Kazuchika Okada explains his decision to leave NJPW.
On Thursday evening, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Kazuchika Okada would be leaving the company when his contract expires at the end of January. Okada will wrestle his final matches in February.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Okada explained his decision to leave.
"First of all, my contract was up for five years this year (the last year of my contract). It was a good time for me to think about something. When I thought about whether I would sign another contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling...or whether I would look at other worlds, I thought that maybe this was my last chance," he said.
When asked when he made the decision, Okada replied, "Of course the company talked to me about various things, and I had been thinking about it for a while. It was really only recently that I made the decision."
Asked why he finally decided to leave, Okada said, "After announcing that I was quitting and going on the tour...I felt too comfortable. I wondered what that would be like. I started my wrestling career in Mexico, came to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and became a rainmaker 12 years later. Maybe if I stay here, I can wrestle without any inconvenience. But I don't want to become the same Kazuchika Okada without such hunger. I don't want to be in a situation where I have to rest on my laurels. If I were "human" Okada, I would have friends here, and I would be in the best environment. But as "wrestler" Okada, it was different."
Okada will face Hiroshi Tanahashi in one of his final NJPW matches on February 11.
Fans can find Tanahashi's comments regarding Okada's departure by clicking here.
