Published: 6 hours ago by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: 14 hours ago by Sanchez Taylor
Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.
AEW/NJPW
With AEW and NJPW first establishing a working relationship in 2021, we’ve seen many crossover championship matches featuring stars from both companies.
Between Dynamite, Collision and Forbidden Door, quite a few Japan-based stars have competed for AEW-affiliated titles, with Hiromu Takahashi (now Kyoki in WWE) challenging for the TNT title at Forbidden Door 2025, and MJF defending the AEW World Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi at the 2023 event.
On the flip-side, it has become relatively commonplace to see AEW-contracted stars in NJPW title matches, with several champions in the Japanese company being AEW names.
In addition to Will Ospreay holding the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship with the United Empire, Gabe Kidd also holds the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title, and Alex Windsor reigns as the NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion.
There are several championships in NJPW which we could soon see either defended on AEW TV, or against AEW stars, especially following recent comments.
Here are three NJPW titles to potentially be defended against AEW wrestlers.
IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers
Yuto-Ice and Oskar won the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Great-O-Khan and HENARE of the United Empire at the October 6 Road to King of Pro-Wrestling event.
Following this victory, Yuto-Ice told Tokyo Sports that he wants to defend his gold against AEW teams, concluding by saying:
“I want my comments and matches to be the catalyst for more wrestlers from their side to want to come up to New Japan.”
There are a number of teams it’d make sense to see compete for NJPW’s tag titles, including Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, given that the Tokyo Dome is the only venue left on the list of arenas Copeland wants to compete in before retirement.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
With Shota Umino set to challenge for Gabe Kidd’s gold at King of Pro-Wrestling, there has been a lot of speculation about the title potentially changing hands.
If Umino does win back the title, he will have defeated another Death Rider, following his wins over PAC at Forbidden Door 2026 and Claudio Castagnoli at Wrestle Dynasty 2025.
With rumors swirling about a potential Umino vs Jon Moxley rematch, we could see this match take place with the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on the line.
Even if the champion retains on October 12, it’d make sense to see this title on Dynamite or Collision, with Gabe Kidd being signed to AEW.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will also be defended at King of Pro-Wrestling, with YOH to put his gold on the line against Robbie Eagles.
While AEW has a number of talented stars who could compete in NJPW’s junior heavyweight division, it’s Nick Wayne who feels like the most viable contender for the title.
Wayne has completed two Best of the Super Juniors tours with NJPW, notably defeating upcoming title challenger Robbie Eagles in 2025 tournament action.
With Wayne coming up short against YOH in a high-stakes match later that same tournament, regardless of who leaves King of Pro-Wrestling as champion, Wayne would be a fitting challenger.
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