Bushiroad President Reveals Decisive Moment That Led to the Sale of NJPW

Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani recently revealed what prompted the company to see New Japan
Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

As noted previously, in May 2026, Bushiroad announced that it would be transferring all shares of NJPW to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. The sale process was completed on June 30.

Speaking to Playboy Weekly recently, Takaaki Kidani revealed that IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji’s critical comments about Bushiroad proved to be the final nail in the coffin. Notably, Tsuji had said that wrestlers were not cards for a card game and were putting their lives on the line in the ring.

Here’s what he said:

“To tell you the truth, I couldn’t sleep until morning that day. I’ve been so passionate about professional wrestling; why do I have to be told that way? Not only Tsuji’s statement itself, but also the reaction of some fans who agree with it made me think deeply. Of course, it was at the stage when I was looking for the time to let go.

“Bushiroad is a company that started with a card game with 4 people per room of 30 tsubo. My life itself. Just as I have the pride of risking my life in the field, I also have absolute pride in my ancestral work. If they show such rejection and determination, they shouldn’t continue to hold on any longer. It is true that it has become the last break that we should respect the pride of both sides and leave it to the next stage of Tele Morning and Cyber.”