Francesco Akira Says AEW TV Plans Were Nixed Due To Visa Issues

NJPW

IWGP Jr Tag Team Champion Francesco Akira has revealed there were plans for him to appear with the United Empire faction on AEW TV ahead of Forbidden Door.

At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 26, the leader of the United Empire, Will Ospreay, defended his IWGP US Title against Orange Cassidy.

Also on the show, faction members Jeff Cobb & Great O’Khan dropped their IWGP Tag Team Championship to FTR in a match where both the IWGP and ROH Tag Team titles were on the line.

Speaking with Cultaholic, the IWGP Jr Tag Team Champion noted that visa issues prevented him from traveling to the US to join the rest of his stable on AEW TV.

When asked if there were ever plans for him to appear alongside the rest of the United Empire, Akira said:

“There was, but unfortunately we’re working on my visa stuff now, because I’ve never been to the U.S, but I just joined New Japan. There’s a process you need to do before getting to America. I think Forbidden Door was one of the greatest shows of the last ten years to me.

“Every match delivered, especially the United Empire matches. We’re working on it, I would love to come to America especially for STRONG and defend (these) championship(s) too with TJP in America.”

Akira and TJP won the IWGP Jr Tag Team Championship during the June 20 New Japan Road show, defeating Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato for the gold.

Transcription via Fightful. 

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• Francesco Akira
• Forbidden Door
• NJPW
• AEW

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