Kazuchika Okada has a complex history with TNA Wrestling, but that doesn’t mean he hates the Anthem-owned promotion.
Okada had a stint with TNA back in 2010 and 2011 as Okato, a run that was poorly received to the point that it damaged NJPW’s relationship with TNA/Impact Wrestling for several years.
Okada worked the TNA ‘Snake Eyes’ taping on Sunday where he teamed with the Motor City Machine Guns to defeat The System (Moose, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards).
Following the match, Okada addressed the live crowd, saying,
“Thank you. Many people ask me, ‘Why you hate TNA?’ But I don’t hate TNA. Thank you, TNA. TNA made me not Rainmaker… But good thing for me. Thank you, TNA.”
You can check out the video below and the spoilers from the taping here.
Okada post show promo#SnakeEyes pic.twitter.com/nn7h2Zv0xO
— Joel Pearl | Fightful Overbooked (@JoelPearl) January 15, 2024
On a recent edition of the “Ring The Belle” podcast, former TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim recalled her Divas Championship match with Maryse getting nixed due to backstage politics in WWE.
Kim said, “Politics happens sometimes, once in a while… You look back in hindsight, and you just realize, if I wasn’t treated that way, if I wasn’t used in a different way, would I have had these other moments in TNA and accomplished what I’ve accomplished?”
Kim was informed about the change on the day of the show.
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Kazuchika Okada’s Relationship with TNA Wrestling: A Complex History
Kazuchika Okada, one of the most successful and popular professional wrestlers in the world, has had a complex history with TNA Wrestling. While his initial stint with the promotion was poorly received, it doesn’t mean that he harbors any hatred towards the Anthem-owned promotion.
Back in 2010 and 2011, Okada wrestled for TNA under the ring name Okato. Unfortunately, his run with the company was met with negative feedback, which ultimately damaged the relationship between New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and TNA/Impact Wrestling for several years.
However, despite the initial setback, Okada recently made a surprise appearance at the TNA ‘Snake Eyes’ taping. Teaming up with the Motor City Machine Guns, he defeated The System consisting of Moose, Brian Myers, and Eddie Edwards. After the match, Okada took the opportunity to address the live crowd and express his gratitude towards TNA.
In his post-match promo, Okada said, “Thank you. Many people ask me, ‘Why do you hate TNA?’ But I don’t hate TNA. Thank you, TNA. TNA made me not Rainmaker… But it turned out to be a good thing for me. Thank you, TNA.” This statement shows that Okada holds no animosity towards the promotion and appreciates the role it played in shaping his career.
The video of Okada’s post-show promo can be found on various social media platforms, including Twitter. Fans can also check out the spoilers from the ‘Snake Eyes’ TV tapings on eWrestlingNews.com.
Interestingly, Okada’s experience with TNA is not the only topic of discussion related to the promotion. Gail Kim, a former TNA Knockouts Champion, recently shared her thoughts on the “Ring The Belle” podcast. She revealed that her scheduled Divas Championship match with Maryse in WWE was canceled due to backstage politics.
Kim acknowledged that politics can sometimes affect opportunities in the wrestling industry. However, she also reflected on how those experiences in WWE led her to accomplish great things in TNA. Kim’s story highlights the resilience and determination of wrestlers who face obstacles in their careers.
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In conclusion, Kazuchika Okada’s relationship with TNA Wrestling has been a rollercoaster ride. While his initial run with the promotion was met with criticism, Okada has shown that he holds no grudges and appreciates the opportunities TNA provided him. His recent appearance at the ‘Snake Eyes’ taping is a testament to his positive attitude towards the promotion. Additionally, Gail Kim’s story sheds light on the challenges wrestlers face in the industry and how they can overcome them to achieve success.