After being absent from the network’s programming lineup since 2019, New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced its return to AXS TV. The rollout of NJPW’s return begins on January 20. Beginning January 20, AXS TV will air a block of classic episodes from NJPW’s initial run on the network, which began in 2015. The block of six curated ‘all time best’ episodes of this period of NJPW will conclude on February 24, with a presentation of 2018’s Wrestle Kingdom 12, and its legendary headline bout between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Both Jericho and Omega went on to become world champions at All Elite Wrestling.
After this look back into the past of the partnership between NJPW and AXS, a new era begins on March 3, when NJPW begins airing an all-new weekly program at 10 p.m. ET, following IMPACT Wrestling’s own weekly show “Impact!”. The AXS TV program will feature an English commentary team, as yet to be announced, and the show will be produced in a joint venture with New Japan World, in association with TV Asahi Corporation. AXS is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment; this new partnership also allows another Anthem subsidiary, Fight Network, to air new and classic NJPW content across Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Both Anthem and New Japan are optimistic and enthusiastic about NJPW’s return to AXS. Scott D’Amore, EVP of content creation for Anthem Sports Group, stated, “There is a great deal of support and synergy between the two companies, and we could not be more proud to have them back on AXS TV as they prepare to celebrate an incredible milestone in NJPW history”, alluding to NJPW’s 50th anniversary. New Japan Pro-Wrestling President Takami Ohbari graciously stated, “Thank you to our international fans for their patience. After two years away, we’re thrilled and grateful to return to US television and evolve a prosperous relationship with a key partner to our North American strategy in AXS TV. We hope fans enjoy being immersed in the action with New Japan each and every Thursday.”
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can rewatch all 2021 NJPW events and plenty more tremendous wrestling content from New Japan Pro-Wrestling on NJPWWorld.com; The King of Sports Streaming.
