New Japan Global

[Haiku Warrior]

From SSS:

President Kusama is an ambitious man. The new managerial leader of New Japan spoke of some future plans for the company, as he continues the internal reform. First of all, Kusama told Yomiuri Sports that a business tie-up between New Japan and the legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, could happen soon. Kusama is set to meet with Ali representatives this September in the U.S., and Kusama spoke of showing New Japan to the world soon. Kusama said next Spring he wants New Japan to run an "unprecedented event" that won't be compared to the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show. One of his main plans is the overseas advance of New Japan, which he wants to carry out from next year. Concrete plans, such as New Japan running tours and even the G1 Climax overseas, have been formed by Kusama, an accomplished business man. Kusama said he has already presented New Japan to the U.S., countries in Europe, and in Asia, and several opportunities have surfaced. Inoki spoke of offers from as far as the Middle East recently, and has been in North Korea on "unexplained business", while Hoshino is in South Korea to inspect the building K-1 is running at. Meanwhile New Japan has hired a new business manager by the name of Sal Hamaoui. Hamaoui says, "I have accepted a position with New Japan Pro Wrestling USA. I will be their director of business development here in the United States. My position will, basically, be to create different revenue streams via DVD, Pay Per View, merchandising for the New Japan brand here in the United States."
More on Kusama's comments from another story. Kusama boasted of a "World Cup of professional wrestling" plan that is one of his biggest targets. Kusama said he wants to give more authority to the G1, already the biggest tournament in pro wrestling, by doing group stage shows in Europe, Asia, and the United States. He went as far as to say preparations for this plan are already underway, and could go into play next year. Kusama announced that this year's G1 Climax winner would also win a free trip to Hawaii for his family, and a new car. If Takayama wins, however, Kusama said he would be "put into New Japan" (join the company). The article finished by saying, "Although K-1 and PRIDE have been the Japanese fighting organizations making their influence felt [internationally] lately, President Kusama aims at recapturing the top spot for New Japan with a world strategy."
*******************************

Very cool. I would love to see some New Japan in America! We're ready for it! This is some exciting news (don't forget about the recent WWE/NJPW connection...) And the idea about the G1 stages rocks!

[naterob2003]

i agree that this is very exciting. But what is the new connection between njpw and wwe?? The coolest thing and best thing njpw could do is to bring some of its young lions, tanahashi, shibata, nagai, and nakamura to face big indy guys like samoa joe, aj styles, and so on.

[Haiku Warrior]

Johnny Ace (a WWE agent) spoke with an agent from NJPW (Hoshino possibly) and they spoke about future ventures together. There is a thread for it if someone can find it... I'm too lazy right now
(rough night )

[naterob2003]

thanks haiku. Seriously though, can you imagine low ki vs. nakamura, tanahashi vs. styles, and shibata vs. samoa joe?? New Japan would of course first have to get those guys to japan to work for them for a little bit. Really, what wwe talents could handle matches with new japan wrestlers without making new japan look bad??

[edgehead1984]

Samoa Joe worked the first LA dojo taping...so a NJ debut might be forthcoming.

[naterob2003]

yeah i thought so too maybe, but it is hard to remember the last gaijin to wrestle in new japan that wasn't a lightweight or a tag team partner. I know there are guys but samoa joe couldnt afford to go over there with the roh title and get demolished. I think a shibata vs. joe match would be sick. shibata is doing this new sleeper hold and penalty kick combo, and joe is just strong style. I would really love to see shinsuke vs low ki. that would be nuts. Low ki could give him a fight all the way. Styles vs. tanahashi is a stretch but i think overall it would be a good match. tanahashi's power and clean style would look perfect with styles smart but spotty wrestling. I hate that the american guys are wrestling for zero one primarily because of the goofy format that their wrestling has taken.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

If Takayama wins, however, Kusama said he would be "put into New Japan" (join the company).

I think Kusama said that he would allow Takayama to join New Japan.

[Luds]

This sounds great but I won't hold my breath...

[Haiku Warrior]

Luds, Takayama or the G1?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I'm not really excited to hear Kusama's comment. The vision of the world expansion is a very typical Inoki comment since (as early as) the late 70s. After all, that's what the first IWGP league was planned to be.

[TFD]

I hope this World Wide expansion goes as planned.Becuase its really killer on my wallet and it will be alot more easier for me to just go to the movie store and be able to buy and watch the tape all in the same day insted of waiting 2 weeks for it and spending $20 and a extra $10(to cover shipping) just watch it.And it will be a good change for most Wrestling fans to see a different Wrestling style.And NWA-TNA just signed a deal with Dish Network to start showing there weekly PPV i think it starting this Wednesday i cant remember.You can go to www.1wrestling.com to see what date it starts on.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

I thought ROH had a working agreement with All Japan or so I thought?

[Haiku Warrior]

They have a working relationship. But what do you mean? We are talking about New Japan not All Japan.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Naterob made a mention of the NJ wrestlers coming over to face Samoa Joe AJ Styles, et al.

[Sliced Bread #2]

Styles vs. tanahashi is a stretch but i think overall it would be a good match.

This would be kinda odd... Styles is way to flashy, it just depends on how Styles works, if he works with Tanahashi the same way he works vs. AmDrag, the match could be good. Anyways this is a great idea by NJ. I dunno, but for some reason I would like to see Alex Shelley vs. Heat. I think it would be good...