WWE and AEW are both aggressively courting the hottest “free agent” in professional wrestling, NJPW legend Kazuchika Okada.
There are rumblings that he could be ready to spread his wings for one of the two major promotions in the United States, but it’s anyone’s guess as to which one of the two will land him.
According to a report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer News, Okada actually hasn’t decided on the offers between WWE and AEW either.
Both promotions are optimistic that they can land Okada, and WWE, in particular, believe they have a key selling point advantage over their less established rivals in the bidding.
Per Meltzer, WWE believe that they can tell Okada they can offer him a WrestleMania moment to add to his legacy, because that appears to be the record-breaking IWGP Heavyweight Champion’s main goal with his next move.
Roman Reigns vs. Kazuchika Okada is the biggest dream match in wrestling
Okada has been the best wrestler in the world from a total package standpoint for years. His matches and storytelling are perfection, his aura is untouchable, and his consistency is unparalleled.
Roman Reigns has been dominated WWE as world champion for years, but before his reign of terror, Okada was gracing NJPW as a never-ending champion and doing so in a more difficult role as the top face.
Seeing both men clash in the same promotion would be the stuff dreams are made of, and that, combined with having other stars like CM Punk, is likely the key selling point for WWE.
They have the personnel, production, and prestige over time to offer Okada a unique audience and opportunity to expand his horizons that AEW simply do not have.
AEW have their own benefits in terms of their close-knit fanbase, wrestling-focused style, and familiarity with NJPW, but if Okada wants something different and more grand, WWE know they have that to offer him.
Kevin was an editor at Daily DDT, covering professional wrestling, and is now doing the same here at Let Them Wrestle.