endured, pushing Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito en route to even greater success.
The loss of Kazuchika Okada, though, would be a lot harder to stomach. He's the centerpiece of the company, the ace, and everything that happens for the next several years will revolve around him.
It's lucky, then, that Okada has no interest in joining WWE. In numerous interviews over the years, "The Rainmaker" has stated that he has no desire to compete full time in America, citing his usage in TNA as turning him off to U.S.-based wrestling promotions. At the same time, though, he loves performing in front of U.S. crowds, so what's the solution?
As Okada sees it, he must make New Japan larger, turning it into a worldwide phenomenon that tours the U.S. as well as Japan. On July 1 he'll get his first shot, as he'll be headlining New Japan's first-ever self-promoted show in the U.S.