This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Ontario, California featured a Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name sponsored Street Fight match between The Don Callis Family & Brian Cage and The Golden Jets, Kota Ibushi, & Paul Wight.
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW was a paid a six figure deal from SEGA for their sponsored match for SEGA’s newest video game from their Like A Dragon series.
It was reported that Kenny Omega played a major role in securing the sponsorship deal for AEW. AEW Senior Vice President Nik Sobic reportedly was also involved in the negotiations and this deal had been in the works for several weeks.
It was also reported that some of the original plans for this match included this match taking place at AEW’s Full Gear 2023 event instead. AEW officials reportedly factored in Paul Wight’s in-ring return for this match. Sammy Guevara reportedly was originally planned to involved prior to his concussion injury and replaced with Brian Cage.
It was also reported that AEW CEO Tony Khan including SEGA’s name in AEW’s official signing announcement for Ibushi was meant to add even more value.