NJPW Stalwart Kushida Eyes a New Challenge: A Move to the Heavyweight Division

His upcoming matches in the United States are a chance to prove himself against a new class of opponent.

One of the greatest junior heavyweights in the history of New Japan Pro-Wrestling is now seeking a new challenge.

Yujiro Kushida—best known by his last name—will wrestle in a six-man tag match at Impact’s No Surrender event in Vegas on Friday night, teaming with the famed Motor City Machine Guns against Bullet Club’s Kenta, Chris Bey and Ace Austin. Kushida first started with New Japan in 2010, and he has witnessed every iteration of Bullet Club, which has been a longtime rival of his since its creation in 2013.

“Bullet Club was established as a completely heel unit by Prince Devitt [Finn Bálor],” says Kushida, speaking through a translator. “There are a lot of villains all over the world now and I don’t like that kind of character, so I will not join Bullet Club. However, I have had an 18-year career now. It seems like veteran wrestlers will tell a lie, so maybe you should not believe what I said.”

The boyish charm of Kushida was visible when he spoke that last line. With a smile on his face, the 39-year-old is well-aware that change is an integral part of pro wrestling. That is what he is now attempting: to evolve from a junior heavyweight in New Japan to a heavyweight. And his inspiration is one of wrestling’s most renowned stars, albeit a new presence in New Japan.

“Mercedes Moné had a match at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, and I think that was a great beginning for this,” says Kushida. “Japan still has a culture that cherishes tradition, so there are arguments both for and against the IWGP women’s championship. Japanese people don’t like ‘change.’ I want to create an atmosphere to challenge from junior heavyweight in 2023. We can change little by little.

“I think we can challenge and create change more in New Japan Pro-Wrestling America. That is why I chose this lifestyle that is back and forth between Japan and the U.S. It is great that we can challenge a lot of things in New Japan Pro-Wrestling America. That is why the top title says NJPW Strong openweight championship, and Kenta has that. I think that title is very innovative for Japanese wrestlers. I am looking forward to Mercedes Moné’s reign, and I will show you that I can overturn the weight difference.”

Kushida poured the same type of thought into this interview that he places into his matches. A great example of his incredibly high standard in the ring took place when he wrestled Johnny Gargano in NXT at Vengeance Day in 2021, as well as his New Japan farewell match against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Korakuen Hall in 2019, right before traveling to the United States for WWE.

A six-time junior heavyweight champion, Kushida established himself as a genuine star in that division. He is a two-time winner of the famed Best of the Super Juniors tournament, as well as lists the Super J-Cup among his accolades, and he still wrestles phenomenal matches—so it makes sense why he is such a valued, crucial member of the juniors. But the weight restrictions are entirely different in the United States, and Kushida sees only opportunity ahead of him.

Kushida will wrestle Impact champion Josh Alexander on March 30 at the NJPW/Impact show Multiverse United in Los Angeles. He holds the Impact title in high esteem, especially considering his history with Impact Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore. More than one match, it would be significant to see an Alexander-Kushida program unfold in Impact.

“Challenging top wrestlers is one of my lifeworks,” says Kushida. “I stayed in Windsor, Canada, in 2009, and Scott D’Amore took care of me from start to finish. From then on, I really wanted to wrestle in TNA, which is now Impact. I know the history of the company. Their champion, Josh Alexander, is also my favorite type of wrestling fighter, so I’m ready to fight for his championship.”

Kushida and Josh Alexander start things off.#njBITV pic.twitter.com/MJSANhTr67

— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) February 19, 2023

A defining characteristic of Kushida’s work is his ability to innovate on a wrestling canvas. Already part of an elite list of the most skilled wrestlers in the world, he continues to push to be even better.

“When I was a student, everybody told me, ‘You cannot be a wrestler,’” says Kushida. “I was very thin and short, and I’ve never forgotten their words. I became a wrestler—I learned a lot from old matches and the Japanese dojo. Even now, I’m struggling and fighting every day to be better.”

Another fascinating part of Kushida’s work is his ring gear. It is an homage to Michael J. Fox’s character Marty McFly from the classic film Back to the Future.

“I started to wear this gear in 2012,” says Kushida. “Ibushi and Ricochet were the IWGP junior tag champions at that time. I didn’t have any characters like highflyer or technical or anything else, and I thought I could not overcome their characters. And then, as I was trying to find something, I found the VHS tape of Back to the Future. It’s become my inspiration. I want to get my action figure with this gear in the near future, and I want to make an entrance with Michael J. Fox someday.”

Kushida was victorious at Battle in the Valley last week, the same card where Moné defeated Kairi to become the new IWGP women’s champion. He teamed with Kevin Knight, The DKC and Volador Jr. to defeat Josh Alexander, Rocky Romero, Mascara Dorada and Adrian Quest, adding value to the card in an entertaining opening match.

“I think Battle in the Valley in San Jose was a great show,” says Kushida, who is putting in the work for a chance to play an even bigger role. “My tag team partner Kevin Knight has great talent, so I am looking forward to his future. My goal when I started was to be a wrestler and earn a living, then the goal changed to win Best of the Super Juniors, then was changed to go to WWE. After departing WWE, I still have goals for the next five-to-ten years.”

Kushida’s focus is extending New Japan’s reach in America. He believes, if given the opportunity, he can be the one to lead it to new heights.

“My goal was for myself before, and now I am carrying everybody’s goal so we make New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America bigger than ever,” says Kushida. “It is a very exciting time for me, and I want to carry it on my back.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.