Kushida Faces JD Drake At EVOLVE 133; Challenges Drew Gulak For Cruiserweight Title At EVOLVE 134

Opponents named for Kushida’s upcoming EVOLVE matches.

WWE and EVOLVE announced that Kushida will face JD Drake at EVOLVE 133 on Aug. 24. The next night at EVOLVE 134, Kushida will challenge Drew Gulak for the WWE Cruiserweight Title. 

NXT Superstar Kushida’s dance card for EVOLVE Wrestling’s weekend of events on Aug. 24-25 has filled up in a big way.

The Japanese icon, who’s been on a tear since signing with NXT earlier this year, will first take on former WWN Champion JD Drake on Saturday, Aug. 24., at EVOLVE 133 in Livonia, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. WWE fans will remember Drake for his hard-hitting performance against Austin Theory at the EVOLVE 10th Anniversary Celebration, which streamed live on WWE Network last month.

The next night, at EVOLVE 134 in Chicago, Kushida will renew his rivalry with Drew Gulak when he challenges The Philadelphia Stretcher for the WWE Cruiserweight Title. Gulak issued a challenge to Kushida on Twitter after Kushida was announced for EVOLVE’s upcoming events, writing that he “still owe[s]” the submission specialist, a seeming reference to Kushida’s 2-0 record against Gulak on NXT TV this year.

Kushida will also take part in meet-and-greets for both nights.

Fightful will have results from both nights following the conclusion of each event.