Backstage Update on Harold Meij Leaving NJPW

– As previously reported, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) confirmed today that company President & CEO Harold Meij will be resigning from his post for the company, effective on October 23. He will be succeeded by NJPW of America President Takami Ohbari. Dave Meltzer addressed Meij’s exit on today’s episode of Wrestling Observer Radio.

According to Meltzer, Meij’s major goal was to get NJPW up to $100 million in revenue by the end of 2020, which would’ve been impossible for the promotion to reach without a major American broadcast TV deal. Previously, NJPW had a broadcast TV deal in the US with AXS TV. However, that was gone after Impact Wrestling parent company Anthem Entertainment purchased AXS TV, and other promotions such as NJPW and WOW were phased off the network.

Meltzer noted that NJPW obtaining such a TV deal would be difficult, especially after the company lost big stars such as The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, which really hurt NJPW’s momentum in the US. Also, while NJPW had a strong opening to this year with the two Tokyo Dome shows, the company was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately for Harold Meij, Meltzer stated that he wasn’t able to get close to the revenue number he apparently promised.