Report: NJPW Negotiating Possible Return To AXS TV

NJPW In Negotiations With AXS TV For Potential Return 

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently partnered up with the Roku Channel to broadcast weekly content for their U.S. fan-base, the first time they’ve aired in the states since 2019. Word was that many different networks were pushing to snag a deal with NJPW, including their former home of AXS TV. However, a new report indicates that a return to AXS is still on the table.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there are “significantly more talks” about getting NJPW back on AXS TV, which would likely involve more collaboration between the Japanese promotion and IMPACT Wrestling. The report notes that the arrival of former IWGP tag team champions FinJuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) on IMPACT indicates that this is not out of the realm of possibilities, and will be considered if a decent agreement is made. NJPW’s current deal with the Roku Channel was partially made because it allowed them to continue negotiating with other networks while content was being aired, whereas other stations would have tied NJPW into an exclusive agreement.

For those unaware NJPW concluded their previous partnership with AXS shortly after the network was purchased by Anthem Entertainment, the parent company to IMPACT, meaning fans in the U.S. were only able to catch NJPW events if they subscribed to their streaming service, New Japan World. At the time of their deal, AXS TV would not even track NJPW’s ratings with Nielsen, with many believing the promotion drew considerable viewership during that time.

This also coincides with archived matchups that shows the previous history of IMPACT (TNA) and NJPW, including one bout that recently aired between AJ Styles and Hiroshi Tanahashi from 2006, which was years before the Ace became the mega Japanese star he would turn into.

NJPW on the Roku Channel currently airs every Thursday. We’ll keep you updated.