KUSHIDA: There Was No Demand For Me To Wrestle At Heavyweight In NJPW, There Is Demand In US
KUSHIDA talks moving up to heavyweight.
KUSHIDA is one of the most decorated junior heavyweights in New Japan history as a six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. When KUSHIDA returned to NJPW in 2022 following his WWE departure, fans wondered if he might end up in the heavyweight division to create new matchups that had not been seen.
Speaking to Jeremy Lambert & Joel Pearl on In The Weeds, KUSHIDA commented on wrestling at heavyweight and why it didn’t happen in NJPW.
“Yes, of course,” he said when asked if he wanted to wrestle at heavyweight. “For some reason, there is no demand for this in New Japan. Here in the United States, I feel there is a demand for me to compete at heavyweight wrestlers and beat them. In 2024, I will actually prove it.”
Fans got a taste of KUSHIDA at heavyweight at IMPACT Rebellion 2023 when he faced Steve Maclin for the IMPACT World Championship.
KUSHIDA will look to add to his junior heavyweight resume at TNA Hard to Kill when he challenges Chris Sabin for the TNA X-Division Championship in a triple threat match that also features El Hijo del Vikingo.
Fans can watch TNA Hard to Kill on Triller TV. Fans can check out the lineup for TNA Hard to Kill by clicking here.
Watch the full interview with KUSHIDA in the video above.
