Big shakeup in STARDOM.
Bushiroad and STARDOM announced that, effective February 4, they have canceled the contract of founder Rossy Ogawa.
In the announcement, it is stated that Ogawa "poached many STARDOM wrestlers and staff."
Notice Regarding Termination of Contract with Rossy Ogawa
Regarding the Termination of the Contract with Rossy OgawaTo whom it may concern, and to our fans
Thank you very much for your continued support of Stardom.
We would like to inform you that Bushiroad Fight Inc. (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a business consignment agreement (the "Agreement") with Mr. Rossy Ogawa. We are pleased to inform you that we have terminated the business consignment agreement (the "Agreement") with Rossy Ogawa as of February 4, 2024.
Since 2019, the Company has entered into the Agreement with Rossy Ogawa, the founder of Stardom, and has invited him to serve as Executive Producer and has entrusted him with Stardom-related tasks. However, we have recently become aware that Mr. Rossy Ogawa has been poaching a number of Stardom athletes and staff members, and we have decided to terminate this agreement.
We sincerely apologize for any concern this may have caused. We, the players and staff of Stardom, will continue to make concerted efforts to further develop Stardom and to deliver excitement to our fans.
We look forward to your continued support.
February 5, 2024 Bushiroad Fight, Inc.
Ogawa created STARDOM in September 2010. Bushiroad purchased the company in October 2019 and Ogawa became an executive producer.
Update: Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that many STARDOM wrestlers are loyal to Ogawa, so his exit may lead to several departures when many contracts are up in March. Meltzer noted that Bushiroad had known about talent leaving, and some were handed legal threats recently. The report stated that the talent who are leaving would not be departing the company until their contracts expire. This is one reason why Giulia is not wrestling at NJPW Windy City Riot and had said she was taking some time off until April.
Per Meltzer, Taro Okada and Oyama, the Bushiroad Fight merchandise manager, will immediately take over as the bookers for STARDOM. They do not have any previous experience as bookers. However, in college, Okada was part of a pro wrestling club that held matches. Finally, Meltzer also wrote that the only STARDOM wrestler with a longer-term commitment is IWGP Women's Champion Mayu Iwatani, as she has a movie coming out.
Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported that Fightful learned of Ogawa's impending departure Wednesday night. There were rumors across NJPW and AEW that Rossy could be WWE-bound, or angling for a job or partnership with WWE. Additionally, several sports agents over the last few months had found it interesting that Giulia didn't seem interested in having a rep.
Fightful will provide more information on Ogawa's status in wrestling when it is known.
