Buddy Matthews, the former Buddy Murphy, is headed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling 5 months after his WWE release!
In a video that aired during the latest NJPW Strong tapings in Philadelphia, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion’s debut was announced for NJPW Battle In The Valley on November 13th. The event will be streamed live on FITE TV with major NJPW stars such as Will Ospreay, Jay White and Tomohiro Ishii also set to appear.
During the video, Matthews discussed how he considered there was no place for him in wrestling anymore and made reference to his time as Seth Rollins‘ disciple towards the end of his WWE career:
“They say as one door closes, another opens. As much as things change, things stay the same. Look, I’m no saint. I’ve done bad things in someone else’s vision believing it was for a greater good, but maybe there’s no place in this world for me. Maybe I’m done. Maybe it’s time to leave. Maybe it’s time to close this chapter of my life.
Or maybe… Maybe it was staring at me the entire time.”
'They say as one door closes, another opens… Maybe it was staring at me the entire time.'
Buddy Matthews is coming. #njpw#njBitV@SNM_Buddypic.twitter.com/Wqzk62CTFX
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 17, 2021
The move comes a month after Will Ospreay teased the former WWE star’s debut as a new member of The United Empire.
The former Buddy Murphy achieved some success during his eight years with WWE, picking up the NXT Tag Team, RAW Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championships during his run. After his storyline with the Mysterio family and Seth Rollins was dropped, he made his final WWE appearance in this year’s Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown.
Following his release on June 2nd, Buddy Matthews has wrestled twice: He defeated Facade and JT Dunn at Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling VIII and KC Navarro at Battleground Championship Wrestling on September 18th. The latter has since announced that Matthews will take on former rival Malakai Black on their December 18th show.