The latest on Kazuchika Okada, WWE, AEW, more (Patreon)

Kazuchika Okada is officially a free agent in a few hours, but he's already causing a stir on the free agent market.

On Tuesday, much was made of PWTees being informed that they needed to remove Kazuchika Okada merchandise from their stores within 24 hours. However, it was reiterated to us that this was related to his NJPW contract expiring this week, and isn't connected to WWE or AEW. However, we have learned a lot more about how talks are already ongoing.

Those we've spoken to said that though he was still technically under NJPW contract, NJPW has been very understanding of Okada speaking with other companies, as he made it clear he was finishing up with them. New Japan sources have claimed that things have been amicable between the two sides.

WWE sources confirmed that there have been talks between Okada's side and WWE. There have been WWE talent that confirmed that over the last few weeks, Okada has been in contact with others on the roster to gauge his offers, WWE's approach, and to help weigh a decision. We have not heard of any creative plans in place for Okada, or any specific pitches that may or may not have been thrown his way. 

AEW has been fairly confident over the last month that they would land Kazuchika Okada, to the point to where there were tentative plans in place to debut Okada, which would be well over a month from now. We're told that AEW made what they consider a "substantial offer."

Every source that we've spoken to claim that no contract has been signed.  Okada has been in contact with Barry Bloom about representing him, which wasn't finalized until fairly recently, but was rumored well before.