New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that they have launched an American subsidiary named New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America. This might see the end of their relationship with ROH and also implies there are no chances of seeing a relationship between New Japan and AEW.
CEO Takami Obari provided details regarding the subsidiary following the initial announcement, as transcribed by @njpwglobal:
Phase 1 of international business has been hunting for talent. Phase 2 has been running events in the US and other countries and markets. We are entering phase 3, which is to establish a subsidiary in the US to be fully established in the market & engage with fans.
There is plenty still to be undertaken when it comes to furthering the brand in the US. Fans though have a very close association to talent and core concepts of strong style, as evidenced by market research in Dallas.
Live events will be an important basis of New japan of America. It is important that fans get close to our wrestlers and see our wrestling close-up.
What fans in America value is the NJPW brand and concept, and the style of wrestling that represents. The NJPW brand is important, hence the name of New Japan of America.
Events will be run in West Coast, Texas, South East and Mid areas, with tours running through cities in those four key areas. There are absolutely no plans to sell the Japanese market short. An office in the US allows for better talent relations in the US and allows talent to further our brand within the American market while allowing American fans to more easily support the brand.
America is skewed more toward male fans, and they consume content digitally as opposed to through TV
In the immediate future, US tours will take place while the Japanese schedule is between tours, but there may be cases where tours run simultaneously, with talent schedules an important factor.
2020 schedules are still being considered, but there could be as many as double the 2019 slate of 12-13 events. There will not be a reduction in the number of Japanese events.We have worked well with AXS TV and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Other partnerships may be something we can discuss and consider as we move forward.
There are 3 phases of NJPW expanding to the United States (hunting talent, running events and creating a subsidiary) and ROH only was part of the beginning of phase 2 which again should be very telling of what's ahead (or what already has happened?). pic.twitter.com/9C0KCgVlts
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) October 21, 2019
This is certainly going to change the landscape of professional wrestling as we know it.
