Jon Moxley Vs. Yuji Nagata Announced For May 12 AEW Dynamite
The IWGP US Title will be on the line
IWGP United States champion Jon Moxley will defend his championship against New Japan legend Yuji Nagata on the May 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, as was announced during tonight's episode of Dynamite.
Earlier in April, Moxley called out Nagata, hand-picking the NJPW icon for a title match. As NJPW wrote in their release, "Jon Moxley nominated Nagata himself in a video distributed on social media, asking Nagata to ‘bring his six shooter’, while Nagata would respond that ‘real wrestlers have no need for cheap weapons, they rely on their brawn’."
The 53-year-old Nagata has never held the IWGP US title, but his promotional resume is staggering regardless. In addition to being a two-time IWGP Heavyweight champion, Nagata has twice held the IWGP Tag Team titles, reigned as NEVER Openweight champion, won two New Japan Cups (2007 and 2011), won two G1 Tag Leagues (2000 and 2010), and won the 2001 G1 Climax.
This wouldn't be Nagata's first-ever match on TNT. In 1997-98, Nagata wrestled regularly for WCW, and had televised matches with the likes of Chris Jericho, Booker T, Ultimo Dragon, and Goldberg, among many others.
This will be Moxley's fourth defense of the US title in his current reign. He previously retained the gold over Juice Robinson, Minoru Suzuki, and KENTA.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
