Dave Meltzer reported on the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that it was a combination of external and internal factors that led to Takami Ohbari’s departure as the president of NJPW.
It was mentioned that Ohbari and former NJPW Director Michiaki Nishizawa are no longer in the company due to their and the rest of Japanese pro wrestling’s inability to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also noted that another key reason for Ohbari’s departure from NJPW is the issues he had with staff members as well as his usage of power over them and Ohbari even had heat with a number of people in the back including the company’s top star, Kazuchika Okada. Meltzer stated that Okada wanted the former company president out as Ohbari never really understood the wrestling business and didn’t respect the value of Okada as he only saw Okada as the lead role actor in a touring show.
The timing of Hiroshi Tanahashi being named as the new president of NJPW is interesting as Kazuchika Okada was set to become a free agent soon, with WWE and AEW having significant interest, but with Tanahashi now in control of the company, the Rainmaker could remain in NJPW.
