The Real Reason NJPW Lost Their US TV Deal

The NJPW on AXS deal is dead. Here's why.

NJPW AXS TV
NJPW

New Japan Pro Wrestling's affiliation with AXS TV ended last week, leaving one of the world's biggest promotions without a television deal in the United States. Unideal, given their expansion aspirations, though the writing was likely on the wall from the moment Impact Wrestling's parent company, Anthem, purchased the network to host their own weekly show last year.

Per Dave Meltzer on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, the reason NJPW was booted from AXS was because the company turned down the opportunity to forge a working relationship with Impact.

New Japan would've likely been welcome to stay on AXS had they worked with Impact. They said "no," Anthem said "see you later," and NJPW is off the network, having expected to remain with AXS TV until their contract expired in 2021.

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The heat between the two promotions stems from 2010, when NJPW was upset by how Kazuchika Okada was booked while on an excursion with TNA. Today's Impact isn't the same company, of course, and the ownership hierarchy is completely different, but the grudge remains.

US consumers must now consume NJPW's product through New Japan World and the occasional FITE.tv broadcast, with this weekend's Wrestle Kingdom 14 two-dayer available on both platforms.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.