WWE Confirm KUSHIDA Signing

'Time Splitter' was in attendance at NXT TakeOver: New York.

by Benjamin Richardson
Triple H KUSHIDA
WWE

Major news was already spilling out of Brooklyn's Barclays Center before NXT TakeOver New York even kicked off last night, as WWE confirmed the arrival of Japanese star KUSHIDA during the pre-show.

The company showed the Time Splitter signing his new NXT contract alongside Triple H and William Regal, before the man himself was spotted in the crowd during the match between Matt Riddle and Velveteen Dream. An in-crowd cameo has become the traditional way to introduce new talent to the so-called 'developmental' brand.

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KUSHIDA's signing is a real coup for the company. The 35-year-old had been a star of New Japan's Junior Heavyweight division for the best part of the last decade, having won the division's top title six times as well as the Best of the Super Juniors tournament on two occasions.

It was reported this past January that KUSHIDA was dissatisfied with his direction in New Japan, and decided to seek fresh pastures when his plan to join the Bullet Club was turned down by booker Gedo. It had been widely expected he would sign on the dotted line with Stamford since his departure.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.