During a recent episode of his podcast, 83 Weeks, former wrestling booker Eric Bischoff shared his perspective on the possibility of Kazuchika Okada joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW), as well as his thoughts on the company’s longevity.
Bischoff addressed rumors surrounding Okada’s potential move to AEW after his lengthy tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
Reports suggest that Okada has also been in discussions with WWE, but AEW owner Tony Khan appears to have a strong chance of securing the services of the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Bischoff indicated that Okada might lean towards WWE to pursue stardom at the highest level, considering the company’s global reach and status in the industry.
Regarding recent controversies surrounding WWE, including former employee Janel Grant’s lawsuit, Bischoff opined that these issues would not significantly impact WWE’s stability.
He emphasized WWE’s entrenched position in the market, citing lucrative deals like the $5 billion agreement with Netflix as evidence of the company’s long-term prospects.
Kazuchika Okada breaking down with emotion & touches the NJPW Lion Mark in the middle of the ring 🥹
Thank you Okada! pic.twitter.com/mP2oI6rUUT
— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) February 11, 2024
In contrast, Bischoff expressed uncertainty about AEW’s future, suggesting that the promotion might face challenges in sustaining itself over the next few years. He pointed out the uncertainty surrounding AEW’s longevity compared to WWE’s established presence in the industry.
Okada’s recent victory over longtime rival Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s The New Beginning event further fueled speculation about his future plans, with many anticipating his potential move to a new promotion.
In addition to Okada’s potential AEW debut, Bischoff also discussed the impending arrival of Mercedes Mone, a former IWGP Women’s Champion, in the promotion.
While acknowledging the buzz surrounding Mone’s debut, Bischoff maintained a neutral stance, expressing happiness for her but refraining from speculation about her role in AEW.
With AEW’s upcoming event, “AEW Big Business,” scheduled for March 13 at the TD Garden in Boston, fans eagerly anticipate potential debuts and developments within the promotion.
Whether Okada and Mone will indeed join AEW remains to be seen, but their potential signings reflect AEW’s ongoing efforts to recruit top talent and expand its roster.
