Former WWE Title-Holder Heading To IMPACT Wrestling

Another big name confirmed for IMPACT's Derby City Rumble event.

by Andy H Murray
IMPACT Wrestling Derby City Rumble
IMPACT Wrestling

Recent New Japan Pro Wrestling returnee KUSHIDA is heading to IMPACT Wrestling.

The former WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion has been announced for the Anthem-helmed promotion's Derby City Rumble events in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July.

As confirmed by IMPACT, but Japanese star will work both days of the television tapings:-

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KUSHIDA is currently back in NJPW following a 21 June return, where he revealed he had re-signed with the promotion in which he rose to global prominence in the first place. The six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion took aim at current title-holder Taiji Ishimori following the Bullet Club member's victory over Hiromu Takahashi in his comeback angle.

January 2019 saw KUSHIDA leave NJPW after effectively becoming stuck in the company's junior heavyweight division with limited prospects of ever advancing to heavyweight. He signed with WWE three months later, appearing in the live crowd at NXT TakeOver: New York, before becoming a full-time black-and-gold roster member.

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Though he was Cuirserweight Champion for 161 days in 2021, KUSHIDA, like many other experienced wrestlers, suffered greatly through NXT's transformation into NXT 2.0, finding himself saddled with the one-note Jacket Time comedy gimmick. His initial three-year WWE contract expired on 18 April 2022.

Derby City Rumble will be the first time KUSHIDA has worked under the IMPACT Wrestling banner.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.