Ryohei Oiwa Says He’ll Fill the Void Left by Kazuchika Okada

By: Lewis Carlan

On January 19th, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that long time superstar Kazuchika Okada will be leaving the company in news that shocked the world of professional wrestling. Okada’s contract with NJPW expires on the 31st, but the Rainmaker will work a few dates for the promotion in February as a free agent. Social media was abuzz once the the news of Okada’s departure became public.

The loss of one of NJPW’s biggest stars leaves a huge hole to fill on its talent roster, giving the younger talent an opportunity to go into high gear and possibly take the spot that Okada is leaving behind.

Back in June 2023, NJPW designated Yota Tsuji,  Shota Umino, & Ren Narita as the Reiwa Three Musketeers. There is also the recently returning Yuya Uemura, but there is another young star who feels it won’t be Uemura, Tsuji, Narita or Umino who will fill the void Okada is leaving in NJPW.

Ryohei Oiwa, who is currently on excursion from NJPW in Pro Wrestling NOAH, weighed in on the developments regarding Okada following his match at NOAH’s Sunny Voyage 2024 on January 20th. At the event, Oiwa teamed with Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, HAYATA & Eita as they defeated Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura, Ulka Sasaki, Ninja Mack & Alejandro.

In his backstage post match comments, Oiwa let everyone know who he felt would be filling that void left by Okada:

“First of all, one win. I think there is a big hole left by Kazuchika Okada’s departure from NJPW. But it’s not Umino, Narita, Tsuji or Uemura who will fill that hole. I, Ryohei Oiwa, will definitely become stronger & return to NJPW.”

Kazuchika Okada’s departure open the doors for one of their younger talents to step up their game in an attempt to take Okada’s spot. NJPW has an abundance of potential superstars in the form of Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura, Ren Narita, Shota Umino, Great-O Khan, Ryohei Oiwa, & Kosei Fujita who are all capable of taking that spot.

Each of those names would love to be the one to rise to the level of Okada. Exciting times could very well be ahead for NJPW as fans will be treated to watching these young talents fight and claw their way to the top.