WWE Reportedly Has Renewed Interest in Kazuchika Okada

WWE reportedly currently has renewed interest in signing New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Kazuchika Okada to a potential deal, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that his sources stated that WWE officials have held recent talks regarding the idea of potentially signing Okada to a contract with the company. Meltzer reported that the pitch from WWE officials revolves around Okada being 36 years old, his close friendship with Shinsuke Nakamura, and working in WWE would be far easier on his body as has been the case with Nakamura after he left NJPW.

Meltzer reported that this pitch also revolves around pushing the idea that working in WWE is the one thing that Okada has never done for his career and he has already done everything he can do in NJPW.

One source spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that the company’s renewed interested in Okada is one of the reasons why Nakamura has gotten a renewed push as a way to show to Okada that WWE’s new regime is not going to treat Japanese wrestlers in a stereotypical children-like role, as was the case with Vince McMahon when he was in charge for people who did not speak English. Meltzer did bring up WWE’s booking and handling of Akira Tozawa as a counter example of this view.

Meltzer reported that while Okada’s name is always brought up from time to time in WWE, there has been no indication that there is anything new to WWE’s latest renewed interest beyond just there being more talk of late.