Several Names Including Current NJPW Champion On WWE's Radar
The talent recruitment shows no signs of stopping...
WWE are signing as many of the world's best professional wrestlers as they can at the moment - and this aggressive recruitment policy appears to include big names from New Japan Pro Wrestling if a report in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter is correct.
Dave Meltzer is reporting that among other names, current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA is on WWE's radar, with his NJPW contract running out at the end of next month. It's been reported online in the past that Triple H is a massive fan of KUSHIDA, so a move for the 35-year-old wouldn't be completely out of the blue.
Here's what Dave had to say in the latest Observer Newsletter: "Karen Q, Rachael Ellering and Kushida are on WWE’s radar. Jonah Rock is expected to start in January along with ACH and Trevor Lee.
"Kushida is a name has been talked about for weeks and we’ve been hearing more and more about it. Kushida is the current IWGP jr. champion and faces Taiji Ishimori at the Tokyo Dome. He’s under contract to New Japan until the end of January so we shouldn’t be hearing his name, but WWE has been more forward about trying to get people and not caring about contracts."
"This isn’t to say this is a done deal, just a name WWE is earmarking but enough that unlike other New Japan guys who they are after, this is one where the confidence level is at the point where it’s being talked about more prominently."
Dave also notes that if signed, KUSHIDA could be heading for NXT.
Dave Meltzer is reporting that among other names, current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA is on WWE's radar, with his NJPW contract running out at the end of next month. It's been reported online in the past that Triple H is a massive fan of KUSHIDA, so a move for the 35-year-old wouldn't be completely out of the blue.
Here's what Dave had to say in the latest Observer Newsletter: "Karen Q, Rachael Ellering and Kushida are on WWE’s radar. Jonah Rock is expected to start in January along with ACH and Trevor Lee.
"Kushida is a name has been talked about for weeks and we’ve been hearing more and more about it. Kushida is the current IWGP jr. champion and faces Taiji Ishimori at the Tokyo Dome. He’s under contract to New Japan until the end of January so we shouldn’t be hearing his name, but WWE has been more forward about trying to get people and not caring about contracts."
"This isn’t to say this is a done deal, just a name WWE is earmarking but enough that unlike other New Japan guys who they are after, this is one where the confidence level is at the point where it’s being talked about more prominently."
Dave also notes that if signed, KUSHIDA could be heading for NXT.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin
