AEW and NJPW have already seen the benefits of working together, including last year’s successful Forbidden Door supercard in Chicago. But there’s something on the horizon that could mean continued cooperation will be even more important.
At least that’s what AEW CEO and GM Tony Khan believes. Speaking to Reuters, he said the impending merger between WWE and UFC — which will become a new, publicly traded entity under current UFC parent company Endeavor — is the kind of impetus that make it even more vital for the No. 1 pro wrestling promotion in Japan and the No. 2 promotion in the U.S. to keep collaborating.
“In a world where the proposed merger happens, as it is suggested on paper, then I would believe the AEW, New Japan Pro Wrestling partnership is more imperative than ever before,” Khan said.
There’s already a Forbidden Door follow-up coming up soon in Toronto later this month. Several high profile matches for that card have already been revealed, and while logistical issues make cross-promotion of the show tricky, it’s expected that more NJPW stars will appear on AEW TV over the next two weeks.
And that’s only one event on a very aggressive AEW schedule for the summer. The company is also launching a new Saturday night prime time show, AEW: Collision, on June 17, and holding its biggest event ever, All In London at Wembley Stadium, in August.
While All In hasn’t been pushed as a crossover show, the need for bigger than usual attractions to help fulfill expectations (and sell more tickets in massive Wembley Stadium) is obvious. Could that include more participation from NJPW talent?
Khan hopes so, saying “it would be a huge benefit to AEW if there is participation from New Japan Pro Wrestling and some of their top stars in the event.”
NJPW president Takami Ohbari told Reuters his company would consider sending some wrestlers if AEW reached out, and agreed that continued cooperation would be in both promotions’ best interest.
“It’s really mutually beneficial in terms of the global expansion for New Japan and also for AEW,” he said.
Two companies a world apart geographically but united in common goals sounds a little too good to be true for wrestling fans, but that was before Forbidden Door opened eyes to what’s possible. It’s an idea too good for everyone involved to not continue to pursue.