New Japan Announces the Launch of NJPW of America

Ohbari went on to explain what had to come next as NJPW of America moves forward. Growing a footprint and increased consciousness in America will become a key factor, especially as competing cash rich promotions are being established. Ohbari explained that fans of NJPW are strongly invested in the concepts of Strong Style and the high level of wrestling that New Japan provides and is farmed by Dojos in Noge and LA. The majority of fans surveyed during the recent Dallas event stated that they watched other wrestling besides NJPW, and that they still expressed a preference to the different style and approach that New Japan presents.


To those ends, NJPW of America will be putting live events at the core of its business within the US. Just like fans in Japan currently, the goal will be for American fans to experience NJPW up close and in person on a regular basis. This will all happen under the name and branding of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, maintaining the brand that fans know and love as-is.

With this in mind, the plan will be for the majority of the US fanbase- some 70% according to market research- to be able to attend an NJPW event and see New Japan action near to them.

Ohbari went onto explain the benefits that fans both in Japan and America can expect to experience from the establishment of NJPW of America. The Japanese fans will not be abandoned, but rather the expansion will see benefits on both sides of the Pacific.


While the LA Dojo has existed solely as a Dojo up to now, it will now see a full office environment that is designed to support business in the States, as well as to support talent. Perhaps wrestlers who have what it takes and have a passion for NJPW, but for whatever reason are unable to perform in Japan, will be able to represent NJPW in America.

At the same time, tryouts and camps will ensure new talent is discovered, developed and trained to the point where they can perform in both America and Japan. This will lead to a deeper roster of talent and better matches and events going forward.

The main idea will be that US events will take place while the Japanese schedule is between tours. If there is high demand from fans, simultaneous tours may become a possibility.

They've kinda already been doing this, but I can dig it. New Japan is still a solid promotion. Definitely the best one on AXS TV no question lol.

I think this is NJ's best ever shot. They have stronger financial backing than they've (Almost) ever had, they have the proper vision heading into an uptick in the industry, and they've got the connections to really give it a go. Running smaller venues is a great start, and I think they're aware that this is going to be a long term project.

The tour schedule works for a place like Japan, where travel isn't as much of an issue. I've always wondered how that type of scheduling would work in America

For sure, it also means that you're likely to get a lot more people attending multiple shows. I think it's a smart move

I don't know how audiences would react to having a 'National' Title as a promotion's main belt. But, this could have been what the belt was created for initially.

I agree though, I don't think Lance Archer is the guy you want to be building your new promotion around

The NJ/CMLL relationship has been going a very long time, I doubt much will change there