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Shinsuke Nakamura Announces Return to Pro Wrestling NOAH

Originally posted on Wrestling on SI | By Adam Barnard | Last updated Oct 14, 2024 10:18 AM ET

With an extended working relationship with TNA still in place, as well as sporadic engagements for WWE talent for GCW Bloodsport, the term “forbidden door” appears to be (mostly) no more in the WWE Universe. Another announcement this morning brings a decorated WWE Superstar back to Japan in 2025.

WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura announced this morning that he is officially returning to Pro Wrestling NOAH for another match next year.

／
【中邑真輔】からメッセージ到着‼‼
再びNOAHのリングに…舞台は、元日の日本武道館‼‼
＼

中邑「NOAH、久しぶりだな。奇跡の一戦から再び、#WWE SHINSUKE NAKAMURAが元日の日本武道館に戻ってくる！俺の目の前に立つのはどいつだ？滾ろうぜぇ。イヤァオ！」#noah_ghc #あけまして日本武道館 pic.twitter.com/dj2T7HDrRB
— プロレスリング・ノア｜PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) October 14, 2024

Nakamura released a video statement this morning on the Pro Wrestling NOAH X (formerly Twitter) account that he was will be returning to face Ulka Sasaki on January 1, 2025 on their “The New Year” pay per view event.

Ulka Sasaki, a former GHC National Champion, is a mixed martial artist who previously competed for UFC and Shooto, amongst others, with a record of 24 wins, 10 losses and 2 draws. Sasaki has been with Pro Wrestling NOAH since late 2023, where he premiered on the November 13th, 2023 episode of “Monday Magic”.

[Breaking!!!!!!!]

2025.1.1 Nippon Budokan
Shinsuke Nakaura(WWE SUPER STAR)
vs.
Ulka Sasaki
decided‼‼‼‼️‼️

"ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR" 2025"
Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 16:00 start (JPT)
Nippon Budokan, Tokyo#noah_ghc #WWE @WWE #あけまして日本武道館 pic.twitter.com/q01rMnm9UE
— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) October 14, 2024

“The New Year” event is the fifth annual event of this title from Pro Wrestling NOAH. Nakamura, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, NWF Heavyweight Champion, NXT Champion, and WWE Intercontinental Champion, last competed for Pro Wrestling NOAH at “The New Year” event in 2023, competing against The Great Muta. Nakamura defeated Muta in that match.

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This article first appeared on Wrestling on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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