Kushida Planning To Base NJPW Run Out Of The United States

Kushida made his return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at the recent NJPW Road event. The Time Splitter immediately called out IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori. The two appear to be on a collision course for the title that Kushida has held on six occasions.

As he chases the title, Kushida is planning to base his run with NJPW out of the United States. On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed his plans. Kushida hopes to move to Los Angeles, where he can remain active both in NJPW and in the US scene.

“… After the match, Ishimori is doing his promo, Kushida’s music plays, Kushida comes out, you know, basically says he’s back and since then he’s explained his situation.

So, his situation is that he said he’s not going heel. He doesn’t want to be a heavyweight. He’s back for the junior heavyweight championship. Obviously, with Ishimori, he came out to confront him. They’re building up the match already with the upcoming lineups.

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He lives in Orlando right now, because everyone in NXT lives in Orlando and he’s going to move to Los Angeles, so he wants to stay in the United States. He does not want to move back to Japan. The idea is he will fly back for Japanese tours and also work because he’s in Los Angeles, he’ll work most of the United States New Japan shows. He would also be available for independent work in the United States now and you know, perhaps AEW as well. So, that’s the basic situation with Kushida.”

Fans of Kushida who were worried they might not get to see him wrestle in the US should be pleased with the news. It sounds like he will be a regular for NJPW Strong and possibly even make appearances for AEW. Kushida may be done with WWE, but he should still be very visible in the US going forward.

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Transcription by Ringside News