Backstage News on Creative Discussions for the Royal Rumble and the Possibility of Top NJPW Stars Debuting in the Match

January 13, 2016

royal rumble

According to PWInsider.com, WWE held a big creative meeting while in New Orleans this week to begin booking the Royal Rumble match and other aspects of the PPV on January 24th.

As of this past Monday, none of the rumored top New Japan Pro Wrestling names had signed WWE deals, however there are definitely ongoing talks between the company and AJ Styles and Doc Gallows. As we noted earlier today, Shinsuke Nakamura will be heading down to the WWE Performance Center in early February to begin medical testing and to workout in the ring. It is likely Styles and Gallows will also have to undergo the required WWE medical testing before they can sign deals.

Karl Anderson is another rumored NJPW name in talks with WWE, and he confirmed on Twitter back in the summer that his NJPW deal expires February 1st.

So while it is a possibility that the rumored NJPW stars could debut in WWE as early as the Royal Rumble match, it might take awhile for all of the pre-contract steps to be taken before any of the talents can officially sign with WWE.

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.