WWE confirmed that they have just signed the New Japan star Kushida and he will be the newest talent added to the NXT brand. Kushida appeared at NXT TakeOver: New York.
TIME is coming!
Finally I have signed with WWE.
Hello WWE/NXT universe!!
Time is running out,Oss.
05/04/2019 pic.twitter.com/MrUGrPirsh— KUSHIDA (@KUSHIDA_0904) April 6, 2019
Yujiro Kushida is a professional wrestling veteran and a former mixed martial artist. He is known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and carried the several championships for the brand. Kushida has won 2015 and 2017’s Best of the Super Juniors.
In 2016, Kushida participated in NJPW Super J-Cup and was declared the winner. Other accomplishments from the New Japan Superstar also include ROH World Television title, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title (two-time), IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion (six-time), and 2017 Pro-Wrestling World Cup winner at WCPW | Revolution Pro-Wrestling.
Kushida studied the style of Lucha Libre in Mexico. He made his professional wrestling debut on September 16, 2005. In 2007, Kushida would begin his time with All Japan Wrestling promotion, wrestling Ryuji Hijikata and T28. A year later he would team up with T28 and partake in the U-30 Tag Team Tournament. The tournament was a one-night feature tournament that featured all the up and coming young wrestling for AJPW. They would compete in the 2008 Junior Tag League for the same promotion.
Kushida would participate in the Best of the Super Juniors on May 30, 2011, for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He joined the King of Sports roster full time. During his time with NJPW, he faced several opponents such as Prince Devitt (Finn Balor), Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Jushin “Thunder Liger”, Will Ospreay, and others. On January 29, 2019, at Road To The New Beginning, Kushida’s last match at New Japan Pro-Wrestling would be against Hiroshi Tanahashi.
NXT is one of the hottest brands for WWE. Fans are overjoyed and excited to see the Japanese superstar sign with the black & gold brand. NXT streams every Wednesday at 8 PM EST on the WWE Network.
All photos & video courtesy of WWE & NJPW.