Highlights
- Triple H's decisions have benefited WWE, as seen by high attendance numbers and potential partnerships with Japanese promotions.
- WWE allowed Shinsuke Nakamura to wrestle for Pro Wrestling Noah after Vince McMahon stepped down and Triple H contacted the Japanese promotion.
- A potential partnership between WWE and NJPW could be beneficial in terms of talent exchange and cross-promotion shows, but it may be hindered by NJPW's existing relationship with AEW and WWE's exclusivity concerns.
Ever since Triple H took over WWE from Vince McMahon, he has implemented many changes that fans appreciate. His decisions have not only benefited the fans, but they have also benefited the entire company. Aspects such as high attendance numbers today suggest that the business is thriving. For some time now, there have been several rumors that WWE is looking to partner with Japanese promotions. The biggest promotion in Japan currently is New Japan Pro Wrestling, and according to a report from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, “Paul Levesque and perhaps Nick Khan are looking at Japanese allies.”
Fans may recall that WWE recently sent NXT’s Charlie Dempsey to AJPW where he faced Katsuhiko Nakajima for the Triple Crown Championship. NJPW has a much larger roster than AJPW, and there are many talented wrestlers in each company. A partnership could be mutually beneficial.
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There are many promotions in Japan, including All Japan Pro Wrestling, which for many years held the spot as the top promotion in the country.WWE Allowed Shinsuke Nakamura To Wrestle In Pro Wrestling Noah In 2023
Vince McMahon Didn't Want Shinsuke Nakamura's Match With The Great Muta To Happen
- Vince McMahon denied Shinsuke Nakamura to go to Pro Wrestling Noah
- Triple H gave permission to Shinsuke Nakamura after Vince McMahon retired
- WWE worked with AJPW in 2023
When The Great Muta retired last year, he did a retirement tour. At Pro Wrestling Noah's The New Year 2023, The Great Muta and Shinsuke Nakamura had a match. Nakamura has been under a WWE contract since 2016, so many fans were surprised that WWE allowed him to wrestle for another promotion. According to Shinsuke Nakamura, during an interview with Yahoo Japan, he revealed that he wasn’t initially allowed to go to Pro Wrestling Noah. However, after Vince McMahon stepped down, he asked again and Triple H personally contacted the Japanese promotion to see if they were willing to let a match between Nakamura and The Great Muta happen, according to WrestlingInc. Nakamura stated that his wrestling match with The Great Muta in Noah was “something that would never have happened under the previous structure of the WWE.” The King of Strong Style said that Vince leaving WWE changed a lot of things. He told Yahoo:
"There was a big change in the WWE between when Mutoh announced his retirement and when the match was decided. Vince, who was the symbol of everything, was retiring, and that was something that no one could believe. Everything changes in America when the top changes. At that time, there was a feeling that many things would change in the future. One of the changes that occurred to me was this. The fact that 'no' became 'yes' gave me a boost."
WWE & NJPW Can Make A Lot Of Money With A Potential Relationship
WWE & NJPW Can Do Cross Promotion Shows
As a booker, Triple H has done what’s best for business. Nobody thought that CM Punk would return under Vince McMahon. But after Triple H took over and there was an opportunity to bring Punk back, he seized it. Similarly, there’s now an opportunity to work with NJPW, and he and Nick Khan are trying to work it out.
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These are the absolute greatest pro wrestlers in NJPW history when it comes to pure in-ring skill.There are many ways both companies can benefit from such a partnership. They can send their young wrestlers from NXT to work in New Japan and improve their craft. They can also have top wrestlers like AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, both of whom have worked in NJPW before, do one-off matches. Interpromotional storylines can happen too, but it’s very unlikely given that WWE already has a lot of storylines of their own that they sometimes struggle to give enough screen time to. They can also do shows like AEW does with Forbidden Door. Despite the benefits and the potential for NJPW to make a lot of money working with WWE, this deal may never end up happening.
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There is a small chance that these wrestlers could cross the line and appear in WWE, or go out of the WWE sphere and appear in another company!NJPW's Relationship With All Elite Wrestling May Stop A WWE Alliance
AEW & NJPW Have A Good Working Partnership
A Fightful Select report cited NJPW’s relationship with Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling as the reason. While WWE may be willing to work with other promotions now, they still care about their brand image and exclusivity. So, even if NJPW agrees to work with WWE, WWE will probably want them to stop working with AEW. That may be something that NJPW won’t agree to give up. Another thing to note is that WWE’s partnership with NJPW could also damage the Japanese wrestling scene. Many fans believe WWE signing all of the top UK wrestlers killed the British wrestling scene. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter also reported that WWE is trying to form a working relationship with Stardom (the sister promotion to NJPW), so even if a deal with NJPW doesn’t work out, there’s a chance that WWE can partner with Stardom.
