NJPW legend Kazuchika Okada will be a free agent in just a matter of days. As the wrestling world braces for news about his next career move, an announcement regarding his current line of merchandise being pulled has fans jumping to conclusions about what what this really means.
Okada’s contract with New Japan expires this month, but his final match for his home promotion will take place at New Beginnings.
‘The Rainmaker’ will soon be able to see what his services are worth on the open market. In the increasingly competitive wrestling war between WWE and AEW, Okada is one of the most valuable pieces on the chess board.
Okada’s merch removed
Pro Wrestling Tees owner Ryan Barkan posted a message on social media on Tuesday evening announcing that all of Okada’s merchandise is being removed within 12 hours.
What does this mean?
Pro Wrestling Tees sells very limited merchandise for a few WWE Superstars, but they’re primarily a store selling merch for everyone else – All Elite Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, GCW, and countless other independent wrestlers and promotions.
Okada’s merchandise being pulled from PWT is not a confirmation that he’s headed to WWE. Whichever company signs Okada will immediately get to work slapping his likeness on everything from t-shirts to keychains.
Thankfully, Okada will be a free agent very soon. He’s working NJPW New Beginning on February 24, but could sign with another company as early as next week.