Exclusive Highlights:
- NXT’s Charlie Dempsey to compete for AJPW Triple Crown Title.
- Katsuhiko Nakajima confirmed as Dempsey’s opponent following successful title defense.
- Shawn Michaels expresses support and high expectations for Dempsey’s performance.
WWE NXT Talent Ventures to All Japan Pro Wrestling
Wrestling enthusiasts, mark your calendars! A landmark event is on the horizon as WWE’s NXT talent steps into an All Japan Pro Wrestling ring. It’s official: NXT’s own Charlie Dempsey will be vying for the prestigious AJPW Triple Crown Championship at the forthcoming AJPW event scheduled for January 3, 2024.
Charlie Dempsey: William Regal’s Prodigy Enters the Fray
Charlie Dempsey, the son of the respected wrestling figure William Regal, was named as the chosen WWE NXT representative to showcase his grappling prowess on the international stage. This selection signifies a leap in Dempsey’s career, propelling him into the competitive circles of AJPW.
Rivalry Defined: Dempsey vs. Nakajima
The anticipation built as the wrestling world speculated on who Dempsey would face, and it’s now clear. AJPW Champion Katsuhiko Nakajima secured his spot against Dempsey by defending his title against Kento Miyahara at AJPW MANIAx. With his victory on December 31, Nakajima set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying match. AJPW has crystallized this matchup with an official promotional graphic making rounds online.
Shawn Michaels Endorses NXT’s Rising Star
Adding to the fanfare, WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, Shawn Michaels, took to social media to rally support for Charlie Dempsey. With enthusiasm apparent in his tweet, Michaels sees Dempsey as the ideal candidate to represent WWE’s developmental brand in this crossover challenge.
Michaels tweeted:
@WWENXT is about supporting and developing our young Superstars while evolving along the way. Help me support #CharlieDempsey as he travels to @alljapan_pw for the Triple Crown Championship on January 3. I couldn’t ask for a better Superstar to represent #WWENXT. Good luck!! https://t.co/a68CGGg3eq
Precedents and Expectations
It’s not the first instance under Triple H’s guidance that a WWE star has stepped into a rival promotion’s ring. A notable previous occurrence includes Shinsuke Nakamura’s encounter with the Great Muta at NOAH The New Year 2023 event, highlighting the increasingly open borders within the professional wrestling industry.
As the wrestling community gears up for this champion vs. champion confrontation, all eyes are set on NXT’s Charlie Dempsey to see if he can rise to the occasion and bring the AJPW Triple Crown Championship home to WWE NXT.
