Report: NJPW Morale “Weird;” Talent Considering WWE As An Option

Contract season just got a little more interesting.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reports that morale in New Japan is “more weird than anything, with more uncertainty about what will happen next and less confidence than with the old administration”

Harold Meij and new General Manager Michael Craven took over management in May of this year with a plan to continue to expand into America. After initial excitement, the feeling among the wrestlers towards the two has changed according to Meltzer. “Craven, who is believed to be the head of talent relations as well as international expansion, may be the most unpopular guy among the wrestlers with the new regime,” reports Meltzer. The report goes on to state that there is a feeling that Craven, who has no experience in the wrestling business, talks down to the wrestlers.

Meltzer ends the report by saying, “There are people who in the past had never even considered WWE who are thinking about it, and others who were completely committed to staying who are probably still leaning that way, but are considering the WWE option.”

As fans know, the contracts of Kenny Omega, Cody, the Young Bucks, and Hangman Page all expire in late 2018/January 2019. Page reportedly turned down WWE’s latest offer. The contract situation of the group is a big topic on previous episodes of Being The Elite and looks like it will continue to be a storyline into the winter.