In the past 24 hours, Dave Melzter’s report on the allegedly decreasing morale due to new President Harold Meij‘s reported changes in NJPW management causing dissension in the ranks of New Japan’s most faithful has been making rounds. From the most recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer made the following claims based on Meij’s reported changing of the guard in management and apparent “Americanization” of NJPW:
The excitement so many had for working here has taken a hit. It’s really a bad time for that with the goal of international expansion and that fun vs. WWE money was a key to a lot of people, but if you lower the fun aspect, that changes the equation, and basically we’re coming in on the single most interesting and important contract season since New Japan started garnering some international growth. 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.
One New Japan star who took exception to the reports was outwardly vocal Bullet Club member Tama Tonga, who called Meltzer out personally.
Funny reading that a lot of foreign performers are complaining about the work atmosphere not being “fun” in New Japan. What a load of shit. Plenty of great talents out there that would be grateful to have an opportunity to work in NJPW
Who fed you those lies @davemeltzerWON ?— Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) October 12, 2018
New President and management helping the company gain sponsorship with international expansion-What a time to be a part of New Japan. Traveling, big money, company growing.yeah bitch, us foreigners that have been here and worked our asses off are very proud of how far we’ve come
— Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) October 12, 2018
So to the foreigner or foreigners complaining to @davemeltzerWON that they are not having “fun” you can GTFO. I’ve never in my career here in New Japan have ever heard of a Japanese wrestler complaining about the work atmosphere not being “fun” in New Japan. GTFOUTTAHERE
— Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) October 12, 2018
It’s interesting because in the storyline, Tonga has been working to dismantling the NJPW management and tradition, but now he’s defending the company he’s actively trying to destroy. It would be like Scott Hall in 1996 trying to defend WCW while being in the nWo. With Bullet Club rebuilding on the “OG” side, adding Jay White, Gedo, Jado and Aussie star Robbie Eagles, the future looks bright in NJPW with a new Bullet Club that is predominantly South Pacific in nature of late. In a case of life imitating art, according to Tama Tonga, NJPW is fine.
