The Downward Spiral of NJPW: Wake Up Before It’s Too Late

Naito Leaves, Bushi Follows – What’s Next for NJPW?

Marie Shadows

Apr 19, 2025

Transcript

🚨 Opening Thoughts: “I’ve Been Saying It for a While”

NJPW is not fine, and it hasn’t been for a while. But suddenly, everyone is shocked. Now the same people who dismissed my concerns, or didn’t care to hear them, are finally asking, “What’s going on in New Japan?”

I’ll tell you what’s going on — everyone has been ignoring the obvious while I have been connecting the dots, taking the hits, and still speaking out. This is what happens when a company built on tradition, long-term storytelling, and respect for the craft gets dragged into someone else’s chaos.

📉 The Decline of NJPW: Patterns We Ignored

You want to know when this all started? Look at the AEW partnership. That was the moment everything shifted. And not in a good way.

We’re seeing talent walk out — not quietly, but with statements that have frustration. The quality of storytelling has nosedived. The booking feels like it’s on autopilot. You’ve got veterans being underutilized, young talent mismanaged, and the same recycled matches with no meaningful progression.

Where's the New Japan that made you stay up at 2AM for a tournament match? The one that could build arcs over the years. That company’s been bleeding out in front of us, and too many people stayed silent.

💸 AEW’s Blank Checkbook: Killing the Economy of Wrestling

Let’s talk about what no one wants to admit — Tony Khan’s approach to contracts is screwing up the wrestling ecosystem. He comes in with that “blank check” and scoops up talent, driving up perceived value in ways that don’t match the return on investment.

You pay a guy millions, he better be filling arenas, selling merch, building storylines, and elevating your product. But that’s not happening. Instead, we’re watching NJPW lose names that meant something — people like Naito — and there’s no one ready to step into those shoes. Not because the talent doesn’t exist, but because the infrastructure to create the next generation is broken.

You want your worth? Fine. But if everyone keeps chasing that AEW money with no accountability, you're going to end up with a bloated roster and an empty house.

🧳 The Exits: Naito, Bushi, and the Cracks in the Foundation

Naito leaving isn’t just a departure — it’s a warning shot.

He wasn’t just a performer. He was the backbone. The guy you trusted to test if the new generation had it. If Naito says, "I'm done," you better listen. He wouldn’t leave for no reason. His departure feels like someone finally said, “I can’t fix this from the inside.”

Then there's Bushi — not as loud a loss, but it still stings. LIJ is crumbling. And the fact that both men are walking at the same time, voluntarily? That tells you a lot about the state of morale behind the scenes. People don’t leave comfort unless comfort turns into compromise.

🧠 Creative Bankruptcy: Why the Booking Is the Real Issue

Let’s look at the in-ring product. Same title shots. Same teams. Same matches.

Why is Bishamon getting another tag title opportunity? Goto is our IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Why are we not holding mini-tournaments, rotating fresh contenders, or building long-term angles? You’ve got a locker room of talent, and you keep recycling the same names. That’s not tradition — that’s laziness.

And don’t even start with the “economic downturn” excuse. Production, booking, story — these don’t require a billion dollars to be compelling. They require effort. Effort NJPW hasn’t been putting in.

🤡 The NJPW Community Suddenly Cares?

Now people are worried. Now the tweets come out like, “What’s going on with NJPW?”

Really? You needed this long? I’ve been telling you what’s happening. I called this spiral in real time. I tagged management. I questioned decisions. I saw the signs when the AEW partnership became one-sided. And what did I get in return? Heat. Dismissal. “You're wrong.” No — I was being observant. I still am.

Stop acting brand new when the house is already burning.

🧨 AEW’s Influence: A Trojan Horse

The AEW-NJPW partnership wasn’t an equal alliance — it was a takeover in slow motion.

Tony Khan doesn’t need to own your company to change it.

Influence is a currency.

When you let AEW-style storytelling creep into your booking, when you give away your stars without building new ones, when you let outside agents dictate your pacing and direction — you’ve already lost control.

And David Meltzer? If the guy has that much influence over perception without ever bumping in a ring, or working in a promotion, or making all the sacrifices of a true PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER that grinds in the business, that's a problem. This isn't fantasy booking. This isn’t an armchair service. This is business, and the business model is broken.

💬 The Reality: Can NJPW Be Saved?

Yes. But only if they start overhauling the core.

They need to cut ties with AEW, Tony Khan, and double agents, and rediscover their identity. Build around their young lions. Build around the gaijin. Build around their talented roster. Reach out to Pro Wrestling Noah. Build New Japan Strong weekly shows again. Give people work and not just friends and yes men who will just consume product and ask no questions for the betterment of the business that helps grow the wrestling ecosystem.

Tell long-term stories. Value ring generals like Naito before it’s too late.

And the community? You need to stop being passive consumers. Start being active critics with a big picture outlook and not be selfish. Ask questions. Demand better in a constructive criticism kind of way.

Because if you don't, you'll wake up one day and there won't be a New Japan worth defending.

I’m already seeing it, and I hope I’m so wrong. But when the patterns are clear based on the history of pro wrestling, you know what’s coming.

Everything is always subjected to change.