Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks lose at Wrestle Kingdom 13 ahead of AEW launch
Cody Rhodes loses IWGP United States Championship
Only a few days after confirming an Executive Vice President role with the new All Elite Wrestling promotion, Cody Rhodes lost the IWGP United States Championship to Juice Robinson on Friday at New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 13 event.
Cody, who was joined by his wife Brandi Rhodes, was sporting new gear referencing the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars (photo above). Tony Khan, whose family owns the Jaguars, will be the acting President of AEW and is the main financial backer of the new promotion.
The finish of the match saw Cody go for the Disaster Kick, but Robinson hit him with a left hand twice and connected with a Pulp Friction twice to become the new champion. As of now, this was expected to be Cody's final New Japan appearance going forward.
LEFT HAND OF GOD! #njwk13
➡️ https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk pic.twitter.com/XAPNthLlrS
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 4, 2019
Young Bucks lose in triple threat tag team match
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) also took a loss at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
The Bucks were involved in a triple threat tag team match for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships inside the Tokyo Dome on Friday featuring the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) and EVIL and SANADA.
The finish saw Evil and Sanada hit the Magic Killer on Matt Jackson and Sanada followed with a moonsault for the pinfall. Like Cody, The Bucks are not expected to make any further New Japan appearances and have signed exclusive deals with AEW.