Three former WWE Superstar made surprise appearances at the NJPW STRONG Rivals tapings in Hollywood.
First, Mascara Dorada appeared and called out TJP following his match with Brogan Finlay. The former-Gran Metalik and TJP did battle a number of times in WWE on 205 Live and Main Event.
Mascara Dorada was released by WWE on November 4, 2021, and has only competed once since then, losing in a fatal four-way match at GCW/Loko Fight Club 2: Houston. He was recently announced as coming to NJPW Strong Style Evolved on March 20.
MASCARA DORADA at NJPW Rivals. -- pic.twitter.com/y1R43KdduT
— Denise 'Hollywood Elite' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) February 18, 2022
Additionally, Shane Haste (formerly Shane Thorne in WWE) made his presence felt when he came out to assist JONAH and Bad Dude Tito.
Haste was released by WWE on November 18, 2021, with tonight being his first appearance outside of the company. He last wrestled on September 24 in a dark match against Austin Theory.
Shane Thorne just appeared on NJPW Strong Rivals. pic.twitter.com/zxr9ivUeyw
— Denise 'Hollywood Elite' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) February 18, 2022
.@ShaneTMDK aligns himself with @JONAHISHERE & @BADDUDEtito. Is this TMDK? #NJPWRivals pic.twitter.com/VVO2jP3nOX
— Jim Velasco (@TheJimmyV) February 18, 2022
Finally, at tonight's event, Bullet Club leader Jay White issued his U-S-of-Jay Open Challenge, which was answered by Shane “Swerve” Strickland. Prior to the bout, Swerve turned down White's offer to join the famed NJPW faction. This was Swerve’s first match since being released by WWE this past November.
Up next on Strickland’s schedule is an appearance at Terminus 2, which is set to go down on February 24. Click here to learn more about the event.
He is also scheduled for the April 16 Wrestling Revolver show called ‘Swerve’s House.’
Shane Strickland on NJPW Strong Rivals. ------ pic.twitter.com/HNaoCa8bS8
— Denise 'Hollywood Elite' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) February 18, 2022
.@swerveconfident answers the US of Jay challenge from @JayWhiteNZ... then rejects his offer to join the Bullet Club. #NJPWRivals pic.twitter.com/yT6qKGfp9L
— Jim Velasco (@TheJimmyV) February 18, 2022
Fightful will have complete spoiler results from NJPW STRONG Rivals as soon as they become available.
