Kazuchika Okada has decided to part ways with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
On Thursday, New Japan issued a statement to announce that Okada would be leaving the company when his contract expires on January 31, 2024.
You can check out the official announcement below:
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the conclusion of his contract on January 31 2024.
We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future.
As the New Beginning series begins this weekend, Okada will appear on February dates on February 11 in Osaka, and February 23 and 24 in Sapporo. Changes will be made to forthcoming cards with an announcement to follow.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support.
Kazuchika Okada statement:
I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today. Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
Kazuchika Okada, one of the most prominent and successful professional wrestlers in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), has announced his departure from the company. The news came through an official statement released by NJPW on Thursday, revealing that Okada’s contract will expire on January 31, 2024.
The announcement has taken many fans by surprise due to the abrupt nature of the decision. However, NJPW expressed their gratitude for Okada’s contributions and wished him the best in his future endeavors. They also apologized to the fans for the unexpected news and assured them that changes would be made to forthcoming cards, with further announcements to follow.
In a statement provided by Okada himself, he expressed his deep appreciation for being a part of NJPW since 2007. He acknowledged the company for transforming him from a 19-year-old kid into the wrestling superstar known as “The Rainmaker” today. Okada extended his gratitude to his opponents, fans, and NJPW as a whole for their support throughout the years. He promised to continue delivering exceptional performances and making it rain in every match he has left.
Kazuchika Okada’s departure marks the end of an era in NJPW. He has been a key figure in the promotion, achieving numerous accolades and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in professional wrestling. Okada’s in-ring skills, charisma, and ability to tell compelling stories through his matches have earned him a dedicated fanbase worldwide.
During his tenure with NJPW, Okada has had memorable rivalries with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Tetsuya Naito. His matches have consistently received critical acclaim and have been praised for their technical excellence and storytelling.
As fans bid farewell to Kazuchika Okada in NJPW, they can rest assured that his legacy will endure. His impact on the wrestling industry will be remembered for years to come. While it remains uncertain what the future holds for Okada, wrestling enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his next move and the potential dream matches that may arise.
For those interested in staying updated on the latest wrestling news, eWrestlingNews.com provides comprehensive coverage. Fans can also follow the website’s Twitter and Facebook pages for regular updates and discussions.
In conclusion, Kazuchika Okada’s departure from New Japan Pro Wrestling marks the end of an era. His contributions to the promotion and the wrestling industry as a whole have been significant, and fans will undoubtedly miss his presence. As Okada embarks on a new chapter in his career, wrestling enthusiasts eagerly await his next move and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.