New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) athlete Drilla Moloney has recently been a focal point in wrestling news, especially concerning his contract status with NJPW. While several international wrestlers have parted ways as their agreements ended, Moloney has decided to stay in Japan. Following the “A New Beginning in Osaka” event on February 11th, Moloney confirmed he signed a new deal with NJPW that extends his stay through 2026. According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross-Sapp, Moloney declined multiple offers from American promotions to continue his career in Japan. The finalized contract, agreed upon just before the Osaka show, is valid for one year and keeps him under NJPW’s banner until at least February 2027, making it a highly advantageous contract.
Moloney continues competing in NJPW alongside Shingo Takagi as part of the War Dragons tag team, recently securing a win over United Empire’s Great O. Khan and Henare at the same event. He will also remain in the newly formed Unbound faction led by Yota Tsuji, although the group has recently seen several shifts. For instance, Hiromu Takahashi left the stable before the tournament and received a memorable sendoff. Meanwhile, David Finlay appeared to be preparing for his exit after a loss to Callum Newman amid WWE rumors. Clark Connors did not participate at the show due to a clash with his AEW Dynamite appearance on the same day and is rumored to have signed with AEW. It remains unclear if Connors’ AEW deal will permit him to keep working with NJPW.
Fan Take:
This update on Drilla Moloney’s commitment to NJPW is significant for AEW fans because it highlights the ongoing talent exchange and competition between the biggest wrestling promotions globally. Moloney’s decision to prioritize NJPW could influence other wrestlers’ choices and impact AEW’s roster dynamics, underscoring how intertwined the wrestling world has become and what it could mean for future cross-promotional storylines.
