In recent days, there has been some rumbling in the pro wrestling industry with regards to the potential of a major partnership. The rumored partnership is between New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), as well as one which might shock many: WWE. It’s said to be a conversation around having the WWE be New Japan’s exclusive American partner. Both promotions are yet to address the rumors but, given that they are amongst the industry’s leading promotions, it comes as no surprise that many within the industry are weighing in on the potential of it all.
NJPW is no stranger to working with other American promotions as they have partnerships with the likes of GCW, MLW, and Ring of Honor. More recently, the promotion has been working with IMPACT Wrestling, as well as AEW. New Japan also has strong ties with Mexico’s CMLL, and the United Kingdom’s RPW. In Japan, NJPW works with the female wrestling promotion Stardom. It is safe to say that New Japan does not shy away from partnering with other promotions.
WWE, on the other hand, seems to contrast that. In recent years, WWE has had partnerships with some independent promotions. This saw the likes of Progress Wrestling, ICW, and wXw all work with WWE in one way or another. The most notable of the WWE partnerships would be with Evolve Wrestling, which they eventually bought. The promotion tends to evade partnerships with other major promotions. As other promotions have continued to have working relationships with each other, WWE has often faced criticism for it’s seemingly closed-off nature. Many have often speculated how the wrestling industry could be so much better if the WWE opened it’s doors to work with other major promotions. It seems that could become a reality sooner rather than later.
The deal, in addition to having NJPW as an official American partner, could see some WWE talent be allowed to work NJPW events at times. This would prove that the WWE is realizing that the wrestling industry is evolving and there needs to be willingness to adapt on their end. However, WWE reportedly wanting an exclusive partnership could also mean that NJPW might have to end partnerships with other promotions. That could be a bit problematic because, as opposed to the wrestling industry becoming more integrated, this could seem more like an alliance between the two promotions instead. Either way, the prospect of the partnership has gotten some people (wrestlers and fans alike) thinking about potential dream matches we could witness – should the deal materialize.
New Japan wrestler, Tama Tonga, recently posted a tweet suggesting a match between New Japan’s Bullet Club and WWE’s Bloodline factions. WWE’s Drew McIntyre has also seemingly teased a match with 5-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. There are a number of dream matches that the two promotions could work with. This partnership could prove to be a game-changer in the industry. Only time will tell whether these dream matches might become possible soon.
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