Rumor Roundup: Luke Harper’s Future, WWE Stars Refusing To Work Crown Jewel, More

3) The Latest Rumors About NXT Japan

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided some notes about NXT Japan. Rumors have started to circulate about WWE potentially starting a new brand in Japan.

Here is what Meltzer had to say:

Regarding NXT Japan, here are a few notes that we know of. WWE was in talks in recent months to attempt to buy both Pro Wrestling NOAH and Stardom, which would have been the base of talent to start things out. However, neither group wanted to sell to an outside company which has a lot to do with a difference in mentality in Japan about selling businesses to foreigners. WWE was also involved in talks with a number of other promotions but we don’t know how serious they were. There were stories going around that WWE has hired or is in the process of hiring two major stars to be head trainers for a Japanese performance center.

We have confirmed through WWE that Meiko Satomura, who may be the best woman wrestler in the world (most have either she or Io Shirai as the best) has been working for the company for some time, who was one of the names listed for that role, but that is the only name confirmed. At this moment, the other name going around, Daisuke Sekimoto, is not working for WWE. Jiro Kuroshio is slated to be one of the top stars for this group, which is notable because he’s been saying that he’s moving to the U.S. Another name going around is Sari Fujimura, 23, who is the current world champion of the Pro Wrestling Diana promotion under the name Saree. She’s also a former Sendai Girls world champion. She won the title from Aja Kong on 5/12. We haven’t had it confirmed that her deal is done, but her name has been mentioned in conjunction with NXT Japan


2) The Futures Of Asuka & Kairi Sane

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Kairi Sane and Asuka are expected to be featured as singles wrestlers on RAW.

Meltzer also says that both are expected to face Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship at some point:

With Asuka and Kairi Sane on Raw, while tag champions, expect both at times to be featured as singles. Lynch vs. Asuka is a planned direction at some point, and Sane pinned Lynch in a tag match on television as well.


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