In massive news coming from Japan, NJPW announced that Kazuchika Okada has given notice to the promotion that he will be leaving the company at the conclusion of his contract on January 31.

The news was rumored before but it is now official that Okada is heading to the United States with AEW as his likely final destination.

“We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future,” NJPW wrote in a statement.

Okada will work three more dates following the end of his contractual obligations and will wrestle at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11, the New Beginning in Sapporo on February 23 and the next day on February 24.

Meanwhile, the Rainmaker issued a statement saying he has nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007 and for NJPW bringing him from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker he is today.

“Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching,” he said.