HENARE is looking to become NEVER Openweight Champion.
Before HENARE made his presence felt at NJPW Resurgence, the last time he was featured in New Japan was in February at The New Beginning in Osaka. He was part of Will Ospreay’s final match as an NJPW talent as United Empire (Francesco Akira, TJP, Will Ospreay, HENARE & Jeff Cobb) clashed with BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, David Finlay, Drilla Moloney & Gabe Kidd).
HENARE spoke to NJPW1972.com about the injury he suffered that led to him taking time off. It occurred when Connors threw a table at him. HENARE said he’s put his head through tables before, so he did not think to put his hands up but this table came at him sideways.
I remember it all, concrete. There wasn’t a blur or anything. It was my first No DQ match. You know I like standing in the ring and fighting. I wasn’t expecting him throwing that table and I thought I could take it from the front. I’ve put my head through tables many times, and if I took the front, it would have been no problem. But he threw it sideways, and it cut right on the vein. Had it not hit that perfect shot, I would have been fine, but he got it.
To me, it’s the complete opposite (he responded when asked if he was operating subconsciously after the injury happened), more like you’re aware of everything. You’re in flight or fight mode, your senses go into overdrive and you see every little movement. I saw every one of those slaps Gabe (Kidd) threw, that’s why they didn’t faze me that much. I saw a bullseye on his chin and bang, hit him right on his chin and he was out cold. It’s like in Dragon Ball, the Ultra Instinct kicks in. But it does take a toll on your blood and your nervous system. The day after, I was completely burnt out.
At Dominion, HENARE is looking to win his first title in New Japan when he challenges Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight Championship.
