Yes, you saw that headline correctly – WWE have tried and failed to buy out Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Over the past few years, WWE have continued their rapid expansion into becoming a truly global promotion. The most major move was arguably the launching of NXT UK. While this led to plenty of great shows and matches, and gave a big spotlight to many unique and talented performers, it also saw WWE effectively monopolize the UK wrestling scene. They signed up practically every relevant name and slowly pulled them from indy shows, until many of them ended up going out of business entirely.
Recently, they have sought to continue those in-roads, as they’re working to make NXT Japan a reality.
Japan is an interesting market for WWE to tackle. Pro wrestling is extremely popular there, and WWE does have a following of it’s own. But they’ve never exactly been a major player in the land of the rising sun. The style, or more aptly, the styles of wrestling that are popular over there don’t tend to be too WWE-esque. Many of NXT and main roster wrestlers do take influences from Japan, but even then, the NXT product is a far cry from a New Japan or All Japan.
But we’ve seen NXT UK develop an image of it’s own, and a style that feels fairly authentic to the region. It’s possible that a theoretical NXT Japan could do something similar, building a strong style, fighting spirit oriented brand, primarily with Japanese wrestlers.
Of course it’s not easy to just dive into something like this. Having a partner would be invaluable… and of course, owning an already successful Japanese promotion would also help.
It’s been reported that WWE actually attempted to buy Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH, but failed in their bid.
This would’ve been some pretty huge news if it went through. NOAH is considered by many to be the #2 promotion in Japan. Had WWE simply bought it up and effectively turned it into NXT Japan, that would’ve been a hell of a shortcut.
Some may recall that last year, KENTA/Hideo Itami was given special permission by WWE to work a match with NOAH. He competed in a 30-minute battle with Naomichi Marufuji, one of their top names. It’s easy to connect the dots and see that WWE have been working on some sort of relationship with NOAH for some time. However, they were ultimately not willing to sell.
I must admit, the prospect of NXT Japan emerging and immediately being at a level that they could realistically compete with New Japan would be enticing to me. An overseas, strong style variation of the Wednesday Night Wars.
Still, for the health of Japanese pro wrestling, and for wrestling as a whole, it’s probably for the best this did not occur. I wouldn’t want to see a similar monopolization occur in Japan as what we saw in the UK. Of course, their wrestling ecosystem is a much more solidly built one, so I don’t think WWE would’ve been able to devastate it quite as much in the first place.
All the same, it’d be preferable to see them build NXT Japan from the ground up instead and have a more healthy form of competition with the mid-majors of Japan. WWE still haven’t given up on NXT Japan and are still seeking partners to help aid them. But I’m not sure if outright buying any of them out is the solution.
