In a series of posts on Twitter (translated by Chris Charlton), NJPW and Bushiroad owner Takaaki Kidani spoke about the recent global expansion of WWE and commented on whether or not NJPW might work with them.

He said: “WWE strategy 1: raise roughly 2 billion Yen from the network to create a network of global territories and tie up talent. It’s very possible WWE purchase a promotion in Japan. WWE are shoring up their network because of cable cutters and prevalence of streaming, meaning declining TV ratings. The cable TV structure as is will collapse in the US within 3-5 years. There are many reasons for WWE to create local territories. It cuts cost just to send talent on international tours and not the whole infrastructure. WWE are only functionally profitable in the U.S., Canada and U.K. They have TV elsewhere but that’s all. By creating territories, they’re able to actually create products with awareness of cultural differences and characteristics of markets. WWE have had difficulty in creating new stars. By going to local territories and broadcasting them, they can create network stars. WWE are taking big gambles, in IT for one. This isn’t the platform to discuss NJPW strategy fully, but we will announce something soon. We are entering a phase where you are either with WWE or against them. WWE have a lot of weaknesses and time is not on their side.”

He doesn’t specify what direction he might want to take, but the very end seems to suggest that NJPW may try to counter WWE coming to Japan. They may also try to lock talent down to contracts to prevent WWE from grabbing a bunch of their stars like they did last year with Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.