Tonight's WWE NXT tapings continued their trend of surprising fans at Full Sail University, as the crowd saw a former New Japan Pro Wrestling name appear at the show.
Kota Ibushi appeared, defeating former NXT Tag Team champion Buddy Murphy. Ibushi is already participating in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, but it wasn't known if the two sides planned on working together outside of that. Fightful.com is working to learn if Ibushi has signed a contract with WWE.
See Also: CruiserWeight Classic Bracket Analysis Bonanza!
The 34-year old Ibushi has spent the last seven years with New Japan Pro Wrestling before announcing his intent to leave earlier this year. Ibushi missed much of 2016 with a severe neck injury that many expected to drastically change his wrestling style, which didn't end up happening.
During Ibushi's run in New Japan Pro Wrestling he was a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in addition to winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles with Kenny Omega. He was also the winner of the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tourney, and the 2015 New Japan Cup.
By Sean Ross Sapp -
