The Truth Behind AEW Vs. WWE Heat Over NJPW Negotiations

AEW/WWE/NJPW

An update has emerge on previous WWE negotiations with NJPW, as well as AEW’s partnership with the Japanese promotion.

AEW and NJPW officially announced a partnership in February 2021. Later that year, it was reported that WWE had been in contact with NJPW regarding a potential deal.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer explained the situation, and how Bryan Danielson was a key factor in talks:

“Well, given this is a story that I know better than most and actually reported first, Khan did know about the story and publicly responded to it after I reported it first.

“The story actually dated back to Bryan Danielson. Danielson at the time wanted to work for New Japan Pro Wrestling, whether he was in WWE and AEW.

“Others in WWE had at least talked about it because at the time New Japan was hot, with many of the best wrestlers in the world, and a highly appreciative fan base.

“It’s funny now because Danielson is 18 months into his contract and still hasn’t gone to Japan, partially because he’s been getting to do the type of matches he likes in AEW and hasn’t wanted to go to Japan until cheering and booing was back, which just happened.

“When he told WWE, whether it was Vince McMahon or Nick Khan, it did result in Nick Khan opening communications with New Japan.

“While others denied it, Tony Khan found out and I also found out that the entry was for WWE to be the exclusive American talent source for New Japan, which would end relationships with AEW and Impact.

“A key in Danielson not making a decision for months was to wait until that story played out, because if he left WWE for AEW, with working Japan being a key part of the decision, and then found himself once again locked out of Japan, the decision of him going to AEW could and probably would have played out differently.

“When it was clear that Tony Khan would have the New Japan deal, and not Nick Khan, Danielson went with Tony Khan. Obviously it wasn’t the only reason and there were many reasons, but it was part of the decision-making process.

“However, Tony Khan was well aware of this long before this story ever broke. I was well aware of this as far as being told off the record months earlier, and it wasn’t until I got a second source confirming it, and this was months later, did I write anything on it.

“And Tony Khan was long in play as far as having that knowledge before I wrote anything and likely had the deal itself solidified by then.

Tony Khan recently addressed the possibility of Bryan Danielson competing in this year’s G1 Climax tournament, which you can read more about right here.

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• Bryan Danielson
• NJPW
• AEW
• wwe

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