MJF is set to make his NJPW debut at the promotion’s biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 21.
At New Japan Power Struggle on November 3, T.M.D.K. (Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson) defeated The Swirl (Lee Johnson & Blake Christian). After the match, Maxwell Jacob Friedman appeared via video. Holding his Triple B, Friedman declared he was from the best country in the world, the USA. The former World Champion added that while he was a part of AEW, “where the best wrestle”, Oiwa was a part of New Japan, “Where the best leave.”
MJF then issued the challenge to face Oiwa in the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom for his championship. Fridman added that he would embarass Oiwa by defeating him with a move as simple as a headlock takeover. Oiwa accepted the challenge after the video cut.
Oiwa won his biggest NJPW accolade to date earlier in the year when he was the overall winner of the 2026 G1 Climax tournament. Oiwa unsuccessfully challenged Yota Tsuji for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Although MJF has been carrying around his version of the AEW World Championship, he is not the reigning champion. MJF lost the title to Omega on Dynamite back in July. Will Ospreay is the current reigning World Champion and will defend the title against Kyle Fletcher at Full Gear.
MJF Added To NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 21
Wrestle Kingdom 21 will take place on January 4, 2027. The announced card at this time is as follows:
- MJF vs. Ryohei Oiwa
Featured image: AEW
