One NJPW star’s contract is reportedly set to expire, while another has been working without a deal.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that, as of this writing, Alex Coughlin’s contract is set to expire in January. Coughlin has been featured as a member of the Bullet Club War Dogs. He has been with the company for over five years, as he came up through the LA Dojo system.
Coughlin competed in the pre-show of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, as he wrestled in the New Japan Rambo. He is a former NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion alongside Gabe Kidd.
Sapp writes that there is no word on whether NJPW has approached Coughlin about a new deal. Coughlin and Bullet Club War Dogs are set to face United Empire in a Steel Cage Match on February 11.
Update On Clark Connors
In another report, Sapp wrote that Clark Connors worked NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 without a contract. There, he and Drilla Moloney lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to TJP and Francesco Akira.
Sapp writes that, per sources, Connors’ contract expired during his title reign. In the report, Sapp notes that NJPW and Connors have been in active negotiations, but it is unclear whether they have reached a new deal.
Like Coughlin, Connors has been with NJPW for several years, as he too came up through the LA Dojo system.
NJPW is facing multiple contract expirations. Former world champion Kazuchika’s Okada’s contract is reportedly set to expire in January. Plus, Tama Tonga has announced that January will be his last month with the company.
