Former WWE Superstars Appear At NJPW Strong Rivals

Three former WWE Superstars made shock appearances at Thursday's NJPW Strong Rivals taping from the Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.

First to appear on the show was Mascara Dorada - the former Gran Metalik - and the luchador called out TJP following the United Empire member's win over Brogan Finlay. Dorada is set to be in action at March's Strong Style Evolved taping. 

The former Shane Thorne and Slapjack also returned to NJPW on Thursday, making his first appearance in the promotion since Wrestle Kingdom 9, and the now-Shane Haste helped JONAH and Bad Dude Tito, aligning with their stable in the process.

NJPW then saved the biggest surprise for last as Shane "Swerve" Strickland answered Jay White's US Of Jay Open Challenge in the main event, competing in his first match since his WWE release.

Strickland turned down the opportunity to join Bullet Club before the match and he went on to lose to The Switchblade. 

Dorada, Haste and Strickland were all released by WWE in November of 2021 and their 90-day non-compete clauses recently expired. 

Spoilers courtesy of Fightful and F4W Online.