Previously, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Triple H commented on the possibility of WWE working more with other promotions which we’ve seen recently with Evolve and Progress Wrestling, however his remarks were taken to mean working with New Japan Pro Wrestling could be a possibility.

According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE does in fact have a new working agreement with a company in Japan, but it’s Pro Wrestling NOAH. No details on the reported arrangement have been given, however The Observer notes that 205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami will be working for NOAH on August 29th.

The host of the NOAH’s Archive Podcast (find the latest episode here) right here on our very own Chairshot Podcast Network, hisame, who is about as good of a source for Pro Wrestling NOAH news as you’ll find, has weighed in on the reported working agreement:

I don't know what source this is from, but rather than a working agreement it's more likely to be about KENTA returning for Marufuji's 20th. There is no announced show for the 28th August. pic.twitter.com/LKMd5obd6G

— Hisame (冰雨Pro-Wrestling Noah in English) (@Hi5ame) June 21, 2018

It's more likely to be a one off. The anniversary show is the 1st September, and Noah have a working agreement with IMPACT.

— Hisame (冰雨Pro-Wrestling Noah in English) (@Hi5ame) June 21, 2018

Our very own Andrew Balaz, who is also very dialed in to Japan news, has also echoed hisame:

“I’m aware it’s been a rumor most of the day. The date is suspect though since NOAH doesn’t have a show on the 29th…and if it’s for the Anniversary show than it’s not technically NOAH.”

EA’s Take: I’ve become more familiar with New Japan Pro Wrestling lately, but it’s still baby steps for me and I know literally nothing of Pro Wrestling NOAH. Andrew and hisame though, really are clued into the Japan scene and while anything’s possible, I would put my money on their word. Plus, it makes total sense for a possible Itami appearance for NOAH to be a one-off if they’ve already got a relationship with Impact Wrestling. WWE has promoted the Global Wrestling Network on the WWE Network so they could use some of Impact’s footage recently, but would they really step on Anthem’s toes like that with NOAH? It’s certainly possible, but there would have to be some money exchanged at the same time I’d think. As Andrew also added, “Lots of odd moving pieces could be in the works, if true”.

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