Japanese wrestling superstar Kushida has officially signed for WWE ahead of tonight's NXT TakeOver: New York event in Brooklyn.
The former IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion has officially put pen to paper before WrestleMania, ending speculation that he would choose WWE over the likes of AEW.
WWE's developmental brand has long used its premier event to debut the American company's latest signings but chose to break the mould with the 35-year-old from Tokyo by confirming his arrival in the company at a pre-show press conference broadcast on WWE's social channels.
His arrival had long been rumoured after his departure from New Japan Pro Wrestling, despite Kushida not appearing in the latest list of WWE Performance Centre intakes.
Triple H, aka Paul Levesque, WWE's executive vice-president of talent relations, live events and creative, posted a picture of Kushida having signed his contract with him plus NXT general manager and WWE scout William Regal on social media.
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He said: "We’re making history tonight... ...and the show hasn’t even started. Welcome the internationally renowned @Kushida)_0904 to WWE NXT. #GameChanger #WeAreNXT"
Kushida, whose full name is Yujiro Kushida, is best known for his nine year tenure in NJPW, where he is a former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
The former MMA star, who retired undefeated from the sport in 2005, previously made appearances for NJPW's American partner Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former ROH World Television Champion.
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He celebrated the news by posting a cartoon of himself in his trademark attire, stating: "Where is WWE/NXT 2019? Where is WM/TO?"
Expect the two time Best of the Super Juniors winner to appear in the front row at some point during the NXT TakeOver: New York this evening.
