My full interview with WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER is now available for all paid Haus of Wrestling ClubHaus Members. It will be released later this week to the general public. To learn more about the ClubHaus or to become a Member, please click HERE.
WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER nearly went the distance in the 2024 Men’s WWE Royal Rumble match, just like he did the year before. After more than half an hour in this year’s multi-man contest, The Ring General found himself being tossed out by eventual winner Cody Rhodes. Having fallen short of maineventing the biggest show of the year, the hulking Austrian could wind up facing any number of top-tier opponents in Philadelphia. One name that many fans have buzzed could be in the cards is top free agent Kazuchika Okada.
During the WWE Royal Rumble media junket, I asked GUNTHER what he thought about the rumors Okada could be WWE-bound.
“I think Okada is fantastic,” he began. “I always love Japanese wrestling. When I grew up in professional wrestling, understanding everything, I always enjoyed Japanese wrestling the most. I was more of an All Japan guy than a New Japan guy, to be honest. But yeah, he’s one of the best in the world, and if he joins WWE, he’s very welcome to, and I think he finds great competition here.”
Okada officially became a free agent on February 1, 2024, and confirmed the news on social media. He still has three NJPW dates that he is fulfilling this month, with the final one occurring on February 24 in Sapporo. Both WWE and AEW have reportedly shown interest in signing the multi-time IWGP World Champion to a deal. Okada has been coy about which way he is leaning but is taking steps to prepare himself for whatever is next. Shortly before officially becoming a free agent, Okada filed to trademark his name and “The Rainmaker” with the USPTO.
Last night, at WWE NXT Vengeance Day, a mysterious “three faces” vignette aired that some fans believe is teasing Okada joining WWE NXT or WWE in general. The “three faces” tale that is told in the video closely resembles a Japanese parable, leading some to draw that conclusion. It is purely speculation at this point, as Haus of Wrestling has been told that WWE is holding the identity of who is behind the promo close to the vest.
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