Former New Japan star Yujiro Kushida made his presence known at NXT Takeover: New York on April 5. The six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion was in the audience and when he stood up, the crowd stood with him, giving him a thunderous ovation.
Kushida worked his last match for New Japan on January 29 against Hiroshi Tanahashi and when it was over, fans immediately began the waiting game. When would Kushida join WWE? It was well known that he wanted to make the jump and the jump finally happened on April 5.
Kushida signed with the company in an official capacity with Triple H on WWE’s social media. The signing also included NXT General Manager William Regal, as Kushida has now become part of the black and gold brand’s main roster.
Kushida’s in-ring debut for NXT is unknown but it’s hard to imagine that The Time Splitter will be kept out of the spotlight for very long.
Welcome to @WWENXT, @KUSHIDA_0904! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/W1cReXNh9A
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2019