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.

MLW Announces Partnership With Dragon Gate

Announced at Saturday night’s MLW Fightland TV tapings, MLW and Dragon Gate have formed a partnership. Major League Wrestling’s Court Bauer said the working relationship between MLW and Dragon Gate is “coming soon.”

“The gate to the Americas has been opened. @MLW x @dragongate_pro,” Bauer wrote on Twitter.

Post Wrestling reported the two companies had been in talks and signed the deal over the past week. MLW wants to bring Dragon Gate talent to the States, once they go through the process of securing their visas. This process can take time, so no word yet on when talent will begin making appearances.

MLW signed with ICM Partners, who will sell TV and streaming rights for MLW. MLW Studios will also launch, which will create original scripted and non-scripted programming for the promotion.

https://twitter.com/courtbauer/status/1223837793199194113

MLW has put out a video (seen below) about the two companies working together, along with a press release:

KOBE, JAPAN / NEW YORK — Major League Wrestling and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling of Japan today announced the formation of a strategic alliance.

MLW and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling will fuse forces to launch a new collaboration focused on a talent exchange and opportunities to share content and participate in other projects.

“The collaboration between MLW and Dragon Gate is a very special opportunity to produce unique events, showcase spectacular talent and create a new canvas for Japanese and American cooperation,” said Court Bauer, CEO and founder of MLW. “We are ecstatic about this partnership.”

Dragon Gate is a world-renowned wrestling organization based out of Kobe, Japan that has revolutionized wrestling.

Transcending traditional Japanese wrestling with its distinct mixture of strong style wrestling and Mexican lucha libre, Dragon Gate is a spectacular packaging unlike any other Japanese organization.

With popular wrestlers such as Ben-K, YAMATO, Shun Skywalker and Narauki Doi among others, Dragon Gate delights fans around the world with their thrilling high-flying acrobatics and inventive moves.

A vibrant trendsetting organization, Dragon Gate emerged in 2004 and reimagined Japanese wrestling in its own vision. Today, Dragon Gate is one of Japan’s most prominent organizations with a global reach, including introducing their SVOD service.

More details on first chapter of the MLW x Dragon Gate collaboration will be revealed soon.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1224371694170669056

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Neville Makes Surprise Return To Wrestling (Video & Photos)

After roughly a year away from the ring, Neville — now working under his old ring name PAC — returned to wrestling Tuesday at a Dragon Gate show inside of Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

Neville, teaming with Eita Kobayashi, picked up the win in a tag match over Shingo Takagi and BxB Hulk with his signature “Red Arrow” finisher. Takagi is working his final matches with Dragon Gate.

According to multiple reports, the 32-year-old came out with the heel faction R.E.D. and cut a post-match promo on fans saying he’d destroy all their favorite stars.

It was reported in last week’s issue of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Neville has not been responding to promoters as best as they can tell, and has essentially gone “off the grid.” Neville was reportedly previously in talks with some promotions, however said that he wasn’t ready to start yet due to legal issues.

Neville had been unhappy with WWE creative and tried to get his release when he quit the company back in October of 2017. WWE officials did not grant the release when he quit because they didn’t want to set a precedent where talents under contract could walk out and go to New Japan Pro Wrestling, which is where it was expected Neville would end up. Neville’s contract was then frozen for ten months before his release was granted.

Neville is scheduled to return to Dragon Gate for a match on November 6th.

Sources: Pro Wrestling Sheet and WrestlingINC