According to a new report, WWE and New Japan Pro-Wrestling are in talks about an exclusive partnership.
In the past two decades, WWE has always had the mentality that it was the strongest wrestling company in the world and that they did not work with outside wrestling companies as their goals were loftier in the overall entertainment realm.
However, this mentality may be changing.
According to a new report by Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE and NJPW have been in talks about WWE being the exclusive American partner of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Reportedly, these talks date back to late March/early April and would include WWE sending talent and allowing its top stars to work New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Currently, New Japan Pro Wrestling has a fluid working agreement with AEW and IMPACT Wrestling as all three organizations have shared talent with one another and what has been referred to as the opening of “The Forbidden Door.”
According to the report, Nick Khan has been the one representing WWE in these meetings and he sees WWE as a part of the overall wrestling landscape, changing up the attitude of the past several decades.
Furthermore, Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that according to sources from both sides, there has been communication in recent months and talks between the promotions center around the possibility of Daniel Bryan being able to potentially work some dates in NJPW.
Daniel Bryan's WWE contract expired after his WWE Universal Championship match on Friday Night SmackDown against Roman Reigns. In recent interviews, Daniel Bryan has admitted that he wants to be able to work WWE and other promotions.
WWE, through NXT, has established working relationships with independent promotions in the past several years but WWE hasn't had an open talent exchange with another promotion since 1997 when they were in an exchange with AAA Lucha Libre, Memphis’ USWA, and, of course, Extreme Championship Wrestling.
In addition to this potential working relationship, WWE has also reportedly been in talks with Major League Wrestling about a potential working relationship. Learn more here.
Fightful will continue to monitor the story and report any and all updates.
