Katsuhiko Nakajima is Rumored to be Headed Overseas

After Shocking NOAH Fans with Sudden Departure, Nakajima Looks to America for Next Challenge

By: Thom Fain

It’s been a head-spinning week for fans of Pro-Wrestling NOAH, many of whom expected to see Katsuhiko Nakajima seconding a resurgent GHC Heavyweight Champion in tag partner Go Shiozaki. Not only did Shiozaki lose his hard-fought challenge for heavyweight gold, the AXIZ drama took a shocking twist when Nakajima announced he was terminating his deal with NOAH all together.

Although we’ve yet to speak with Nakajima about his future plans, one source close to MP mentioned that CyberFight Director Narihiro Takeda is already making plans and moving forward for upcoming post-Nakajima tours. There’s said to be no ill-will between the two parties, and Nakajima will always have a home in NOAH.

Photo c/o Masahiro Kubota for Monthly Puroresu, LLC

In an exclusive interview with Hochi Sports posted in full by longtime NOAH blogger Hisame, Nakajima said what went into the decision to leave the place he’s called home for two decades.

“Thirty five years old, twenty years of career, it’s a milestone for me. I decided to do it because I had reached that double turning point. That’s all,” Nakajima said. “I wanted to change my environment… the best part of professional wrestling is not knowing what’s going to happen.”

Tokyo Sports published even more interesting news, saying that Nakajima has an eye towards working in the American pro-wrestling scene. Whether or not Nakajima would start on the indie circuit or have the opportunity to jump straight into the big leagues remains to be seen.

Tokyo Sports: “Katsuhiko Nakajima has long been interested in working overseas. Thus, there is a possibility that he hope to enter the American pro wrestling industry, such as WWE or AEW. We will keep an eye on his activities in the future.”https://t.co/HvYCwrmmN6

— Shigeo 🇯🇵 (@sg_oxxt) September 26, 2023

Tuesday’s announcement that the two-time GHC Heavyweight Champ decided to terminate his contract with NOAH is another dramatic twist in an interesting year for NOAH, which continues searching for answers following the retirement of Keiji Muto earlier this year.

Nakajima’s tag-team match with AXIZ teammate Go Shiozaki is scheduled against Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura scheduled as his final bout in the emerald promotion on the 28th of October.