5 NJPW Wrestlers Who Must Open The Forbidden Door To AEW Next
4. Shota Umino
Ideal match: with Jon Moxley vs. Men Of The Year
Shota Umino is currently on excursion in the United Kingdom, wrestling for New Japan partner Revolution Pro Wrestling, but when he does eventually reappear in Japan (presumably under a new guise), Umino should be New Japan-bound alongside Jon Moxley.
The friendship between the pair blossomed during Mox's initial time in the heralded promotion. Beginning with a loss to the 'Purveyor of Violence' at the 2019 Dominion event, the former AEW World Champion essentially took the Young Lion under his wing, offering him some additional training alongside what he learned in the New Japan Dojo, though this would cease once AEW Dynamite started airing. Moxley simply didn't have the time.
Now, maybe he does.
Although Jon is currently aligned with Eddie Kingston, a one-off reunion with the 'Shooter' to tangle with the Men Of The Year seems right. A story could easily be built off of Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky bullying Umino, before he's saved by Jon Moxley.
The fan demand for it is there, it's something that could easily be pulled off (particularly with UK residents now allowed back into the United States from November), and Umino could use the experience. One last ride for the Death Riders.