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A number of Japanese wrestling promotions are concerned with the impending announcement of NXT Japan.
Dave Meltzer provided some insight in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter regarding the latest developments with WWE expanding their NXT brand to Japan
WWE is currently in negotiations with All Japan Pro Wrestling, which has become a major story within Japanese wrestling circles. The feeling is that WWE starting a NXT brand in Japan could change the landscape across the board, even with the biggest promotion in the country, New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
“Right now in Japan there is a lot of concern across the board about WWE entering the marketplace, particularly now when all but the top companies are vulnerable because of being unable to run shows due to the coronavirus.” Meltzer stated. “The idea is that if WWE makes the move soon, most companies will be in a weakened state financially and will have more trouble competing and surviving”
New Japan Pro-Wrestling feels that they would always be the dominant promotion in the country, but with WWE looking to move to the region it could cause uncertainty.
of All Japan Pro Wrestling will be traveling to Stamford and Orlando to meet with Paul Levesque, as well as guest coach at the WWE Performance Center.
Akiyama served as President for the promotion from 2014-2019, and is currently in a General Manager role within the company.
Current AJPW President Takaki Fukada has yet to make a deal with WWE, but the belief is that Akiyama’s visit to the United States will be positive for both sides.
The company is expected to announce the WWE Japan Performance Center in the next few months
WWE has also been in talks with Japanese legends Antonio Inoki and Hiroshi Hase regarding the political situation.
Hiroshi Hase is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Hase is also a semi-retired wrestler who worked for NJPW and AJPW in the past.
Antonio Inoki is one of Japan’s most influential figures in wrestling, and was inducted in the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2010. Inoki is the founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling
WWE attempted to purchase Pro Wrestling NOAH, prior to their sale to Cyberagent Inc. The company also attempted to acquire STARDOM, prior to the sale to NJPW’s parent company Bushiroad.
According to Fumi Saito, who is a friend of Stardom founder Rossy Ogawa, WWE offered Rossy a spot in the WWE Hall Of Fame during negotiations WWE had with Stardom to purchase the company. Negotiations between Stardom and WWE were held between July and August of 2019.
Neither group wanted to sell to to a company outside Japan.
WWE has spoken with major names to be hired as trainers for NXT Japan.
Last October, The Wrestling Observer reported that Meiko Satomura has been working with WWE, and is earmarked to be involved in the NXT Japan promotion. Other names expected to be involved in NXT Japan were Daisuke Sekimoto of AJPW, and Sari Fujimura, better known as Sareee from Pro Wrestling Diana.
Fujimura has signed a deal with WWE and expected to begin in March, it’s unknown if she will be involved in the NXT Japan brand, or the main group in Orlando, where she plans to travel to next month.
Vince McMahon has had ties to Japan for several decades, and has worked with AJPW co-founder the late Giant Baba in the past.
In 1990, WWF held an interpromotional show titled “The Wrestling Summit” with NJPW and AJPW at the Tokyo Dome in front of over 50,000 fans.
WWE returns to Japan for a 3-day live event tour this July.