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The focus of the wrestling world’s been how the the Impact/AEW alliance was rapidly followed by the forbidden door between both companies and New Japan Pro Wrestling opened. But there are plenty of other examples of inter-company wrestling happening.
NWA and AEW were working together before Don Callis showed up on Wednesday nights. MLW and New Japan USA have been sharing stars like Lio Rush.
What’s one more barrier falling?
It certainly seems like Impact could be working with more than one Japanese promotion. After new GHC Heavyweight champion Keiji Mutoh (aka The Great Muta) signed his new contract with Pro Wrestling NOAH, he mentioned at a press conference he had an offer from Impact to defend the belt in America. The 58 year old also said he’s interested in accepting the offer.
Now, Impact Executive Vice-President Scott D’Amore is officially extending the invitation - and even suggesting an opponent:
Congratulations to Mutoh-san for winning the GHC. He is an all time legend.
— Scott D'Amore (@ScottDAmore) February 16, 2021
If he can defeat my student @noah_kiyomiya in Fukuoka then maybe he can come to @IMPACTWRESTLING and defend to the title.
Maybe against his former partner and my student @bigjoedoering?#IMPACTonAXSTV https://t.co/LIhikGNjLc
Or two:
This isn’t a bad idea at all!
— Scott D'Amore (@ScottDAmore) February 16, 2021
If I recall right @TheEddieEdwards is the only American to ever hold the GHC.
Two time champ maybe? https://t.co/2VGHDpiRuM
Mutoh‘s got a date with 24 year old Kaito Kiyomiya on Mar. 14 first, but he’s talking like he’s not worried about that. Maybe pride will come before the fall and nothing more will come of this.
It would be surprising if Impact was working with NJPW and one of its competitors. But in this brave new “WWE vs. the world” wrestling landscape, nothing would be too surprising.
Stay tuned.