WWE NXT wrestler to challenge for AJPW Triple Crown Championship

WWE is sending an NXT wrestler to compete for All Japan Pro Wrestling’s Triple Crown Championship.

AJPW has been hyping that a mystery wrestler will challenge for the Triple Crown title at New Year Giant Series 2024 on January 3. In a social media video AJPW posted on Saturday, it was announced that the mystery challenger will be a wrestler from WWE NXT. The identity of the challenger was not revealed.

The video features AJPW President Tsuyoki Fukuda speaking on the phone with someone from WWE. Fukuda says AJPW wants a strong wrestler from NXT to challenge for the Triple Crown. 

Fukuda says: “You have good superstar for us? What? Submission assassin? Killer catch style? Great. Thank you. Thank you. My pleasure. Appreciate your support this time. Please say thanks to your boss in WWE.”

The Triple Crown Championship is currently held by Katsuhiko Nakajima, but Nakajima is defending the title against Kento Miyahara at AJPW’s December 31 event.

Nakajima won the Triple Crown Championship from Yuma Aoyagi this November.

New Year Giant Series 2024 is taking place from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Yuji Nagata wins AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship

Yuji Nagata is the new Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. 

The 54-year-old defeated Kento Miyahara at AJPW Pro-Wrestling Day MANIAx on Sunday from Korakuen Hall. Nagata becomes the 69th champion in the title’s lineage and the 30th wrestler to hold the belt. 

Miyahara’s sixth title reign ends after 154 days and 4 title defenses. He holds the all-time record for most combined Triple Crown Championship defenses with 28.

Shuji Ishikawa confronted Nagata after the match. 

The AJPW Junior Heavyweight title also changed hands on the show. Naruki Doi defeated Atsuki Aoyagi to win the belt. 

AJPW Excite Series Night 2: Pro-Wrestling Day MANIAx took place Sunday, February 19, 2023, from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Full results from the show are below:

  • Rising HAYATO, Kotaro Suzuki, & Ryo Inoue defeated Dan Tamura, Oji Shiiba, & Hikaru Sato
  • Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Yoshitatsu defeated Shotaro Ashino, Ryuki Honda, & Masao Hanabatake
  • Oskar Leube, Ren Ayabe, & Shuji Ishikawa defeated Toru Yano, Takao Omori, & Black Menso-re
  • Rei Saito, Suwama, & Jun Saito defeated Yuto Nakashima, Ryohei Oiwa, & Kosei Fujita
  • Shingo Takagi defeated Yuma Anzai
  • Yuma Aoyagi & Naoya Nomura defeated Minoru Suzuki & Hokuto Omori
  • Naruki Doi defeated Atsuki Aoyagi to win the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
  • Yuji Nagata defeated Kento Miyahara to win the Triple Crown Championship