NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING SOLD, TKO LAWSUIT DRAMA | Rent Free Podcast | Ep 8

Summary: Ruben JAY and BJ Bethel are back and “still alive” on the Rent Free Podcast! The duo kicks off with the origin story of the show’s name (courtesy of Mel G from the Power Bombshells podcast), Ruben’s open discussion about living with mild Tourette’s, and shoutouts to wrestling friends and potential future guests like Sam & Mel, Dr. Larry, and more. The main discussion dives into two massive wrestling news stories: • New Japan Pro Wrestling’s sale to TV Asahi and CyberAgent (owners of NOAH, DDT, and Tokyo Joshi Pro) for around $22 million. The hosts break down what this means for NJPW’s future, Bushiroad’s exit, potential impacts on Stardom, international expansion, production value, building young talent, and why focusing on their Japanese core might be the smartest move right now. They also share personal stories from working with NJPW and reflect on its peak momentum in the U.S. • The bombshell WWE/TKO shareholder lawsuit, where Vince McMahon and Nick Khan were sanctioned by a judge for deleting Signal messages. They break down the fiduciary duty issues, the Endeavor deal vs. higher bids from Liberty Media and KKR, deleted evidence timing, and what this could mean for ongoing legal battles (including Janelle Grant). Plus: Reactions to AEW’s strong Double or Nothing PPV (and whether the name still works outside Vegas), live event experiences comparing AEW and WWE, fan-focused booking vs. shareholder-driven decisions, and quick thoughts on MVP Promotions/Jake Paul’s MMA push. The episode is full of wrestling business analysis, history, and candid takes as always. Call to Action: Send your questions, comments, or hate mail to show.rentfree@gmail.com. Subscribe, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts on NJPW’s new era or the TKO lawsuit in the comments! Timestamps (approximate): • 00:00 Intro & Podcast Name Origin • ~06:00 NJPW Sale Discussion • ~30:00 WWE/TKO Shareholder Lawsuit Deep Dive • ~50:00 AEW Double or Nothing & Live Show Talk • ~1:00:00 Wrap & Final Thoughts