Report: KUSHIDA Unhappy With NXT 2.0 Role, Has Pitched NJPW Repackage

A new report has claimed that KUSHIDA was critical of the way he was used in NXT 2.0 and has been pitching ideas for a return to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Reports emerged on April 18th that KUSHIDA had parted ways with WWE following the expiration of his contract. The Japanese star joined the company back in 2019 and later became Cruiserweight Champion.

During his time in WWE, KUSHIDA wrestled on NXT and later NXT 2.0, but never joined the main roster. While he hasn’t commented publicly on his current status, reports have already begun to emerge concerning his future.

Before joining WWE, KUSHIDA was a huge part of the Junior Heavyweight division of NJPW where he captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on six occasions as well as becoming a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Now that he has left WWE, the star is reportedly eyeing a return to NJPW, but with some changes in mind.

According to a report on Voice of Wrestling’s Patreon page, KUSHIDA has been pitching ideas for his NJPW comeback. These include joining the Heavyweight Division, using a mixed martial arts style gimmick, and forming part of a heel faction.

Meanwhile, Voices of Wrestling’s ‘The Flagship’ podcast has shed some light on the reasons behind the star’s decision to leave WWE. They note that the NXT relaunch as NXT 2.0 was a major turning point in where he saw his future.

After the change to NXT 2.0, KUSHIDA began teaming with Ikemen Jiro as Jacket Time and taking on a more comedic role than before. This is said to have led to him “frequently expressing his displeasure with the way he had been used.”