News

Former WWE Star Making NJPW Debut This Month

By Craig Ballantyne • Published 14th August 2023
NJPW logo

A controversial former WWE star is making his way to an NJPW ring for the first time in August 2023.

Enzo Amore, now going by the ring name ‘Real1’ has been added to the card for the upcoming USA leg of the All Star Jr. Festival. The event is the sequel to the multi-promotional show that took place in Japan on Match 1st and featured the top Junior – aka Cruiserweight – wrestlers from over 20 different companies.

The USA show is taking a similar approach, with talent from AEW, CMLL, DDT, and IMPACT wrestling already having been announced as well as multiple New Japan stars.

Amore will be part of a 6-Man Tag match which will see him teaming with Jack Cartwheel and Starboy Charlie to take on Rich Swann, Ryusuke Taguchi, and The DKC.

Amore was a hugely popular act in NXT alongside Big Cass – now AEW’s Big Bill. The pair moved up to the main roster in 2016, but in 2017, Amore was moved to 205 Live with conflicting reports over whether it was because of the star’s backstage issues or simply to try to improve the Cruiserweight brand’s viewing figures.

In January 2018, Amore was suspended and then released due to not informing the company of a sexual harassment investigation against him. The charges against the star were later dropped.

Since then, he has made numerous appearances on the independent circuit and in Major League Wrestling.

NJPW All Star Jr. Festival USA card so far

  • All Star Jr. Festival USA Tournament first round: Kevin Knight vs. Clark Connors
  • All Star Jr. Festival USA Tournament first round: Francesco Akira vs. ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey
  • All Star Jr. Festival USA Tournament Final
  • Matt Sydal & YOH vs. BUSHI & Shun Skywalker
  • Lucky Dip Tag Match – Tag team partners to be decided by random drawing in the ring: Kosei Fujita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Alex Shelley, Robbie Eagles, Ace Austin Chris Bey, TJP, Cheeseburger
  • Mao & El Desperado vs. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne
  • Philly Cheesesteak Cup 3-Way Tag Team Ladder Match: Hiromu Takahashi & Rocky Romero vs. Master Wato & Blake Christian vs. DOUKI & Low Rider