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Three names from Japan fans would like to see in an AEW ring in 2023

By Raphael Garcia

TACHIKAWA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 23: KAIRI enters the ring during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi on October 23, 2022 in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TACHIKAWA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 23: KAIRI enters the ring during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi on October 23, 2022 in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling have close ties together. The partnership between both promotions helped create some of the biggest moments of the year. Multiple NJPW names made the jump to AEW. Kenny Omega is heading back to Wrestle Kingdom to take on Will Ospreay for the NJPW United States Championship. With such interesting action on the horizon, here are three more names that fans would like to see come from NJPW to make appearances in AEW.

Kota Ibushi

Kota Ibushi’s contract status with NJPW is a debated point. He’s hinted at the contract ending in January on social media, but as with many others these matters are often murky. If he does become a free agent, he’s someone that all major promotions should through all available resources at to acquire his talents.

Allowing Ibushi to show up in AEW immediately kicks off a main event-level story with Kenny Omega and The Elite. Ibushi and Omega have a storied history as both foes and friends, both of which can play into the next chapter in an AEW ring. AEW has told some great stories in the last three years and seeing Ibushi and Omega reconnect would certainly be on that list.

Kairi

The AEW Women’s Division is on the cusp of a breakthrough. The talent has always been there, but it seems like the promotion is prepared to push the group as many fans have called for during the last three years. If the promotion is looking to bring in women’s talents from other companies, then Kairi would be an exceptional name on that list.

Kairi was a beloved member of the WWE roster, and that continued when she left the company and returned to the Japan wrestling scene. She recently captured the IWGP Women’s Championship, becoming the first individual to hold that belt. Seeing her bring it over to AEW to put on showcase matches would grab the attention that the women’s division needs to continue its surge.

Kushida

Kushida’s run in WWE didn’t live up to what fans wanted to see. He’s recognized as one of the most talented performers in the industry, and his track record speaks to that. Now that he’s back in New Japan, he went right back to work putting on matches with some of the best individuals on the roster, regardless of weight class.

Next. Shane Taylor finally arrives in AEW. dark

Imagine if he made a brief jump to AEW to give fans some of dream matches. Bryan Danielson, Swerve, PAC, Buddy Murphy, and Rey Fenix are all names that easily pop to the top of the list. It wouldn’t need to be a long stint, but just enough time to remind North American fans that Kushida should not be forgotten about when talking about the best in the world.

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