AEW star Rocky Romero explains New Japan’s place on fans’ pro wrestling menu

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is one of the top professional wrestling companies in the world and is looking to strengthen its influence in the United States with its upcoming show this week.

The new beginning will take place on Friday Trenton, New Jerseyat the CURE Insurance Arena and fans who are eager to participate in intense professional wrestling will be able to see the loaded card.

Rocky Romero, a longtime NJPW wrestler and ambassador who also performs for AEW, told Fox News Digital that holding the show in central New Jersey was an ideal location due to its location between New York City and Philadelphia.

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The New Beginning of New Japan Pro Wrestling will take place on February 27, 2026. (New Japan Pro Wrestling)

“Obviously New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been doing shows for the last seven years in the United States, all over the world. We usually get to New York and Philadelphia – we found a place right in the middle in Trenton, New Jersey,” he said. “I think it’s a good place to appeal to both markets and I think overall, the excitement of being back on the East Coast, New Japan Pro Wrestling, is truly an event like no other. The intense style of Japanese pro wrestling here on American soil. There’s nothing like it.”

There are several big names ready to compete on the card.

David Finlay will face Fred Rosser in a singles match, Ricochet will defend the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) National Championship against Taiji Ishimori, NJPW World Champion El Phantasmo will defend his title against Kosuke Takeshita, International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) Champion Syuri will face Ring of Honor (ROH) Women’s World Champion Athena, and AEW star Andrade El Edolo will challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Champion Yuta Tsuji for his title – just to name a few.

The set of matches in New Jersey is part of NJPW’s strategy for expansion into the United States. It is the first time since July that the promotion has held a show in the United States.

But Romero said increased interest in NJPW from American professional wrestling fans has been one of the company’s goals since the mid-2010s.

“It has always been New Japan’s goal since 2017-18 to achieve this Growing internationallyHe explained. “They’re the No. 1 wrestling promotion in Japan and all of Asia. So, it makes sense for us to come to America and expand the product globally. A few years ago, maybe 10 years ago, there was no way to watch New Japan Wrestling but now it’s very easy. NJPWworld.com, you just log in and it’s $9 a month and anyone can watch from anywhere around the world.”

“I think the mission now is to take New Japan to a global level. And not just in the US, but you look at other places like now going to China, Australia is always there, the UK, maybe Germany. So, there are different markets around the world that I would be very interested in seeing the New Japan product.”

Rocky Romero enters the ring during New Japan Pro-Wrestling – Wrestle Kingdom 16 at Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Etsu Hara/Getty Images)

While Romero brought up streaming as a way to expand the way wrestling fans can access NJPW’s product, he emphasized that partnerships with AEW and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) were also valuable to New Japan.

The list of options for professional wrestling fans continues to grow every year. The average professional wrestling fan can watch the show at least six days a week. While this is true, Romero said, New Japan brings a different style From wrestling to table tennis.

“New Japan brings something different,” he told Fox News Digital. “I think the show looks similar to a big boxing match. When I was a kid watching pay-per-view like (Mike) Tyson on HBO or something like that. It feels like that. I think bringing that flavor and, frankly, the spirit of our athletic talent can’t be compared to anyone. And also, just the style is more focused on inside the ring. We have great personalities as well, but our guys just take it to the next level in physicality and emotion.”

“I think the way it’s presented it’s like, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’ I think a lot of the fans are casual fans who are used to watching professional wrestling in North America. The first time they watch New Japan, they’re kind of hooked — the energy of the crowd.”

Romero knows New Japan well.

He began his career in New Japan in 2010 after appearing in CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Lucha Libre AAA World Wide. He pointed to his Fox News Digital debut in New Japan, where he went from performing in gyms to the packed arena when he was just 20 years old.

“My first and biggest memory was my first match Tokyo Dome In front of 50 thousand people. And I’m just a kid. I am a child. As I walked down the long slope and saw a sea of ​​people, I remember someone telling me, “When you get out there, don’t look up too quickly because you’ll see a bunch of people and you’ll probably get spooked.”

“And I couldn’t help but look up and there was a sea of ​​people and I was horrified. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is really real and it’s really happening.’

Konosuke Takeshita and Rocky Romero celebrate a victory contest during New Japan Pro Wrestling at Ota City Public Gym on January 5, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Etsu Hara/Getty Images)

Since then, Romero has built his relationship with New Japan and is now a “bridge builder” between the company and other wrestling cultures in North America. In AEW, he teams up with Trent Beretta and is allied with the Don Callis Family.

He suggested to Fox News Digital that he enjoys his roles with both professional wrestling companies.

“What’s great about this is that AEW, especially Tony Khan, has a lot of respect and a lot of love for New Japan, and New Japan has always been supportive of AEW,” Romero said. “I think it’s a really successful partnership, and obviously it’s a key partnership when you’re up against someone with that kind of character.” Huge market share in WWE. So, I think it’s very strategic, and now that we have CMLL in the mix, these three big promotions are working together seamlessly and working on storylines that cross over with all three promotions and bringing out talent from each company and champions.

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“I think the people who get the most out of this are the fans because the fans get to see these dream matches and dream situations. I think it’s the fans who win the most out of this.”

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