The current IWGP World Tag Team Champions, the Knockout Brothers—consisting of Oscar and Yuto Ice—has reportedly declined an offer from WWE, opting to stay with their present promotion. Rumors of WWE’s interest in signing the duo emerged last month before New Japan Pro Wrestling’s New Year’s Dash event on January 5th, where the team successfully defended their titles against TMDK. After their victory, Ice and Oscar addressed the speculation, firmly stating they have no plans to leave. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer confirmed WWE’s pursuit but revealed that the pair turned down the offer, choosing to continue their journey elsewhere. Since forming in 2022 and departing from the Bullet Club War Dogs faction last September, the Knockout Brothers have made a significant impact in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Furthermore, in related NJPW news, a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has announced an indefinite leave from the company.
Fan Take: This is a significant win for New Japan, showing that top talent like the Knockout Brothers see value in staying outside WWE, which keeps the global wrestling scene diverse and competitive. For WWE fans, it highlights the ongoing talent wars and raises anticipation about future moves that could reshape the industry landscape.
