Fightful Select is reporting that New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Fred Rosser was backstage at last night’s AEW Dynamite 300 and Collision 100 tapings in Ontario, California. Known to WWE fans as former Superstar Darren Young, Rosser has become a mainstay on NJPW’s U.S.-based events in recent years.
Rosser’s most recent in-ring appearance came at NJPW Resurgence in May, also held at Ontario’s Toyota Arena, where he picked up a win over Matt Vandagriff. Additionally, Rosser recently reunited with his former Nexus ally David Otunga, sharing a photo of the two together on social media.
Back when AEW was first launching, Rosser expressed interest in joining the promotion, even pitching the idea of forming a tag team with former AEW talent Sonny Kiss.
During Wednesday night’s AEW Dynamite 300, AEW International Champion Kenny Omega was seen wearing a t-shirt honoring Masahiro Takanashi. The tribute comes after Takanashi sustained a serious neck injury at DDT Pro’s Judgment event in March, where he suffered fractures to his C5 and C6 vertebrae, along with a cervical spinal cord injury. Earlier today, Omega took to social media to reflect on his history with Takanashi and share the meaning behind the tribute. He wrote,
“Not many know my beginning days of what started my 11 year journey in Japan. Masa Takanashi was my first roommate in the @ddtpro dormitory in 2008 and soon introduced me to future @AEW athletes, Emi Sakura and Riho. A little later, Hikaru Shida as well.
Whether I was full time in DDT or even @njpw1972, I could always count on Takanashi to help me train at a dojo somewhere. His work to help develop the indies and Joshi scene was never for any selfish reason. He just simply loves to help wherever he can and be involved in the sport of professional wrestling.
I can truly say he is one of the greatest and safest professional wrestlers I’ve had a chance to work with over the years and it’s a shame that I can’t directly introduce his work to fans on an international level. But rest assured, his influence is shown in every performance of mine, no matter what promotion I represent.
Takanashi now is in a dire struggle after a terrible accident in a match. He isn’t the type to seek attention, money, or gratitude, but I’m personally making a choice now to share why he has and will continue to be so special and important to me and the scene as a whole. Thanks to all who’ve read this.
If you’re interested in learning more, please check out Sakura’s tweet below.”
Thank you @KennyOmegamanX
It felt like one day he would come running. #FightMasa
🧡 GoFundMe
➡https://t.co/qN2rT5iEK7
🧡 PWTees
➡https://t.co/IUOzpMBfuA https://t.co/u8hbFM2RtA— Emi Sakura🍫 (@EmiSakura_gtmv) July 3, 2025
Not many know my beginning days of what started my 11 year journey in Japan. Masa Takanashi was my first roommate in the @ddtpro dormitory in 2008 and soon introduced me to future @AEW athletes, Emi Sakura and Riho. A little later, Hikaru Shida as well.
Whether I was full time… https://t.co/HvAfVqL2FS
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) July 3, 2025
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