Tensions Brewing Between NJPW And AEW?
Could THIS be the wrestling war that defines 2019?
While AEW's emergence has sparked talk of a new wrestling war between the nascent promotion and WWE, the relationship (or lack thereof) between the Elite-helmed organisation and NJPW is every bit as interesting.
It was initially thought that the two companies may end up forming some kind of working agreement. This is yet to happen, and NJPW's relationship with ROH in America will remain a major barrier for as long as it exists.
Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho's appearances for both promotions have brought fresh talk of collaboration, but it doesn't sound like talks are ongoing. There are now signs that things might be frostier than first thought, with Japanese wrestling journalist Fumi Saito claiming, on his podcast, that NJPW had forbidden him from mentioning AEW during a recent promo aired on their programming.
On top of this, Dave Meltzer wrote in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW are currently unsure as to whether or not they should acknowledge Moxley as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. The 33-year-old won the belt in his NJPW debut, besting Juice Robinson at last week's Best of the Super Juniors finals, though it's unlikely that he'll be allowed to walk around with it on NJPW TV.