Attitude Era WWE Star Makes Surprise NXT Cameo
Long-time WWE fans tuned into NXT might have been shocked to see a familiar face from decades ago helping out the company’s newest star.
After months of waiting, Giulia finally arrived in WWE at No Mercy where she confronted NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. The Japanese-Italian star made her intentions clear as she challenged Perez to a title match on the first edition of NXT on the CW Network.
That challenge came after Giulia wiped out Chelsea Green who had tried to confront Perez but it seems Green won’t be in the running for the title anytime soon.
On the 10th of September edition of NXT, Giulia made her in-ring WWE debut as she took on Chelsea Green in a one-on-one bout. The former NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion picked up the win with a northern lights bomb but her night was not over.
Later in the night, Giulia was seen talking with NXT General Manager Ava in her office when Roxanne Perez burst in to confront her next challenger. However, long-time fans will have taken more notice of the fact that former Kai En Tai member Funaki was in the room to translate for Giulia. In the end, Funaki’s services were not needed as Giulia cut a promo on Perez in English.
"You're scared, and you should be."
Thanks for the help @shofufu824, but Giulia wanted to send this message to @roxanne_wwe personally! 😤@giulia0221g#WWENXTpic.twitter.com/EDiecihmzB
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2024
Who Is WWE Star Funaki?
Funaki burst into WWE in 1998 along with Men’s Teioh and Dick Togo and Mr Yamaguchi as Kai En Tai, immediately starting a feud with Taka Michinoku. Michinoku then joined the group and Kai En Tai was part of an infamous feud with Val Venis that led to the group trying to chop off something very precious to The Big Valbowski.
Michinoku and Funaki survived as the last two members of the group and found popularity with fans through their dubbed promos that mimicked old kung-fu films and have not aged well.
Funaki became part of the SmackDown cruiserweight division throughout the 2000s and captured the WWE Cruiserweight Title in 2004 when he defeated Spike Dudley at Armageddon.
His last match in the company came in 2010 when he was part of the pre-show battle royal at WrestleMania 26. Since 2016 the star has been working for WWE as a Japanese language colour commentator.