Jon Moxley appeared via video at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 15 event to issue a warning to both KENTA and Satoshi Kojima ahead of the pair’s number one contendership clash.
In a video seemingly shot from the New Japan USA set, Moxley had the following to say to his prospective challengers:
Many men have vied for that U.S. title contract. They all thought they would get off easy. They all hoped and prayed that the United States Heavyweight Champion would never return. But I’m the boogeyman, and I will get you eventually. So whoever walks out of the Tokyo Dome with that contract, make no mistake about it, I’m comin’ for ya!
Moxley, who has held the belt since the January 2020 Tokyo Dome show, was last seen in a New Japan ring in February 2020, having successfully defended his title against Minoru Suzuki.
Since then, travel restrictions due to the global pandemic have meant that the IWGP US Heavyweight Champion has been unable to feature for the promotion and the belt has remained inactive.
In lieu of a title match, New Japan have instead focused the division around the US Title Match contract, which was held by KENTA by virtue of him having won the NJPW USA tournament back in August 2020.
At Wrestle Kingdom, KENTA defeated Kojima, himself stepping in for the injured Juice Robinson, with the Go 2 Sleep, to retain the contract and secure an eventual showdown with ‘The Death Rider’.
As per previous reports, Moxley’s arrangement with AEW has previously permitted him to wrestle for New Japan overseas but not in the United States.
With the promo having emanated from the New Japan USA headquarters, speculation may continue to build around a potential working relationship between the two companies.