Real Reason Kushida Quit WWE Revealed

The latest on Kushida's departure from WWE, including why he chose to walk...

Kushida WWE
WWE

News that Kushida had left WWE broke earlier this week, with the Japanese star departing the promotion following the expiration of the initial three-year deal he signed with the market leaders in 2019.

WWE's internal belief that Kushida was departing the promotion to return to return to New Japan Pro Wrestling in June was reported soon after this. Now, the reason behind his Stamford exit has come to light.

Per Joe Lanza of The Flagship Wrestling Podcast, Kushida, who had stayed in touch with several NJPW wrestlers after leaving the company for WWE in 2019, had shown displeasure at the way he was booked following NXT's developmental shift in September 2021. Specifically citing the maligned Jacket Time comedy act with Ikemen Jiro as something he didn't enjoy, the 38-year-old felt that following NXT's transformation into NXT 2.0, the new creative regime wasn't as behind him as the previous one was. Thus, he decided to leave.

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Having departed Japan on good terms, Kushida reportedly didn't fancy his chances of becoming a major star in WWE. Nonetheless, he wanted to take a crack at American wrestling while still in his physical prime. Amongst the reasons for his initial NJPW departure were a general feeling of stagnation in the junior heavyweight division and a lack of opportunities to compete as a heavyweight.

And on the New Japan front, Kushida has already been in contact with his former home, pitching ideas to the bookers. The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is specifically interested in dropping his old Back to the Future-inspired gimmick, working heel, joining a faction, and doing an MMA-inspired character. He is interested in working for leading indie group GLEAT, too, with STRONGHEARTS leader CIMA among his desired opponents.

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Lanza notes that Kushida's friends in NJPW are treating his return as a given. Nothing is guaranteed at this stage, as he is still a free agent, though his communication with the promotion bodes well for a comeback.

As Kushida left at the end of his contract rather than being released ahead of it, he isn't bound to a non-compete clause.

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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.