Two of NXT's rising stars, Charlie Dempsey and Harlem Lewis, have made a surprising appearance at Pro Wrestling NOAH's N-1 Victory finals. The event, held at the legendary Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, marks a significant development in the ongoing collaboration between WWE and the Japanese promotion.
The news of the duo's appearance was preceded by a storyline on recent WWE programming. During the NXT Homecoming special, Charlie Dempsey, the leader of the No Quarter Catch Crew, informed his stablemate Wren Sinclair that he would be "going away for a month" to Japan. This was the first hint that a significant international excursion was in the works.
Charlie Dempsey & Harlem Lewis will square off in a singles match on Oct. 4th in Nagoya, and then appear in a special NOAH vs WWE NXT match on Oct. 11th at Wrestle Odyssey in Ryogoku!! #noah_ghc #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/OmN4x3V1V5
— PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noahglobal) September 23, 2025
For Charlie Dempsey, this marks his debut with Pro Wrestling NOAH, though he is no stranger to the Japanese wrestling scene. The technical wrestling standout previously competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling in January 2024, even challenging for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. His submission-based style is expected to be a natural fit for NOAH's hard-hitting and intense product, and fans are eager to see how he fares against the company's top talent.
The inclusion of Harlem Lewis is a particular point of interest. A relative newcomer in his first year as a professional, Lewis has yet to make his debut on the main NXT television show. His appearance in Japan is a clear sign that WWE sees significant potential in the young talent. Lewis has been featured on the WWE LFG reality series and has competed on NXT Level Up and at EVOLVE shows, but this trip to Japan represents a massive opportunity to prove himself on an international stage.
The presence of Dempsey and Lewis at the N-1 Victory finals further solidifies the talent exchange between WWE and Pro Wrestling NOAH. In recent years, this partnership has brought a number of "dream matches" to fruition, with WWE stars like Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, and Omos appearing in NOAH, while NOAH's own Yoshiki Inamura had an extended run in NXT. This kind of cross-promotional collaboration has been widely praised for enriching the global pro wrestling landscape and blending the different styles of each company.
While a specific match for Dempsey and Lewis at the N-1 finals has yet to be announced, their presence alone at such a high-profile event—the conclusion of NOAH's premier heavyweight tournament, which saw Masa Kitamiya defeat Jack Morris in the final—is a clear statement. It's an opportunity for both men to not only gain valuable experience but also to build their reputations and make a lasting impression on the passionate Japanese audience. For Dempsey, it's a chance to cement his place as one of NXT's top technical wrestlers, while for Lewis, it could be the defining moment that announces him as a future star.
