The era of Kazuchika Okada being managed by Gedo has apparently come to an end in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The current belief is NJPW’s booker will no longer be accompanying Okada to ringside or delivering promos on his behalf.
“The whole reason for the dynamic was that Gedo was there to do Okada’s promos and make him feel special at first,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “Okada has gotten to where he doesn’t need anyone doing his promos and he’s already special.”
When the Rainmaker was first put with Okada, he was a cocky up-and-coming prospect. Now, Okada has been established as the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time, minus one record of Tanahashi’s he has yet to surpass.
Okada is scheduled to face Marty Scurll at All In. He will then join the Destruction tours back in Japan.
Kazuchika Okada Gedo
While Okada did not win the A-Block in this year’s G1, he was booked strong all the same. After losing to Kenny Omega, Okada’s character lost his confidence and, as a result, several matches. Okada lost a single’s match to Zack Sabre Jr. before the G1 began. To start the G1, Okada dropped his first two matches as well.
After losses to Jay White and Bad Luck Fale, Okada won his next 6 round-robin bouts before wrestling Tanahashi to a draw. Tanahashi then advanced to the finals where he defeated Kota Ibushi. The story with Okada is that once he got his confidence back, he wasn’t defeated again. Even though he didn’t win the tournament itself, Okada is back to looking like he can’t be beaten.
Check out SEScoops Staff Predictions for Takeover and SummerSlam.
