Report: NJPW’s Deal With AXS TV Expires In January 2021
An update on New Japan’s status with AXS.
Voices of Wrestling reports that New Japan Pro Wrestling’s contract with AXS TV doesn’t expire until January 2021. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has since confirmed the report.
As of now, NJPW’s status on AXS remains unchanged. AXS TV airs NJPW matches every Saturday at 9 p.m. ET. The network has also aired live events that have taken place in the United States and same-day coverage of major NJPW events such as Wrestle Kingdom.
On Sept. 9, the parent company for IMPACT Wrestling, Anthem Sports, purchased a majority stake in AXS TV, leaving NJPW’s future on the network in question. NJPW and IMPACT have a rocky relationship due to IMPACT mistreating Kazuchika Okada in 2010-11. IMPACT has tried to repair the relationship over the years as the regime that mistreated Okada is no longer in power, but to no avail. NJPW currently has a working relationship with Ring of Honor.
Adam Swift, who played a big role in getting NJPW on AXS and served as Executive Producer of the show, was released by Anthem following the sale.
You can find out more details about Anthem purchasing a stake in AXS by listening to Sean Ross Sapp’s one-man List Ya Boy by clicking here.
