KUSHIDA Confirms Signing with New Japan Pro Wrestling

KUSHIDA has been racking up frequent flyer miles—and apparently, losing tag partners—everywhere he goes.

Ahead of his upcoming match against Diego Hill at MLW Summer of the Beasts, the New Japan star sat down with The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, where he set the record straight on his contract situation and shared some lighthearted frustration about his ever-changing tag team history.

First, KUSHIDA made it crystal clear that New Japan Pro-Wrestling is still home, even as he continues to wrestle across different promotions.

“Yes, I have a New Japan contract, just one. But New Japan and MLW have a good relationship, so New Japan send me to MLW right now. And I can wrestle all over the world, so if CMLL wanted me and New Japan accept, I can go. New Japan send me to CMLL and MLW.”

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While the passport is staying busy, KUSHIDA couldn’t help but poke fun at the fact that his tag partners seem to keep jumping ship. He shared how his plan to team with the Motor City Machine Guns in TNA Wrestling didn’t exactly pan out.

“My tag partner has always left from me. For example, Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. I signed with TNA because they signed with TNA. I joined, but they leave to WWE.”
(he laughed)

The pattern didn’t stop there. His former Intergalactic Jet Setters partner Kevin Knight recently signed with AEW, though Knight still holds a New Japan contract. Despite losing another partner, KUSHIDA made it clear he’s nothing but proud.

“And now Kevin Knight too. Kevin Knight come to New Japan, then soon to AEW, but he has two contracts. But good. I’m very proud, it’s a honor for me.”

KUSHIDA also gave props to Knight’s current AEW tag partner, Speedball Mike Bailey, and teased that his own travels might one day bring them back together.

“Now in AEW, his partner is ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey. Good tag team. Someday in the future, I want to join with them.”

From MLW to TNA to CMLL and back to New Japan, KUSHIDA’s career remains one of the most globally active in the business. With his New Japan deal locked in, his match with Diego Hill at Summer of the Beasts is just the latest stop in a worldwide schedule that shows no signs of slowing down.

Do you want to see KUSHIDA reunite with Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey? Should he stay focused on New Japan, or keep crossing borders? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want your take.