WWE are targeting a top name in New Japan as their next big signing.
As reported by PWInsider, sources in Japan have stated that the company are looking to sign Giulia, who currently reigns as the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. The report also states that it is expected that Giulia will be at the Performance Center sometime in November 2023 and her leaving Stardom would be “a massive blow” to the promotion.
Giulia is an English-born Italian-Japanese professional wrestler who first broke into wrestling as part of the Ice Ribbon promotion in 2017, which was founded by current AEW star Emi Sakura.
Further clarification has been provided by Fightful Select, who state that the NJPW star is considered a “priority acquisition” for WWE and has impressed officials with her work in Stardom, where Giulia continues to wrestle and currently reigns as one-third of the Artist of Stardom Champions alongside Thekla and Mai Sakurai.
The Fightful report furthermore states that AEW has also expressed an interest in using Giulia for future events in a crossover capacity due to the relationship between New Japan and All Elite Wrestling and has been seen with male performers frequently wrestling internationally. It is noted that AEW have a strong interest in using Giulia but it is unknown if there are creative plans in place.
WWE Hope To Guilia Soon; Future Of New Japan Title Remains Uncertain
Guilia defeated AEW star Willow Nightingale to capture the NJPW Women’s Strong Championship, becoming the second champion following the introduction back in May 2023. It was believed that Mercedes Mone was set to be the inaugural champion but an audible was called during her match with Nightingale as an injury was sustained. Fans have suspected that Mone will challenge Giulia for the title when she has fully recovered, but there has been no indication of this at the time of writing.
Guilia has also previously held the top title in Stardom, the World of Stardom Championship back in December 2022 until April 2023, where Giulia dropped the title to current champion Tam Nakano. Other previous champions who have gone on to sign with WWE include Toni Storm, Meiko Satomura, Iyo Sky and Bea Priestly [Blair Davenport in NXT].
Following the initial report, Dave Meltzer has gone into detail as to why Giulia may struggle if she signs with WWE.