Yes folks, you’ve read that right! The Timesplitters aka Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA are reuniting for this year’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
It was announced by Mauro Ranallo during last night’s NXT broadcast that Alex Shelley of NJPW/TNA will tag with KUSHIDA, bringing back one of the most exciting tag teams of last decade. They will face off against former (possibly current after this weekend’s Takeover: Blackpool II) NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Grizzled Young Veterans.
My man Eddie Dennis says what I’m feeling folks!
https://twitter.com/EddieDennis1986/status/1215213956333297664
Time Splitters wrestled exclusively in New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2012-2015, where they won the IWGP Jr Tag Team Championships on two occasions. They also won the 2012 Super Junior Tag League too. They are credited, along with ReDragon and the Forever Hooligans as revitalizing the NJPW Juniors tag team division at the time.
In his time away from his partner, Shelley has been around the world. Working for Ring Of Honor among other companies. He has also spent some time at the WWE Performance Center. Doing a spot of guest coaching this past year too. His coaching sent the IWC into a spin, with many speculating that he would eventually reunite with KUSHIDA.
Blake’s Take – I knew this day would come. What I didn’t know was that this day would take place in the WWE! Seeing the Time Splitters (are WWE allowed to use that considering they teamed in NJPW?) back together takes me back to their heyday in Japan. That tag division was stacked back then. Seeing Shelly and KUSHIDA face off against Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, Alex Koslov, Rocky Romero, and Matt & Nick Jackson was a sight to see. All of those teams went out each and every night to steal the show. I sincerely hope that Shelley and KUSHIDA still have that mindset now!
