Tony Khan remains open to working with NJPW and recent circumstances may have changed things for the better between the two companies.
Thus far, the partnership between AEW and NJPW has been rather one-sided with Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho appearing on major NJPW shows, but NJPW giving nothing in return. Many AEW performers have it written in their contracts that they can work NJPW shows, though not all have used that clause.
Harold Meij stepped down as NJPW President in September and was officially replaced by Takami Ohbari in October.
The change in leadership has AEW President Tony Khan feeling good about a potential relationship between AEW and NJPW.
“With New Japan, it’s been a little more one-sided where we’ve sent people there and I haven’t really had people from New Japan show up on my TV [programming] yet,” Khan told TSN. “I’d like to see more of a two-sided relationship there because I’m honestly one of the easiest people to work with in wrestling. We’ve worked with NWA, we’ve worked with AAA and we’ve sent people to New Japan. I think with Harold being gone, I don’t know if it’s going to be easier, but I have a feeling it might be.”
Jon Moxley remains the IWGP United States Champion, thought it is unknown when he will return to NJPW to defend the title.
Fightful put together a report in October detailing backstage reactions to Meij stepping down and how that could impact a potential relationship with AEW. You can view the report by clicking here.
