WWE star Karl Anderson reconciles with former Bullet Club stablemate after Wrestle Kingdom 17 loss

WWE star Karl Anderson was on the losing end at Wrestle Kingdom 17, as he dropped the NEVER Openweight Championship to Tama Tonga.

Post-match, Anderson reconciled with Tama as the duo put their issues aside. The Machine Gun also embraced his former Bullet Club stablemate backstage.

The newly crowned NEVER Openweight Champion also praised Anderson for mentoring him. He lastly mentioned that their journey on the same path has come to an end after Wrestle Kingdom 17.

"He's been a wonderful mentor to me for many years. And today, the path we've walked together has come to an end. I'm starting a new path," said Tama. (Translated from Japanese by Google)

Check out NJPW's tweet below:

新日本プロレスリング株式会社

@njpw1972

バックステージで、アンダーソンがタマと電撃和解…！
「タマ・トンガこそがビッグスーパースターだ」

タマ「彼は長年、自分にとって素晴らしい師であった。そして今日、ともに歩んできた道は終わり。俺は新しい道を進み始めることになる」

全文は
⇒njpw.co.jp/tornament/3751…

#wk17

3732

519

バックステージで、アンダーソンがタマと電撃和解…！
「タマ・トンガこそがビッグスーパースターだ」

タマ「彼は長年、自分にとって素晴らしい師であった。そして今日、ともに歩んできた道は終わり。俺は新しい道を進み始めることになる」

全文は
⇒njpw.co.jp/tornament/3751…

#wk17 https://t.co/CQsSF5gVAD

Anderson won the NEVER Openweight Championship by beating Tama Tonga in first place.

His only defense of the title was against Tonga's brother, Hikuleo, whom he beat in the Tag League Finals. Shortly after, he was challenged to a rematch by Tonga.

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Karl Anderson claimed to be the biggest star in NJPW prior to Wrestle Kingdom 17

Heading into Wrestle Kingdom 17, Anderson claimed to be the biggest star in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Speaking at the Wrestle Kingdom 17 press conference, Anderson mentioned how confident he was heading into the grand show at the Tokyo Dome. The Machine Gun said:

"Fans love Karl Anderson, Chairman Sugabayashi loves Karl Anderson. Tama, this is my ninth Wrestle Kingdom. Nothing makes me nervous. This year Tama has become a legitimate superstar, but he is not the Machinegun Karl Anderson. I am the biggest star in NJPW."

Karl Anderson

@MachineGunKA

Good luck 🏻 @Tama_Tonga twitter.com/njpwglobal/sta…

NJPW Global

@njpwglobal

HOURS TO WRESTLE KINGDOM:

Will @tama_tonga rescue NEVER Openweight Championship gold?
Will @machinegunka keep holding the NEVER Openweight Championship to ransom?

LIVE in English ONLY on njpwworld.com!

njpw1972.com/139641

#njpw #wk17

179

19

HOURS TO WRESTLE KINGDOM: 5️⃣

Will @tama_tonga rescue NEVER Openweight Championship gold?
Will @machinegunka keep holding the NEVER Openweight Championship to ransom?

LIVE in English ONLY on njpwworld.com!

njpw1972.com/139641

#njpw #wk17 https://t.co/EhIOJGjHvq

Good luck 👍🏻 @Tama_Tonga twitter.com/njpwglobal/sta…

With Anderson's loss at Wrestle Kingdom 17, he is expected to return to WWE and reunite with The OC.

While being a part of the NJPW roster, Anderson returned to WWE as he and Luke Gallows reunited with AJ Styles. The trio also added 'Michin' Mia Yim to the group.

Did you enjoy Anderson's brief return to New Japan Pro Wrestling? Sound off in the comment section

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