Kazuchika Okada Weighing WWE & AEW With Free Agency Next Month

As if losing Will Ospreay wasn't already a huge blow of NJPW, they might be dealt another massive one. The face of the company, Kazuchika Okada, will be a free agent at the end of January.

According to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, a new deal with NJPW "would typically be underway", but the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is "seriously entertaining the possibility of wrestling for a different promotion."

Okada currently holds one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. This is his first title reign with this championship. It is just one title on a list of many championship reigns for "The Rainmaker".

AEW and WWE both have high interest in Okada. Barrasso pointed out one big advantage that AEW has is their schedule. Some talent only work two shows a week. This would allow Okada to continue to live in Japan. Ospreay will continue to live in the UK when he officially comes to AEW in February. Former International Champion, PAC, also resides in the UK full-time.

Additionally, AEW has a strong working relationship with NJPW. They also have a joint pay-per-view, Forbidden Door. NJPW talent were also featured on the AEW WrestleDream show that was held in the memory of NJPW founder, Antonio Inoki. Ospreay will be allowed to compete in NJPW under his new AEW contract.

Okada has good friends in both companies. His mentor and close friend, Shinsuke Nakamura is in WWE. It has been reported that WWE has been pushing Nakamura as a way to 'prove themselves to Okada' and get away from the often stereotypical way that Japanese wrestlers are portrayed in the company.

NJPW's biggest show of the year is one month away. Okada is scheduled to face Bryan Danielson to continue their ongoing feud.