Three WWE NXT Stars Attend NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed
Did they get permission?
New Japan Pro Wrestling made another trip to the United States over the weekend, with their Fighting Spirit Unleashed show taking place at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
On a night where the likes of Cody and Juice Robinson contested the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, and The Golden Lovers took on the Chaos team of Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, you would expect many big names to turn out for the event. However, three people who were spotted at the show certainly took this writer by surprise, as three members of the WWE NXT crew were spotted soaking in the action.
NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane, new signing Io Shirai, and commentator Mauro Ranallo were all spotted in the crowd at the event. Sane and Shirai were caught on camera in the front row on the ramp during a couple of entrances, while PWInsider also confirmed the news that Mauro was sitting ringside too.
Obviously, you would have to think that all three Superstars had to get some form of clearance from WWE before attending the event. If they didn't, then your mind can't help but think back to 2008 when an unsuspecting Robbie McAllister of The Highlanders was caught in the crowd on an episode of TNA Impact! This reportedly had a WWE official calling him and ordering that he leave immediately, which he did - there were no sightings of Sane, Shirai or Ranallo heading for the exits in a hurry. After all, WWE are much more accommodating to other companies compared to how they were back in 2008.
On a night where the likes of Cody and Juice Robinson contested the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, and The Golden Lovers took on the Chaos team of Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, you would expect many big names to turn out for the event. However, three people who were spotted at the show certainly took this writer by surprise, as three members of the WWE NXT crew were spotted soaking in the action.
NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane, new signing Io Shirai, and commentator Mauro Ranallo were all spotted in the crowd at the event. Sane and Shirai were caught on camera in the front row on the ramp during a couple of entrances, while PWInsider also confirmed the news that Mauro was sitting ringside too.
Obviously, you would have to think that all three Superstars had to get some form of clearance from WWE before attending the event. If they didn't, then your mind can't help but think back to 2008 when an unsuspecting Robbie McAllister of The Highlanders was caught in the crowd on an episode of TNA Impact! This reportedly had a WWE official calling him and ordering that he leave immediately, which he did - there were no sightings of Sane, Shirai or Ranallo heading for the exits in a hurry. After all, WWE are much more accommodating to other companies compared to how they were back in 2008.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin
