8 Big Questions Behind WWE’s Attempts To Buy ROH

7. What Does This Mean For NJPW?

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NJPW World

ROH’s relationship with NJPW has unsurprisingly become lost in the noise of WWE’s proposed takeover. New Japan’s owner Takaaki Kidani has made no secret of his desire to expand into the USA in 2017, and his talent share agreement with ROH has helped establish their American footprint. Kidani has also criticised WWE for their rapid global expansion, so what would happen to his ROH agreement if the deal goes through?

This has wider consequences. ROH's Young Bucks and Adam Cole are important parts of NJPW’s roster, and make a huge chunk of their income from competing in Japan. It’s safe to say they probably won’t get this opportunity should the buyout go through, as WWE have rarely been high on letting their wrestlers compete for other organisations, particularly those that apparently hate them.

As a result, NJPW would likely lose access to a huge number of their core gaijin wrestlers. Similarly, the likes of Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada would no longer have the opportunity to cross the Pacific and compete on ROH shows, as they’ve done so many times over the past few years, meaning the deal would likely leave a big dent in NJPW’s American plans.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.