Former Champion Reportedly Signed One-Year Deal With New Japan

It looks like a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is sticking around another year.

Last night Dragon Lee appeared at the World Tag League Finals to challenge Jushin Thunder Liger to a match at Wrestle Kindom 14. With that, he also revealed that he is no longer ‘Dragon Lee’ but now is going by the name ‘Ryu Lee.’ This may have to do with him leaving CMLL back in September and they own the trademark to the name. Yet, why you translate the name Ryu in Japanese means Dragon.

According to a report from Voice of Wrestling, they do state that the former Junior Heavyweight champion has signed a one-year deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

As stated above Ryu Lee left CMLL back in September along with his brother RUSH and it was not clear if he would remain working with New Japan since they have a working relationship with CMLL. With that, it is unclear if New Japan signing Lee after the two sides had a falling out with hinder their relationship with CMLL in any way.