Kazuchika Okada Reflects On Retiring Hiroshi Tanahashi, Praises Yota Tsuji

Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in his retirement match, and the AEW star reflected on the bout and NJPW’s future in a new interview. Okada defeated Tanahashi in the latter’s final match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20. The match was Okada’s return to NJPW after he had left the company to go to AEW.

Okada reflected on the match in an interview with Tokyo Sports. Okada spoke about fulfilling his dream of selling out the Tokyo Dome and touched on NJPW’s future, noting that it’s in good hands with new IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji. You can see highlights below:

On Retiring Tanahashi:

“Yes, Tanahashi-san did his best. I think it was a retirement match with a happy ending that was very much like Tanahashi-san.”

On Selling Out the Tokyo Dome:

“It was an honor and I was happy to be able to wrestle in that environment. It was something I had been aiming for for a long time. It was all thanks to Tanahashi’s retirement, the matchup between Tanahashi and Okada, and the current New Japan wrestlers… I think it all came together. It felt really good.”

On Returning To NJPW For the Match:

“A lot of people have left, and Tanahashi has retired, but I think the greatness in the ring remains the same as before. I think it’s because the young wrestlers of today are working so hard, and because they’ve seen the people who’ve left and Tanahashi’s work, that we’re still here today.”

On NJPW’s Future:

“I think that’s none of my business. They have such a great lineup, and I was reminded once again how amazing New Japan Pro-Wrestling is. It’s because I watched AEW that I was able to see what’s so great about New Japan. It’s not just America that’s great, Japanese pro wrestling has its good points, and I think there are a lot of young people who don’t realize that. If they could have confidence in the pro wrestling they’re doing, I think more fans would come and it would become even more exciting.”

On Who He Has High Hopes For In NJPW:

“I think it would have to be Tsuji (Yota), after all. He was scheduled to compete before us, so I was able to see the match, and he beat Takeshita (Konosuke) to become the IWGP (Heavyweight Champion), and I feel like he’s become the talk of the town, not just in New Japan, but outside of it. I think he’s aware of that. There are a lot of great wrestlers, but I think that kind of thing is important, and I think Tsuji is the one who’s able to do that.”