new japan — Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling

Top NJPW Stars Including AJ Styles Reportedly Leaving the Company, WWE Said to Be “Targeting” Departing Names

January 4, 2016

According to a recent edition of MLW Radio, several top New Japan Pro Wrestling stars have given their notices to NJPW, and will be leaving the promotion very soon. AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura and Karl Anderson are all NJPW names rumored to be leaving, but it seems Nakamura might be leaving later than the other names mentioned as he is the current IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

Wrestling Observer Radio has corroborated the above information, and added that the above names have all been targeted by WWE. Host Dave Meltzer noted that AJ Styles has been working in New Japan recently without a contract, despite being booked in a very high profile match at Wrestle Kingdom 10 against Nakamura. Styles has previous stated in interviews that if the right deal is offered, he would be open to working for WWE or NXT.

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.