open-menu

Former NJPW GM Michael Craven: NJPW Initially Thought The Elite Would Return, Didn't Expect Their Promotion To Last Long

Wrestling
Colin Tessier Aug 25, 2024 9:34AM

Former NJPW GM Michael Craven looks back on All In.

These days, AEW and NJPW have built up a strong working relationship, and the two companies co-promote Forbidden Door every year. However, this was not the case in the early days of AEW. Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and The Young Bucks left NJPW following the success of the original All In event and founded AEW with Tony Khan. The nature of their departures was a source of conflict with NJPW, but the two companies eventually started working together and formed the relationship that they have today.

Karrion Kross: The Miz Owes Paul Ellering. If He Doesn't Figure Out This Situation, I'm Going To Throw Him Off A Roof

Speaking on The Insiders with Conrad Thompson for AdFreeShows, former NJPW General Manager of the International Department Michael Craven was asked whether he had any uncertainty or doubt about The Elite staying with NJPW after All In in 2018.

“I knew we were gonna lose some of the talent, but I didn’t think we were gonna lose all of them. I figured that they were gonna start up their promotion. I figured that we would probably lose access to the ROH talent, but I didn’t think we were gonna lose Kenny [Omega]. I figured that Kenny was gonna stay. We were gonna give strong offers to some of the talent, and I figured we were good. I was staying at the same hotel that the Bucks were at, met them in the elevator a few times. There was no bad blood between me or them, they were really nice guys. Really friendly. I had a very positive experience with everybody. So I reported back to New Japan, saying this was really big. Didn’t really take it as seriously as I would have. They said, ‘Well, they’ll start their own promotion, but how long is that gonna last? We’ll see them all back here soon.’ So they didn’t figure that it was going to be as big as it was. That’s September, that’s the first week of September. So that tone changed pretty fast," Craven said.

The full interview is available with a subscription to AdFreeShows.

Omega and the Young Bucks previously discussed their departure from NJPW. Check out their comments here.

If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.

Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Click here to learn more.