Kushida

Yujiro Kushida, known professionally as Kushida, is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. A cornerstone of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's junior heavyweight division, he is a six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a two-time Best of the Super Juniors winner. Since 2022, he has split his time between NJPW and TNA Wrestling, where he continues to compete in the junior heavyweight and tag team ranks. His technical style, innovative submissions like the Hoverboard Lock, and time-traveler persona have made him a standout in the global wrestling scene.[edit]

Kushida grew up in Ota, Tokyo, and began training at Nobuhiko Takada's Takada Dojo while still in junior high school, focusing on catch wrestling and shootfighting for a future in mixed martial arts. He attended high school in Tokyo while continuing his combat training. His professional MMA debut came in 2003 for the ZST promotion, and he quickly made an impact by winning the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament in 2004, finishing with an undefeated record. In 2005, at age 22, he retired from MMA with a perfect 5-0 record and turned his full attention to professional wrestling. He trained under the NJPW system and made his pro wrestling debut later that year, initially working as a junior heavyweight under his real name.[edit]

Kushida's breakthrough in NJPW came in 2010 when he won his first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. In 2012, he formed the tag team Time Splitters with Alex Shelley, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. He won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in 2015 and again in 2017, also capturing the Super J-Cup in 2016 and the Pro Wrestling World Cup in 2017. In 2018, he added the ROH World Television Championship to his resume. He signed with WWE in 2019, debuting on 205 Live and NXT, and won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in 2020. After requesting his release in 2022, he returned to NJPW and also signed with TNA (then Impact Wrestling) later that year, where he has since won additional tag team gold with Kevin Knight as Catch 2/2.[edit]

Kushida is widely respected as one of the greatest junior heavyweights in NJPW history, praised for his technical mastery and high-flying innovation. His time-traveler gimmick, complete with clock imagery and sci-fi motifs, sets him apart visually. On social media, he presents a humble and professional demeanor, often interacting with fans. His fanbase, while not formally named, is loyal and appreciates his work ethic and match storytelling.[edit]

Kushida is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine but holds no placement in the published rankings, meaning he does not appear in the Global Top 1,000 or any specific Top-100 scope list. This absence from the leaderboard reflects a unique position where his influence transcends standard metrics without securing a ranked spot. Despite this, his cultural footprint remains massive, particularly among fans of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight division who revere him as the "ace" of the 2010s. The community surrounding Kushida generally identifies simply as Kushida fans rather than adhering to a formalized moniker like those found in other wrestling factions. Yet, this group has cultivated a distinct identity defined by an almost universal emotional response; it is a widely accepted piece of folklore that hearing his entrance music or seeing him step into the ring makes it nearly impossible not to smile. This shared ritual of joy binds the audience together, creating a supportive environment that spans national borders. His career trajectory further cements this bond, with recent chapters including a heel turn and the capture of the MLW World Middleweight title in early 2026, events that have deepened fan investment in his character evolution. From his time-traveler persona to his technical mastery, Kushida serves as a bridge between Japanese and American wrestling cultures, maintaining a loyal following that actively engages through seminars and consistent viewership of his matches.[edit]

Yujiro Kushida stands alone as the only wrestler to have captured the Best of the Super Juniors, Super J-Cup, and Pro Wrestling World Cup titles. Before his wrestling dominance, he retired from mixed martial arts with a perfect 5-0 record. His signature submission, the Hoverboard Lock, is a modified crossface that showcases his technical precision. A lifelong gamer, he frequently weaves video game references into his ring gear and entrance themes. The Time Splitters gimmick features prominent clock imagery, inspiring fans to wear clock-themed merchandise to his shows. Beyond these established facts, a persistent story surrounds his inherent likability, often described as being "impossible to hate" regardless of whether he plays a hero or villain. This reputation was tested and confirmed when he turned heel in early 2026 after winning the MLW World Middleweight title, joining the Contra Unit yet retaining a crowd that remained largely engaged rather than hostile. Another defining moment occurred during his participation in the Battle RIOT VIII tournament in January 2026, where he faced Templario for the world title before capturing the belt later that month, cementing his status as a top star in the US independent scene. Fans also appreciate his dedication to education, highlighted by his leadership in a seminar held in February 2026, proving his role extends beyond the ring.[edit]

Kushida is intensely private about his family. He has not publicly named his parents or siblings, nor has he confirmed any marriage or children. He grew up in Ota, Tokyo, and attended high school there. As of 2026, he lives in Japan and keeps his household life out of the public eye.[edit]

Kushida is best known for his tag team with Alex Shelley as the Time Splitters, with whom he won multiple junior heavyweight tag team titles. He has also teamed with Kevin Knight as Catch 2/2 in TNA. His frequent rivals include Will Ospreay and Hiromu Takahashi, with whom he has had acclaimed matches in NJPW.[edit]

Kushida has never publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. He maintains a strictly private personal life, and no credible reports have linked him to any partner. As of 2026, he is reportedly single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kushida's net worth is estimated at $1.8 Million as of 2026. His primary income streams include professional wrestling contracts with NJPW and TNA, alongside match fees and merchandise sales. During his tenure with WWE from 2019 to 2022, he earned compensation under a standard developmental contract. He currently has no known endorsement deals or major business ventures outside of wrestling. His financial standing has grown steadily since returning to NJPW in 2022, bolstered by regular bookings and merchandise revenue generated from his Time Splitters and Catch 2/2 runs.[edit]

Kushida has won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship six times and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship four times. He is a two-time Best of the Super Juniors winner (2015, 2017), a Super J-Cup winner (2016), and a Pro Wrestling World Cup winner (2017). In WWE, he held the NXT Cruiserweight Championship once. He also captured the ROH World Television Championship in 2018.[edit]