According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE is interested in top New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kazuchika Okada. Okada, who is the current NJPW IGWP Heavyweight Champion, previously wrestled for TNA back in 2010 and 2011.
The report notes WWE is interested in Okada because of his size, as he is billed as 6’3″. It should be noted though, that Okada has a 5 year contract offer on the table from New Japan, and he has previously said publicly he will never go to WWE.
Back in February of this year, Japanese reporter Enuhito posted a Tweet teasing a weekly pro wrestling magazine interview with Okada, during which he claimed he would remain loyal to NJPW:
Weekly prowestling magazine issuing tommorrow.
Okada said “I will never go to WWE.” pic.twitter.com/Tnj7XTDrGn
— enuhito(English) (@enuhito_eng) February 9, 2016
As of this writing, it is unknown whether or not Okada has accepted the NJPW deal, but it is believed NJPW will do its best to top any deal offered to Okada by WWE to keep him in Japan.
In related news, The Observer is reporting WWE is expected to sign talents from Mexico, Japan and the UK over the next few months. WWE is reportedly looking at other Japanese organizations outside of New Japan, and are said to be interested in at least one top name from Lucha Underground and AAA.
For those of you unfamiliar with Okada, you can check out in-ring footage of the Champion in the video below:
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
