Callum Newman Criticizes AEW Wrestlers Coming To New Japan

Callum Newman isn’t amused with AEW wrestlers jumping into New Japan for quick tours and then leaving.

In recent weeks, AEW’s presence within New Japan Pro Wrestling has become more prominent. While crossovers aren’t unfamiliar to fans, former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley are set for upcoming trips to Japan, with “The Best Bout Machine” hoping to contend for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the near future. Plus, Will Ospreay has made a habit of returning to Japan of late, leading to tension between “The Aerial Assassin” and his stablemate Callum Newman. Now, “The Prince Of Pace” has hit back at AEW talent coming to NJPW on a short-term basis.

In an official interview with New Japan, United Empire leader Callum Newman made his feelings clear on the matter.

“I’m not salty about them, I just feel angry because when their wrestlers want to make a name for themselves in Japan, they feel NJPW is an easy in for them just because they have AEW on their resume. New Japan is not that easy. For all the people who do all the squats in that Dojo every day to get here, an AEW wrestler who can hop, skip and jump their way into a main event rubs me the wrong way. Because most of those guys as well, they only come in to do one show. They never do a full tour, never know how hard touring actually is. They fly in day before, do a match and fly back home. That’s it. I don’t think they get the schedule.”

-Callum Newman

Other AEW wrestlers have made the journey to New Japan previously, including Jack Perry during his stint with House of Torture, Nick Wayne, who is part of the World Tag League right now and has done two Best of the Super Juniors tournaments, and so on. However, Callum’s point, any progress made by other promotion’s talent in a New Japan ring largely benefits their home promotion rather than NJPW.

Regardless, the ongoing partnership between the two companies has given rise to events such as Forbidden Door and Wrestle Dynasty, as well as the upcoming Lucha Kingdomevent, thanks to their joint partnership with CMLL. Plus, the simmering tension between the talent of AEW and NJPW could lead to some high-profile clashes at WrestleKingdom 21 if they continue down this path.

For a catch up on the matches at NJPW Power Struggle that are set to feature AEW talent, you can click here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Callum Newman as soon as we hear more.