Episode 101: The Bullet Expedition
July 2, 2026
I have safely returned to Japan from America. The moment I step off the plane and breathe the Japanese air deep into my lungs, a soothing sense of relief wells up inside me, telling me, "I'm finally home." However, my brain is still operating at full throttle, buzzing with all the stimulation and fresh inspiration I absorbed during this tour.
Up until now, I’ve traveled overseas countless times to compete in matches. Stepping into a foreign ring and sharing that raw heat and excitement with the local fans through the universal language of professional wrestling—it’s the absolute best.
However, this specific visit to the United States was entirely different from anything I’d done before; it was a diplomatic mission as the 【President】.
This was my very first overseas business trip where I didn't pack my ring gear into my suitcase. Even on my way to the airport, I had this strange, restless feeling, as if I had accidentally left an incredibly vital item behind.
But my grand mission this time was not to battle inside the ring as a competitor. It was to step onto the business canvas for the future of our promotion as the President.
My primary objective for this trip was to meet face-to-face with AEW Owner and CEO Tony Khan, to formally greet him and personally report on our new organizational structure, including the transition of our parent company. In today's global wrestling landscape, AEW’s overwhelming presence—as well as Tony Khan’s sheer passion for the industry and his prowess as a businessman—goes without saying.
In this day and age, it’s easy enough to wrap up a report via email or a remote Zoom meeting. However, precisely because this is a massive milestone for our promotion, I believed it was paramount to cross the ocean in person, look him in the eye, and communicate our vision and resolve firsthand.
My meeting with Tony was an exceptionally exciting and stimulating pocket of time. We reaffirmed our deep mutual respect for each other's promotions and spoke passionately about the future of the wrestling industry. ...Well, passionately in my broken English, that is.
He accepted head-on the fact that our parent company has transitioned and that we have officially entered a brand-new phase. We engaged in a highly positive dialogue geared toward forging an even more ironclad partnership moving forward. Personally touching his high-level perspective and the profound love for professional wrestling that sits at his core was an immense learning experience for me.
An expedition without a single match. At first, I felt a tiny bit of lonely restlessness from having too much time on my hands. But looking back now that it's over, there has never been a more fruitful tour for me as an executive.
Unlike the physical clash of bodies inside the squared circle, I was able to return home holding a definitive sense of accomplishment and the keys to our future from this alternative battlefield known as business... At least, I think so!
The invaluable experiences I gained and the fresh bonds I forged in America this time will absolutely be funneled back into our ring.
Through this match-less American tour, I was able to witness a brand-new horizon.