Mark Cuban is betting big that this Japanese wrestling company can take on WWE

Mark Cuban is stepping into the ring with another high profile billionaire to stake his claim in the world of professional wrestling. The other billionaire is Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of WWE, which has ruled supreme as the world's number-one "sports entertainment" company for decades.Cuban's cable and satellite network AXS TV — formerly known as HDNet — acquired the rights to broadcast New Japan Professional Wrestling in 2015. NJPW, or "New Japan," as it's commonly known, is a popular Tokyo-based promotion that some fans view as a grittier, more physically intense alternative to WWE programming. The network airs new episodes of New Japan Pro Wrestling on Friday nights at 8p ET.In 2016, AXS hired legendary WWE announcer Jim Ross to broadcast New Japan matches for the network's weekly broadcasts. Ross, who is a part-time WWE employee, told us that Vince McMahon gave him his blessing to work for NJPW as well as WWE. Ross is currently promoting the release of his new book " target="_blank"Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling," which he wrote with Paul O'Brien. In an interview with Business Insider, AXS TV Fights CEO Andrew Simon credited the hiring of Ross with the growth of awareness about New Japan in the US. Although Simon declined to share exact viewership numbers, he said that AXS TV has experienced "double-digit growth every year since launching the series in 2015."In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Mark Cuban dismissed the idea that McMahon should be threatened by his network's foray into the squared circle. “No, he thinks we’re just little sh---,” Cuban told Sports Illustrated. “We’re not a threat because of the language. That’s the biggest challenge, the language. But if you’re a purist for wrestling, and you like the action, it’s the best promotion by far. People here aren’t going to connect as directly, but if you really love wrestling, then it’s a no-brainer.”Simon further emphasized the WWE's dominance in terms of US market share.AXS TV will broadcast New Japan Pro Wrestling's biggest show of the year — Wrestle Kingdom 12 — on Saturday, January 6 at 8p E.T. Jim Ross will call the event along with his announcing partner Josh Barnett, a former UFC Heavyweight champion and NJPW veteran. The broadcast will feature a match between NJPW superstar Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho, a veteran performer and off-and-on WWE employee who said he got Vince McMahon's blessing to participate in the event. Following is a transcript of the video.Jim Ross