WWE Vs. NJPW: Head To Head
2. Women’s Wrestling
A total squash match by virtue of the obvious fact that New Japan does not present women’s wrestling.
But should it?
A recurring and tiresome social media debate, the arguments are thus:
For: Joshi is amazing, obviously, so charming and killer that it is effectively the Ted Bundy of wrestling genres. If AEW is any indication, Japanese women’s wrestling gets over big, and quickly, on a grander stage; it would therefore represent a good business move on New Japan’s part. This doesn’t even consider the sheer scale of Joshi at its ’80s/’90s peak. It is an untapped resource that is perhaps primed for a renaissance. Without resorting to the progressive aspect—which isn’t without merit—there is a credible artistic and economic argument.
Against: woMEn hAVe thEIr Own pROMOtioNs.
That progressive argument isn’t without merit because there is a seedy underbelly to women’s wrestling in Japan. Not all but some fans are more interested in its talent for reasons divorced from wrestling, something that promoters are all too eager to exploit in rather grim-looking post-show meet-and-greets.
This informs a wider point—in its refusal to book women, or treat western tourist fans with parity ahead of January 4, New Japan is often too bound to its traditions to its detriment.
Scorecard: WWE 3-6 NJPW