KUSHIDA has arrived.
Earlier today, Triple H and William Regal announced that NXT has officially signed former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA. Triple H called KUSHIDA, "one of the biggest international stars in the world" during the announcement video, which you can view below.
KUSHIDA thanked Triple H and William Regal for the opportunity, before saying he's ready to do his best.
With @TripleH & @RealKingRegal looking on, international Superstar @KUSHIDA_0904 signs his #WWENXT contract! pic.twitter.com/aCaDOCQIrC
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 5, 2019
As expected, KUSHIDA was shown in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: New York. He received a big ovation from the NXT Universe.
Welcome to @WWENXT, @KUSHIDA_0904! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/W1cReXNh9A
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2019
KUSHIDA wrestled his last match in NJPW on Jan. 29, losing to then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. Following the bout, NJPW wrestlers wished KUSHI well as he departed from the company. You can view their comments here.
In a January interview, KUSHIDA stated he had no complaints with NJPW as a company, but felt it was time for him to move on. He had been with NJPW since 2010 when he entered the annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament. During his time in NJPW, he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title six times and is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
NXT is set to hold their TakeOver: New York event in less than an hour. Fightful will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
