How Kazuchika Okada Became All Elite

Kazuchika Okada made his full-time debut with AEW this past Wednesday on Dynamite.

Both AEW and WWE were interested in signing Okada, but it should be no surprise that Okada chose AEW. While it was a swerve to see him turn heel on Dynamite, turning on Eddie Kingston and aligning with The Young Bucks, it makes more sense when considering that working with The Elite was the deciding factor for Okada when choosing between AEW and WWE.

Speaking with sources close to AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Okada feels he will be given the best opportunity to succeed in AEW. WWE was a real consideration for Okada, and he loved the idea of being part of a WrestleMania. But in AEW, Okada is not forced to relocate, and he can continue living in Japan if he chooses. It also means he can partner with the Bucks, and extend his rivalry with Kenny Omega.

The friendship between Okada and the Bucks’ Matt and Nick Jackson dates back nearly 15 years. Years before Okada was the face of New Japan, he was sent to TNA in 2010 with dreams of making an impact in the industry.

Only 22 at the time, he was introduced to the Bucks by longtime New Japan official Tiger Hattori. As the three were underused by TNA, their friendship only strengthened. That trust was enhanced in Japan, where Okada rose to prominence. Multiple New Japan sources confirmed that it was Okada who went to NJPW management and helped secure jobs for the Bucks in the company. That was critical to their rise, as the Bucks–beside Omega–played substantial roles in the success of Bullet Club.

There was clear foreshadowing this past Sunday at the Revolution pay-per-view indicating Okada was AEW-bound. Before their main-event match against Sting and Darby Allin, the Bucks made their way to the ring wearing Okada-inspired robes. Those were custom-made when Okada became a free agent, Sports Illustrated learned, with the hope that he would sign with AEW.

As for Omega, he and Okada formed a bond when they wrestled a series of matches in New Japan that attained notoriety across the globe. Their matches–at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 2017, a 60-minute time limit draw at Dominion in 2017, and the two-out-of-three falls match at Dominion in 2018–forced pro wrestling to evolve.

All contacts confirmed that Okada, 36, expects to continue that storied rivalry once Omega is healthy. Following surgery this past December after being diagnosed with diverticulitis, Omega does not have a concrete timetable for his return. But the seeds were already planted last week on Dynamite when the Bucks kicked Omega out of The Elite, effectively replacing him with Okada.

Multiple sources also confirmed that Okada trusts AEW owner Tony Khan. Over the past five years, Khan has worked extraordinarily hard to build a working relationship with New Japan, a partnership that also highlighted Okada. Since Khan allows a crossover between AEW and NJPW, the opportunity exists for Okada to return to Japan for prominent shows like Wrestle Kingdom, or potentially even a retirement card for a massive star like Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Per sources, there was no hesitancy about debuting Okada as a heel. His original big run in Japan came off of being a great playboy heel. People will likely still cheer him because he’s so likable and possesses movie-star looks, but all parties–Khan, the EVPs in Omega and the Bucks, and Okada–agreed that his run in AEW should start as a villain, which was an idea that came directly from Khan.

A key for Okada in AEW will be mastering wrestling on television, which operates much differently in America than it does in Japan. That is another reason why partnering with the Bucks is so significant.

In terms of in-ring performances, Okada exists in a different orbit. He is a world-class wrestler, and there is every reason to believe this new version of The Elite will bring out the best in both Okada and the Bucks.

AEW represents a new challenge for Okada. Starting off beside the Bucks and in a feud with Eddie Kingston–who is beyond excited to work with “The Rainmaker”–is a very encouraging start for one of the industry’s biggest stars as he attempts to extend his stardom across North America in AEW.