Top NJPW Star Calls Out CM Punk

In which another big AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door crossover is teased...

by Andy H Murray
CM Punk KENTA
AEW/NJPW

It sounds like NJPW star KENTA is angling to step back through the Forbidden Door to AEW.

The reigning IWGP United States Champion called out CM Punk after taking the title from the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi at Saturday's Power Struggle 2021 event. Speaking at the post-show press conference, KENTA said that he was ready to put Punk to sleep:-

"After three years, I finally prove who the f*ck I am, baby. I'm the United States Champion. It doesn't matter if it's going to happen or not, but I just want to entertain you guys. I want to give you guys a home. Hey, CM Punk! I'm ready to put you to sleep."

See the foot of the page for the full promo.

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KENTA became the first NJPW wrestler to truly cross over into AEW when he attacked Jon Moxley at 3 February 2021's Beach Break event, signifying the start of a full-on working relationship between the two promotions. He went on to team with Kenny Omega to beat Moxley and Lance Archer on the following week's episode of Dynamite.

Punk and KENTA have never shared a wrestling ring before, though they share a finisher in the Go 2 Sleep. Though Punk popularised the move in the United States, it was innovated by KENTA back in 2004, with Punk adopting it later.

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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.