The backstage reaction in All Elite Wrestling to the debut of Kazuchika Okada and his upcoming plans have been revealed.
Kazuchika Okada officially became All Elite last Wednesday, when he made his AEW debut on Dynamite, aligning with the Young Bucks and officially joining ‘the Elite’.
The decision to debut the former ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling in a villainous role was met with a mixed reception, and we now know what those within the company think of the move.
Per Fightful Select, AEW is said to be very happy with the move internally so far, with the decision to bring him in as a heel alongside the Young Bucks being made well before Okada had even signed with AEW.
Sources that spoke to Fightful said that Tony Khan had the idea around the holidays that, with Omega being sidelined, he’d effectively be ‘fired’ from the Elite.
Specifically, Fightful heard that Tony Khan has long been of the belief that, even before AEW, that Okada could be a major heel star on American wrestling television, with AEW sources claiming that this past week’s performances only solidified that, and the company considered it a ‘home run’.
Specifically, Okada’s facial expressions in the spot were received very well, with the hope being that he can do things differently in AEW than he has in the past in NJPW.
AEW and Khan were very confident in the chemistry that the Bucks and Okada, based on previous work they have done together.
AEW officials were also said to be very happy with the response to the Collision segments featuring Okada, as well as the backstage interview and segments that the Elite were a part of.
AEW was said to believe it was important to time his debut for immediately after Sting’s retirement, with them immediately getting another big star in a big spot on the show.
Okada is set to team with the Young Bucks against Eddie Kingston, PAC and Penta El Zero Miedo on this week’s Big Business special episode of Dynamite.
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