Published: Jan 3, 2024 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: Jan 3, 2024 by Sanchez Taylor
Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.
WWE
Here’s what happened during Wednesday’s huge WWE vs AJPW interpromotional match, featuring rising NXT star Charlie Dempsey.
With it initially announced that a WWE NXT star would face the AJPW Triple Crown Champion at the promotion’s January 3, 2024 show, William Regal himself later announced that his son Charlie Dempsey would be the WWE representative for this match.
Ahead of the bout, Dempsey vowed to bring the AJPW Triple Crown Championship back to WWE, stating that he’d be the bridge between the two promotions.
Dempsey ultimately had a good showing in his match against Katsuhiko Nakajima, who was coming off a successful title defence over Kento Miyahara on December 31.
Referred to as the Ace of NXT, Dempsey traded holds with Nakajima. You can watch highlights of the match below.
Dempsey also appeared to win the crowd over, with the audience chanting for the NXT star early on in the bout.
Nakajima ended up winning the match, defeating Dempsey to retain the AJPW Triple Crown Championship.
Dempsey won’t leave Japan winless, with the grappler picking up a tag-team victories while teaming with Yuma Anzai at both the December 31 AJPW Mania X 2023 event, and the January 2 New Year Giant Series show.
Charlie Dempsey last wrestled for WWE on the December 13 edition of NXT, unsuccessfully challenging for the NXT North American Title in a threeway bout against Joe Coffey and champion Dragon Lee.
＼🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️／
Charlie Dempsey entrance !!!
◆第6試合 メインイベント 三冠ヘビー級選手権試合 60分1本勝負
【第71代王者】
中嶋勝彦
vs
【挑戦者】
チャーリー・デンプシー📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/bTw8q6roA8
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
＼🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️／
ファーストコンタクトは中嶋勝彦の強烈な蹴り！！！
会場からは “let's go Dempsey” コールが巻き起こる！
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/6SooYLvKJO
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
＼🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️／
デンプシーが独特の動きを見せる！
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/Qpjkd63hgZ
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
＼🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️／
デンプシーが中嶋の足を極めにいくも
黙っていられないと反撃！📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/7n5uBtByT7
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
＼🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️／
会場は変わらずデンプシーコール！
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/iAs0S9TGeK
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
After an 18 minute match, Katsuhiko Nakajima has thankfully beaten Charlie Dempsey to retain the AJPW Triple Crown in Korakuen Hall.pic.twitter.com/y7vKbHW4ta
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) January 3, 2024
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