Bushiroad Fires STARDOM Founder Rossy Ogawa - Mass Talent Exodus Expected!
STARDOM co-founder Rossy Ogawa has been fired by Bushiroad.
In some somewhat surprising news, Bushiroad has announced the termination of STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa under allegations of poaching talent away from the promotion.
While Ogawa's exit was expected, it was not expected to happen in such a way. As per the Wrestling Observer, tensions had been brewing between Ogawa and Bushiroad executives throughout last year, with Rossy becoming frustrated at having his booking and business decisions overruled by Bushiroad President Katsuhiko Harada. Harada was replaced by Taro Okada in November, but things didn't particularly change for Ogawa, and thus he decided to leave the company.
Having given his notice, the relationship between Rossy Ogawa and Bushiroad was originally due to end after yesterday's Stardom 13th Anniversary Supreme Fight 2024: Osaka Minami Rebellion event, but that exit was pushed back to 18 February instead. In a surprising twist, Bushiroad decided to fire Ogawa yesterday, with talent informed of that decision during a meeting following Osaka Minami Rebellion.
In a public statement, Bushiroad accuse Rossy Ogawa of poaching talent and encouraging them to leave STARDOM. As a reaction to this news, the belief is that there could be several major departures from STARDOM in March, which is when the bulk of talent contracts expire. With a loyalty to Ogawa for giving them their big breaks and opportunity in the industry, it appears there could be a mass talent exodus from STARDOM - with the only wrestler tied to a long-term contract being IWGP Women's Champion Mayu Iwatani.
Taro Okada and Bushiroad merchandise manager Oyama will now replace Ogawa as STARDOM's bookers.
While the Wrestling Observer states that Rossy Ogawa is not going to WWE, there's speculation elsewhere that Ogawa to WWE could be a very real possibility.
Along with Fuka Kakimoto and Nanae Takahashi, Rossy Ogawa founded all-women's promotion STARDOM back in 2010, with it soon becoming the home of some of the best female wrestlers on the planet. New Japan Pro-Wrestling owner Bushiroad purchased the promotion towards the end of 2019, with Ogawa maintaining his executive producer position and under the belief that he would have final say on STARDOM decisions.
Via Google Translate, the official statement on Ogawa's STARDOM exit reads:
To 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.