NJPW Implies That WWE Has Reached Out To Them To Be On The WWE Network
It appears as if WWE is still aggressively expanding their WWE Network, and that includes reaching out to New Japan Pro Wrestling to use their footage. However, it seems that the Japanese company isn't interested or has reservations.
Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani posted a comment on the company's official website, saying that New Japan Pro Wrestling that when (or if, based on the translation) were approached by WWE about using their footage on the WWE Network. The translation is the work of E. Key Oide.
"One proposed idea would be for the WWE to show NJPW footage [on the Network], but this type of proposal just shows that they don't see us as competition. Play NJPW footage on the Network, see if any of our wrestlers gain popularity, then buy that wrestler out; that's probably the extent of their thoughts on it. It's a very obvious strategy," Kidani said in the column.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has their own streaming service, New Japan World. Although their first English-language broadcast on the service had hiccups, it appeared to be a success. The company also airs a weekly show on Fridays on AXS TV, which has met surprising ratings numbers.
It's worth noting that despite Kidani's theory, there are talents, such as Okada, who have expressed their desire to stay away from WWE. Kidani said that while he knows NJPW is a long way off, they want to compete with other major entertainment groups.