How NJPW Found Out The OC Was Leaving For WWE

New Japan Pro Wrestling books their stories years in advance. At least, that is the goal. They also never know when a chunk of top stars might leave.

Matt Jackson told a story during a recent episode of The Elite’s eating room service in hotels. He was around when AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows all exited New Japan Pro Wrestling together and saw the quick thinking that head booker Gedo had to make.

“Karl calls over Gedo and says we need to talk. You could tell that Karl’s about to cry already and he goes, ‘I know I’ve been here for eight years. I gotta go to WWE. I’m leaving, oh, and he’s coming with me’ and he points to Gallows.”

“They go over a twenty minute speech about why they’re doing this they feel like they’re blindsiding him and they’re walking away — they shake hands and hug and Karl goes ‘Oh my god,’ [because AJ Styles just walked in the room], ‘AJ’s leaving too.'”

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“Gedo goes: ‘What?!’ because AJ’s their guy. He’s the champ. It was chaos. So I see Gedo and Tiger losing their minds. They’re like what are we gonna do? Gedo shakes their hands and says, ‘Kenny come here'”

Kenny Omega said that Gedo said: “Remember that match with Kushida? Maybe not strong over, just quick. Maybe next day we do something.” Omega then said that he thought: “Damn right we’re doing something I’ve been waiting on this you motherf*cker!”

It’s wild how things come together. The OC exited NJPW at the same time which opened the door for Kenny Omega’s big push. Now that AEW is a thing and Omega is no longer wrestling for NJPW it has provided opportunities for others as the company continues.

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