Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura would face off against the Great Muta at their The New Year 2023 event from Nippon Budokan on New Year’s Day.
Many were surprised to see the match be booked as WWE usually doesn’t let talent work for other promotions unless there is a deal reached. Pro Wrestling NOAH did reach out to AEW before booking the match.
Nakamura himself described the match getting booked as a ‘miracle and revealed that there was pushback on WWE’s end during initial discussions, but a deal was reached.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that “there are restrictions made regarding NOAH promoting the event outside Japan and in English.”
Per the report, NOAH is allowed to do the promo video, match graphic, and the press release with Nakamuara’s name it, but “there are other restrictions in place, including not being allowed to mention WWE anywhere else.”
The match comes as a part of Keiji Mutoh’s retirement tour.
