News regarding AEW’s decision to have Kazuchika Okada debut as a heel with The Elite

As seen during the March 6th 2024 edition of AEW Dynamite, Kazuchika Okada turned heel and joined The Elite with Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. This was Okada’s first appearance as an official member of the AEW roster.

In regards to AEW’s decision to have Okada debut as a heel, Fightful Select noted that AEW President Tony Khan believed Okada had the ability to be a major heel on American wrestling television even prior to the company’s launch. Fightful stated the following…

“Fightful Select reported recently that the decision was made well ahead of even Okada signing with AEW that the company wanted to bring him in as a heel with the Young Bucks. Sources we’ve spoken to say that Tony Khan had the idea as far back as around the holidays that once Kenny Omega was sidelined they’d effectively ‘fire’ him from The Elite.”

AEW reportedly felt that it was an important time to introduce a new top star once Sting retired and the company is reportedly “very happy” with the creative decision thus far.