Earlier this year, Triple H announced that the next plans of expansion for NXT was Japan. With the possibility of building that roster with currently signed stars like Shinsuke Nakamura, Kairi Sane, & Asuka, it isn’t a terrible idea in theory. Many fans don’t want this however, due to the ill effects NXT UK has had on the thriving independent scene in that region. They don’t want to see the same happen to Japan, who has entered a great age for wrestling once again under the massive successes of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Despite this boom, there are companies who aren’t succeeding like they used to. This includes the legendary All Japan Pro Wrestling.
The Legacy Of All Japan Pro Wrestling & Their Current Woes
Since it’s inception all the way back in 1972 by Giant Baba, AJPW has almost always been a highly respected promotion. At one point it was home to the best wrestling on the planet thanks to stars like Mitsuaharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Keiji Mutoh, Stan Hansen, Brusier Brody, and more iconic names in wrestling. They experienced trouble when Giant Baba’s wife took over, causing Misawa to leave and form NOAH which gutted their roster, and they never found the same heights since that moment. This has lead to what they are today. You can find incredible wrestling and stacked roster, with people like Kento Miyaharu & Suwama standing out as huge stars, but they are only filling small arenas. They are at the smallest amount of relevance they have ever been at. This is what could make them in need of rebranding.
Jun Akiyama Reveals Talks With Triple H
While he stepped down as owner in 2019, wrestling legend Jun Akiyama has revealed in an interview hosted on Yahoo! Japan, that he has been speaking with WWE. He will be coming overseas to help train in the performance center as a guest coach and further talks with NXT owner Triple H. This doesn’t confirm much besides that NXT stars will learn a deadly Wrist Clutch method to suplexes, but considering the low position of AJPW and NXT Japan being rumored, it is not hard to put these pieces together.
It should be noted that Triple H has claimed he “intends to cooperate with Japanese organizations to establish a new organization”, so we might just see companies like AJPW & Wrestle-1 have partnerships with NXT Japan, like how ICW & Progress are aligned with NXT UK.
Do you want to see AJPW involved with NXT Japan? Should Triple H stop creating more regions of NXT until NXT UK truly captures the intended fanbase? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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