This is a kind of Concerning.

17 comments

1. I’ve always tried to appreciate the NJPW US shows while I still can. If they decided to cut back on their US expansion next year, I wouldn’t be surprised.

   Interest isn’t the same as it was a few years ago, poor attendance means they’re likely losing money from each show, and I imagine not having Ospreay will be a big factor in ticket sales too.

2. Doesn’t look great, but honestly I guess it’s about what would be expected considering New Japan is pretty niche over here in the states. But hey, at least over 80% of tickets were distributed, that’s something!

3. For a NJ US show without any of the huge names? This looks about right.

4. Is it? They already said that they see no future in the US as a mainstay market for them. Just another indicator that it is probably the right decision to pull out or at least slow it down.

5. That’s actually not that bad of a turnout for a show without much star power. The “tickets distributed” makes me wonder how many of those are paid though.

6. For those who don’t want to click through; they’re at 730 out of 869 tickets, which isn’t bad at all.

   However NJPW hurt themselves with the pricing for this show. They kept it the same as regular STRONG cards even though they knew it would be light on draws; the fall/winter US shows always are, and rely more on talent that lives here. The $30 tickets sold out (if they even existed in the first place?), everything left is at least $60 (yes even the weird last row corner seats). Front row is $300 and second row is $160.

   They’re also not gonna catch any random Vegas tourists with those high numbers. At this point their best bet is to discount those premium tickets to try and get walk-ups.

   This is yet another case proving that the NJPW name alone is not a draw in the States anymore. I’ll give them credit that they do seem to have recognized this a bit, with the re-structuring of NJoA this year. I don’t expect them to expand STRONG any further, but I also don’t think they’ll drop the number of shows drastically just yet because it’s been doing okay overall. These fall/winter shows would be the first on the chopping block, though.

7. Interesting to compare this to the UK show that drew 3000 people. I don’t understand why they don’t put more focus on establishing themselves in the UK.

8. Nah. Vegas is a very small market if your event isn’t getting fly-ins.

9. I wanted to go but ticket prices were a lot to commit to without knowing the card.

10. I think a large portion of people from the late 2010s who were all for going to the US New Japan shows kinda tuned out when AEW started becoming a thing. A shame, but as a Brit I’m happy to say we still turn up every time they come!

11. They need to take the impact approach and do smaller venues. Also if they really want to have a US market have not only a Dojo in LA but a Dojo in either ATL or Tampa for the east coast. Scout around US for established talent who’s been pro for some time and sign them

12. They drew 702 people last year in the same venue.

    https://www.njpw1972.com/card_result/133958

13. Don’t look at Lone Star Shootout then

14. Whats the problem here? It’ll probably be close to a sell out by show time.

15. I’m legitimately confused as to why this is concerning

    It’s 85% capacity. In Japan that would be announced as a no vacancy full house.

    Stardom which has had the second best korakuen strength this year drew 700 at korakuen the other day. Noah drew about 700 to yokohama budokan for the start of the n1. What do people think they should be drawing outside their primary market.

16. Whats with all the comments saying big stars arent performing. Am i the only one hyped especially last 4 matches and the 4-way will be great. I thought Shingo, SANADA, Naito, Kingston, Tama were draws??

17. They fucking deserve terrible attendance here. Okada wrestled Wed in the states but isn’t on this card is a huge fuck you to the NJPW fans in Vegas.

    Also 2 women’s matches make this feel like not a NJPW show.

    And finally they should know while Tama is over in Japan no one in the US cares about him enough to justify a main event.

    Also anyone who still uses the AEW Exposure argument at this point is completely blind to what’s been going on