Former WWE Star Wins Championship In NJPW Singles Debut

NJPW

Former WWE star Matt Riddle scored a major victory at Friday’s (February 23) NJPW New Beginning In Sapporo event, leaving the arena with gold.

Riddle made his NJPW debut via video at January’s New Year Dash event, issuing a challenge to NJPW World Television Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.

The Original Bro challenged for Tanahashi’s title during his first NJPW singles match on Friday’s New Beginning in Sapporo show.

To the surprise of some, Riddle defeated Tanahashi, pinning the NJPW President to win his first championship in Japan.

You can watch the closing moments of the match below.

Another former WWE star won gold during this show, which you can read more about right here.

Riddle was released by WWE during the September 2023 round of cuts.

Following his New Year Dash 2024 video appearance, Riddle made his NJPW in-ring debut during the January 13 Battle in the Valley pay-per-view in San Jose, California.

During this show, Riddle teamed with Jeff Cobb to defeat Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr.

Hiroshi Tanahashi appointed as NJPW President and Representative Director in December 2023.

Tanahashi has revealed his goals for NJPW in 2024, which you can read more about right here.

Holy sh…. !!! Matt Riddle in his debut match at #njpw has just dethroned Hiroshi Tanahashi with the "BroDerek" to become the new NJPW TV Champion at The New Beginning In Sapporo #njnbg pic.twitter.com/jApwPzLl3O

— ERD Wrestling (@ERD_Wrestling) February 23, 2024

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• NEW BEGINNING
• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• NJPW
• Matt Riddle
• wwe

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