Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

Multiple Promotions To Hold Crossover Event Under United Japan Pro Wrestling Banner

Japanese wrestling promotions have had their fair share of rivalries over the years, with Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba famously having two completely different ideologies that led to the formation of New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling in the ’70s. However, in recent years, many promotions in Japan have seen the benefit of collaboration and working together, which was taken to another level with the formation of United Japan Pro Wrestling in late 2023, and an inaugural event for the group has been announced.

On May 6, 2024, the “ALL TOGETHER: United Japan Pro Wrestling Inauguration & Noto Earthquake Benefit Event” will take place with NJPW, STARDOM, NOAH, DDT, Dragon Gate, and Big Japan Pro Wrestling all confirmed to have wrestlers taking part. The event will not only act as the inaugural event for the group, but as the name suggests, a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the victims of the earthquake that hit the Noto peninsula region of northern Japan on January 1. A number of matches have already been announced for the event, with more expected to come in the near future. 

The “ALL TOGETHER” name was first used in 2011 when NJPW, NOAH, and AJPW joined forces for a charity event at the Nippon Budokan, which is where the 2024 event will take place. There were also ALL TOGETHER events in 2012 and 2023, with the proceeds going to charity on both occasions. AJPW, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and GANBARE Pro Wrestling are also members of the UJPW group, but will not be able to participate on May 6. However, they will play a part in the second event the group intends to hold, titled “Hokkai Kita-Yell” in Sapporo on June 15.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On Jack Perry’s AEW Hiatus

Tony Khan continues to hold a grudge against Jack Perry following CM Punk’s AEW departure and that’s why he hasn’t brought him back to television.

Perry had been absent from the scene for several months after the incident involving CM Punk at AEW All In last August. This incident resulted in Perry’s suspension. Despite Perry now working with NJPW, he remains under contract with AEW. 

Perry disregarded Punk’s advice against using real glass during a TV segment. Perry performed a spot on a car windshield at All In 2023 and made a reference to using real glass on camera, which led to the physical altercation backstage.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Perry will be brought back after his NJPW run.

“The way we’ve heard it, was that he was sent home after Wembley and never heard back from Khan. He apologized, kept texting him about he never meant to cause any trouble and was sorry. He did hear from the company through lawyers. Then they talked and he apologized to Khan. But he still hasn’t been brought back. What they are doing now in Japan is storyline to lead to an eventual return,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

Jack Perry To Make In-Ring Return Soon

Jack Perry is on his way to Japan. CM Punk’s departure occurred after a physical altercation with Perry during All In, which almost caused a major disruption to the show. The match proceeded as planned.

Perry appeared in the NJPW Battle in the Valley event, where he targeted Shota Umino, marking his wrestling return.

The upcoming New Japan Cup tournament, organized by NJPW, is scheduled to start on March 6th and will feature a total of 28 wrestlers. Notable names such as Shota Umino, Kenta, and Taichi will participate in the tournament, which will end on March 20th.

Perry will also participate in the tournament, marking his promotional in-ring debut on the opening night. His first match since All In will be against Shota Umino.

Source: eWn

Major Update On Kazuchika Okada’s Future

Kazuchika Okada is parting ways with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and it’s believed that WWE and AEW are both chasing his signature. However, the former IWGP World Champion might have made his decision already, as Fightful Select reports that he’s AEW-bound.

According to the report, the deal is almost complete and should be complete soon, barring unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, AEW officials have reportedly been confident about landing him since January. It’s unknown when he’s scheduled to debut as of this writing, but it will likely be after he finishes his commitments to NJPW, and there’s been speculation that he could show up on AEW television in the first half of March. Additionally, AEW’s creative team is believed to be bouncing creative ideas for Okada, but details about their plans are unknown for the time being. 

The report also states that Okada held talks with WWE, noting that he considered the pros and cons of joining the sports entertainment promotion. The Japanese star reportedly wants to participate in a match at a WWE WrestleMania event, but that outcome now looks unlikely as he seems to be joining the competition.

Earlier this year, Tony Khan revealed that he’s focused on the free agent market in 2024, and some big signings are expected to join his company soon. In March, Mercedes Mone will reportedly debut on the “AEW Dynamite: Big Business” special. Furthermore, Will Ospreay has confirmed that he’s coming to AEW when he’s completed his obligations to NJPW, which just so happens to be this month.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Parent Company (Bushiroad) Fires STARDOM Founder

Bushiroad has announced that they have fired STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa.

The parent company of New Japan Pro Wrestling released a statement on the STARDOM website, pointing to the knowledge that Ogawa “poached many Stardom players and staff” as the reason for the firing:

“Since 2019, our company has entered into a contract with Rossy Ogawa, the founder of Stardom, and has appointed him as an executive producer and outsourced work related to Stardom. However, we would like to inform you that we have come to know that he has poached many Stardom players and staff, and we have decided to cancel this contract.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. As a company, we will continue to aim for the further development of Stardom, and the players and staff will continue to work together to deliver excitement to all the fans, so we will continue to receive the same compliments as before. I am very fortunate.”

Ogawa, who founded the promotion in 2010, has since posted on social media, stating he was informed of the firing after the promotion’s event the previous night before saying “the truth of the matter may be told someday” and that he was “worried about the players right now”:

https://twitter.com/rossystardom/status/1754342320168972627

Following up on the news, F4WOnline has reported that Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer will have more on the situation in an upcoming Wrestling Observer Radio, after Alvarez noted that the story is “way bigger than just Rossy leaving.”

AEW President Tony Khan took to social media to comment on the situation:

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1754347589456019715

Source: WrestleView

Backstage Update – Kazuchika Okada In Talks With WWE, AEW Confident About Signing Him

Kazuchika Okada’s contract with NJPW expired at midnight Japan Standard Time, making him a free agent.

Pro Wrestling Tees announced that Okada’s shirts will be pulled from the site, which caused fans to speculate about the future of the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Fightful is reporting that Pro Wrestling Tees pulling Okada’s merchandise is connected to the expiration of his NJPW contract.

Additionally, while Okada was still technically under contract with NJPW, the Bushiroad promotion was said to be “very understanding” with the 36-year-old wrestler negotiating with other companies since he made it clear he won’t be re-signing. Things are reportedly amicable between both sides.

There have been talks between WWE and Okada. According to certain WWE talents, Okada has spoken to roster members to gauge his potential offers, learn more about WWE’s approach, and help decide his future.

It is to be noted that WWE has not put any creative plans in place for Okada, and no pitches have been made in this regard.

AEW has been fairly confident about signing Okada. In fact, Tony Khan was so confident that AEW put tentative plans together for Okada’s potential debut. AEW has reportedly made a “substantial offer” to Okada.

Barry Bloom is representing Okada and acting as his agent.

Despite the expiration of his NJPW contract, Okada still has some New Japan dates he will be finishing up next month including a final match with Hiroshi Tanahashi scheduled for NJPW’s The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

Source: eWn

Backstage Details On Kazuchika Okada’s Upcoming Departure From NJPW

With the confirmation of Kazuchika Okada, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, parting ways with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, backstage reports have emerged concerning his free agency.

As per a report by “Fightful Select,” it was plain to see that at the end of Okada and NJPW’s conversation, the current NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion was to leave the promotion. Several sources who spoke with “Fightful” were surprised by Thursday night’s news since they expected the news of his departure to be released sometime next week. However, there are reportedly no hard feelings between the promotion and the longtime NJPW star.

Sources also reportedly told “Fightful” that they are confident that they will be able to create new talent in both Japan and the United States, and aren’t too worried about losing one of the biggest stars of the company.

Regarding the Japanese star’s next move, the report stated that it’s too early to determine but AEW is interested in him. WWE sources, meanwhile, revealed that they haven’t heard of any talks between the two parties and that they didn’t think Okada would be interested in the move. If ‘The Rainmaker’ does end up in WWE, he would be joining the likes of former five-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, as well as former Bullet Club leaders Finn Balor and AJ Styles in making the switch from NJPW to the American promotion.

Okada most recently took part in TNA Wrestling’s Snake Eyes show on January 14, where he teamed with The Motor City Machine Guns. His last NJPW match was the day before the TNA event on January 13, where he defeated former NJPW and current AEW star Will Ospreay at Battle in the Valley. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former IWGP World Champion Kazuchika Okada Parting Ways With New Japan Pro-Wrestling

The free agency market will soon welcome in a new addition.

Last month, reports indicated that the NJPW contract of former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada was set to expire at the end of January. With this expiration fastly approaching, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has now confirmed that Okada will be departing from the promotion upon the conclusion of his deal on January 31.

In the wake of this announcement, NJPW has also provided Okada’s official statement about his upcoming exit from NJPW. “I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today,” Okada said. “Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.”

Despite his impending entry into the free agency market, Okada is still scheduled to be present at a trio of NJPW shows next month. After he completes his appearance at The New Beginning event in Osaka on February 11, “The Rainmaker” will head to Sapporo as The New Beginning series continues on February 23 and 24.

Okada’s most recent NJPW match took place at Battle in the Valley on January 13, where he defeated another IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Will Ospreay. The next day, Okada made his way to Las Vegas for TNA Snake Eyes.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Battle In The Valley 1/13/2024 (Results), Jack Perry

  • Pre-Show – STRONG Survivor powered by NJPW Academy: Matt Vandagriff def. Goldy.
  • Pre-Show: Stephanie Vaquer def. Viva Van.
  • Shota Umino, Fred Rosser & Jacob Fatu def. Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson).
    • After the match, Jack Perry attacked Shota Umino from behind to make his NJPW Debut & his first wrestling appearance since AEW All In.
    • Perry pulled out an AEW contract and ripped it up in the ring to send a message. It’s also worth noting that Perry was sporting a beard and a black armband that read “Scapegoat,” which appears to be his new nickname. It appears that this is all part of an angle however details are few and far between as of this writing.
  • Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr def. Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr.
  • David Finlay def. TJP.
  • NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Match: Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) (c) def. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors).
  • NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship Match: Giulia (c) def. Trish Adora (w/ Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean of The Infantry).
  • There was a video vignette of Mustafa Ali, where he challenged Hiromu Takahashi to a match on 4/12 for NJPW Windy City Riot.
  • Matt Riddle & Jeff Cobb def. TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr).
  • AEW Triple Crown (NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship, ROH World Championship & AEW Continental Championship): Eddie Kingston (c) vs Gabe Kidd Ended in a Tie via Count-Out.
    • After the match, the Bullet Club WAR DOGS (Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors) attacked Kingston, laying out Kingston in the ring from the attack.
  • No Disqualification Match: Jon Moxley def. Shingo Takagi.
    • After the match, Moxley called out Tetsuya Naito, saying it was time. The match was made official for Windy City Riot.
  • Kazuchika Okada def. Will Ospreay.
    • Bullet Club WAR DOGS (David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors) attacked Ospreay & Okada after the match. TJP & Jeff Cobb made the save before Eddie Kingston joined in to run off the Bullet Club.
    • Will Ospreay gave his thanks to NJPW, the fans, and to Okada for helping him become a better person & wrestler, saying that his run, but did promise that United Empire would bury War Dogs on New Beginning in Osaka.

NJPW Battle In The Valley 1/13/2024

Tonight’s NJPW Battle In The Valley card is set. The event will be held tonight in San Jose, CA. You can catch the action at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Triller.

You can check out the final card below:

Will Ospreay vs Kazuchika Okada

No DQ: Shingo Takagi vs Jon Moxley

NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship (AEW Triple Crown): Eddie Kingston (c) vs Gabe Kidd

Matt Riddle & X vs TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr.)

NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Giulia (c) vs Trish Adora

NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships: Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) (c) vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors)

TJP vs David Finlay

Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr vs Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr.

Shota Umino, Fred Rosser & Jacob Fatu vs Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson)

Viva Van vs Stephanie Vaquer

STRONG Survivor powered by NJPW Academy: Matt Vandagriff vs Goldy