13 Ups & 3 Downs From NJPW Dominion 6.9 2019

3. KENTA Arrives In New Japan

KENTA NJPW Dominion
NJPW

It's always nice to see Katsuyori Shibata, whose entrance music hit soon after the LIJ vs. Guerrillas of Destiny match, before the great man strode halfway down the ramp, stopped, pointed to the entrance way, then introduced NJPW's latest acquisition: KENTA.

The former Hideo Itami's arrival was shocking. Absolutely shocking. All promotional jumps are in Japan, where loyalty is a huge deal, and while many assumed KENTA would march back into Pro Wrestling NOAH after his WWE release, he's finally with the country's biggest promotion. KENTA was NOAH's ace for the longest time, and one of the only things worth watching when the emerald promotion was at its worst. For him to just show up, unannounced, at Dominion 6.9 is huge news.

KENTA's short promo saw him announce his participation in the G1 Climax. "To say KENTA has something to prove at this stage in his career would be an understatement," said Kevin Kelly, and he's absolutely right. His WWE run was a rank disappointment. Injuries, the dilution of his style, and a host of other destructive factors ground him down in America. Whether or not he still has what it takes to cut it at the highest level remains to be seen, but finding out is going to be fun as hell.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.