Claudio Castagnoli Makes Surprise Appearance at 11/24 NJPW World Tag League 2024 Event & Revealed as Shota Umino’s Opponent for Wrestle Dynasty

Sunday’s World Tag League 2024 event for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan featured Claudio Castagnoli making a surprise video appearance.

Following Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma’s victory over Bishamon (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto, Honma & Umino’s victory celebration was interrupted by the lights going off and a video airing on the big screen revealing Claudio Castagnoli.

Castagnoli talked about Umino’s recent disrespect shown towards Jon Moxley and revealed that he was the emissary Moxley would be sending as Umino’s challenger for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025 at the Tokyo Dome.

Jon Moxley's 'emissary' for the Tokyo Dome January 5 is none other than Claudio Castagnoli!@shooter_us vs @ClaudioCSRO at #wrestledynasty?!#njpw #njWD pic.twitter.com/eu8GeSKuiG

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) November 24, 2024

After the video ended, the lights turned back on and Umino grabbed a microphone and responded to Castagnoli’s comments. Umino stated that he would be ready for Castagnoli at Wrestle Dynasty after he finishes World Tag League and claimed he will win the IWGP World title from Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestle Kingdom 19.