AEW president Tony Khan said the promotion's working relationship with NJPW remains intact after the Japanese company's ownership change earlier this year. He also responded to comments from IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji, who had called for a boycott of AEW events.
Khan spoke during a media call ahead of Forbidden Door and at the post-event scrum. He described the sale of NJPW shares from Bushiroad to TV Asahi as something to keep an eye on but stressed that daily operations have not been affected.
"It's definitely something to keep an eye on, and it has not changed any of the day-to-day work with New Japan Pro Wrestling," Khan said. He noted he continues to work directly with NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi and booker Gedo.
Khan also addressed Tsuji's absence from Forbidden Door and the wrestler's public remarks urging NJPW colleagues to boycott AEW. Khan expressed respect for Tsuji and the IWGP title while highlighting positive comments the champion had previously made about AEW's treatment of NJPW talent.
Several AEW wrestlers currently hold NJPW championships, including Konosuke Takeshita and Will Ospreay. Khan said the new owners have continued to promote NJPW effectively without removing Tanahashi or Gedo from leadership roles.
