November 20, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Shinya Hashimoto fired from NJPW, Wrestlemania X7 sets records, more
Shinya Hashimoto, who headlined more big gates at the Tokyo Dome than any wrestler in history, was shockingly fired by New Japan Pro Wrestling on 11/13 after a weekend filled with turmoil after news got out he was negotiating with Pro Wrestling NOAH.
The story was among many things that is threatening the future of the All Japan/New Japan relationship, which started off with the big success on 10/9 at the Tokyo Dome and has since seemed to start falling apart. There were already some cracks noticeable in the foundation of the angle before the word getting out of Hashimoto’s negotiations to appear on the 12/23 Pro Wrestling NOAH show at the Tokyo Ariake Coliseum, which at this point, isn’t scheduled to happen. The firing seems to open the door for Hashimoto joining NOAH as a regular, to go along with doing his own shows, which at this point appears to be scheduled, if everything works out, early next year.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.