Major Backstage Updates – NJPW Talents Jumping Ship To WWE?

UPDATED x 6: Here is the latest update on the story. As of now AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows have not signed contracts with WWE.

Nakamura and Anderson are still under contract with NJPW and thus cannot yet negotiate with WWE. Styles and Gallows are no longer under contract and can negotiate.

UPDATED x 5: WWE has now commented on the reports that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows are headed to the company. An article posted on WWE.com discusses the rumors that the NJPW stars are “in negotiations to compete under the WWE banner.”

The report doesn’t confirm whether the foursome are signed with the company, but WWE referencing the news has to be considered a major sign that there’s truth to them. The article notes, “The office of WWE COO and EVP of Talent Relations, Triple H, declined to comment on the rumors for WWE.com.”

UPDATED x 4: More updates have come in on the big story that broke last night of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows giving their notice to Ring of Honor. Styles has now been pulled from several Ring of Honor shows, including the 14th Anniversary PPV that takes place on February 26th.

In addition, there have been rumors that Rocky Romero and Tama Tonga may also be leaving NJPW. There has been no confirmation on whether either man has given their notice to the company yet though.

As a bit of a potential spoiler to this whole thing, Pro Wrestling Sheets says that according to their sources, Styles has not yet signed his WWE deal and has “various options pending” now that he has given notice to NJPW.

UPDATED x 3: On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer spoke more about the situation. Meltzer noted that the sort of money being offered to Styles and Nakamura are not for NXT deals; they are for main roster spots. When discussing the men leaving New Japan, he also noted that there are Royal Rumble surprises planned and some of these names could appear in the match.

UPDATE x 2: NJPW ran their WrestleKingdom follow up event this morning, and some interesting storyline things happened. According to puroresuspirit.net, Bullet Club turned on AJ Styles during the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dash event in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan this morning; Kenny Omega took control and leadership of the group. Anderson, Gallows, and Hall tried to help Styles. The Young Bucks sided with Omega. This was Styles’ final scheduled appearance with NJPW. Omega also defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a tag match during the show, setting himself up as the next challenger.

UPDATE: The Wrestling Observer now reports that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson have all in fact been in talks with WWE. The four stars gave their notice to NJPW booker Gedo Monday morning/Sunday night at Wrestle Kingdom 10. It isn’t known when they will be starting with WWE but as noted, Nakamaura won’t be leaving right away as he will drop the IWGP Intercontinental Title before he does.

The site notes that Anderson was close to signing with TNA but when the WWE deal came around, he changed direction. New Japan has a one-year contract system which meant that their deals expired as of January.

Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows will honor their committed Ring of Honor dates next month in Las Vegas. AJ Styles is said to be done with ROH moving forward.

ORIGINAL: In a potentially big news story, MLW Radio is reporting that several major New Japan Pro Wrestling stars have given their notices. Among those said to be leaving are AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows.

The news is bolstered by reports from Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE is “raiding” the talents and that they’ll all be leaving New Japan shortly. Nakamura may take a bit longer to leave given that he is the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Styles had been working without a contract in New Japan and had said in recent interviews that he would be willing to go to WWE if it made financial sense for him.

The move will be a big blow to New Japan if the stars do leave; Styles, Anderson and Gallows are all part of the Bullet Club faction and Nakamura is one of the company’s top stars as well. We’ll have more on this story as it develops.

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: WWE **RAIDS** 15+ NJPW Talents – MAJOR ISSUES BETWEEN WWE & NJPW NOW (>>) ….