Kazuchika Okada is looking to help forge the future of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Though he remains one of the cornerstones of the promotion, Okada, 34, wants to ensure New Japan is in good hands when his in-ring career comes to an end.
Speaking with Nikkan SPA (via DeepL translation), Okada said that he wants to create new stars, and what better way to create a star than being taught by one.
“I want to create stars who will lead New Japan in the future. In order to create a star, it is faster if a star teaches a star, isn’t it? Besides, I myself did not originally come to New Japan as a member of the wrestling elite. Although I entered the world after graduating from junior high school, I did not have a spectacular record in amateur wrestling like other wrestlers. When I first joined Toryumon, I couldn’t even do 500 squats and everyone around me kept telling me that I was no good. I am proud to say that I have something to teach a wide range of people because of this experience. I want to give back to New Japan Pro-Wrestling by raising the next top person myself,” Okada said.
He would conclude by adding that if someone is able to beat him, they are a star among stars.
“If someone can beat me, that means he is a star among stars. I want more and more people like that to join us. It is with such people that the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling will exist. We must pass on to the next generation the sashes that have been passed down from one generation to the next for the past 50 years. To do that, we need stars and the more stars we have, the better. I wish I could stay at the top for another 100 years, but that is impossible. There is a limit to how long I can stay at the top. By nurturing such a top star with my own hands, I can repay New Japan Pro-Wrestling and engrave the name of Kazuchika Okada in the history of the wrestling world as the man who created a new top star,” he said.
Okada is set to main event Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4 where he’ll challenge Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
First though, on October 28, Jay White and Juice Robinson of BULLET CLUB will face off against Okada and Eddie Kingston at NJPW Rumble on 44th Street. Click here to learn more.
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