A lengthy message from O-Khan.
The dynamic of AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s partnership was highlighted and delved into at a press conference hosted by NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bushiroad CEO Takaaki Kidani and NJPW Representative Director Hitoshi Matsumoto.
Following up on that, Great-O-Khan took to his X account and weighed in. He wrote a lengthy message about the partnership, talents leaving NJPW and what can be done to stop wrestlers from exiting the company.
O-Khan thinks the issue is NJPW does not have the proper financial resources. He brought up Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) and does not know if they went to AEW because NJPW didn’t or wouldn’t sign them, but thinks if NJPW had the financial means, they would’ve done so. The duo publicly stated in 2023 that they expressed to NJPW that they wanted contracts and stability. The response they received was, ‘Yes, but not now.’
As far as others from NJPW heading to AEW, he feels there may have been other reasons, but contract fees were the main reason.
For those that choose not to leave when they have the option to, he thinks it’s because of the possibility of going to a place where they could be let go and then the fear of not being able to come back to New Japan, but being linked to AEW makes it easier to come back.
Khan said as an athlete, it is only right to go where the money is and that’s a natural reaction.
When it comes to suggestions to improve NJPW attendance and/or financials, O-Khan said either ticket praises can be raised or they can be cheapened to bring more people in.
He feels talents will continue to leave the company but financial strength will prevent that from happening.
At NJPW’s Dominion event on June 9th, O-Khan is going to be challenging Yuya Uemura for the KOPW Championship.
