Shinsuke Nakamura is set to do something that is very out of the norm for any WWE superstar. He is going to compete in a different promotion next year.
On New Year's Day, fans will see pro wrestling's biggest dream match in 2023.
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"NOAH: THE NEW YEAR 2023" at NIPPON BUDOKAN:GREAT MUTA vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA#noah_ghc pic.twitter.com/qbkZ4fgKhA
Advertisement— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) October 30, 2022
He will return to his home country of Japan to compete in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Very recently, the promotion announced that the King of Strong style will compete in a match against The Great Muta at NOAH’s The New Year 2023 event. The show will take place on January 1st, 2023 at the legendary Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
This is a revolutionary decision by Triple H, CCO, to allow a current talent to compete for a separate promotion. It could also be the start of a tradition that was unheard of in the past when Vince McMahon was in charge.
Many WWE talent has applauded the decision and reacted with excitement. Nakamura has himself reacted with happiness tweeting This is a miracle.
This is Miracle
Advertisement— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) October 30, 2022
Who is The Great Muta?
The Great Mutah, real name Keiji Mutoh, is a 59-year-old Japanese legend who’s on his retirement tour that ends at Tokyo Dome on February 21, 2023. This year he competed in top pro wrestling companies including AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. At NJPW, he recently cost The Great O-Khan a match against Toru Yano in their Battle Autumn tour show. His last match with the promotion will happen at the NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over event on November 20th. Muta will be in a six-man tag team match with Kazuchika Okada & Tori Yano against The United Empire’s O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare.
He has also appeared in AEW when he helped Sting and Darby Allin defeat The House of Black. His final match as The Great Muta is scheduled at The Great Muta Final Bye Bye event in Yokohama, Japan. Either he will be in a tag team or face his greatest rival Sting for the show.
Shinsuke Nakamura is a Japanese legend in his own right, yet has failed to make the same impact in WWE. Although he was the Intercontinental and US champion twice each, he is yet to capture the big one. Maybe this crossover will give him the push he needs.