Key Figure Behind WWE’s Relationship With NOAH Revealed

An interesting name is playing a key role in WWE’s new relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH.

While it’s Forbidden Door season for AEW and NJPW, WWE is making moves to form a partnership with one of the Japanese promotion’s rivals. Pro Wrestling NOAH has revealed that they and WWE will make a major announcement at the Yokohama BUNTAI show on June 16th.

The announcement comes just weeks since Yasuaki Okamoto – the president of NOAH’s parent company CyberFight – detailed his plans to strengthen the promotion’s relationship with WWE. The companies have worked together before, notably with WWE allowing Shinsuke Nakamura to face The Great Muta in the final singles match for Keiji Muto’s masked alter-ego.

While the nature of the upcoming announcement is currently unknown, Dave Meltzer has revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that one of the key architects of the deal is Simon Inoki, the son-in-law of the late legend, Antonio Inoki.

“They’ve talked for years. I mean a couple years back when Paul Levesque was looking at NXT Japan one of the ideas was work with the NOAH group and do that. I don’t know if that’s what’s this is.

“I don’t know what the story is but I know Simon Inoki has been a conduit working with both sides.”

Simon Inoki is well-known to WWE, as he was also one of the main people behind Charley Dempsey’s appearances for All Japan Pro Wrestling which culminated in the rising star unsuccessfully challenging Katsuhiko Nakajima for the Triple Crown Championship.

WWE Returning To Japan In 2024

NOAH’s announcement will come just weeks before WWE returns to Japan for the first time in five years. The company is set to host three live shows in the country in July, with events taking place in Osaka and Tokyo.

H/T to WrestleTalk.com for the above transcription