Future AEW vs. NJPW matches coming soon: What will be the next big co-promotional matches?

AEW/NJPW

The working relationship between AEW and NJPW has been in existence since 2021.

Over the past five years, there have been several significant co-promotional matches across both promotions.

From Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jon Moxley to Kenny Omega vs Zack Sabre Jr., these bouts have made fans of both companies pleased to see these stars compete against one another.

Here are five potential future AEW vs. NJPW matches coming soon.

Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi

Back in 2024, Jon Moxley went one-on-one between Shingo Takagi in a No DQ Match at NJPW Battle In The Valley.

This bout received a lot of praise for the brutality that both men put themselves through.

At NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2026, Takagi defeated Moxley’s Death Riders’ stablemate Claudio Castagnoli in a first time ever meeting.

Following this victory, Shingo went on to issue a challenge to Moxley for a rematch two years in the making in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Shota Umino (NJPW King of Pro Wrestling)

In one inter-promotional match that has been announced, Gabe Kidd will defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Shota Umino.

Back in June, Kidd returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling and beat Umino to win the Global Title.

After beating Drilla Moloney in a title bout at NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2026, Shooter came out to confront and challenge Kidd for the title.

This match was made official for NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2026 where Kidd and Umino will continue their rivalry.

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Knockout Brothers (Yuto-Ice & OSKAR)

For much of 2026, the debate of who is the best tag team in the world has differed depending on the company.

In All Elite Wrestling, Young Bucks have had a spectacular year that hit a crescendo with their win over FTR, Cope and Cage in a Ladder Match to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships at All Out 2026.

Meanwhile, The Knockout Brothers have been by far the hottest act in New Japan Pro Wrestling and former IWGP Tag Team Champions in their own right.

Now that The Bucks have the gold back for the fourth time, they could face an insurmountable challenge in the form of Yuto-Ice and OSKAR making their AEW debut to take their gold.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada

Back in 2024, Kazuchika Okada left New Japan Pro Wrestling and went on to sign with All Elite Wrestling.

Before leaving, Okada did not have any singles matches against the younger stars in the promotion.

This has been something that many fans and even wrestlers have held against him, including reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji.

After recently saying he will have a match in AEW, Tsuji could come to defend his gold against arguably the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time in “The Rainmaker.”

AEW World Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Callum Newman

The one match that has been building across AEW and NJPW over 2026 has been between Will Ospreay and Callum Newman.

When he left New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2024, Ospreay left his group United Empire to his protege Newman. With Ospreay gone, Newman watched as United Empire started to fall apart.

However, Callum was able to keep things together by stepping up and making history by becoming the youngest man to ever win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

With the recent tension on display thanks to Will Ospreay creating his own United Empire in AEW, it may lead to a title showdown with Callum Newman before long.

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• AEW
• NJPW

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