Kazuchika Okada on Why His Match Against Hiroshi Tanahashi Should Main Event NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, His Approach to Tanahashi Match, Tanahashi’s Importance on His Wrestling Career, Differences Between Working in AEW & NJPW, & More

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s NJPW1972.com website held a recent interview with Kazuchika Okada. One of the topics discussed included Okada’s thoughts about Konosuke Takeshita being the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

“I think it’s great. I’m an AEW wrestler now. So I’m glad to see that he, as another AEW wrestler, can come and show that AEW guys are able to perform at that level to win a G1 and win the IWGP. I’m grateful for that.

You know, he likes to snip at me and we do butt heads. I understand how he feels. I understand that he would have me on his mind having won the G1 and the title. I think it would be weird if he didn’t. Maybe when we find out who’s in the main event in the Tokyo Dome, that will put a line in the sand of who’s the better man. To an extent, I think that’s at stake here.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about why he believes his match against Hiroshi Tanahashi for Tanahashi’s retirement match should main event Wrestle Kingdom 20 over traditionally that being the spot for the IWGP World title match.

“I’ve always thought that the IWGP title should absolutely go on last, but in a situation like this, Tanahashi’s last match should absolutely go on last. That’s what people are coming to see. Maybe this is pushing it a bit but it’s kind of like eating your meal, having dessert and then in comes a second entree. People might be stuffed, but even then, maybe because of that, I like the main event better.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about his surprise appearance at NJPW’s New Japan Road in Anjo event this past November and him revealing himself to be Tanahashi’s final opponent.

“Well, when I heard from Gedo about Tanahashi’s retirement, I thought back to all the times we had wrestled, and how Gedo was in my corner for so many of those matches, so (I) thought Gedo should be with me. It just so happened that NJPW had a card in Anjo, in my hometown, on my birthday. I didn’t have any AEW commitment that day, so when Gedo suggested making that the day everything happened, I was more than happy to.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about how it feels to be Tanahashi’s final opponent and the importance Tanahashi has had on his wrestling career.

“Hmm, I’m not really sure I have an answer to that. It doesn’t quite feel like he’s retiring. I think I won’t know for sure until the day itself. If I was in NJPW all this time, perhaps I might get a sense that retirement was looming, but I’ve been over in America; I never really gave it thought. I think it’ll be at the end of the year, when I’m finished with the AEW schedule, and next is the Tokyo Dome, that’s when I’ll be able to give it more thought.

But everything about The Rainmaker started with Tanahashi, so it makes sense to end Tanahashi’s career… Talking about it that way sounds a little self-centered (laughs), but in the end, I feel this is a repayment in a way.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about if he has also been considering retirement plans for his own wrestling career.

“Yes, it’s a retirement match, but — and I don’t mean this in a weird way — in the end, it is a normal match. It’s the same as it would be a tag match on a local house show. Any match only exists in itself and never to be repeated, so I don’t think that retirement matches in themselves should be different in that sense. I’m just thinking how best can I really hit him where it hurts.

My retirement? I mean, I’ve been around to be in NJPW and see people come and go, and then for me to leave as well, it says how much of a career I’ve had already. I don’t think I’m anywhere near retiring yet, but I am aware that day will come sometime. Maybe I should ask Tanahashi to be my final opponent? Oh wait, he’s finishing up. (laughs)”

Okada also gave his thoughts about the biggest differences between AEW and NJPW for his wrestling career.

“AEW has catering (laughs). But with AEW, every show is a TV show, so there’s a lot more staff around all the time, and there you’re constantly moving from town to town, so that’s a huge difference. In a lot of ways, it’s a different thing. You’re really part of this traveling TV show there; it’s a different animal. But it’s a lot of fun.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about the biggest challenges he has faced wrestling in America compared to his native Japan.

“In the ring… well, in the ring, things aren’t that different in the end. NJPW is at a hugely high level, but there are a lot of great wrestlers in AEW so that isn’t different. But there have been a lot of challenges, in terms of having to speak English, and getting through that has been a little heartbreaking at times. But using that as a chance for growth, it’s meant America’s been a great experience for me.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about the advice he gave to Olympic Judo gold medalist Aaron Wolf for his pro wrestling career and him regretting he didn’t tell Wolf to join AEW first instead.

“I screwed up. I should have told him to come to AEW. But you know, I started in Mexico, but it wasn’t until I got to NJPW that I really learned about the details and the finer points in wrestling, and those finer points are the most important part. So it’s NJPW that you really get the base to be the best pro-wrestler you can be and that’s why I said he should start in New Japan. And then he should study English so he can come to America. Can I say that?”