Don't be surprised if Andrade shows up on Raw tonight.

Shawn Spears (Tye Dillinger) also posted "Day 1" on twitter, but that could always be either a coincidence or him fishing for attention.

Baltimore's own Kevin Dunn retiring a millionaire many times over at age 67 after 40 years with the same company, a company that went from a regional outfit to a billion dollar global phenomenon with him in a very important role, is hardly the own his haters seem to think it is. Good for him.

If this happens, NXT is a killer man. Time to get on board fellas, jump in with me, Mich, surrender & Lony weekly.

The rags are gonna go crazy this week with the Rumble happening Saturday.

Okada joining NXT would be a stupid move imo and I'll believe it when I see it. He's either main roster bound or he's signing with AEW. I don't see him going there first.

Jan 23, 2024 17:25:05 GMT RT said:

The rags are gonna go crazy this week with the Rumble happening Saturday.

Okada joining NXT would be a stupid move imo and I'll believe it when I see it. He's either main roster bound or he's signing with AEW. I don't see him going there first.

Could be another AJ Styles move straight from NJPW to WWE but he had so much North American TV time in TNA that audiences knew him fully. Nakamura was a big deal before WWE signed him and they sent him to NXT for a little bit, including a championship run. 

The pro-wrestling world consists of two bubbles: WWE and not-WWE. In the not-WWE bubble, Okada is one of the strongest and most unbeatable wrestlers in the world. He'll be one of the very few guys who could leave NJPW without a loss. His last singles match is against Tanahashi, I'll be shocked if he loses that, although it's not completely out of the question.

Inside the WWE bubble, who is Okada? Some guy from Japan. He'll probably take the long-ish road like Nakamura. NXT, main roster, take it from there. Who knows how over he'll get.

My money's on AEW.

I think he has to go on NXT first. Not because he isn’t worthy of being on the main roster, but it’ll help his star power. He will get a monster initial pop and they’ll be able to build him up in the same way they did Nakamura.

It’s a huge gamble to debut him in say the Rumble.

Of course, it’s fully understandable if he isn’t interested in NXT. He’s certainly earned the right to say no to such suggestions. I think AEW is a good landing spot for him.

They can debut him at the Rumble or whatever(He is contracted until 1/31 so he won't appear IIRC) but still send him to NXT.

Jade Cargill isn't the same type of talent but she is a bigger name to casuals than Okada yet still hasn't been placed on a brand or featured to wrestle yet.(Or whatever name he gets) Much like with Guilia, both are going to get NXT for a bit. I don't think either stays very long under HHH TBH but NXT isn't full of slouches. Dragunov, Carmelo Hayes, Dijak, and of course you can have rentals from the main roster appear who can give Okada a good/great match. Tyler Bate too if he is still in NXT contractually.

I also would be shocked if TK got outbid for Okada TBH but see it from Okada's POV. Much like with Nakamura, dude probably has had so much wear & tear that a 7 figure contract AND ability to rest the body in easy TV digestible matches seems too good to pass up. Okada's time and chance to be an immortal in NJPW is up and I think now it's easy enough coasting for a new chapter while making as much if not more money while not dealing with any NJPW potential hiccups(Didn't Ibushi and Omega leave on bad terms with the company?). It isn't out of the realm too that Okada can wrestle on behalf of WWE for Japan. See Nakamura vs Muta or Charlie Dempsey's appearance for a Japanese company.

AEW would be the move to continue to wrestle the style he wants to do best but I think Okada knows it's the smarter move to roll in HHH's WWE since he'll be treated as big enough figure for whatever brand he goes to. They're spending big bucks to get him in, they will absolutely hype this up like Cargill.

Jan 23, 2024 17:50:39 GMT Emperor said:

My money's on AEW.

Okada will be just another big time talent from Japan if he goes to AEW, I think WWE gives fresher matches and he gets to shine in the company more instead of being the "Big name from NJPW" guy. Kenny Omega had that and he's even taken a back seat at this point and time in his career to other talents(Understandably due to health issues). 

Couple things:

-You're all severely underestimating how big a name Okada is. A lot more WWE fans know him than you think. You're gonna sit here and tell me that if the coin dropped at #30 this Saturday the roof wouldn't blow off the arena? (it can't because he's still under contract until the 31st but let's be real here).

-This rumour apparently came from Monthly Puroresu who didn't confirm it with anyone close to Okada, and also posted such rumours as Will Ospreay leaving NJPW for NXT UK in 2021, and more recently that Jay White was signing with WWE.

I'm not saying this won't happen, but if we're going to have discussions based on completely made-up rumours with no actual facts to back them up then lets talk about the upcoming CM Punk, Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns vs The Elite match that I am just now deciding is a thing that is happening at Wrestlemania.

Wrestling diehards will know who Okada is but casuals probably not. Especially if he gets the name "Jin Kazama" or something.

Jan 23, 2024 19:10:46 GMT RT said:

Couple things:

-You're all severely underestimating how big a name Okada is.

Care to expand? NJPW is a fraction of the size of even AEW. It stands to reason that that NJPW’s US audience is a fraction of the size of even that. So where is the guarantee that he would illicit a huge pop? I mean maybe he would, the Rumble crowd tends to be more hardcore, but it’s far from a guarantee. It’s not a slight against Okada, it’s common sense.

Jan 23, 2024 19:58:18 GMT Todd said:

Jan 23, 2024 19:10:46 GMT RT said:

Couple things:

-You're all severely underestimating how big a name Okada is.

Care to expand? NJPW is a fraction of the size of even AEW. It stands to reason that that NJPW’s US audience is a fraction of the size of even that. So where is the guarantee that he would illicit a huge pop? I mean maybe he would, the Rumble crowd tends to be more hardcore, but it’s far from a guarantee. It’s not a slight against Okada, it’s common sense.

It has nothing to do with audience size. His popularity expands beyond the NJPW audience by a lot more than people think is all I'm saying.

And yeah, that's why I said the Rumble specifically. That is where you do a big debut like that because you are guaranteeing yourself a big reaction with a hot crowd that is mainly hardcore fans. I'm not saying Kazuchika Okada's music hitting on a random Smackdown in Boise, Idaho is going to get the same reaction because that would be stupid. Of course it wouldn't. You gotta pick your spots.

Really the only point I'm trying to make is that Okada could very easily debut on the main roster and doesn't need to go to NXT for any reason, and I think it would hurt his star power if he did. I think it would be a mistake sending him there first when he is already considered by many to be the best wrestler on the planet. If your main reason for sending him there is "WWE fans don't know who he is," then sending him to the show that is only watched by the die-hard fans that already know who he is would fix that? Pardon?

Jan 23, 2024 20:54:02 GMT RT said:

Jan 23, 2024 19:58:18 GMT Todd said:

Care to expand? NJPW is a fraction of the size of even AEW. It stands to reason that that NJPW’s US audience is a fraction of the size of even that. So where is the guarantee that he would illicit a huge pop? I mean maybe he would, the Rumble crowd tends to be more hardcore, but it’s far from a guarantee. It’s not a slight against Okada, it’s common sense.

It has nothing to do with audience size. His popularity expands beyond the NJPW audience by a lot more than people think is all I'm saying.

And yeah, that's why I said the Rumble specifically. That is where you do a big debut like that because you are guaranteeing yourself a big reaction with a hot crowd that is mainly hardcore fans. I'm not saying Kazuchika Okada's music hitting on a random Smackdown in Boise, Idaho is going to get the same reaction because that would be stupid. Of course it wouldn't. You gotta pick your spots.

Really the only point I'm trying to make is that Okada could very easily debut on the main roster and doesn't need to go to NXT for any reason, and I think it would hurt his star power if he did. I think it would be a mistake sending him there first when he is already considered by many to be the best wrestler on the planet. If your main reason for sending him there is "WWE fans don't know who he is," then sending him to the show that is only watched by the die-hard fans that already know who he is would fix that? Pardon?

My point is that NXT would guarantee him a huge pop and that in turn would be something WWE could showcase to show their casual audience how big a deal this guy is. It’s not a slight against him in any way so I have no idea why you’re so bothered by the point I’m making. Non-English speaking NJPW star would be more over on NXT initially than he would with a more casual Raw/SmackDown audience is not a controversial point to make in my opinion.

I also think he would probably go straight to the main roster if he insisted on it, which he may, as he does have leverage. To me, AEW makes more sense.

How's his English? Honestly I'm not in the loop but do people really know the guy? Feels like NJPW had dropped off HARD ever since AEW came around. Like the interest or chatter now vs. when Nakamura was signing seems like night and day. But I could be mistaken.

Jan 23, 2024 20:58:21 GMT RT said:

And yeah, that's why I said the Rumble specifically. That is where you do a big debut like that because you are guaranteeing yourself a big reaction with a hot crowd that is mainly hardcore fans. I'm not saying Kazuchika Okada's music hitting on a random Smackdown in Boise, Idaho is going to get the same reaction because that would be stupid. Of course it wouldn't. You gotta pick your spots.

You know what would get the biggest reaction? Kazuchika Okada debuting in the Rumble, winning the Rumble, beating Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania with THE RAINMAKER, and having an even longer reign than Reigns did.

Nov 18, 2022 2:32:51 GMT @ness said:

How's his English? Honestly I'm not in the loop but do people really know the guy? Feels like NJPW had dropped off HARD ever since AEW came around. Like the interest or chatter now vs. when Nakamura was signing seems like night and day. But I could be mistaken.

His English is, barely existent. He's going be cutting Nakamura-style subtitled promos. I honestly don't know how he will present himself, I see him becoming a Hideo Itami much more than a Shinsuka Nakamura because his wrestling style is kinda bland.

Put him on RAW and in a program with Shinsake to make the transition easier.

I think NXT will be a waste of his talent and status as NXT today isn't the NXT most of these independent guys came up in. It isn't the indie hot bed that it once was.

Granted, and I understand some concern on the socials about debuting on the main roster, as 15-20 years ago a talent like this from NJPW would have likely walked put to generic rock beat #5737 with a name change and little to none of his pomp and circumstance about him. And likely Jerry Lawler making " me so solly " jokes. And you know what, 99% of the audience wouldn't know who they were anyway..

But it's a different era and with the biggest and best production team in the business and Shinsake and Finn, Cody, Punk... in the Rumble all selling Okada's debut like Hunter selling Cactus Jack's arrival.. then you're off and running from the get go.

Finn at Elimination Chamber, Shinsake at Wrestlemania, and Gable, DIY, Dom and Kaiser in between on RAW. And maybe a tease with GUNTHER.

Jan 23, 2024 21:00:13 GMT Todd said:

Jan 23, 2024 20:54:02 GMT RT said:

It has nothing to do with audience size. His popularity expands beyond the NJPW audience by a lot more than people think is all I'm saying.

And yeah, that's why I said the Rumble specifically. That is where you do a big debut like that because you are guaranteeing yourself a big reaction with a hot crowd that is mainly hardcore fans. I'm not saying Kazuchika Okada's music hitting on a random Smackdown in Boise, Idaho is going to get the same reaction because that would be stupid. Of course it wouldn't. You gotta pick your spots.

Really the only point I'm trying to make is that Okada could very easily debut on the main roster and doesn't need to go to NXT for any reason, and I think it would hurt his star power if he did. I think it would be a mistake sending him there first when he is already considered by many to be the best wrestler on the planet. If your main reason for sending him there is "WWE fans don't know who he is," then sending him to the show that is only watched by the die-hard fans that already know who he is would fix that? Pardon?

My point is that NXT would guarantee him a huge pop and that in turn would be something WWE could showcase to show their casual audience how big a deal this guy is. It’s not a slight against him in any way so I have no idea why you’re so bothered by the point I’m making. Non-English speaking NJPW star would be more over on NXT initially than he would with a more casual Raw/SmackDown audience is not a controversial point to make in my opinion.

I also think he would probably go straight to the main roster if he insisted on it, which he may, as he does have leverage. To me, AEW makes more sense.

I'm not bothered you asked me to expand so I did.

Anyway NXT would work sure, I just don't think it's their best option if they even signed him at all.

Wherever he debuts he needs a mouthpiece right off the bat.
I don’t know why they insisted on Nakamura doing promos himself for so long until finally resorting to the vignettes they have now.

Jan 26, 2024 13:29:06 GMT System said:

Wherever he debuts he needs a mouthpiece right off the bat.
I don’t know why they insisted on Nakamura doing promos himself for so long until finally resorting to the vignettes they have now.

Because Vince is racist and was still in charge.

He had a mouthpiece for a while in Sami Zayn. Anyone remember The Artists Collective?

Jan 26, 2024 13:35:22 GMT RT said:

Jan 26, 2024 13:29:06 GMT System said:

Wherever he debuts he needs a mouthpiece right off the bat.
I don’t know why they insisted on Nakamura doing promos himself for so long until finally resorting to the vignettes they have now.

Because Vince is racist and was still in charge.

I don’t recall Nakamura being presented in a racist way at all. Am I missing something? I feel like it’s barely ever mentioned that he’s Japanese.

I always found, unless he's paired with the right opponent then he's fun to watch at best, but hardly unmissable.

Jan 26, 2024 20:34:49 GMT Todd said:

Jan 26, 2024 13:35:22 GMT RT said:

Because Vince is racist and was still in charge.

I don’t recall Nakamura being presented in a racist way at all. Am I missing something? I feel like it’s barely ever mentioned that he’s Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have always either had a mouthpiece or been forced to speak English. That suddenly went away around the same time that Vince took a step back creatively. I can draw my own conclusions from that.

Is needing a mouth piece racist?

Rumors are after the last two days Okada is almost certain to wind up in AEW now. Month is almost up, and AEW will likely lock him down next week and debut him when he is done with his NJPW dates.

Still think WWE is where he should go, but now is a really shitty time to debut there.

PWtees removing all Okada shirts within the next 12 hours.

Can keep selling stuff there if in AEW. Cannot however if you are WWE. God I hope Okada made the right choice here. His NJPW contract is up tomorrow.

If WWE is still scrambling to redo WM, Okada has a few rematches that would be insane in WWE.  Nakamura and AJ being the two that stand out, but Finn would be hot as well.  All three can be show stealers.  

With WWE's production, his debut could be something special.

On a side note, could you imagine Vince trying to understand what a " rainmaker " is. He'd be literally ordering the WWE crew to rig sprinklers from the ceiling to soak Okada and screaming into the headset " say it dammit - he makes it rain! Hahahahahaha! "

This is why I want him there so bad.  In WWE, he could be Okada the megastar from Japan with an entourage and shit. Do the coin drop and rain the Okada cash on the crowd for his WM entrance and it will be an amazing moment.  He signs with AEW, he already worked there so he will just be another guy and nothing special.  Been there done that we want Naito now basically.  

Someone did point out that PWtees also pulled their shit when White's contract ended. Which makes no sense as Tony himself sells shit there.

But with the rapid response to the Vince stuff, and the belief Endeavor will take real action, I think it is back to being a nobrainer for Okada who wants to work WM one day, to sign with WWE and work WM.

Considering the man is the biggest thing in NJPW history and has main evented the Tokyo Dome many times over, what could AEW offer? Maybe AEW pull 80,000 for ALLIN... maybe. Maybe, TK gives him a stupid amount of untold riches.. maybe. But it ain't Wrestlemania, or Royal Rumble, or Summerslam.

I say, live out everyone's boyhood dream - tick all those boxes, beginning with Wrestlemania and do it with the absolute best roster in the world.