WWE-AJPW Working Relationship Considered A 'Wait And See' Situation
There's yet more noise when it comes to WWE potentially working with Japanese promotions.
Jan 8, 2024
A potential working relationship between WWE and All Japan Pro-Wrestling is considered a 'wait and see' situation, according to a recent report.
Fightful Select noted that things are looking good, but time will tell on whether it develops further. One source indicated that WWE have been much more relaxed regarding these sorts of possibilities since WWE President Nick Khan began gaining power (though it wasn't directly attributed to his arrival even if the timeline did add up).
The report added that AJPW sources were happy with NXT star Charlie Dempsey's recent performances for them and that he was a good representative for WWE to send over. Furthermore, those in NXT have claimed that Dempsey - who lost a Triple Crown Title match to Katsuhiko Nakajima on January 3 - was treated well during his trip.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio, however, that the WWE-AJPW partnership is an "ongoing thing" between the President of AJPW and WWE.
As an aside, Fightful's sources hadn't heard anything with regards to a deal between WWE and Stardom.
WWE are clearly looking to strengthen ties to Japan, however, with a report last week suggesting that they may be looking to work with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the future, too.
WWE have not run a show in Japan since a pair of non-televised live events in June of 2019 (though the COVID-19 pandemic obviously played a role in that).
