NJPW's upcoming Wrestle Dynasty show will be the start of the promotion holding annual major shows in the United States, according to NJPW President Harold Meij.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Meij said the Wrestle Dynasty brand was created as a way for the company to establish a yearly big show in the United States much in the same way Wrestle Kingdom serves that purpose for Japan every January 4. Meij said a one-time annual big event will occur each year starting with Wrestle Dynasty on August 22 at Madison Square Garden.
“MSG is the ‘Holy Grail’ of wrestling venues, and our first event there in April 2019 was a big success. Our biggest event of the year, which brings the best we have to offer and culminates that year, is our annual January 4 Wrestle Kingdom event in Japan. We wanted to create and deliver a similar experience for our US fans, and therefore have established the Wrestle Dynasty brand whereby we promise to give our US fans the very best we have to offer as a similar one-time annual big event each year," Meij said.
The last time NJPW held a show at Madison Square Garden was in April 2019 in a collaboration with ROH to create the G1 Supercard event, which was headlined by Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
In regards to NJPW's current U.S. television broadcast situation given that NJPW is no longer airing on AXS stateside, Meij said the company is still searching for a new television partner.
"We realize how important television is as a platform to reach out to new audiences. We are grateful to AXS for giving us a home for so many years in the US, and we are working on finding new broadcast partners as we continue to elevate our brand across America. Until then, live English coverage as well as all past matches can be enjoyed on our streaming platform, NJPW World," Meij said.
The full interview can be read at this link.
