WWE Interested In Working With Stardom

WWE appear to have plans to expand into Japan in 2024. 

WWE NXT's Charlie Dempsey is currently wrestling for All Japan Pro-Wrestling, even pinning Katsuhiko Nakajima ahead of their AJPW Triple Crown Title match on January 3. Nakajima retained the Triple Crown Championship on December 31 with a win over Kento Miyahara. 

Beyond the new deal with All Japan, WWE have reportedly expressed interest in working with World Wonder Ring Stardom, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. No arrangement has been finalised but WWE is confirmed to be interested. 

Past Stardom talents on the WWE roster include WWE Women's Champion IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai, and Blair Davenport. Stardom are owned by the same company as New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Bushiroad. 

WWE have long looked to expand into Japan as part of their on-off global localisation strategy that was revived in recent years. The company tried and failed to purchase Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2019 but the two promotions did work together in 2023 and Shinsuke Nakamura faced Great Muta as part of Keiji Muto's retirement tour. Great Muta was then inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later in the year.