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Alex Shelley discusses Kazuchika Okada’s return to TNA Wrestling.
NJPW star Kazuchika Okada famously had an unsuccessful run in TNA back in 2010, and it has been critically panned over the years. It seemed like he would never step foot in a TNA ring again, but the former world champion will make his return at TNA Snake Eyes on January 14.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, TNA World Champion Alex Shelley shared his thoughts on Okada’s return.
“Teaming with Okada is incredibly special,” Alex Shelley said. “I never thought he’d come back to TNA after the way he was treated. I first met him in 2006 in a match between me and Sabin against him and Ultimo Dragon. In TNA, I used to tell people that he was going to be IWGP champion all the time, and people would just stare at me.
“I was his first match in TNA, and I was his last. He had Thanksgiving dinner with my family in 2011. When I dropped him off at the airport, we cried. We didn’t know when we’d see each other again. He was there for me every week for two years. And I was so proud when he won the title in Japan, I was so happy to say, ‘I f—— told you so.’ Having him back, this is a dream come true.”
Alex Shelley Reflects On Facing Hiroshi Tanahashi
During the interview, Alex Shelley also looked back on facing Hiroshi Tanahashi at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United 2 in August. He made it clear that the match meant a lot to him.
“The Tanahashi match, that match meant so f—— much to me,” said Shelley. “When I went to Japan in 2012, Tana took such good care of me. I can’t express how much he led by example. He taught me the style, he brought me to workouts, he showed me what to eat. I won’t main event the Tokyo Dome, but he did, and he was showing me everything he could. So main-eventing the ECW Arena at Tanahashi, never in a million years did I think that was possible.”
Catch up on our coverage of TNA Hard To Kill here.
