NJPW President Harold Meij wants to see AEW in action before he thinks about forming a partnership with the company.
Prior to Wrestle Kingdom 13 on Jan. 4, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that NJPW, AEW and ROH officials would meet to discuss a potential partnership between the three companies. NJPW and ROH already have a working relationship in place but AEW wanted to partner with NJPW as well, as Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, and Hangman Page all enjoyed their time in NJPW.
Speaking to Yahoo Sports, Meij discussed the formation of AEW and commented on a potential working relationship.
"AEW is a new organization to start from now and I do not know what kind of relationship we would make. I think that it is necessary to figure out what policy they would develop on pro-wrestling."
NJPW decided they would not be partnering with AEW due to AEW and ROH being looked at as competitors in the United States with both companies battling for their slice of the same market and talent pool. Despite NJPW and AEW not working together, AEW talent Chris Jericho can reportedly still work for NJPW. NJPW is set to lose KUSHIDA at the end of the month and their decision to not partner with AEW reportedly may have cost them Kenny Omega, whose contract expires at the end of the month. He has heavily teased signing with AEW.
Meij has previously discussed talent "coming and going" in NJPW. You can view those comments here.
