Johnny IMPACT Possibly Heading To NJPW

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Johnny IMPACT has inquired about a move to New Japan Pro Wrestling. This hasn't come as out of the blue as you might initially believe, as it's also claimed there has been past interest in Mr IMPACT from NJPW but his contract status at the time, and affiliation with AAA which went against NJPW's hiring policy, made any potential deal impossible. New Japan liked to take their Mexico-based talent from CMLL back then, but this stance isn't as strict today.

It looks like life for the former three-time WWE Intercontinental Champion is about to become very busy indeed, as he's going to be seen on the fourth season of Lucha Underground (already recorded, of course) while an appearance on TV's Survivor is also in the offing - he stepped away from wrestling in the early part of this year in order to film the show.

Mr IMPACT was last on IMPACT in a match against Kongo Kong that aired on April 19. His absence from the company since has been due to a (kayfabe?) injury angle involving Kong and Jimmy Jacobs. It remains to be seen whether he gets back in an IMPACT ring once again, but at the time of writing, he is still listed on the active roster page on the company's official website.

After that spell away from the ring earlier in the year, Mr IMPACT appeared for Rey Mysterio's Lucha Mayhem promotion on May 12 in a losing effort. IMPACT teamed with Brian Cage against Mysterio and WCW stalwart, Psychosis.