WWE in talks with New Japan Pro Wrestling about being exclusive American partner. The Japanese promotion currently has a working relationship with AEW.
The WWE have an isolationist attitude towards the wrestling industry. For much of its existence, the promotion likes to pretend that they are the only wrestling company. The emergence of AEW however, has changed things up a bit, in ways that fans never saw coming.
Also read: WWE reportedly planning Roman Reigns vs John Cena for SummerSlam
Unlike the WWE, AEW are open to partnerships with other promotions such as Impact, AAA and NJPW. However, it seems that they may not be able to continue their relationship with the Japanese company for long. According to Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the WWE have been in talks with NJPW regarding becoming their exclusive American partner.
WWE in talks with New Japan Pro Wrestling about being exclusive American partner
“In what could end up being among the biggest wrestling stories of the year, or a non-story, depending on the end result, Nick Khan has been in talks with New Japan Pro Wrestling about WWE being the exclusive American partner with the promotion.
“Obviously there are a million questions regarding such a deal if it was to happen, and there are no indications where talks are at past they date back to late March or early April. But it would include WWE sending talent and WWE top stars being allowed to work in New Japan if talks go anywhere.
“With Khan, the former isolationist attitude of WWE vs. everyone is changing with the idea WWE is part of the wrestling landscape and not separate from the pro wrestling landscape.”
According to Melzter, WWE are pursuing this relationship to prevent NJPW from working with other major wrestling companies.
“Obviously, it’s also to keep New Japan, which pre-pandemic was the third strongest company in the world, away from working with other companies, which could strengthen the opposition and also be a factor with WWE gunning for the same talent as other companies because there is a percentage of younger talent that grew up on watching New Japan either via tape or YouTube where working there is a much bigger part of their career goals than the prior generation, and AEW talent has been willing to allow its talent to work outside its walls and Impact would allow talent to work with other promotions.”
Stay tuned for more updates.
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