IMPACT Wrestling has officially announced a new big signing in KUSHIDA as they build toward their TNA rebrand in 2024.
KUSHIDA has been working sporadically with IMPACT since 2022 but on December 13, the promotion announced that he’s signed with the company. No details or press release have been sent out , but IMPACT did send out their own style of graphic, akin to what AEW does when they announce a signing.
BREAKING: KUSHIDA signs with TNA Wrestling! pic.twitter.com/9JYC3IIGrl
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 13, 2023
KUSHIDA appeared on the Battleground Podcast and discussed his decision to make TNA his new home.
Kushida on signing with TNA:
“One of the reasons I chose TNA is because of my good friends Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. These two influenced my life. [We’re] all signed to same company—I can’t believe it. I’m so excited for next year.”
– via @battlegroundihr pic.twitter.com/PXbzwKBHJ9
— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) December 13, 2023
KUSHIDA really made a name for himself wrestling in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, teaming with current IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley as members of the Time Splitters. Over the course of three years from 2012 to 2015, the duo became two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
Shelley even had his second “cup of coffee” in WWE as the Time Splitters competed in the NXT 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The duo competed and lost in the first round to the Grizzled Young Veterans.
KUSHIDA’s time with WWE NXT was also about three years, making the most of his time with the black and gold brand. While there, he became the Cruiserweight Champion and ended up not re-signing with the company when his contract expired in 2022.
This led to him returning to NJPW and also in IMPACT. As expected, he re-aligned with Alex Shelley as the two and Chris Sabin formed a faction appropriately named Time Machine.
KUSHIDA did stop by All Elite Wrestling back at the beginning of 2023, competing against Darby Allin for the TNT Championship in a losing effort.
