Report: NJPW Talent Didn't "Fully Buy In" To Harold Meij
The President and CEO left last week...
New Japan Pro Wrestling saw a major shakeup last week, after President and CEO Harold Meij resigned from the promotion.
No reason has been given yet as to why Meij chose to leave the company, but a number of wrestlers from New Japan apparently didn't buy in to Meij as overseer, according to a report from Fightful Select.
The report states, "One longtime New Japan Pro Wrestling star told us that they never quite fully bought in to the Harold Meij plan, and they were hopeful that he would be more proactive with relationships. Another said that they would have needed more time to see his vision fully executed because of the pandemic, but that they hadn't quite seen it unfold even in the months that preceded it after about two years in control."
NJPW of America CEO Takami Ohbari officially assumes Meij's position on October 23. Reports indicate that while NJPW talents may have been less than impressed with Meij, they're also wary of Ohbari taking over.
With Meij leaving, many have wondered if a regime change will open up relations with All Elite Wrestling (especially after this week's AEW Dynamite had lots of New Japan references and mentions sprinkled in).
In regards to a possible working relationship, Sean Ross Sapp wrote, "...most that we've spoken to within AEW want it to happen, and AEW has been very lenient in constructing contracts accordingly. NJPW wrestlers we talked to weren't thrilled with (Meij's) reaction to losing so much talent to AEW."
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
