NJPW‘s Hiroshi Tanahashi and Takaaki Kidani discuss working with AEW.
NJPW and AEW have built up a strong working relationship in recent years. The two companies will hold the thrid annual Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 30.
At a press conference (transcription via NJPW), NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi and owner Takaaki Kidani commented on the company’s relationship with AEW.
“I wrestled in Las Vegas for AEW on May 25, and while I was in America, Kidani and I met with Tony Khan to talk about how we can continue to co-operate with one another in the future,” Tanahashi said. “On June 30, the third Forbidden Door event will present a lot of exciting matchups that NJPW fans will love to see.”
NJPW Owner On Relationship with AEW
When asked how he felt NJPW’s relationship with AEW would develop, Kidani stated that it was positive and there was room for it to evolve.
“We have a very positive relationship with AEW right now, and there is room for it to evolve further,” Kidnai said. “There are things we can’t talk about just yet, but I think it’s something that can involve other departments within Bushiroad as well. I think that this relationship has settled into something that’s a lot more stable int he long run, and a lot of that comes from Tony Khan having a deep fandom and appreciation for NJPW. He has a lot of passion for 90s guys like Hase, and the Steiners. He’s a fan, and both he and his father have an incredible business acumen.
“Tony Khan’s father started out making Toyota bumpers, and grew his business eightfold in a ten year span. And the Khans have had all this success not just in wrestling but American Football and the Premier League. With that acumen and their affinity for Japan, there’s a lot that can be done in the future, and I don’t think NJPW could ask for a better partner right now.”
NJPW Owner On Perception Of NJPW/AEW
Kidani continued by dismissing the perception that NJPW is looked down on by AEW. He stated that the two companies had different strengths.
“Having said that, there is the perception that NJPW is treated as a sub brand or is looked down on by AEW,” Kidani said. “Some of that perception of NJPW being behind comes from the economics at the moment. But the truth of the matter is AEW’s strengths and NJPW’s strengths are different. From development of talent from scratch, to a historical and traditional perspective, there’s a lot NJPW can offer that AEW cannot.
“So there’s a lot that we can do together and while much of it isn’t something we can discuss right now, there’s a lot we will do. But the idea that NJPW is the inferior partner is not correct. We are absolutely on an even footing, and that’s something we’ll prove in the near future.”
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