WWE crossover with Japan is a major moment for wrestling

This weekend is a big deal for professional wrestling. Not because there’s a major PLE going on in North America, but because of what’s happening on the other side of the world. AJ Styles and Iyo Sky are set to have two matches on big Japanese shows. It’s yet another step that shows this is a new era in WWE and one that has the potential to positively impact the entire industry.

On July 13, Styles will battle Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH Pro Wrestling Destination, while Sky takes on Utami Hayashishita at Marigold Summer Destiny. These aren’t two throwaway matches in any regard. WWE has sent two of its biggest stars to compete against well-known, and well-protected Japanese performers at a time in which the world will be watching. Both have expressed excitement about the opportunity.

“When I signed with WWE, I didn’t think I would wrestle in a ring outside of WWE, so I am surprised to wrestle in a Japanese women’s promotion’s ring,” Sky said during the Marigold event presser. “I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Utami Hayashishita, Rossy Ogawa, and my boss Triple H.”

Styles expressed similar sentiments.

“I have very much missed Japan, I don’t think I’ve been back since the pandemic so that’s five years ago, maybe a little less. So thankful to be back,” Styles said while arriving in Japan. “I’ve known about him [Marufuji] and his career in NOAH and I know how talented he is, I mean he’s got a resume that speaks for itself, he’s very talented and it just so happens we get to be in the same ring together and I’m very excited about it.”

Professional wrestling fans should be just as excited. Sky and Styles both had epic careers in Japan, ones that helped set up their transition to a larger stage in WWE. They built a part of their foundation there and seeing them get to go back is a monumental moment. One that should be celebrated. At the same time, this opens the door for fans who may only watch WWE to potentially see new names in Hayashishita and Marufuji. These two are stars in their own right that can hang with any performer in the world today. This not only creates an opportunity for them to build bigger fanbases, but perhaps secure larger deals for themselves (and eventually their colleagues) along the way. Those are reasons to celebrate.

Should there be apprehension because of WWE’s past business dealings with other promotions? Yes, that’s an understandable concern. WWE has shown a willingness to swallow up smaller organizations in hopes of choking out the competition. Hopefully, this is a new age when not only is the WWE not focused on such a monopolistic ideal, but the smaller groups aren’t so quick to hitch their wagons to WWE and give them everything they want. Collaboration is improving wrestling as a whole as the fans and superstars benefit.

July 13 is a special day for professional wrestling and hopefully, several WWE fans tune in to see Sky and Styles compete. This is a chance to watch them in a different setting with different types of opponents. This could lead to bigger things in the future for everyone involved and should be celebrated.