Top Japanese Promotions Heading To US For WrestleMania 39 Weekend?
Two leading Japanese promotions could be set to join WrestleMania 39 weekend festivities.
Japan's Dragongate and Pro Wrestling NOAH could be amongst the promotions to hold shows over WWE WrestleMania 39 weekend next April.
The Flagship Wrestling Podcast reports that Dragongate and NOAH have been putting a plan together that would see the companies hold events around 'Mania 39 in Los Angeles, California. WWE brings its biggest premium live event of the year to the city on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April 2023.
Dragongate and NOAH's idea is to hold three events over three days. The schedule would comprise one show from each company as well as a collaborative effort. Dragongate has already been in touch with American promoters to determine the viability of such a program, researching whether or not the amount they could realistically draw will cover the necessary airfares.
Per one of The Flagship's sources:-
“My understanding is that (the idea is) moving forward”.
Pro Wrestling NOAH has never held a dedicated show in the United States in the promotion's 22-year history. Dragongate, meanwhile, last touched US shores in September 2008, hosting a couple of events in Hawaii and California. Its American arm, Dragon Gate USA, ceased operations in April 2014.
WrestleMania 39 Weekend Is Getting Busy
WWE recently confirmed its own schedule for WrestleMania 39 weekend:-
Friday 31st March: WWE SmackDown/2023 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony (Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles)
Saturday 1st April: NXT Stand & Deliver (Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles)
Saturday 1st April: WrestleMania 39 night one (SoFi Stadium in Inglewood)
Sunday 2nd April: WrestleMania 39 night two (SoFi Stadium in Inglewood)
Monday 3rd April: WWE Raw (Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles)
Swathes of other promotions holding events around 'Mania have been a regular occurrence for years now, with said groups seeking to take advantage of the increased volumes of potential consumers in town for the biggest wrestling event of the year. Game Changer Wrestling is amongst the promotions to have already announced such shows for 2023, with The Collective hitting Los Angeles from 30 March to 1 April.
*BREAKING*
The Collective returns for Mania Week 2023 and we're bringing it to our home base in LOS ANGELES!The Collective 2023March 30th - April 1stThe Ukranian Cultural CenterLos Angeles, CAMore info TBA soon! pic.twitter.com/V05V8bL1Ll
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) April 4, 2022
Expect further announcements regarding the busiest wrestling week of the year over the coming weeks and months.