On the May 7th episode of NJPW Strong, fans got to see a tag team preview of the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match between Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata. Moxley would team with Chris Dickinson to take on Nagata & Ren Narita. This was a fitting enough partnership, due to Dickinson looking to overcome a singles loss to Narita, but things could have been so much better.
Jon Moxley Was Going To Team With His Protege, Shota Umino
According to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, this match was originally going to feature another Young Lion on an excursion in Shota Umino. Umino has been on excursion with Revolution Pro Wrestling in the United Kingdom, and by all accounts has been doing a fine job. He last wrestled on March 14th, 2020 before the pandemic shut down shows in the UK.
Umino was set to travel to the United States to team with Moxley for this match on NJPW Strong. However, an injury prevented this from happening. What makes this notable is that Jon Moxley took Umino under his wing in NJPW during his first tour with the company. Throughout the G1 Climax, Umino would carry the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship for Moxley, be in his corner for matches, and was his preferred tag team partner.
By the end of the tour, Umino had a matching jacket with Moxley, and would add Moxleys logo to his new gear that he wears in RPW. Teaming with Moxley dramatically raised fan interest in the talented prospect, and has many keen to see them reunite.
Shota Umino Will Return To The Ring This Summer
While it remains unclear how much longer it will be before Umino returns to Japan to rejoin the roster, we do know that he will be back in the ring soon. RPW is intending to get going again by this summer, and Umino has been clearly noted on promotional material for the upcoming events. No matches have been officially announced at this time.
Also announced for these shows will be an injury update from the now former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and current Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, Will Ospreay. Ospreay was forced to vacate the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship following a neck injury suffered on Night Two of Wrestling Dontaku, but has not yet let go of the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship. That might change come these shows.
Would you have wanted to see Shota Umino & Jon Moxley ride together once again? Did you prefer seeing Chris Dickinson share a ring with Yuji Nagata? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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