Image: NJPW
Jon Moxley appeared at the end of tonight’s NJPW Strong, making it clear he would face KENTA in Japan.
KENTA, Hikuleo, and El Phantasmo jumped Lio Rush, Fred Rosser, and TJP following tonight’s main event when Rush pinned ELP. The lights then suddenly went out. Jon Moxley appeared when they came back on with the IWGP United States title and laid out Hikuelo and ELP with the belt. Moxley and KENTA traded blows, with KENTA going for the GTS. Moxley countered and landed the Death Rider DDT.
Moxley took a microphone and said that he doesn’t play political games, and that KENTA’s dream of becoming the United States champion had just become a nightmare. He then said into the camera that he would face KENTA in Tokyo “one of these days”.
Moxley has been IWGP United States champion for 392 days, defeating Lance Archer at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4 of last year. However, he has been unable to come into Japan to defend the championship due to COVID-19 restrictions.
KENTA defeated David Finlay in a New Japan Cup USA tournament final in August to win a briefcase with a IWGP United States title match contract. He successfully defended the briefcase at Wrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4, defeating Satoshi Kojima.