AEW/NJPW Working Relationship Back On The Table?

"Everything is open," according to this new report.

by Andy H Murray
Chris Jericho NJPW AEW
NJPW/AEW

Hopes of New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling forging a working relationship appear to have been revived in the aftermath of the Japanese promotion's removal from AXS TV in the United States.

This is according to Dave Meltzer, who claimed on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that NJPW's attitude towards potentially working with AEW has flipped completely, having agreed to incorporate America's second-biggest company into the upcoming Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Jericho match at Wrestle Kingdom 14.

Recent developments mean that Tanahashi will earn an AEW World Championship shot if he's able to defeat Jericho in the Tokyo Dome. In kayfabe, this came about when Jericho agreed to Tana's stipulation a few days ago, with NJPW confirming it soon after.

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While Meltzer acknowledges that no deal is on the table at the moment, he notes that a Tanahashi victory would be a huge sign. On top of this, he states that while NJPW's working relationship with Ring Of Honor isn't technically dead yet, New Japan is still refusing to send wrestlers over to the declining Sinclair Broadcasting-helmed group.

We'll see if anything comes of this over Wrestle Kingdom weekend.

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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.