AEW is known for working closely with NJPW (hence, Forbidden Door this summer). WWE? Not as much. But that might be changing ever so slightly, as two recent WWE returnees may not be completely finished working for Japan’s top promotion.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson appeared on a WWE program for the first time in more than two years on the most recent episode of Raw, backing AJ Styles in his ongoing battle against The Judgment Day. The duo had most recently worked in Impact Wrestling, along with making some appearances in NJPW.
The Good Brothers are finished with Impact but might not be with NJPW. According to Fightful Select, Gallows and Anderson “were only under a verbal commitment in Japan, and those duties are being allowed to be fulfilled.”
It was confirmed to us that New Japan Pro Wrestling were very aware that Gallows and Anderson were headed to WWE, and future NJPW dates are still happening. We’ve even heard from one side that there are hopes that the January 4 Tokyo Dome show is still on the table, but a lot can happen between now and then.
There’s some extra significance to Anderson, especially, being able to continue to appear in NJPW, because he’s the current NEVER Openweight Champion. He could simply be stripped of the title as happens fairly often in pro wrestling, but considering he’s defended it only once since defeating Tama Tonga to win it in June, that wouldn’t be all that satisfying.
Wrestle Kingdom is NJOW’s biggest show of the year, one where the expectation is that almost every championship is defended. It would be very intriguing if a wrestler under contract to WWE would appear on that card, perhaps even paving the way ever so slightly for a Forbidden Door-type show between the two companies somewhere down the road. On top of that, there’s already an expectation that some AEW wrestlers may end up on the card, so there could be history in the making if AEW, NJPW and WWE wrestlers are all on one show together.
We should find out soon enough what the deal is with Anderson (and Gallows), as the first few matches for Wrestle Kingdom 17 have already been announced ahead of its Jan. 4, 2023 date at the Tokyo Dome.
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