>>19581225It's a mildly interesting question but it's pointless in a practical sense. The best of the best in other feds aren't interested in becoming a midcard act for NJPW. If you're the Ace of AJPW or DDT or NOAH, why would you become "reliable hand #6" at NJPW? If you're a phenomenal junior wrestler your option is to be the top junior in NOAH, main eventer in DragonGate or... second fiddle to the top juniors in NJPW's neglected stable of lightweights. Not a tough decision.
What NJPW should do is reach out to the wider Japanese scene and try to foster more talent swaps like back in the day. Invasions, dream cards, experience for younger guys, etc. When the Japanese feds work together they all do well, when one company gets cocky and tries to go it alone they end up burning out. I'd much rather see Uemura and Tsuji invade NOAH for a match at a big card or Anzai in the G1 rather than anything permanent.
>>19581355This is the most reasonable response and highlights the real issue with NJPW (and others).
NJPW has the talent, they have the roster... they just don't book any of them worth a damn. They didn't build up any of the returning young lions because of covid and an over-reliance on aging talent. Then when the wheels fell off they rushed stagnant guys like Shota without any build. Tunnel vision on the designated Reiwa Muskateers has blinded them to guys like Uemura, Yuto, Oiwa, etc. Plus, they're still trying desperately to hold on to a half dozen completely unremarkable gaijin in a pathetic attempt to recapture some sort of foreign interest.
Book your homegrown talent well, focus on the fundamentals. Who is your Ace, who is your top heel, what is working, what is broken.
