Updates on Kazuchika Okada’s Career Future, Mercedes Mone’s Talks with AEW, & Giulia Pulled from NJW Event and Career Future

Jan 26, 2024

Update on Kazuchika Okada’s Leaving NJPW & Next Destination for His Career

As noted before, Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling after his contract expires at the end of this January.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the current belief within AEW is that Okada will be joining their company and will be starting his new career with them soon.

Meltzer reported that Okada has yet to officially make a decision on the future of his career but if Okada were to sign with AEW, this March’s Revolution 2024 event in Greensboro would be the likely choice for his arrival in the company. In regards to WWE, Meltzer reported that if Okada were to sign with WWE instead, he speculated that WWE officials could hold off on debuting Okada until this April’s WrestleMania 40 event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Update on Mercedes Mone’s Talks with AEW

As noted before, Mercedes Mone contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling and Stardom expired at some point last year. Mone’s talks with WWE for a potential return were dropped this past December due to monetary-related issues and she recently resumed talks with AEW for a potential deal.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that besides Okada, the current belief within AEW is that Mone will also be joining their company and making her official AEW debut soon. Meltzer reported that Mone recently has resumed training for her in-ring return from an ankle injury she suffered this past May.

In regards to AEW’s plans for Mone’s debut, Meltzer reported that AEW officials have held recent talks regarding their plans for her official debut to be played up extremely bit and for an official announcement to potentially be made soon.

Update on WWE’s Interest in Signing Giulia – NJPW Pulls Plans for Giulia for Windy City Riot 2024 Event

As noted before, WWE is currently very interested in potentially signing Giulia once her current contract with Stardom expires at the end of March of 2024.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that New Japan Pro Wrestling officials recently pulled their plans for Giulia to defend her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at their Windy City Riot 2024 event in Chicago, Illinois.

Giulia reportedly recently informed Bushiroad officials that she will be finishing up this March and is no longer staying in Stardom nor NJPW for a period of time afterwards once her contract expires.

In regards to WWE, Meltzer reported that Giulia’s current plans are for her to still take a break from wrestling to study English to better improve her English language skills for promos and not go to WWE for a while.