Pro Wrestling NOAH reached out to AEW before booking WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura

Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura would face off against the Great Muta at their The New Year 2023 event from Nippon Budokan on New Year’s Day.

The match comes as a part of Keiji Mutoh’s retirement tour. It came as a surprise as WWE usually doesn’t let talent work for other promotions unless there is a deal reached.

Dominic DeAngelo of Wrestling Inc. now provided additional insight into the negotiation stages in order for this match to have been made.

Triple H himself reached out to NOAH in order to clarify whether the opportunity with Muta was still available. Sonny Oono also lent his services in facilitating these discussions.

Speaking with Wrestling Inc, Oono noted that maintaining their newly established relationship with AEW was a priority for NOAH while talking with WWE.

“Noah wanted to protect the newly developing relationship with AEW. I made sure they were no objections from various promotions.”

Nakamura revealed that there was pushback on WWE’s end during initial discussions, but a deal was reached.