• Another Ex-NJPW Star Rumored To Join WWE
After news broke in February that Hiromu Takahashi was leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling, a new report from Super J-Cast notes that the former 5-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is expected to sign with WWE.
If the deal goes through, the plan is for the 16-year NJPW veteran to start his run in NXT. His time with NJPW officially ended on February 11 at the New Beginning in Osaka show. At the time, the company apologized for the sudden news but thanked him for everything he did for the roster.
In his last NJPW match, Takahashi teamed up with Taiji Ishimori to defeat United Empire’s Francesco Akira and Jakob Austin Young.
Hiromu Takahashi isn’t the only former NJPW star that is rumored to join WWE soon, as former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Evil is also expected to sign with WWE.
Also Read: WWE Has Plan B For WrestleMania 43
• Sol Ruca Addresses Criticism Over Being Called A Black Woman, Ricochet Reacts
During an interview on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, NXT star Sol Ruca talked about being mixed race:
“I’m mixed. I feel like a lot of people don’t really accept that. Or I guess some people accept it, some people don’t. It’s always crazy every year when [Black History Month] rolls around and people are like, ‘Why are you calling her black? She’s not black.’ Or other people are defending me and stuff. Why would I lie about that? I don’t know. I think people just need to be a little nicer to each other.
I just think it’s ridiculous that, I get a lot of people that are asking for proof. Like, oh prove it. Show me a picture of your dad. And then I do, and they’re like, he’s mixed. He’s not full black. I’m like, why does it matter? It always baffles my mind every time people start finding out again. I feel like it goes in waves. I understand how I look, but genes are crazy.
I think because of the way I look, that I was fortunate enough to not have to go through a lot of challenges that people that are darker than me do experience. I completely understand that, and I completely understand when people get upset when people say that I am a black woman. Because I don’t have those experiences that they do, and I get that.
However, I’ve never claimed that I am a black woman. I know I’m mixed. But I still think it should be accepted. I feel like a lot of mixed people have this identity crisis because it’s like, where do I fit? And people are gonna tell you that you’re not this, or you’re not that, or you’re not black enough, or you’re not white enough, or you’re whatever. And I’m just like, why does it matter?”
AEW star Ricochet tweeted the following about Sol’s situation:
“I agree with her.
As a mixed kid growing up in Kentucky in the early 90’s I was a black kid to the white people and I was a white kid to the black people.
But as I grew older I felt so much more acceptance and most all my friends were from the black community. So naturally thats what felt right for me.
But it took me a while to understand and realize that being mixed is the best!”
Also Read: Ricochet Apologizes For Controversial Post
