On January 1 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura will do something, mere months ago, seemed highly improbable as he returns to Japan.
Nakamura will face the Great Muta as part of the latter’s Pro Wrestling NOAH retirement tour.
The tour, which ends on February 23 will see Nakamura return to NOAH for the first time since 2013.
Speaking to the Japanese language Yahoo Sports, Nakamura addressed how the match came together, saying:
“I was like, “No way. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think it would happen.”
“It was something that would never have happened under the previous structure of the WWE.
“Noah came to me with the idea, and we discussed it, but my answer was no.
“Vince (McMahon) stepped down in the summer, and I was advised by people within the company that it might be possible now.
“I still thought it would be difficult, but I even talked directly to Triple H.
“When the decision was actually made, I was shaken.”
Vince McMahon’s decision to retire from his role in WWE saw a change of management within WWE.
Nakamura reflected on this, stating:
“There was a big change in the WWE between when Mutoh announced his retirement and when the match was decided.
“Vince, who was the symbol of everything, was retiring, and that was something that no one could believe.
“Everything changes in America when the top changes.
“At that time, there was a feeling that many things would change in the future.
“One of the changes that occurred to me was this.
“The fact that ‘no’ became ‘yes’ gave me a boost.”
Shinsuke’s return to Pro Wrestling NOAH isn’t the only appearance by a WWE in a major promotion, with Karl Anderson scheduled to appear at NJPW’s WrestleKingdom in January.
Transcript from Fightful.
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