Charlie Dempsey Recalls AJPW Triple Crown Challenge
“It wasn’t talked about much but, in the beginning of 2024, while working for NXT, they had me go over to wrestle for All Japan, for the Triple Crown Championship, and I thought that was an incredible experience.— Charlie Dempsey
In late 2023, Charlie Dempsey traveled to Japan on a mini tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling while under contract with WWE. At the end of the tour, Dempsey challenged for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship against Katsuhiko Nakajima in the main event at Korakuen Hall.
Dempsey discussed the experience on Busted Open and said it made him more confident. He explained that the 90s King's Road-style wrestling had always been among his favorites after watching stars like Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa. Dempsey noted that competing for the title that meant so much to those legends while still working for WWE proved to be an incredible experience.
He added that the match helped him realize he had been holding back and that he needed to put his full effort into every performance in the ring. During the tour Dempsey also wrestled Hideki Suzuki, who had previously appeared in NXT as Hachiman and whom he had long admired and trained with.
He faced Tatsumi Fujinami, a WWE Hall of Famer and one of his all-time favorite wrestlers who was 70 years old at the time. Dempsey recalled that Fujinami told him before their match to hit him hard, and after delivering a strike the veteran remained completely still.
Source: Fightful