All Japan Pro Wrestling & WWE reportedly sets a deal

[Andrew]

According to Pwinsider.com, Tokyo Sport is reporting that WWE and All Japan Pro Wrestling have forged an alliance and will be working together. John Laurinaitis reportedly helped put the deal together.

Laurinaitis worked for AJPW from 1988 through 2000, teaming with Kenta Kobashi, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Bart Gunn during his tenure with the promotion. Laurinaitis was a two-time AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion, a four-time AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champion, and the winner of the New Year's Heavyweight Battle Royal on January 2, 1991 at Korakuen Hall.

This could do WWE and AJPW some good. Many former WWE Wrestlers worked in Japan ages ago, I could see a few younger talent heading to AJPW to get more experience before coming back to WWE.

What are your thoughts on this?
​

 

[Chris]

I think this is AJPW's way of staying alive.

 

[The Cork]

Muta vs Taker pls.

Also, send Albert and Tatsu back.

 

[PHX]

This could be huge for WWE and obviously do a lot of good for AJPW. A lot of endless possibilities of how this could benefit both sides depending on what he deal is exactly.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

This could explain the tweet Punk sent to MVP today.

 

[Chris]

This could explain the tweet Punk sent to MVP today.

MVP doesn't work for AJPW, he works for NJPW. Punk also tweets Samoa Joe, Kevin Steen and tons of other non-WWE guys, so that means nothing.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

MVP doesn't work for AJPW, he works for NJPW. Punk also tweets Samoa Joe, Kevin Steen and tons of other non-WWE guys, so that means nothing.

Ah, wasn't sure really which company he worked for. But Punk mentioned something about MVP being there in a couple days or something.

 

[John McHenry]

Not sure how people think this will mean much. Aside from one or two Japanese guys getting a shot to sell lots of merchandise on the permanent midcard (see Sin Cara) I dont see much happening here. WWE has a track record for not being all that great to minorities.

 

[AF.]

Japanese wrestlers do not do well in WWE so unfortunately I'm not at all excited/positive about this deal. The AJPW will benefit from this heaps.

 

[Deezy]

Didn't they partner with NJPW a few years ago?

What is this shit? Baba getting a HOF nod?

 

[Chris]

Didn't they partner with NJPW a few years ago?

What is this shit? Baba getting a HOF nod?

Did they? I don't remember hearing anything about that.

 

[BretScrewedBret]

Someone mentioned sending "Tatsu and Tensai back".

That's New Japan. All Japan, New Japan, and NOAH are different organizations.

 

[Deezy]

Isn't NOAH dead and gone?

 

[Chris]

Isn't NOAH dead and gone?

All but it, they're still there technically, but they can't secure any kind of TV deal, and will probably be gone within a few years.

 

[Deezy]

Did they? I don't remember hearing anything about that.

Thought this was the reason for Inoki's induction. Hence the Baba joke.

Weren't they supposed to exchange talents for a couple of shows or something?