More on The Sale of Pro Wrestling NOAH, New Japan’s Involvement, When The Deal Happened

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, here is the latest on the sale of Pro Wrestling NOAH. NOAH has been struggling in recent years, and was being funded by NJPW. NJPW sent Jado over to help book the company, paid for the foreigners and other salaries, and also sent over Suzuki-Gun, Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, Desperado, Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Shelton Benjamin (who is now gone).

New Japan had a minority share in NOAH, and while they had worked to help grow the company, the lack of TV hurt the company’s attempts at growth. Naomichi Marufuji, who had been running the company with Akira Taue, had worked with the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce to look for new sponsors. NOAH was losing money due to declining attendance.

Estbee, an IT Company, bought NOAH after meeting with Naomichi Marufuji back on October 10th. The sale was finalized on October 31st. New Japan owner Takaaki Kidani said he was very surprised to hear the news.