Amid AEW and NJPW’s ongoing crossover partnership, Tommaso Ciampa has made some interesting comments about the possibility of wrestling in Japan.
Speaking with SB Nation, Ciampa noted that, while he doesn’t think a full-tour would be what’s best for him, he’d be open to making occasional appearances for NJPW.
Ciampa said:
“I don’t know that my body or personal life at this point bodes well for a full tour or G1 tournament, but doing a show here or there, or three shows, I’d be 100% open to that.”
With Ciampa also naming a specific star he’d love to share the ring with, fans have been talking about the possibility of the Psycho Killer wrestling for NJPW in Japan for the first time, following his previous ROH/NJPW Global Wars appearances in the US and Canada in 2014.
With Ciampa’s in-ring style, there are plenty of stars it’d be fun to see him mix it up with in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Here are three NJPW stars to face AEW’s Tommaso Ciampa.
Shingo Takagi
While speaking with SB Nation, Ciampa named Shingo Takagi specifically as a NJPW star who he’d like to face, stating:
“Shingo always jumps out at me as someone I’ve always wanted to share a ring with.”
Interestingly, Shingo Takagi has been feuding with AEW’s Death Riders recently, notably defeating Claudio Castagnoli at NJPW Destruction in Kobe on September 27.
Takagi has called out Jon Moxley since then, and is set to team with Jeff Cobb against Moxley and Wheeler Yuta at Power Struggle on November 3.
There are other stars who it’d also make sense to see Tommaso Ciampa stand across from in NJPW, including…
Ryohei Oiwa
After winning the G1 Climax tournament, Ryohei Oiwa came up short against IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji at King of Pro-Wrestling on October 12.
With MJF recently issuing a challenge to Oiwa, we could see the TMDK member become the gatekeeper for the AEW/NJPW forbidden door.
If Oiwa does start to test himself against AEW stars in crossover appearances, we could soon see him lock horns with Tommaso Ciampa.
With Oiwa’s recent achievements, becoming NJPW’s representative against AEW stars would help to establish him as one of the faces of the company to international audiences.
Yota Tsuji
Ahead of facing Kazuchika Okada at All Out, Ciampa recalled viewing the Rainmaker as a dream opponent in 2018, back when they “lived on different islands”.
With Ciampa thinking highly of the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, it would make sense to see him face off against the star currently holding that title.
While Yota Tsuji has previously criticised stars for defending NJPW gold in AEW or at Forbidden Door, the “Gene Blast” recently stated that he’d be open to facing AEW stars either in non-title matches, or after the stars have earned title bouts.
While Tsuji may have his hands full with Kenny Omega, after his feud with The Cleaner, the Psycho Killer could be waiting in the wings.
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