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Ever since news broke that Kota Ibushi would not re-sign exclusive contracts with either New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) or Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) in his home country, speculation has swirled that he'd head to the U.S. - and eventually WWE.
The latest announcement from Gabe Sapolsky about WWNLive's WrestleMania weekend shows in Dallas next month bring those rumors one-step closer to reality.
Ibushi will be at both EVOLVE 58 & 59 on April 1 - 2, but only for meet & greets and autographs.
On Saturday night's pre-Mania supershow, Mercury Rising, however, he'll take part in a huge trios match. Partnering with Johnny Gargano and TJ Perkins (formerly TNA's Manik), the New Japan Cup winner will face a European dream team of Tommy End, Marty Scurll and another guy who is high on fan's wish list for WWE's Global Cruiserweight Series, Will Ospreay.
Will working with Triple H partner Sapolsky lead to a berth in the GCS and maybe even a NXT/WWE contract for Ibushi? In addition to just a great six-man, we'll be watching to find out.
Here are the line-ups (so far) for all three of WWNLive's Mania weekend shows:
EVOLVE 58, April 1 at 5PM EST/4PM CST
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Will OspreayChris Hero & Tommy End vs. Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams
Ricochet vs. TJ Perkins
EVOLVE 59, April 2 at 1PM EST/Noon CST
Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay (USA vs. Europe Series Match #1)Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Matt Riddle (USA vs. Europe Series Match #2)
Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway vs. Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams for the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles (if Gargano & Galloway Retain At EVOLVE 57 on Mar. 20 in Brooklyn)
WWN Supershow: Mercury Rising 2016, April 2 at 9PM EST/8PM CST
Terry Funk Appreciation NightKota Ibushi, Johnny Gargano & TJ Perkins vs. Will Ospreay, Tommy End & Marty Scurll
Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Sami Callihan for the EVOLVE Championship (if Thatcher defeats Riddle at EVOLVE 56 in Queens on Mar. 19 & Caleb Konley at 57)
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Chris Hero
Taylor Made (c) vs. Ivelisse for the SHINE Championship
Ethan Page vs. Anthony Nese
Ticket information is here.
Like what you see? Is this Ibushi's last stop before heading to Florida - possibly for a show that will premiere in July on WWE Network, if not more?