Shinsuke Nakamura Set For Pro Wrestling NOAH Return On January 1
The WWE Superstar has an intriguing opponent for his NOAH return.
Oct 15, 2024
WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura is set to make his NOAH return. The Japanese promotion released a video of Nakamura announcing that he'll be on the card of The New Year 2025. He stated:
"NOAH, it's been a while. After that miraculous fight, WWE’s SHINSUKE NAKAMURA will return to Nippon Budokan on New Year's Day! Who will be standing in front of me?"
His opponent has since been revealed: former MMA fighter Ulka Sasaki, who has fought in promotions such as the UFC and Rizin.
Sasaki made his pro wrestling debut in November 2023 and has quickly become a regular member of the NOAH roster.
Nakamura hasn't wrestled a televised match in WWE since losing to Sheamus on an April episode of Raw. However, he remains a part of live events.
He made a similar NOAH cameo at The New Year 2023, defeating The Great Muta.
Nakamura's recent absence from WWE TV perhaps reflects a perceived ceiling for the former New Japan great. Although WWE have pushed him to the main event scene several times, he has never been booked to win a world title. Despite this, he has captured several titles since debuting for WWE in 2016, including the Intercontinental, United States and NXT championships. He also won the men's Royal Rumble match in 2018.
