"Latest On Potential Working Relationship Between AEW & NJPW"

How are things between the two sides?

Justin Henry smiling while wearing a black hat

Jun 20, 2019

jon moxley

Days ago, it was announced that IWGP United States champion Jon Moxley would not be appearing at the first night of NJPW's G1 Climax in Dallas on July 6. Moxley's contract with All Elite Wrestling allows him to wrestle for New Japan, but only for shows that take place in Japan.

Dave Meltzer delves deeper

into current AEW-New Japan relations in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, saying that, "...it’s gone from wanting to build a relationship to that no longer being the case."

Meltzer also notes that it's "still up in the air" as to whether or not AEW will acknowledge Moxley as the IWGP United States champion at Fyter Fest next Saturday night in Daytona Beach. Meltzer says that both Tony Khan and New Japan have to agree to it for it to happen.

Meltzer also cites the lack of use of Kenny Omega this year by New Japan. Omega was apparently available to work the American dates that New Japan ran earlier this year, which were infamously compromised by visa issues causing the Japanese talents to miss those shows. Though Omega had signed with AEW by this point, AEW had apparently no issues with Omega working those dates, but New Japan opted not to use him.