Josh Barnett Shares That He Offered To Take Over NJPW Of America
Josh Barnett offered to handle the training, running shows, and more.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling pushed out the news that its subsidiary, NJPW of America, is ceasing operations and entering liquidation. The promotion noted that they still intend to run shows in North America.
As the news began to spread, names within the wrestling space began to comment, one of whom was Josh Barnett. He shared that he offered to take over the NJPW of America program.
“Since this is going down today here’s a little info:
I had offered to take over the whole program in the US – Training, classes, running local shows, and more. I could tell that there was a very expensive asset here that wasn’t being fully used, but knew with the right direction, it could be a crown jewel for them.
Unfortunately, the cost versus debt was so bad it would seem, that closing it was the best move in their eyes.
What could have been…
Onward though, as always.”
Since this is going down today here’s a little info:
I had offered to take over the whole program in the US – Training, classes, running local shows, and more. I could tell that there was a very expensive asset here that wasn’t being fully used, but knew with the right direction, it could be a crown jewel for them.
Unfortunately, the cost versus debt was so bad it would seem, that closing it was the best move in their eyes.
What could have been…
Onward though, as always.
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) November 6, 2026
The last show that NJPW ran in the USA was the opening of the 2026 G1 Climax tournament in July. That took place in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
The last NJPW of America-branded event was Resurgence in May 2025 in Ontario, California.
