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News on Shinsuke Nakamura's pending exit from New Japan Pro Wrestling first came on Jan. 4 when it was reported that he had given notice to the promotion. Later, it was revealed he would be working through to the end of January and would be dropping the Intercontinental title to Kenny Omega on the way out.
Not anymore.
That's because New Japan announced Nakamura has been stripped of the title, though he will work for NJPW for the rest of the month. Omega will take on a new opponent, who was not revealed, for the vacant belt.
It's expected that Nakamura will sign with WWE as soon as he is legally able to do so. PW Insider reported he reached out to the company last year but never heard back before re-upping with NJPW for another year. It was clear, however, that the two sides could work together and he's finishing up his dates to make that happen.