When it comes to WWE, there are few names more legendary than Shawn Michaels. Mr. Wrestlemania isn’t a name you just get handed by chance after all. He might no longer get into the ring for WWE, with his retirement at Wrestlemania 26 only being followed by a single tag team match in Saudi Arabia, but he’s still involved with WWE.
Michaels helps longtime friend Triple H run NXT these days, and also helps out as a trainer in the WWE Performance Center. He also just follows professional wrestling like a fan, and because of this he knows all about New Japan Pro Wrestling ace, Kazuchika Okada.
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho Was A Match That Got Okada Into Wrestling
It’s clear to see by watching Okada, that all of his inspirations don’t come just from Japanese wrestling. While being interviewed by Sports Illustrated, he’d mention some matches that helped get him into professional wrestling.
“The first match that made me realise how great wrestling is was Keiji Mutoh and Hiroshi Hase vs. Yuji Nagata and Jun Akiyama. This was before NJPW World was around, so maybe non-Japanese fans aren’t so familiar with it, but it was a dream match and was fun to watch.There was one other match I used to watch a lot. It was on a DVD at my mentor Ultimo Dragon’s house, and that was Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 19. I learned so much from that match.”
Shawn Micahels Knows A Talent Like Kazuchika Okada Would Work Anywhere
This news quickly reached Shawn Michaels, who had the following to say in response.
“I’m so incredibly appreciative of that. I’ve always admired the style in Japan, and here’s a guy that admires my style. Someone once asked me how Okada would adjust if he were ever in the WWE, and I know the answer to that—he’d adjust fantastically, because he’s a fantastic talent. It’s like me. People would say, ‘Well, you only wrestled in the WWE,’ but I could have wrestled anywhere. When a guy is talented, he’s talented. So I’m thankful that Okada, this unbelievably talented young man, gained one or two things from my match.”
Do you think Kazuchika Okada would work in WWE? Do you ever see him considering leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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