When Shinsuke Nakamura left NJPW for WWE in 2016, he was still the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Nakamura successfully defended the title against AJ Styles, who was also leaving for WWE, at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Instead of dropping the belt to another competitor, Nakamura simply vacated the title.
On the latest Wrestlers Ordering Room Service, Kenny Omega revealed he was supposed to beat Nakamura for the title, but the plan was nixed.
"That was one of the demands, on their side. I was always really cool with Shinsuke. The way the locker room is divided up, friends change with friends. Shinsuke was always in our room together. He was one of our guys. I don't ever want to think it was like, 'I don't want to lose to you before I go to WWE.' I don't think it was that. I think it was a demand like, 'You have to come now. Sorry if you have a belt. That's just how it is,'" said Omega.
Omega would win the vacant title at The New Beginning in Nigata in February 2016, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi. Omega held the title until June when he lost to Michael Elgin.
Elsewhere during the conversation, Omega and The Young Bucks discussed The OC leaving NJPW for WWE. You can find their comments on the departure by clicking here.
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