KUSHIDA Makes NJPW Return, Vows To End His Career With New Japan

Following Taiji Ishimori’s successful defence of the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship over Hiromu Takahashi in the main event of the June 21st New Japan Road event, KUSHIDA made his shocking return to the promotion, confronting Ishimori and putting himself first in line for the next shot at the gold.

Kushida competed in his final NJPW match on January 29th, 2019, before sealing a move to WWE, where he would compete on the NXT, until the expiration of his contract in April of this year.

Kushida is certainly no stranger to the IWGP Jr Heavyweight division, being a former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and two-time Best of the Super Juniors winner. Kushida also captured WWE’s Cruiserweight Championship during his stint with the company.

The returning star made his NJPW status clear upon his arrival, indicating that he plans on staying with NJPW until the end of his wrestling career.

“It’s been a while. I’m KUSHIDA. And I just signed a NJPW contract. I’m BACK! I will spend the rest of my pro- wrestling life in an NJPW ring.”

-KUSHIDA

KUSHIDA also confirmed that he will be moving from Orlando, Florida to Los Angeles, and plans on flying in and out of Japan for each of his matches.

We certainly look forward to seeing KUSHIDA freshening up NJPW’s Jr Heavyweight division, with a bout against current champion Taiji Ishimori seemingly set for the near future.