Katsuhiko Nakajima Retains AJPW Triple Crown Title Against WWE NXT’s Charlie Dempsey
Charlie Dempsey’s attempts to bring the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title to the No Quarter Catch Crew were in vain at the promotion’s recent event.
Last month, it was announced that Dempsey would be competing for AJPW, in a rare instance of WWE allowing one of their stars in another promotion. In a video, William Regal (Dempsey’s father) spoke about his own career in Japan before announcing that Dempsey would be working the AJPW show. This also proved to be Regal’s first public acknowledgment of the WWE NXT Superstar as his son.
Charlie Dempsey Competes in All Japan
On December 31, Katsuhiko Nakajima defeated Kento Miyahara to retain the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and set up the title defense against Dempsey. Heading into their title match, Dempsey held a victory over the champion, having bested Nakajima in a previous tag-team match.
At the January 3, show, the champion and challenger held nothing back in their efforts to leave with the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title. Dempsey was called the ‘Ace of NXT’ by the ring announcer. You can check out highlights of the match below.
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
Charlie Dempsey entrance !!!
◆第6試合 メインイベント 三冠ヘビー級選手権試合 60分1本勝負
【第71代王者】
中嶋勝彦
vs
【挑戦者】
チャーリー・デンプシー📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/bTw8q6roA8
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
その結末やいかに!!!
◆第6試合 メインイベント 三冠ヘビー級選手権試合 60分1本勝負
【第71代王者】
中嶋勝彦
vs
【挑戦者】
チャーリー・デンプシー📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/yQdeB7SNY7
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
ゴングの時!
◆第6試合 メインイベント 三冠ヘビー級選手権試合 60分1本勝負
【第71代王者】
中嶋勝彦
vs
【挑戦者】
チャーリー・デンプシー📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/Yu1k3Jc7oN
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
ファーストコンタクトは中嶋勝彦の強烈な蹴り!!!
会場からは “let's go Dempsey” コールが巻き起こる!
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/6SooYLvKJO
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
デンプシーが独特の動きを見せる!
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/Qpjkd63hgZ
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
デンプシーが中嶋の足を極めにいくも
黙っていられないと反撃!📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/7n5uBtByT7
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
中嶋勝彦がいつものムーヴメント!
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/2r1nOf4Osv
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
会場は変わらずデンプシーコール!
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/iAs0S9TGeK
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
\🛎️1.3後楽園大会開催中🛎️/
デンプシーの気迫と中嶋勝彦の闘魂スタイル
果たして上回るのは!
📺 https://t.co/2R4sZMhAtq#ajpw #WWE #WWENXT #ajpwtv pic.twitter.com/ttDKEDJvBi
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 3, 2024
After Dempsey exited the ring, Nakajima was approached by Shotaro Ashino, who has been out since May 2023 with a fractured left forearm. Before his injury, Ashino had won the Champion Carnival tournament, earning himself a shot at the Triple Crown. He made his return to the ring on December 31.
Back in the United States, things didn’t go any better for Dempsey’s allies in the No Quarter Catch Crew. Click here to find out more.