Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

New Japan Pro Wrestling President Steps Down

Source: WrestlingINC

Tokyo Sports has reported New Japan Pro Wrestling President Kaname Tezuka has resigned. Tezuka was only expected to be in the role for an interim perio. Katsuhiko Harada will be the new NJPW President.

Major New Japan Pro Wrestling Star Leaves Company

Source: WrestlingINC

New Japan Pro Wrestling has taken another hit, as Enuhito is reporting that Kota Ibushi is leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling and DDT to be a freelancer.

Ibushi is reportedly leaving because of the physical and mental toll working for the two companies has taken on him. Ibushi is starting a new organization called Ibushi Wrestling Research Institute. He can still work for NJPW and DDT, because he will not be contracted to either.

Ibushi will return from a major neck injury on March 22 at DDT Ryogoku, but officially as a member of IWRI. New Japan has now lost Ibushi, AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura and Karl Anderson in recent months.

Update On Karl Anderson Coming To WWE

Source: WrestlingINC

Japanese wrestling reporter Enuhito noted on Twitter that Karl Anderson just revealed he’s going to WWE. Anderson appeared with partner Doc Gallows in what was apparently their final New Japan Wrestling appearance today. They defeated The Briscoes the day before. Anderson reportedly told fans he wants to come back but has to go find out “who he is.” No updated word yet on Doc Gallows coming in but he’s expected to join Anderson. Below are Enuhito’s tweets and a photo of the two from Japan:

Jim Ross Returning To Pro Wrestling As Lead Announcer For NJPW On AXS TV

It was announced on Tuesday that WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be doing play-by-play for “New Japan Pro Wrestling” on AXS TV alongside NJPW veteran and former UFC star Josh Barnett beginning March 4.
“This opportunity to work with AXS TV is attractive on many fronts,” Ross told FOX Sports.com. “The travel won’t be weekly but approximately 8-10 trips to Los Angeles in a year’s time. While there, in a two-day, voice-over session, we will hammer out up to six shows. I’m happy OKC now has non-stop flights to LAX.”

“For me, the New Japan Pro Wrestling business philosophy reminds me of my earlier years in wrestling. I’ve had numerous other offers, some serious and others just flirting to return to TV Wrestling broadcasting but none have had the appeal that AXS TV offered me. We think my style will fit the NJPW in-ring presentation well. We’ll know that conclusively in early March. Plus, AXS TV and I discussed other potential projects outside NJPW.”

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to get off the bench and get back in the game,” he added. “My tank is far from empty. The social media feedback, especially on Twitter, regarding the possibility that I might get back behind the mic for some pro wrestling has been nothing short of spectacular. I’ve been touched by the genuine outpouring of support from fans who have been supporters of mine for years.”

The show is broadcast at 9 p.m. ET.

The Wrestling Breakdown Podcast

In case you missed this weeks episode of The Wrestling Breakdown Podcast you can listen to it here:

http://www.spreaker.com/user/edbostonpodcast/wrestling-breakdown-3-1-16-16

Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson Going To NXT, Bullet Club Name Update

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports the current word is that WWE NXT will see Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson debut at NXT TV tapings in early March.

No word yet on when AJ Styles might debut but at one point WWE did want him as a surprise entrant in the 30-man Royal Rumble main event. That could have changed when the news got out. As noted, Shinsuke Nakamura is headed to do WWE training and medical tests in February but there’s been no word on when he might appear on WWE TV.

On a related note, the Bullet Club name is still owned by New Japan Pro Wrestling as of this week. Gallows owns the rights to the name Biz Cliz.

Update On Bullet Club Members Leaving NJPW For WWE

It was noted previously that there was rumors that Bullet Club members Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga may leave New Japan Pro Wrestling for WWE, but Bad Luck Fale announced that he wouldn’t be leaving New Japan, reports emerged that Bullet Club partner Tama Tonga will be sticking around as well.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio mentioned on last night’s show that Tonga has re-signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The 33-year old has been in New Japan since 2010, and is a founding member of the highly popular Bullet Club faction.

Shortly after we published the story, Tonga took to Twitter to say this wasn’t the case. Tonga said that he’s still a free agent, despite the rumors that he’d re-signed a new deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Tonga is the son of Haku, who showed up at Wrestle Kingdom 10 and New Year Dash as a cameo member of the Bullet Club. Tonga’s brother Micah competes for TNA, and performed in the WWE and NXT as Camacho.

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW Stripped Shinsuke Nakamura Of IWGP Intercontinental Championship

Source: WrestlingINC

If you were expecting Shinsuke Nakamura to hang around and drop the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, you can give up on that idea. New Japan Pro Wrestling has stripped Nakamura of the championship, although he’ll appear on a few shows to finish out his deal.

New Japan Pro Wrestling posted an article early Tuesday announcing the move. Many expected Nakamura to finish out the month in New Japan in order to lose the title, likely to new Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega.

Omega and Nakamura started a storyline at New Year Dash where Omega pinned the dominant IWGP Intercontinental Champion. After the match, Omega hit fellow Bullet Club member AJ Styles with his finish, kicking him out of the group. Omega then challenged Nakamura to a title match. The article stated that Kenny Omega would be taking on an undetermined opponent for the championship.

Both Nakamura and Styles have been involved in rumors that they’re heading to WWE. Styles finished up with the company at New Year Dash, with Nakamura stating that he’d be leaving after January. Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows are both rumored to be leaving for WWE as well.

Nakamura’s final show is expected to be January 30 at Korakuen Hall.

AJ Styles WWE Debut plans, Gallows & Anderson Update

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest issue of The Wrestling Observer that WWE was originally looking to debut AJ Styles in the Royal Rumble Match as a surprise, however he noted that plans might change now that it’s public that he’s WWE bound.

Doc Gallows noted on Twitter that he will be on the NJPW tour in February. He will team up with Karl Anderson to face Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma. Both of their contract expire at the end of the month, so that may be their last appearance for NJPW before heading to WWE.

Source: WrestlingINC.com

Are 2 More Bullet Club Members Leaving NJPW For WWE?

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there are rumors that Bullet Club members Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga also may be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling for WWE. However, as of this week they have not given their notices to NJPW.

It’s believed that Finn Balor, who is the creator and former leader of Bullet Club, suggested and recruited Fale and Tonga.