Returning NJPW Star Free To Make Independent Appearances

KUSHIDA made shockwaves on his recent return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Now it has been reported that the former NXT star is allowed to take bookings outside of the promotion.

On June 21st at the last New Japan Road event before Forbidden Door on June 26th, the one-time Junior Ace of NJPW made his return to the promotion after a three-year absence. At the show, ‘The Time Splitter’ made his way to the ring to confront Taiji Ishimori, who had just successfully retained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in a war with Hiromu Takahashi.

While fans were excited to see KUSHIDA come back to the cerulean blue ring, Dave Meltzer has reported in a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that the six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion won’t be restricted to NJPW. The star is seemingly available for independent work and might even be able to make appearances for AEW.

“Because he lives 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. Perhaps AEW as well.”

After years on top of New Japan’s Junior Division, KUSHIDA signed with WWE in 2019. He made his in-ring debut for the company with a win over Kassius Ohno – now better known as Chris Hero – on the April 10th edition of NXT.

Following his return to Japanese wrestling, it has been announced that he will make his return to a New Japan ring on July 3rd. He will team with his longtime ally Hiroshi Tanahashi and Alex Zayne to take on Bullet Club’s KENTA, Gedo, and Taiji Ishimori.