Former IWGP Heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada spoke to NJPW about the promotion’s returning empty arena shows, and how important it is for the talent to create an atmosphere that fans watching live can buy into. The Rainmaker also believes that these fan-less events will be unique because it may never happen again in history.
We’re only able to do this now that the state of emergency has been lifted and we’ve all been antibody tested. Well, we’re being proactive at last, and that’s the main thing. Like, if you’re thirsty, you don’t go outside with a cup and wait for the rain to fall, you go and get water yourself. Of course there’ll be people who say it’s all better with fans in attendance. But look at it another way; it might well be that these are the only nine events in NJPW history without fans in attendance. That’s a really rare chance, and it’s really cool that the fans get to see that. I think it’s up to us to create that sold out atmosphere through NJPW World and I hope the fans can join us in that. Watch the matches live and just share this experience with us.
Full interview here.