New Japan Pro Wrestling and TV Asahi are going global.
According to Dave Meltzer, from The Wrestling Observer, NJPW has signed a deal that will bring the property to Singaporean televisions – translated in English. No details were given as to who bought the rights from TV Asahi to broadcast the events, but it is a huge step forward for ANY Japanese pro wrestling outlet. Prior to this, puroresu brands have been very reluctant to expand outside of Japan. With the rise of MMA and the level of which Japanese wrestlers compete, there is likely a connection that will prove successful for the company.
NJPW took their brand to the internet this year with UStream, broadcasting shows via iPPV (internet pay-per-view) in a move that opened the doors for other companies. Pancrase also jumped onboard the iPPV train, another huge step in globalizing these brands.
With the advent of streaming technology and the world shrinking in size (metaphorically speaking), it is multiples less expensive to get these types of deals done as variables such as satellites and acquiring a buyer of your content are steps that are able to be bypassed.
TV Asahi recently released a 20 minute video that showcased some of their biggest names, Shinsuke Nakamura, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Prince Devitt, and champ Kazuchika Okada.
NJPW in English Commentary at last. Very good move by NJPW who are seemingly growing larger than ever. This will enable more people to get into NJPW and Japanese Wrestling.
