NJPW Announces Kazuchika Okada Departure – NJPW officially announced that Kazuchika Okada, the former seven-time IWGP World Champion, will be concluding his tenure with the promotion once his contract expires on January 31st.
While previous reports hinted at Okada’s contract nearing its end, his departure wasn’t certain, particularly after leadership changes with Takami Ohbari stepping down as NJPW President and Hiroshi Tanahashi taking over.
Despite the official announcement, Okada is set to participate in three NJPW shows in February. Fans can catch Okada in action at the New Beginning in Osaka on Sunday, February 11, as well as the New Beginning in Sapporo on Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24. This allows fans a few more opportunities to witness Okada’s performances before his contract concludes at the end of January.
Kazuchika Okada releases the following 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.
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NJPW Announces Kazuchika Okada Departure
