Post by Josh Spicer on Jun 15, 2020 19:01:40 GMT -5
Antonio Inoki Gone! Harold Meij In!
posted 6:02, June 15, 2020
The news was leaked earlier today that Antonio Inoki--having long since been in isolation due to his company being on hiatus and his body not getting any younger--is stepping down as owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Following a long and intense meeting on Friday that included BushiRoad, the New Japan board of directors, all corporate staff under New Japan's employ (including chairman of the board Naoki Sugabayashi and current president Harold Meij), as well as a handful of longtime wrestlers, it was unanimously decided that either the new Global Wrestling Alliance was in or Antonio Inoki was out. The meeting took place all day and involved arguments from all sides and all participants, but eventually resolved with BushiRoad making the final call as majority owner. Antonio Inoki was dismissed from his role with a large severance package and was removed from the building.
Many are calling this a disrespectful decision on the part of BushiRoad and a couple of the unnamed wrestlers present were very somber as they watched their long term boss depart in such a way.
Later that same day a separate meeting was held between the board and BushiRoad where it was decided that in order to take New Japan to where it needs to go in these new and unknown times that a replacement had to be made immediately. It was decided that Harold Meij was to be Antonio Inoki's replacement. He would serve as BushiRoad and the other owners' direct conduit while still serving his role as President of New Japan.
The puroresu world is still in shock as this news broke today. What will Harold Meij bring to the table? What will the aftershocks be for those involved in New Japan? What will this new Global Wrestling Alliance bring to New Japan?
- Chris Charlton, Official Translator for New Japan World and Announcer for New Japan
posted 6:02, June 15, 2020
The news was leaked earlier today that Antonio Inoki--having long since been in isolation due to his company being on hiatus and his body not getting any younger--is stepping down as owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Following a long and intense meeting on Friday that included BushiRoad, the New Japan board of directors, all corporate staff under New Japan's employ (including chairman of the board Naoki Sugabayashi and current president Harold Meij), as well as a handful of longtime wrestlers, it was unanimously decided that either the new Global Wrestling Alliance was in or Antonio Inoki was out. The meeting took place all day and involved arguments from all sides and all participants, but eventually resolved with BushiRoad making the final call as majority owner. Antonio Inoki was dismissed from his role with a large severance package and was removed from the building.
Many are calling this a disrespectful decision on the part of BushiRoad and a couple of the unnamed wrestlers present were very somber as they watched their long term boss depart in such a way.
Later that same day a separate meeting was held between the board and BushiRoad where it was decided that in order to take New Japan to where it needs to go in these new and unknown times that a replacement had to be made immediately. It was decided that Harold Meij was to be Antonio Inoki's replacement. He would serve as BushiRoad and the other owners' direct conduit while still serving his role as President of New Japan.
The puroresu world is still in shock as this news broke today. What will Harold Meij bring to the table? What will the aftershocks be for those involved in New Japan? What will this new Global Wrestling Alliance bring to New Japan?
- Chris Charlton, Official Translator for New Japan World and Announcer for New Japan