The Smark Report

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced a major change to its North American operations, confirming that its subsidiary, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA), will cease operations and enter liquidation.

Founded in 2019, NJoA was established to help NJPW develop its presence in the United States and expand its international reach.

According to the official announcement, the decision comes as NJPW looks to optimise its management resources in an increasingly changing business environment.

However, there is an important detail for fans: NJPW has confirmed that its North American events will continue, backed by the full resources and support of the TV Asahi group.

So while NJoA is closing, NJPW insists that its global expansion is entering a new chapter rather than coming to an end.

This raises some interesting questions about the future direction of New Japan outside Japan.

🌎 What Does This Mean for NJPW?

NJoA played a role in helping NJPW establish a stronger presence in North America. With the subsidiary now closing, will this change how the company promotes and organises its US events?

Could the involvement of TV Asahi lead to bigger opportunities, a different business strategy or a stronger international presence?

Or is this a sign that NJPW needs to rethink its approach to the North American wrestling market?

💬 Let's Debate!

• Is closing New Japan of America the right business decision?

• Will NJPW's North American presence suffer without its own US subsidiary?

• Could TV Asahi's backing actually make NJPW stronger internationally?

• Should NJPW concentrate more on its home market in Japan?

• Does NJPW still have the potential to become a bigger player in North America?

• What would you like to see NJPW do next to grow its international audience?

• Could this change open the door to more partnerships with other wrestling promotions?

Over to you! Is this simply a necessary business restructure for NJPW, or should fans be concerned about the company's future in North America?

Let's hear your thoughts and get the debate going!

Ring of Honor has an important place in wrestling history. Throughout its existence, ROH helped establish the careers of numerous major stars and developed a reputation for outstanding matches, passionate fans and a strong independent wrestling identity.

It became a promotion where talented wrestlers could showcase their abilities and build reputations before moving on to bigger opportunities.

However, the wrestling industry has changed dramatically. With WWE, AEW, TNA and numerous international promotions competing for attention, where does Ring of Honor fit into the modern wrestling landscape?

Can ROH still stand out as its own brand, or has it become difficult for the promotion to establish a clear identity?

💬 Let's Debate!

• Does Ring of Honor still have a place in modern professional wrestling?

• Should ROH operate as a completely separate promotion from AEW?

• Does ROH still carry the same importance and prestige it once had?

• Should the promotion focus more on developing upcoming talent?

• What would make ROH more attractive to wrestling fans?

• Who is the greatest wrestler to have competed in Ring of Honor?

• Would you like to see ROH return to its former prominence?

Over to you! Does Ring of Honor still have a meaningful future in professional wrestling, or has the wrestling landscape moved on without it?

For many years, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been regarded as one of the very best wrestling promotions in the world.

NJPW has built its reputation through incredible in-ring performances, legendary rivalries, prestigious championships and some of the most memorable wrestling matches in history.

However, the wrestling landscape has changed considerably. AEW, TNA, CMLL, NOAH, Dragon Gate and other promotions have continued to develop their own identities and attract passionate audiences.

With so much competition around the world, is NJPW still the number one promotion outside WWE and AEW?

Or have other companies overtaken it in terms of match quality, storytelling, popularity and overall presentation?

💬 Let's Debate!

• Is NJPW still the best wrestling promotion outside WWE and AEW?

• Does New Japan still deliver the best in-ring wrestling?

• Have other Japanese promotions caught up with NJPW?

• Has NJPW lost some of the international attention it once enjoyed?

• Which current NJPW wrestler is the biggest attraction?

• If NJPW isn't number one anymore, which promotion deserves that position?

Over to you! Does NJPW still sit at the top of the wrestling world outside WWE and AEW, or has another promotion taken its crown?

One of the biggest advantages of smaller wrestling promotions is the freedom to experiment.

Without the same corporate structures, television expectations and commercial pressures faced by major companies, smaller promotions can sometimes take bigger creative risks.

They can introduce unusual characters, try different match formats, develop unique storylines and give wrestlers opportunities that might not be available elsewhere.

However, major promotions have bigger budgets, larger production teams and the resources to create spectacular events and long-term stories.

So which approach produces the better wrestling product?

Are smaller promotions more willing to think outside the box, or do the major companies simply have more tools to deliver something special?

💬 Let's Debate!

• Are smaller wrestling promotions more creative than WWE, AEW and TNA?

• Does having fewer financial resources encourage better ideas?

• Are major promotions too restricted by television networks and commercial expectations?

• Do smaller companies take more risks with their storylines and match formats?

• Which smaller promotion consistently delivers the most original wrestling?

• Can a promotion become too ambitious when trying to be different?

Over to you! Does smaller mean more creative, or do the major wrestling companies deserve more credit for what they produce?

Independent wrestling has always played a huge role in the wrestling industry. Long before many wrestlers make it onto television or sign with major promotions, they build their reputations travelling around the country, performing in front of passionate fans and proving what they can do.

Independent promotions give wrestlers opportunities to develop their characters, improve their skills and gain experience. They also give fans the chance to discover future stars before they become household names.

With WWE, AEW, TNA and other major companies constantly looking for new talent, independent wrestling remains an important part of the wrestling landscape.

But just how important is it today?

Are independent promotions thriving and providing something the major companies cannot, or are they finding it increasingly difficult to compete for attention?

💬 Let's Debate!

• Are independent wrestling promotions more important than ever?

• Do they provide better opportunities for upcoming wrestlers?

• Are independent promotions responsible for developing the next generation of major stars?

• Do smaller promotions have more freedom to experiment with their product?

• Which independent promotion deserves more attention from wrestling fans?

• Could the wrestling industry survive without its independent scene?

Over to you! Are independent promotions the backbone of professional wrestling, or has their importance changed as the major companies continue to grow?

Some of the greatest wrestling matches in history have taken place outside WWE, AEW &TNA.

Whether it's an incredible NJPW main event, a ROH classic or an unforgettable independent wrestling contest, there are countless matches worth celebrating.

But which non-WWE/AEW/TNA match is the best you've ever watched?

💬 Share your choices:

• What is the best non-WWE/AEW/TNA match you've ever seen?

• Who was involved?

• Which promotion and event did it take place at?

• What made it so special?

• Would you recommend it to someone who hasn't seen it?

Feel free to share a few matches if choosing just one is too difficult!

👇 What's your greatest non-WWE/AEW/TNA wrestling match of all time?

There are talented wrestlers all over the world who deserve more recognition and bigger opportunities.

Some are putting on fantastic matches on the independent scene, others are making waves internationally, and some simply haven't had the opportunity to show a wider audience what they can do.

We want to know who you think deserves their big break!

💬 Give us your picks:

• Which wrestler deserves a bigger opportunity?

• What makes them stand out?

• Which major promotion would suit them best?

• Could they become a future world champion?

• Who would you love to see them face?

They don't have to be a household name. We're looking for those hidden gems who deserve more attention!

👇 Who deserves their moment in the spotlight?

Professional wrestling is a worldwide phenomenon, with different countries bringing their own styles, traditions and personalities to the business.

From Japanese strong style and Mexican lucha libre to British wrestling and promotions across Europe, there's so much to discover outside the mainstream American scene.

So, which international wrestling promotion is your favourite?

💬 Let's discuss:

• What is your favourite international promotion?

• What makes its wrestling style unique?

• Who are your favourite wrestlers from that promotion?

• What is the best match you've seen from it?

• Which international promotion should more fans start watching?

👇 Which promotion from around the world gets your vote?

Independent wrestling is an important part of the wrestling business. It's where new talent can make a name for themselves, established wrestlers can reinvent themselves, and fans can discover something different.

There are independent promotions all over the world, each offering its own style, atmosphere and talent.

But which one is your personal favourite?

💬 Tell us:

• What is your favourite independent wrestling promotion?

• What makes it special?

• Who are your favourite wrestlers on its roster?

• Have you ever attended one of its shows?

• Which independent promotion would you recommend to other fans?

👇 Which indie promotion deserves more attention?

There is so much wrestling talent around the world, and some incredible performers don't always get the mainstream recognition they deserve.

From NJPW and ROH to independent promotions and international wrestling companies, there are plenty of wrestlers making a name for themselves.

But who do you consider the very best outside WWE, AEW and TNA?

💬 Let's hear your choices:

• Who is the best wrestler outside those three companies?

• What makes them stand out?

• Are they better in the ring than some mainstream stars?

• Which promotion do they currently wrestle for?

• Would you like to see them sign with a bigger company?

👇 Who gets your vote as the best outside the big three?