 Kushida in 2017 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yujiro Kushida (1983-05-12)May 12, 1983 (age 42)[2] Ōta, Tokyo, Japan[2] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Kushida[1][2] Yujiro Yujiro Kushida |
| Billed height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1][2] |
| Billed weight | 85 kg (187 lb)[1][2] |
| Billed from | Tokyo, Japan[1] |
| Trained by | Nobuhiko Takada Oriental Scott D'Amore Takumi Adachi Yoshihiro Tajiri |
| Debut | September 16, 2005[2] |
| Yujiro Kushida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 154 lb (70 kg; 11 st 0 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Years active | 2003–2005 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 6 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 2 |
Yujiro Kushida (櫛田 雄二郎,Kushida Yūjirō; born May 12, 1983)[2] is a Japaneseprofessional wrestler and formermixed martial artist, better known by hismononymousring nameKushida (stylized as KUSHIDA). He is signed toNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and also makes apperances forMajor League Wrestling (MLW), where he is a member ofContra Unit and the currentMLW World Middleweight Champion in his first reign.
He is best known for his tenures with NJPW, where he is a former six-timeIWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and afour-time and currentIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (twice withTime Splitters teammateAlex Shelley and twice withKevin Knight). He was the winner of the2015 and2017Best of the Super Juniors tournaments, the2016Super J-Cup, and the 2017 Pro Wrestling World Cup, a tournament co-promoted by NJPW with What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) andRevolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro). Kushida previously made appearances for NJPW's American partnerRing of Honor (ROH), where he is a formerROH World Television Champion. In 2019, Kushida signed withWWE, who assigned him to perform on the205 Live andNXTbrands. In WWE, he is a former one-timeNXT Cruiserweight Champion. In 2022, he departed from WWE and returned to NJPW; he signed with TNA (then known as Impact Wrestling) in December of that same year.
Kushida began training for amixed martial arts (MMA) career atNobuhiko Takada'sTakada Dojo while in junior high school. He made his professional MMA debut in 2003 for theZST promotion, winning the following year's ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament. In 2005, he retired from MMA, ending his career with an undefeated record.
Kushida joinedNobuhiko Takada'sTakada Dojo during his junior high school years, where he started learning both pro wrestling andmixed martial arts (MMA) underTakumi Adachi.[3] He had his MMA debut five years later forZST, defeating Kenji Mizuno by disqualification after the latter grabbed the ropes to defend a takedown. Kushida followed his debut with a draw, a win, and a three-match tournament victory at the 2004 ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament.[3] Around the same time, he held a part-time job with theTokyo Sports magazine[4] and began attendingSenshu University.[3]
His performance in the tournament earned him offers from multiple MMA promotions, but he would turn them down instead choosing to embark on a professional wrestling career. Soon after his final MMA fight, Kushida was granted a one-year temporary absence from the Senshu University, during which he would travel to Mexico with money borrowed from his mother.[4] In Mexico, he learned the style oflucha libre underOriental in his Aztec Budokan wrestling school, where he had his professional debut on September 16, 2005, as themasked wrestlerYujiro. This Mexican endeavour is not acknowledged by many wrestling sites, which label his first match in Hustle as his professional wrestling debut.[3]
Kushida returned to Japan on February 10, 2006, and signed up with his trainer Takada's promotionHustle after being scouted byTajiri andHiroshi Nagao. Tajiri eventually took Kushida under his wing. Kushida debuted as a pro wrestler on September 7, 2006, with Tajiri to take on Red Onigumo andBlue Onigumo. Kushida quickly earned the title "Hustle Supernova" and became one of the top up-and-comers of thebabyface faction Hustle Army, forming a team with Tajiri and fellow apprenticeBanzai Chie. Kushida and Chie, assisted by guesttarento Hitomi Kaikawa, entered afeud withvillainous Monster Army member Giant Vabo (Nagao), but they were mostly unsuccessful. Moreover, their alliance with Tajiri broke up when he was brainwashedin a storyline byYinling into joining Monster Army, so they enlistedRyoji Sai to help them to turn Tajiri back into his former self. They eventually brought Tajiri back to his senses in 2007, returning to their usual trios matches.
In 2009, Kushida got into a heated rivalry with his Monster Army counterpart,NWA International Junior Heavyweight ChampionRay Ohara. Kushida faced Ohara several times for his title, but was defeated each time despite Tajiri's best efforts to help him. Ohara allied himself withMinoru Fujita as his mentor to counter Tajiri, and stipulated a last title match in which Kushida would put his Hustle career in line. Kushida accepted, but was defeated due to a miscommunication with Tajiri, forcing him to abandon the Hustle Army and the promotion itself.
Kushida started competing inAll Japan Pro Wrestling in July 2007, wrestling againstRyuji Hijikata andT28. In February 2008, Kushida teamed up with T28 to participate in the U-30 Tag Team Tournament, a one night tournament that featured AJPW's top young wrestlers. The team defeated CJ Otis and Mototsugu Shimizu in the first round, Kaji Yamato andTaishi Takizawa in the second round and the team of Daichi Kakimoto andManabu Soya in the finals to win the U30 Tag Team tournament.[5] The team would go on to compete in AJPW's2008 Junior Tag League, the team ended up tied for last place with only four points for two victories and three losses.
Kushida and Tajiri competed in Osaka Festival 2008 and reached the semi-final of the tournament but were knocked out byDaisuke Harada andZeus.[6] Kushida also competed in the Mondo 21 Cup 13-man battle royal. On 12 June, Kushida won his first three-way dance againstKuishinbo Kamen andKanjyuro Matsuyama.[7] After teaming up with Billyken Kid and defeating Takoyakida andTigers Mask, Kushida went on a winning streak atOsaka Pro Wrestling in both singles and tag team matches which is still intact today.[8]
In March 2009, Kushida facedRey Ohara in a loss that marked a turning point in his career, as the stipulations forced him to leave Japan. Kushida went on to compete in wrestling promotions inCanada,Mexico, and theUnited States, most notablyChikara andBorder City Wrestling. Kushida participated in a steel cage match for the BSE Suicide Six Pack title in which he was defeated byTyson Dux.[9] On November 3, 2010, while competing for Canadian Wrestling's Elite, he challenged for the CWE Championship against AJ Sanchez, but failed to win the title.[9] Kushida won his last match in Canada, defeating Michael Von Payton at Capital City Championship Combat on March 13, 2010.[9] In October 2010, Kushida made two appearances for American promotionOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW).[10]
On June 1, 2016, the MexicanConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) promotion announced Kushida as a participant in the2016 International Gran Prix.[11] On June 25, Kushida made it to the semifinals ofLucha Libre Elite's World Championship tournament, before losing toVolador Jr.[12] On July 1, Kushida took part in the 2016 International Gran Prix, from which he was eliminated byLa Máscara.[13] On July 8, Kushida unsuccessfully challenged Volador Jr. for theNWA World Historic Welterweight Championship.[14] On July 12, Kushida andMarco Corleone won a one-night tag team tournament, defeatingRey Escorpión andShocker in the finals.[15] The tournament concluded his Mexican tour.[16]
Kushida was in the main event at Smash.1 where he defeated Hajime Ohara, and went on to team withLin Byron to defeat Ohara andSyuri in the main event of Smash.2.[17] Kushida lost toPrince Devitt in Smash.3's main event. Kushida defeatedIsami Kodaka in a world tryout match on Smash.4, only to lose his next three matches for the promotion.[17] He ended his losing streak alongside Tajiri andAkira Shoji with a victory against Ohara, Jessica Love, and Kageman Guro at Smash.8.[17] At Smash.9, Kushida challengedMike Mondo for theOVW Heavyweight Championship, but lost. At Smash.10 Kushida participated in his first hardcore match, teaming withSuper Crazy and Isami Kodaka to defeat Hajime Ohara, Heimo Ukonselkä, and Jessica Love. Kushida's initial run with Smash ended on March 31, 2011, at Smash.15, where he was defeated by Ohara. On March 14, 2012, Kushida returned to Smash to compete in the promotion's final event, in a victory overYusuke Kodama.[18]
Kushida participated in the annualBest of the Super Juniors tournament, which began on May 30, 2010. He participated in seven matches winning four out of them, giving him a total of eight points, just coming shy of the semi-finals. Kushida also participated in the new tag team tournament calledSuper J Tag Tournament, Kushida partnered withGedo. The pair first went up againstKota Ibushi andAustin Creed, Kushida pinned Austin to advance to the semi-final. However the pair lost toRyusuke Taguchi andPrince Devitt in the semi-final so were out of the tournament. Kushida then went on to team up withHiroshi Tanahashi and Tajiri to compete in J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament 2010, the team beatChaos to progress to the finals where they were eventually beaten byHirooki Goto, Prince Devitt, andRyusuke Taguchi. Kushida participated in Super J Tag League teaming up withAkira in block B, the pair won two matches and lost two matches amassing a total of four points, missing out on the final by two points.
On February 25, 2011, it was announced that Kushida, with Tajiri's blessing, would be leaving Smash and becoming a full-time member of the New Japan roster, beginning on April 1.[19] On March 19 Kushida unsuccessfully challenged Prince Devitt for theIWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[20] On May 26, Kushida entered the2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. After winning five out of his eight-round robin stage matches, he finished fourth out of the nine wrestlers in his block, narrowly missing the semifinals of the tournament.[21] Kushida then went on to compete in J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament 2011 with Hiroshi Tanahashi andMáscara Dorada, however the trio were beaten in the second round byJyushin Thunder Liger,Karl Anderson andGiant Bernard. On August 27, 2011, he participated in the Destroyer Cup, a special battle royal atAll Together. On September 19, Kushida was set to challenge Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but a week earlier, Ibushi was forced to pull out of the match and vacate the title, after dislocating his left shoulder. Kushida was then booked in a decision match against former champion Prince Devitt to determine a new champion.[22] On September 19, Kushida was defeated by Prince Devitt in a match for the vacant IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[23] On November 12 atPower Struggle, Kushida andTiger Mask unsuccessfully challengedDavey Richards andRocky Romero for theIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[24]
AtWrestle Kingdom VI, Kushida participated in his first match onJanuary 4 Dome Show by teaming up with Jyushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV and Mascara Dorada to defeatAtlantis,Valiente andSuzuki-gun (Taichi andTaka Michinoku). Liger won the match by pinning Valiente. On January 21, Kushida returned after the NJPW break period to take part in theFantastica Mania 2012 events, teaming withHirooki Goto, beating Máscara Dorada andRush.[25] The second night Kushida lost to Máscara Dorada in a match for theCMLL World Welterweight Championship.[26] AtThe New Beginning, Kushida along withSeigigun (Wataru Inoue andYuji Nagata), Tiger Mask &Togi Makabe were defeated in a ten-man tag team elimination match by Suzuki-gun (Lance Archer,Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, Taka Michinoku andYoshihiro Takayama).[27] On 27 May, Kushida entered the2012 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, after a strong start beating three of his first four opponents, which includedPrince Devitt, Kushida would go on to lose most of his remaining matches which, in the end, gave him eight points, once again narrowly missing out on the semi-final.[28] On July 22, Kushida picked up a big win, when he defeated IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionLow Ki in a non-title match.[29] However, Low Ki was first scheduled to defend his title against Kota Ibushi and when, on July 29, Ibushi became the new champion, Kushida stepped up and challenged him to the title match originally scheduled for September 2011.[30] On August 26, Kushida returned to the United States, when he wrestled at a Sacramento Wrestling Federation (SWF) event inGridley, California, battling SWF Champion Dave Dutra to a time limit draw.[31][32]
During the American trip, Kushida also formed a new partnership withAlex Shelley, saving him from IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions,Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero).[32] On September 7, Kushida took on Ibushi in a match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and lost.[33] On October 8 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Kushida and Alex Shelley unsuccessfully challenged Forever Hooligans for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[34] On October 21, theTime Splitters entered the2012 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, defeatingJado & Gedo in their first round match.[35] On November 2, Kushida and Shelley defeated Suzuki-gun (Taichi and Taka Michinoku) to advance to the finals, where, later that same day, they defeatedApollo 55 (Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi) to win the tournament and become the number one contenders to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[36] On November 11 atPower Struggle, the Time Splitters defeated Forever Hooligans in a rematch to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Kushida's first title in New Japan.[37][38] On November 15, Kushida participated in theNEVER Openweight Championship tournament and was eliminated byMasato Tanaka.[39] Time Splitters made their first successful title defense on February 10, 2013, atThe New Beginning, defeating Forever Hooligans in the third title match between the two teams.[40] Their second successful defense took place on March 3 at New Japan's 41st anniversary event, where they defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask IV.[41]On April 7 atInvasion Attack, Time Splitters defeated Apollo 55 for their third successful title defense.[42] On May 3 atWrestling Dontaku 2013, Time Splitters lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship back to the Forever Hooligans in their fourth defense.[43]
From late May to early June, Kushida took part in the2013 Best of the Super Juniors, where he managed to win four out of his eight matches with a loss toKenny Omega in his final match on June 6 costing him a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.[44] On June 22 atDominion 6.22, Time Splitters failed in their attempt to regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship from the Forever Hooligans.[45] On July 18, American promotionRing of Honor (ROH) announced that Kushida would be making his debut for the promotion on August 3 inToronto, Canada.[46] Kushida defeatedAdam Page in his debut match for the promotion.[47] Back in New Japan, Kushida and Shelley defeated Suzuki-gun (Taichi and Taka Michinoku) on September 29 atDestruction to earn another shot at the Forever Hooligans and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[48] However, Time Splitters were forced to back out of the title match, after Shelley was sidelined with a back injury.[49] Shelley returned from his injury on January 4, 2014, atWrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome, where the Time Splitters unsuccessfully challengedThe Young Bucks for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in a four-way match, which also included Forever Hooligans and Suzuki-gun.[50] Time Splitters were victorious in a non-title rematch the following day, after which they asserted themselves as The Young Bucks' next challengers.[51] They received their title shot on February 11 atThe New Beginning in Osaka, but were again defeated by The Young Bucks.[52] In March, Kushida took part inGerman promotionWestside Xtreme Wrestling's (wXw) 16 Carat Gold weekend.[53][54] On April 12, during New Japan's trip toTaiwan, Kushida unsuccessfully challengedTomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship.[55] Time Splitters received another shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on May 10 atGlobal Wars, a special event co-produced by NJPW and ROH in Toronto, but were defeated by The Young Bucks in a three-way match, also involving Forever Hooligans.[56] At the second NJPW/ROH event,War of the Worlds on May 17, Kushida unsuccessfully challengedJay Lethal for theROH World Television Championship.[57] On May 30, Kushida entered the2014 Best of the Super Juniors tournament,[58] where he won his block with a record of five wins and two losses, advancing to the semifinals.[59] On June 8, Kushida defeated Taichi to advance to the finals of the tournament, where he was defeated byRicochet.[60] On June 21 atDominion 6.21, Time Splitters defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for the second time.[61][62] On July 4 at Kizuna Road 2014, Kushida became a double champion, when he defeated Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[63] On August 10, Time Splitters made their first successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against the ROH tag teamreDRagon (Bobby Fish andKyle O'Reilly).[64] On September 21 atDestruction in Kobe, Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Ryusuke Taguchi in his first defense.[65][66] Two days later atDestruction in Okayama, Time Splitters made their second successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Suzuki-gun (El Desperado and Taichi).[67] On October 13 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Time Splitters made their third successful title defense in a three-way match against Forever Hooligans and The Young Bucks.[68][69] On November 8 atPower Struggle, Time Splitters lost the title to2014 Super Jr. Tag Tournament winners reDRagon.[70] On December 7, Kushida returned to ROH atFinal Battle 2014, where he and Shelley unsuccessfully challenged reDRagon for theROH World Tag Team Championship.[71] Time Splitters received a rematch for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on January 4, 2015, atWrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, in a four-way match also involving Forever Hooligans and The Young Bucks, but were again defeated by reDRagon.[72] On February 11 atThe New Beginning in Osaka, Time Splitters received another title shot in a three-way match, but were this time defeated by The Young Bucks, who became the new champions.[73][74]
In May, Kushida entered the2015 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.[75] He finished his block on June 3 with a record of six wins and one loss. Despite others in the block having as many as two matches left to wrestle, Kushida secured the top spot in the block and a place in the finals.[76] Kushida's early qualifying to the finals happened due to his Time Splitters partner Alex Shelley being forced to pull out of their last scheduled match against each other due to a foot injury.[77]
On June 7, 2015, Kushida defeated Kyle O'Reilly in the finals to win the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors and earn a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[78] On July 5 atDominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Kenny Omega to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time.[79][80] He made his first successful title defense on August 16 against the winner of the 2014 Best of the Super Juniors, Ricochet.[81][82] On August 21, Kushida returned to ROH, losing toMatt Sydal in a non-title match, after which he agreed to defend his title against Sydal.[83] On September 23 atDestruction in Okayama, Kushida lost the title back to Kenny Omega.[84] Four days later atDestruction in Kobe, Kushida and the returning Alex Shelley unsuccessfully challenged reDRagon for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[85] On January 4, 2016, atWrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome, Kushida defeated Kenny Omega to regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[86] He made his first successful title defense on February 14 atThe New Beginning in Niigata againstBushi.[87] Kushida's second title defense took place on March 12 at an ROH event inPhiladelphia, where he defeatedA. C. H.[88] On April 10 atInvasion Attack 2016, Kushida defeated the debutingWill Ospreay for his third successful defense.[89] His fourth defense took place on May 3 atWrestling Dontaku 2016, where he defeated veteran wrestler Jyushin Thunder Liger.[90] Later in the month, Kushida entered the2016 Best of the Super Juniors. Finishing with a record of four wins and three losses, he was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Bushi in his final round-robin match.[91] On June 19 atDominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Best of the Super Juniors winner Will Ospreay for his fifth successful title defense.[92] On July 20, Kushida entered the2016 Super J-Cup tournament, defeatingPro Wrestling Noah representativeTaiji Ishimori in his first round match.[93] On August 21, Kushida first defeated another Noah representative,Kenoh, in the second round and then two Suzuki-gun representatives, Taichi andYoshinobu Kanemaru, in the semifinals and finals, respectively, to win the 2016 Super J-Cup.[94]
On September 17 atDestruction in Tokyo, Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Bushi.[95] Kushida regained the title from Bushi on November 5 atPower Struggle.[96] He lost the title toHiromu Takahashi on January 4, 2017, atWrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome.[97] Kushida received his title rematch against Takahashi on April 9 atSakura Genesis 2017, but was defeated in less than two minutes.[98] The following month, Kushida took part in the NJPW and ROH co-producedWar of the Worlds tour. On the final night of the tour, May 14, Kushida defeatedMarty Scurll to become the new ROH World Television Champion.[99] Upon his return to Japan, Kushida entered the2017 Best of the Super Juniors, where he won his block with a record of four wins and three losses, advancing to the finals.[100] On June 3, Kushida defeated Will Ospreay in the finals to win his second Best of the Super Juniors.[101] On June 11 atDominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time.[102] On September 22, Kushida returned to ROH atDeath Before Dishonor XV, where he lost the ROH World Television Championship toKenny King.[103] On October 9 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Will Ospreay.[104] At Wrestle Kingdom on January 4, 2018, he failed to regain the title from Marty Scurll in a four-way match that also included Hiromu Takahashi and Will Ospreay, who won the championship by pinning Scurll. Kushida got another rematch for the title on May 4 at Wrestling Dontaku, but was again defeated by Ospreay. Around this time, he began helpingJushin Liger &Togi Makabe train theYoung Lions in New Japan’s Dojo, and attended the LA Dojo’s opening tryout class.[105][106] Later that month, he entered the 2018 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He finished the tournament with 4 wins and 3 losses, failing to advance to the finals. After the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship was vacated when Hiromu Takahashi suffered a neck injury during a successful title defense against Dragon Lee at the G1 Special In San Francisco, Kushida was entered into a four-man tournament to crown a new champion. He defeated BUSHI in the semifinals on September 23 at Destruction In Kobe and would go on to face the other semifinalist Marty Scurll at King Of Pro-Wrestling on October 8, whom he defeated at the event to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the sixth time. However, he lost the title against Taiji Ishimori atWrestle Kingdom 13. On January 7, 2019, it was announced that Kushida would be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.[107] On January 29 at Road To The New Beginning , Kushida wrestled his final NJPW match, being defeated byHiroshi Tanahashi.[108]
After months of rumored interest in Kushida by American promotionWWE, the wrestler's signing was officially announced at a press conference inNew York City a few days beforeWrestleMania 35 in April 2019.[109][110] On April 5, Kushida appeared in the crowd atNXT TakeOver: New York, making his debut forNXT in the process.[111] On the May 1 episode ofNXT, Kushida made his in-ring debut in a winning effort againstKassius Ohno.[112][113] Kushida appeared on the September 10 episode of205 Live, teaming withGentleman Jack Gallagher to defeatAkira Tozawa andThe Brian Kendrick.[114] On the January 1, 2020, episode ofNXT, the participants for theDusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic were revealed, with Kushida being announced along with a mystery partner.[115] On January 8,Alex Shelley was announced as Kushida's partner, reforming theTime Splitters tag team for the first time since 2015.[116] On January 15, Time Splitters were eliminated in the first round after being defeated byNXT UK'sGrizzled Young Veterans (James Drake andZack Gibson)[117] That reunion was one-off.[118]
On April 12, Kushida was named a participant in theInterim NXT Cruiserweight Championshipround-robin tournament.[119] Kushida defeatedTony Nese in his first match andJake Atlas in his second match, but lost toDrake Maverick in third match.[120] Atriple threat match was set up between Kushida, Maverick and Atlas, as all three men were tied at 2-1, and Maverick won the match after pinning Atlas albeit in a controversial fashion.[121] On the August 12 episode ofNXT, Kushida lost toCameron Grimes in a triple threat match also involvingVelveteen Dream.[122] After the match, he was attacked by Dream, starting a feud between the two.[123] Kushida returned on the September 8 episode ofNXT and attacked Dream.[124] This led to a match atNXT TakeOver 31, where Kushida won.[125][126] In January 2021, Kushida began to pursue theNorth American ChampionJohnny Gargano, beginning a feud with him. On February 4, it was announced that he would face Gargano for the title atNXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. At the event, Kushida failed to capture the title from Gargano. Following this, Kushida would begin a feud withPete Dunne and atNXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver, Kushida would be defeated by Dunne.
On the April 13 episode ofNXT, Kushida would defeatSantos Escobar in an open challenge match to win theNXT Cruiserweight Championship, thus marking his first title in WWE career.[127] Kushida would issue an open challenge for his NXT Cruiserweight Title on the April 20 episode ofNXT, facingOney Lorcan in a winning effort. On the May 11 episode, Kushida would successfully defend the title in a rematch against Escobar in atwo-out-of-three falls match. Kushida would also defend the title against newcomer,Carmelo Hayes on the June 1 episode in a winning effort. Kushida would once more defend the title against Trey Baxter on the June 15 episode and following the match would be challenged byKyle O'Reilly to a non-title match the following week to which Kushida accepted. The following episode, Kushida would be defeated by O'Reilly and after the match, would be blindsided by a returningRoderick Strong and his stable, The Diamond Mine. Kushida lost the title to Roderick Strong on the September 21 episode ofNXT 2.0.
Kushida eventually formed a team withIkemen Jiro, due to the pair both having issues with The Diamond Mine, deciding on the name Jacket Time.[128] Kushida would return to the ring on the November 5 episode of205 Live, teaming with Jiro in a losing effort against The Grizzled Young Veterans after a distraction fromThe Creed Brothers.[129] Jacket Time's feud with The Diamond Mine would culminate in a Six Man Tag Team Match after Diamond Mine leader Roderick Strong got involved, along withOdyssey Jones.[130] Jacket Time and Jones would come out on top in the match, before Jacket Time were announced as participants in the 2022Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.[131] However, Jacket Time were eliminated in the first round by 2021 winnersMSK (Nash Carter andWes Lee), on the January 25 episode ofNXT 2.0.[132] On April 18, 2022, Kushida left WWE after his contract expired 2019 until 2022.[133]
Kushida returned to NJPW on June 21, 2022, during the promotion's New Japan Road event. At the event, Kushida revealed that he had re-signed with NJPW and announced his intentions to "spend the rest of his career with the company".[134] Later in 2022, Kushida began appearing for NJPW's American-based partnerImpact Wrestling.[135]
In November, Kushida teamed withKevin Knight in theSuper Junior Tag League, ending the tournament with 4 points, failing to advance to the finals.[136] On April 27, 2023, Kushida and Knight, now teaming under the name of "Intergalactic Jet Setters", defeatedCatch 2/2 (TJP andFrancesco Akira) to win theIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.[137] In May, Kushida was announced to be competing in the A Block of theBest of the Super Juniors 30.[138] Kushida finished with a total of 4 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.[139] On June 4 atDominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, Intergalactic Jet Setters lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships back to Catch 2/2 in a rematch.[140]
Kushida made hisImpact Wrestling debut on July 21, 2022, savingChris Sabin and his former Time Splitters teammateAlex Shelley from an attack byDeaner andJoe Doering.[141] Kushida then formed astable with Sabin and Shelley known as Time Machine.
On April 16, 2023, atRebellion, Kushida was defeated bySteve Maclin in a match for the vacantImpact World Championship.[142]
On June 29, 2023 it was announced that on July 15, 2023 atImpact Slammiversary of year 2023 that Kushida will be facingMike Bailey,Jonathan Gresham,Kevin Knight andAlan Angels in a 5-wayUltimate X match to determine the #1 contender to theImpact X Division Championship.[143] Later onJake Something was added on to the match making it a 6-way. During this match Kushida was successful.[144]
On December 13, it was announced by the newly-renamed TNA Wrestling that Kushida had signed with the promotion.[145]
AtNo Surrender, Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kushida andKevin Knight) lost toThe System (Eddie Edwards andBrian Myers). AtSacrifice, Kushida, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley lost to TheGrizzled Young Vets (Zack Gibson andJames Drake) andMustafa Ali. AtUnder Siege, Kushida lost toJonathan Gresham. On theSlammiversary preshow, Kushida defeatedRich Swann. AtEmergence, Kushida lost toFrankie Kazarian. AtVictory Road. Kushida defeatedLeon Slater. AtTurning Point, Kushida,Zachary Wentz, andMatt Riddle lost toThe Hardys (Matt Hardy andJeff Hardy) andAce Austin. On the December 5Impact!, Kushida won afive-way match againstAce Austin,Trent Seven,Leon Slater andJDC to earn aTNA X Division Championship match. AtFinal Resolution, Kushida failed to win the title againstMoose.
He left TNA in December 2024.[146]
On June 1, 2016, the MexicanConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) promotion announced Kushida as a participant in the2016 International Gran Prix.[147] On June 25, Kushida made it to the semifinals ofLucha Libre Elite's World Championship tournament, before losing toVolador Jr.[148] On July 1, Kushida took part in the 2016 International Gran Prix, from which he was eliminated byLa Máscara.[149] On July 8, Kushida unsuccessfully challenged Volador Jr. for theNWA World Historic Welterweight Championship.[150] On July 12, Kushida andMarco Corleone won a one-night tag team tournament, defeatingRey Escorpión andShocker in the finals.[15] The tournament concluded his Mexican tour.[151]
On April 25, 2025, he returned representing Major League Wrestling, defeating Ultimo Guerrero at the 69th anniversary of the Arena México.[152][153] On April 26, 2025, teaming with Okumura and Yutani, they defeated Los Dragones(Dragón Rojo Jr., Dragón De Fuego y Dragón Legendario) in the Arena Coliseo.[154] On April 27, 2025, teaming with Okumura and Yutani, they defeated Flip Gordon, Dragon Rojo Jr., and Titán at the Arena México.[155]
Kushida resided inOrlando, Florida, with his wife and daughter during his time in WWE before moving toLos Angeles, California in 2022 following his return toNew Japan Pro Wrestling.[156] In addition to speakingJapanese, Kushida is fluent inEnglish.
Kushida is good friends with fellow wrestlerAlex Shelley, his former tag team partner.
| 8 matches | 6 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 0 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | 6–0–2 | Shinya Sato | Draw | ZST: Grand Prix 2 Final Round | January 23, 2005 | 3 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–0–1 | Takahiro Uchiyama | Submission (armbar) | ZST: Battle Hazard 1 | July 4, 2004 | 2 | 3:10 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–0–1 | Takahiro Uchiyama | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 1 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Norimasa Isozaki | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 1 | 1:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0–1 | Tomohiko Hori | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 1 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0–1 | Chikara Uehara | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Opening Round | November 23, 2003 | 1 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–0–1 | Tomohiko Hori | Draw | ZST: The Battlefield 4 | July 7, 2003 | 1 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Kenji Mizuno | DQ (rope grabbing) | ZST: The Battlefield 3 | June 1, 2003 | 1 | 3:13 | Tokyo, Japan |
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