Pitch For Huge Inter-Promotional Event With AEW, WWE & NJPW

AEW/WWE/NJPW

It’s one of the biggest questions in wrestling – will WWE and AEW ever work together? And let’s throw NJPW in the mix too.

Well you could argue the closest we’ve come was Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, which featured talent from all three promotions – AEW’s representation being Kenny Omega and FTR, and WWE’s being Karl Anderson.

Current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada doesn’t want it to end there though, as he thinks there’s more mileage to get out of utilizing talent from all three promotions together instead of them being forever separated.

Speaking with Tokyo Sports, Okada suggested the idea of a wrestling ‘World Cup’, saying:

“We had an all-star event before, but last year we had the World Cup (soccer), and this year we have the WBC (baseball) and the World Cup (rugby).

“It would be interesting to have pro-wrestling matches between different countries and have Japan represent Japan.

“I think there are such events overseas, but I don’t think there are any big tournaments. I think it would be fun to have a big event on a global scale.

“Maybe we could have a tag team with Okada and (Shinsuke) Nakamura, or Okada and (Tetsuya) Naito if they are asked to fight for their country. I don’t know if that would work.

“I think it would be interesting to include various groups. If necessary, I will go see Tony Khan and Triple H.

“Even in this Tokyo Dome, there are AEW wrestlers, WWE wrestlers, and (Mercedes) Mone, who quit the WWE. Even New Japan is worldwide now, isn’t it?

“There are players from many different countries, so I would like to do something interesting. I feel like I really want to do it now that I’m talking about it (laughs).”

WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura, who Okada mentioned, also participated in some ‘Forbidden Door’ antics recently, as he had a match with the Great Muta for Pro Wrestling NOAH on January 1.

You have to wonder though whether that kind of thing will be able to happen again now that Vince McMahon is back and seemingly doing whatever he likes.

Original interview in Japanese, translation via Fightful

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• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW
• AEW
• wwe

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