AJ Styles is returning to Japan to wrestle for Pro Wrestling NOAH – Selambe

Pro Wrestling NOAH promised a major announcement last week and a message from an unnamed wrestler in conjunction with WWE. As it turns out, the news and the wrestler were phenomenal.

AJ Styles is returning to Japan to wrestle at NOAH’s Destination event on July 13 at the historic Nippon Budokan. Styles appeared in a pre-taped video to announce that he will face four-time world champion Naomichi Marufuji.

“Marufuji, I know way too much than I should about you and how talented you are,” said Styles. “You been doing this a long time, and your resume speaks for itself. But I’m not coming to Japan to lose. Let’s tear the house down on July 13.”

NOAH’s website is billing this as a dream match between two of the best. Marufuji, a four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion (NOAH’s world title), is a 26-year ring veteran. He has also held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and won New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Super J-Cup in 2009.

However, Styles is no stranger to Japan, having made a significant impact with New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2014-2016, where he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice as a member of Bullet Club. His match with Marufuji will be his first appearance in a NOAH ring. Styles follows fellow WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura, who wrestled the Great Muta in NOAH in 2023 during Muta’s retirement tour.

The interpromotional match between Styles and Marufuji comes as WWE, under the creative leadership of “Triple H” Paul Levesque, opens itself up to collaborating with other wrestling promotions and promoters. In recent weeks, WWE has partnered with Total Nonstop Action, which saw Jordynne Grace challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship. WWE also revealed that Iyo Sky will compete in Marigold, a new joshi (women’s) promotion in Japan.

Styles’ return to Japan will be available on pay-per-view, with Pro Wrestling NOAH directing fans here for more information.