MLW Plans 2027 Project With NJPW and CMLL
Founder Court Bauer says MLW is developing a special project with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre for 2027.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Wrestling
Court Bauer, founder of Major League Wrestling, announced a special project being developed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and CMLL, slated for 2027. The announcement came during MLW Saturday Night SuperFight, which featured an appearance by NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi.
Why it matters
The planned project points to deepening ties among three promotions that have already shared talent and television time. It signals continued cross-promotional activity between North American and international wrestling companies.
The announcement names one target year, 2027, with no attendance, viewership or contract figures disclosed. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji competed against Trevor Lee on the November 7, 2026 card, but no match results or ratings were reported.
The players
Court Bauer
Founder of Major League Wrestling, the U.S.-based promotion that has built partnerships with international companies.
Naoki Sugabayashi
Chairman of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, one of Japan's largest professional wrestling promotions.
The details
Bauer thanked NJPW and CMLL for their partnerships and said the special project is being worked on with both companies. MLW has long-standing partnerships with both promotions, and its talent has traveled to Arena Mexico while CMLL and NJPW wrestlers have competed on MLW TV.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: MLW Saturday Night SuperFight, where the announcement was made
2027: Planned launch window for the special project with NJPW and CMLL
Season Trajectory
The announcement extends MLW's existing exchanges with NJPW and CMLL, which already include talent travel to Arena Mexico and cross-appearances on MLW television. A joint special project would extend that pattern of cross-promotional collaboration into a new, scheduled event.
Fans of MLW, NJPW and CMLL can watch for further details on the 2027 project, which may bring wrestlers from the three promotions together. No format, date or ticketing information has been released yet.
The takeaway
Cross-promotional projects like this one can widen access to talent and audiences across North America and Japan. Watch for official announcements from MLW, NJPW and CMLL as the 2027 project takes shape.
Further reading
For more on the promotions and talent shaping this announcement, browse our Wrestling coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fightful.
