To promote MLW Summer of the Beasts, KUSHIDA was interviewed by Sid Pullar III of The Takedown on Sports Illustrated.
KUSHIDA is scheduled to take on Diego Hill on the card, and while speaking about his work outside of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, KUSHIDA confirmed that he is under contract to the company.
“Yes, I have a New Japan contract, just one. But New Japan and MLW have a good relationship, so New Japan send me to MLW right now. And I can wrestle all over the world, so if CMLL wanted me and New Japan accept, I can go. New Japan send me to CMLL and MLW."
On the topic of contracts, KUSHIDA joked about his tag team partners leaving him. He stated that he went to TNA and wanted to work with Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin), and they ended up in WWE.
He then touched on his partnership with Kevin Knight as 'Intergalactic Jet Setters.' He said it was the same situation with Knight, as he's now signed to AEW in addition to being under contract to New Japan. KUSHIDA added that he's happy for Knight's success and hopes to one day tag with him and his new partner, 'Speedball' Mike Bailey.
"My tag partner has always left from me. For example, Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. I signed with TNA because they signed with TNA. I joined, but they leave to WWE (he laughed). And now Kevin Knight too. Kevin Knight come to New Japan, then soon to AEW, but he has two contracts. But good. I'm very proud, it's a honor for me. Vision for pro wrestling, most important thing in pro wrestling is get the money. Yeah, it's true. It's small just one ring for him because he's Jet. Now in AEW, his partner is 'Speedball' Mike Bailey. Good tag team. Someday in the future, I want to join with them."
MLW Summer of the Beasts can be watched at this link.
KUSHIDA was last in Japan to wrestle during the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He finished with eight points in the A block.
