NJPW Announces Return To AXS TV

Just over two years since their partnership ended, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced today during Wrestle Kingdom 16 that the promotion will return to Anthem's AXS TV in the United States later this year. 

NJPW content will air on AXS TV once again from January 20, initially with classic episodes, before a new series of weekly shows from Thursday, March 3 at 10 pm ET.  

The classic episodes will debut with a presentation of Wrestle Kingdom 12, featuring Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho's match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Title. 

The new weekly series will be a one-hour show composed of "the absolute best moments" from the most-recent NJPW events. The new show will also have its own commentary team, to be announced at a later date. 

The new TV deal includes AXS TV's sister channel - Fight Network - which allows NJPW programming to air in Canada, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

NJPW President Takami Ohbari said: "Thank you to our international fans for their patience. After two years away, we're thrilled and grateful to return to US television and evolve a prosperous relationship with a key partner to our North American strategy in AXS TV. We hope fans enjoy being immersed in the action with New Japan each and every Thursday."

NJPW content previously aired on AXS TV from 2015 until 2019. The TV deal was cancelled in December 2019, shortly after Anthem, IMPACT Wrestling's parent company, purchased the TV station.

IMPACT and NJPW began a working relationship in late 2020 and the likes of FinJuice, Hikuleo, Minoru Suzuki and Jay White have appeared on IMPACT TV. IMPACT's Chris Bey also joined NJPW faction Bullet Club in 2021.