Fans of All Elite Wrestling were left stunned during last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite when Kazuchika Okada made his entrance. The signature coin drop was there, but just as fans anticipated the epic swell of his iconic “Rain Maker” theme, they were instead hit with the sounds of “C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.,” a hard-hitting track by ONE OK ROCK featuring Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO.

For those unfamiliar, ONE OK ROCK is a massively popular Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo in 2005. The group has achieved widespread international acclaim for their blend of alternative rock, post-hardcore, and pop-rock, selling out arenas across the globe. Their inclusion as the new soundtrack for one of wrestling’s biggest stars is a significant statement.

While some long-time fans may be disappointed by the departure from the classic theme, the change is a crucial element of the new character Okada is building in AEW. This isn’t the honorable ace who carried NJPW for years. This is a colder, more arrogant version of Okada, a man obsessed with money and power, flanked by the villainous Don Callis and his allies in The Elite. The new, edgier music perfectly complements this heel persona, signaling a complete break from the past. When the day eventually comes for Okada to turn face once more, the thunderous ovation for the return of his classic theme will be an unforgettable moment.

Okada has clearly been a fan for a while. Here is a photo of him and Ospreay posing with the group backstage a few years ago in Japan:

https://x.com/t_to_k0926_Rin/status/1945667593312067880

Here are some tweets from fans reacting to the music change last night.

https://x.com/DrainBamager/status/1945662587963601130

https://x.com/Sgtviper_Gaming/status/1945666891286229090

https://x.com/RavenCyarm/status/1945660648001884214

https://x.com/Tiem251/status/1945662402269507951

https://x.com/bettercallnaito/status/1945674986854678673

https://x.com/winterweather/status/1945661667154780245

https://x.com/andyhmurray/status/1945728118389367002

https://x.com/Peps_Wrestling/status/1945862917825450400

https://x.com/CoreyBrennanFF/status/1945661093285949817

https://x.com/KeemWins/status/1945847237906677793

https://x.com/eIit3racha/status/1945661083823509566

https://x.com/vintagepuro/status/1945693216218771589