WWE opens Forbidden Doors to massive collaborations for the New Year with AJPW’s president Tsuyoki Fukuda

WWE is sending an undisclosed NXT talent, vying for the Triple Crown Championship at AJPW's January 3, 2024, event.

WWE opens Forbidden Doors to massive collaborations for the New Year with AJPW’s president Tsuyoki Fukuda

WWE and AJPW President Tsuyoki Fukuda (via BVM Sports)

This year saw the boom of professional wrestling, with WWE’s major influence in it. Now that the promotion is at its peak and has gained the fans’ confidence, they might be in line to try out some new ideas. The awaited WWE’s Forbidden Door to be opened was hinted at by AJPW with massive collaboration news.

The Tokyo-based promotion, All Japan Pro Wrestling, posted a video on their social handles named, ‘Hello WWE!?’ The video showed AJPW President Tsuyoki Fukuda getting a call from WWE higher-up informing about an NXT star’s bout on January 3 at AJPW’s New Year Giant Series. Tsuyoki stated it to be a ‘call-back’ referring to a previous discussion that had happened between them regarding this possible partnership.

YouTube video

The plan discussed on that call now sees a ‘submission assassin’ with his ‘killer catch style’ from NXT vying for the Triple Crown Championship. The opponent would depend on the winner between Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kento Miyahara‘s battle at AJPW’s December 31 event. Later, the NXT assassin would be in line at the New Year Giant Series at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

FS Video
AJPW order strong Superstar from your brand NXT... yes, yes, Triple Crown match... Kento Miyahara or Katsuhiko Nakajima... You have good superstar for us? What? Submission assassin? Killer catch style? Great.
Tsuyoki Fukuda about NXT star’s match on AJPW

Fukuda ended the call by thanking the person and offering regards to his boss. He appreciated WWE’s time for supporting them and ended the call with a thank-you note. There are no official statements regarding whether this cross-promotional bout is a one-off or a long-term partnership. It would be exciting to see which ‘assassin’ would be battling for the Triple Crown Championship right after the New Year on Wednesday.

Shinsuke Nakamura had a cross-promotional moment at NOAH The New Year 2023

The King of Strong Style Shinsuke Nakamura is one of the greatest wrestlers in professional wrestling industry. Shinsuke was part of NJPW for a long time until he saw his mainstay in WWE from NXT to main roster. Since 2016, Nakamura has been a WWE guy and never fell apart from the company for a bit.

The Great Muta vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The Great Muta vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (via Fightful)

But on January 1, 2023, Shinsuke was part of a historic moment with NOAH The New Year Show. Being under a WWE contract, Shin was allowed to wrestle The Great Muta at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. That being a part of Muta’s retirement tour had a huge impact on Nakamura’s approach to it.

Despite his heel tactics, Nakamura won the match as he used his mist to take advantage. Furthermore, the match was recently announced as The Match of the Year by Tokyo Sports. The match had a story to be told and even offered the pinnacle of wrestling between the two legends.

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