WWE vs NJPW: Dream matches fans would love to see
The term “Forbidden Door” has been thrown around a lot lately in professional wrestling. The idea of the top stars leaping from promotion to promotion is something that every fan would love, but it is a rarity at the highest levels of the industry. Therefore, the inter-promotional partnerships that All Elite Wrestling has brokered create a buzz for everyone involved. The possibilities were there since the inception of the organization and it looks like those ideas are finally bearing fruit.
After years of applying the isolationist theory to professional wrestling, WWE looks to take their crack at opening that very same door. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, WWE has been in talks with New Japan Pro Wrestling about being that promotion’s exclusive American partner. The word exclusive is key there, as it would cut ties between NJPW and AEW, which is something that would cause a string of ramifications. Plus, there were also talks about WWE and Major League Wrestling potentially working together. Either way, this is a change from what has been seen with the WWE for decades. The last time the company has partnered with other promotions was back in 1997 with ECW and AAA.
As the Forbidden Door creaks open, fans and wrestlers alike talk about the potential of dream matches. In a world where New Japan and WWE work together, here are some of the ideal matches that wrestling fans would want to see in the future.
Kota Ibushi versus Seth Rollins
At the start of 2021 it looked like Kota Ibushi was set for a long run as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. He dropped the title to Will Ospreay in a surprise fashion, but now that belt is vacated due to Ospreay’s injury. Ibushi should be one of the men in contention when the title comes up for grabs. But if the WWE and NJPW were to work together, a pairing of Ibushi versus Seth Rollins has all the main event appeal.
WWE fans who are not too familiar with wrestling outside of the promotion may recognize Ibushi from the Cruiserweight Classic. He made a run to the semifinals during that 2016 tournament, which was a surprise to many because he was a favorite to win the entire thing. It came out that he decided against signing a long-term deal with the WWE, instead of returning to Japan, and kicking off the run that would see him reach the top of NJPW.
Imagine a scene where Ibushi and Rollins stood across from each other. These two men are near the top of the industry when it comes to the ability to pull off technical matches of varying degrees and paces. Rolling and Ibushi would be a match of constant one-upmanship. It would not matter who would be the guy to come out on top, as this would be the type of match that fans and wrestlers alike would come back to, time and time again.
Jay White versus Santos Escobar
Jay White has become one of the must-see members of the New Japan roster. Even though he is only 28-years old, he is a multiple-time champion within the promotion. He held the IWGP Heavyweight title for only 54 days in what many felt was an abbreviated run and failed at Wrestle Kingdom 15. Even still, he is never too far away from the main event scene.
Santos Escobar is still “new” to WWE viewers, but in such a short time he has become one of the best performers on the roster. Everything about him exudes main event character, and he could be in that position on any of the brands. Escobar has the looks, charisma, and wrestling ability to get over with any crowd. It should not be long before he is elevated to a similar position as White in NJPW.
White versus Escobar is an intriguing pairing of two characters that can work a microphone just as well as they do a wrestling ring. This is not a situation where either individual would need to be positioned as a face or a heel. Instead, it is two exceptional professional wrestlers looking to prove who is the best among the pair. Out of all the matches listed in this piece, seeing Santos Escobar versus Jay White is the type of sneaky match that could steal the show of any event.