Kazuchika Okada is All Elite. Not only has the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion made his AEW (All Elite Wrestling) debut, he’s done so by joining up with The Elite stable.
While Okada is a massive signing for Tony Khan, it’s unlikely to help with the declining Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage ratings. Despite Okada’s acclaim and status within the wrestling community, he is a vastly unknown name in the mainstream. As well as an unproven commodity in the American wrestling market. His first trip stateside occurred all the way back in 2010 when he had a brief run with TNA (Total Nonstop Action.) A run that was so poorly received it completely shattered TNA and NJPW’s (New Japan Pro Wrestling) working relationship, ending any and all talent exchange.
After his humiliating stint in TNA, Okada returned to Japan, eventually transcending into “The Rainmaker,” a villainous persona that helped skyrocket him to the top of the NJPW roster. He’d go on to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship five times, with his fourth reign lasting a whopping 720 days, the longest reign in the title’s history.
Arguably one of the best wrestlers working today, Okada will be able to put on masterful matches with a handful of the AEW talent. Though it’s doubtful anyone will see them. Okada is good. He may even be the best. But he’s not a name. Not really. Not to the casual fan, and whether Tony or his fans want to admit it, the casual fan is the most crucial. You reach them, you can break the mainstream, and that’s where you want to be. AEW needs to break out of their bubble before they suffocate. And all the Will Ospreays and the Mercedes Mones and Kazuchika Okadas of the world are not the way to do that. Especially when you have no idea how to book and present them like the stars they deserve to be.
Time will tell how Okada and Tony’s other recent huge acquisitions (Mercedes Mone and Will Ospreay) fair. Here’s hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
What do you think? Will Okada be the game changer AEW is looking for? Will Mercedes? Ospreay? Anyone? Let us know in the comments.