WWE Network is a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To those who expected an array of older footage with WWE Classics on Demand folding, it’s been a giant disappointment. Fans who wanted new original content are most likely happy with the current iteration of the network, but had to suffer through months without new content during budget cuts. Those who want them to think outside the box want them to consider outside indie and international .content a la UFC Fight Pass.
That last one felt like the biggest longshot, but maybe it’s not…at least from WWE’s perspective. Takaaki Kidani, the president of Bushiroad, NJPW’s parent company, has posted a new blog (in Japanese) where he says WWE tried to make a deal to get NJPW footage on WWE Network. @e_key_olde on Twitter provided the most accurate translation:
One proposed idea would be for the WWE to show NJPW footage [on the Network], but this type of proposal just shows that they don’t see us as competition.
Play NJPW footage on the Network, see if any of our wrestlers gain popularity, then buy that wrestler out; that’s probably the extent of their thoughts on it.
It’s a very obvious strategy.
NJPW, of course, has their own streaming service, NJPW World. The website isn’t in English and the same goes for most of the videos, though they provide a button to turn on Google’s automated English translation. They’re also experimenting with English commentary, having brought in Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker to call King of Pro Wrestling earlier this month. Separately, Mauro Ranallo and Josh Barnett do voiceovers of several month old matches for the show that airs Friday nights in the U.S. on AXS TV.
