Justin Barrasso has just released his latest Week In Wrestling for Sports Illustrated.
As part of this week’s edition Justin features an exclusive interview with Dallas Maverick & AXS TV Owner Mark Cuban. AXS TV features New Japan Pro Wrestling every Friday night.
We have included some highlights from Cuban’s interview below. The full interview can be found HERE.
On AXS TV’s future plans for New Japan Pro Wrestling:
“We’re looking to expand it on Friday nights,” Cuban said in an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated. “We want to do more live, as opposed to the delay, and we’re talking to them about special events.”
On if he thinks Vince McMahon views NJPW and AXS TV as a threat:
“No, he thinks we’re just little sh—,” said Cuban. “We’re not a threat because of the language. That’s the biggest challenge, the language. But if you’re a purist for wrestling, and you like the action, it’s the best promotion by far. People here aren’t going to connect as directly, but if you really love wrestling, then it’s a no-brainer.”
On Cuban paying top dollar to air NJPW’s top three Wrestle Kingdom 12 matches (Including Jericho v Omega) on AXS TV two days after they air:
“We’re getting to know them better,” said Cuban. “We went from a delay to a short delay to live, so we’re going to get smarter about it. The numbers keep on going up. Other TVs are declining, and ours are going up. That’s a good sign. There are some nights when it beats MMA, it’s doing that well.”
Mark Cuban
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Mark Cuban
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Businessman and TV personality Mark Cuban speaks onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt at Pier 48 on September 8, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)
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Mark Cuban
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, sits courtside as his team warms up prior to facing the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 14, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talks to a referee during a timeout in the game with the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 12, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Mavericks won 120-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 18: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban waits on the court prior to the start of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets during Game One in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: Mark Cuban, investor on TV show "Shark Tank" & owner of the Dallas Mavericks, speaks during an event to recognize emerging global entrepreneurs May 11, 2015 at the South Court Auditorium of Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. Entrepreneurs from across the U.S. and around the world participated, ahead of President Obama's travel to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya this summer, in the event which focused on investing in women and young entrepreneurs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
LOS ANGELES CA - OCTOBER 29: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, follows the action from behind the bench during the third quarter of the basketball game against Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center October 29, 2015, in Los Angeles California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 16, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban shouts from the bench during an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre on December 22, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 15: Owner Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks watces as his team takes on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 15, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Mavericks defeated the Bulls 83-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 27: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in the crowd at their game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Mark Cuban owner of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks after Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 18, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Mavericks won 85-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 21: Owner, Mark Cuban before game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 30: Mark Cuban gives the thumbs-up before the start of a campaign rally with democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and democratic vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen Tim Kaine (D-VA) at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on July 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine are continuing their three-day bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Mark Cuban
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 19: Investor and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban arrives before the start of the third U.S. presidential debate at the Thomas & Mack Center on October 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tonight is the final debate ahead of Election Day on November 8. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
