Kazuchika Okada comments on potential jump to WWE
By Jack Crosby
Kazuchika Okada commented on potentially making a jump in the future from New Japan Pro Wrestling to WWE
When the discussion is had about professional wrestlers who have had an incredible 2017 thus far, for most, the conversation begins with current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. It seems virtually every time that Okada gets in the ring, something magical takes place, and because of this, he was recently named No. 1 on the prestigious — depending on who you ask — PWI 500 list counting down the best professional wrestlers in the world.
At just 29 years old, this much success has had fans wondering whether or not Okada could follow in the footsteps of Shinsuke Nakamura and make the jump to WWE to see whether or not he could brighten his star more internationally than it already is. This speculation was fueled even further recently when Okada was in the United States and it was confirmed he visited backstage at both RAW and SmackDown Live events.
This is a subject that Okada recently addressed during an appearance on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Podcast following his being named No. 1 on the PWI 5OO (h/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription).
“There’s really no telling what could happen. But just as much as I might feel the desire and the drive to be in a match against Jinder or something at that level at SummerSlam, just like Nakamura did, I might also want to jump into UFC,” Okada said. “I might also want to go to Hollywood and try my luck there — maybe as the next James Bond. Also, I might desire to focus on the next challenge against Kenny or whoever here. So, to be honest with you, I simply don’t know.”
Skipping over the pro wrestling aspect of all this for a second, hidden right in the middle there was a little UFC namedrop, although that really seems out of the realm of possibility.
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Right now Okada seems content being the new ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling as he continues this amazing title run that he’s been on since 2016. But we’ve seen what Vince McMahon money can pull off when someone is desired to be in the company, and if Okada keeps up this run, he could be made an offer that he can’t refuse at some point in the near future.