NJPW Talent Left Without Contracts As Negotiations Drag On

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s contract season has thrown the company into a state of uncertainty, with multiple wrestlers still working without deals well into February. Every year, NJPW faces a major roster shake-up as contracts typically expire at the end of January, and this year is proving no different.

According to Fightful Select, several NJPW stars were among those with expiring contracts, including Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Kevin Knight, and Zack Sabre Jr. While discussions were underway, the process reportedly dragged into February, leaving some talent in limbo. The report noted that “things progressed slowly in January towards new deals,” but there was communication between NJPW and the wrestlers.

Despite the contract uncertainty, Finlay has already been announced for upcoming shows, signaling that he’s likely sticking around. However, there’s no confirmation yet on whether others have finalized new deals or if negotiations are still ongoing. Wrestlers continuing to work without contracts isn’t entirely uncommon in NJPW, but it does raise questions about the promotion’s long-term retention strategy.

This yearly shake-up has historically led to departures, forcing NJPW to pivot and build new stars. With talent like Zack Sabre Jr. and David Finlay playing prominent roles in the company, any exits could have a significant impact on the roster. Fans are left speculating whether NJPW will be able to lock down its core talent or if some may explore opportunities elsewhere.

Do you think NJPW should speed up its contract negotiations, or does this method help them adapt to change? Drop your thoughts below!