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WWE Hall Of Famer In Pittsburgh Ahead Of Payback.
WWE and AEW both have big shows this weekend, but an unexpected presence may shake things up. Japanese pro wrestling legend The Great Muta, also known as Keiji Muto, has reportedly arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ahead of WWE’s Payback Premium Live Event. The arrival is noteworthy given that Muta, despite his legendary status and recent induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, has never actually competed in a WWE ring.
Reports from PWInsider Elite suggest that Muta arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday, although there are no confirmed plans for his appearance at either WWE’s Payback or AEW’s All Out events. It’s worth noting that Chicago, the venue for AEW’s All Out, is more than 400 miles away from Pittsburgh, making his appearance there less likely. The timing of his arrival has nonetheless been called “interesting,” especially given that both WWE and AEW have significant shows lined up for the weekend.
Keiji Muto was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year by none other than Ric Flair. The induction came less than two months after Muta retired from a storied 40-year wrestling career that included championship titles in NJPW, AJPW, and WCW. Muta’s final matches took place in a farewell event on February 21, promoted by Pro Wrestling NOAH. In these matches, he faced off against both Tetsuya Naito and his long-time rival Masahiro Chono.
Further fueling speculation about his involvement this weekend is his past interaction with WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura. The two wrestled in January at a NOAH event in Tokyo, with Nakamura emerging victorious, and the match took place with WWE’s approval. While PWInsider speculated that Muta could get involved with Shinsuke Nakamura if he does appear at Payback, no concrete plans have been reported.
So while the card for tonight’s WWE Payback may appear to be straightforward, fans are advised to expect the unexpected. With The Great Muta now in the U.S. and both WWE and AEW hosting major events, the stage is set for potential surprises that could electrify the wrestling world.
