MAKING MOVES:
NJPW’S US EXPANSION
By Jasmine Olan
Over the last several years New Japan Pro Wrestling has been going through a major boom period. With the lion’s mark now more well known than ever, this boom period has come to include an expansion in to the US market. After two years of successful stateside visits for its annual FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED tour and others, NJPW officially announced the formation of its new US subsidiary, New Japan Pro Wrestling of America earlier this week to the delight of western fans. This announcement an important step in a process that has been years in the making.
In a way the US expansion was something that was bound to happen and something New Japan has wanted to do for a long time. Signs of this first began to show with the opening of the old LA dojo, it’s first training ground in America. This helped produce stars like TJ Perkins, Brian Danielson, and Rocky Romero before its closure. In March of 2018, NJPW would revisit this concept with they opened the new LA dojo with Katsuyori Shibata as head trainer. The new LA dojo saw its first class of young lions begin to make its mark this year during G1 season and later in the 2019 Young Lions Cup.
The plans for a western expansion truly began to take shape with the rise of its most prolific foreign born talent, Kenny Omega. As NJPW’s current renaissance began to gain huge momentum around 2016, it coincided with the beginning of Omega’s rise to stardom and continued after his 2019 departure from the company. During his tenure, Kenny Omega essentially became the face of the western expansion.
The momentum continued to build as the company announced its first official American shows and tours which all turned out to be a success. It’s working relationship with RING OH HONOR helped the momentum along. The annual cobranded SuperCard show became the biggest non WWE event to take place durning WRESTLEMANIA week. In the summer of 2019, the prestigious G1 CLIMAX tournament opened in the US in Dallas on July 6. This as well as the success of additional US tour dates this year are further adding to the momentum which is showing no signs of slowing down .
There is huge potential for success for NJPW Of America. With its popularity and quality of product, this venture really does seem bound for success. It all comes down to things being handled well on the business and creative end. New Japan already has a great track record which definitely help especially as their American fan base continues to grow. From their gaijin to their homegrown talent, NJPW’s finest will play a vital role in the expansion as it progresses. Taking this brave step will prove to the industry as a whole that New Japan Pro Wrestling is not and never has been afraid to make moves.
