Major Change To NJPW Contract Situation

NJPW has made some major changes in how it deals with contracts.

It’s been a lean few years for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Problems first arose when AEW was formed in early 2019, with many of NJPW’s top stars making the jump to Tony Khan’s upstart company. The COVID-19 pandemic caused more pain to NJPW than US-based promotions, as Japan took a more cautious approach to opening up live events with crowds again.

However, there are signs that things could be taking an upswing once again. Hiroshi Tanahashi will compete in the final match of his career at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th, 2026. Tanahashi will face off with AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada as The Rainmaker returns to the promotion where he made his name. All of that means that Wrestle Kingdom is a sellout for the first time in several years, with extra seating being made available in the cavernous Tokyo Dome.

Tanahashi is now NJPW President as well, and it seems he might be doing things differently where wrestler contracts are concerned.

NJPW Doing Things Differently With Contracts

Fightful Select has reported that while NJPW normally signs many talents to one-year contracts from January to January, there might not be a slew of free agents appearing at the start of 2026. It was noted that several featured talents did not officially sign new deals until the spring or summer of 2025, meaning that some deals extend well into 2026

In addition, the report noted that there are several free agents, including a prominent American wrestler who was willing to work for NJPW at a discounted price, who have not heard back from the company about being booked.

Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito left NJPW in May 2025 alongside his Los Ingobernables de Japon partner BUSHI. Since leaving the company, the pair have teamed up a handful of times as Los Tranquilos de Japon.