After WWE Exit, Former Star Reveals New Name Ahead of High-Stakes Tournament
After WWE Exit, Former Star Reveals New Name Ahead of High-Stakes Tournament
bibonsinhaTue, August 11, 2026 at 12:06 AM UTC
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Photo Credit: WWE
Former WWE star Dante Chen is starting a new chapter in his wrestling career with a new ring name and a big opportunity in Japan. Chen has been announced as one of 16 wrestlers taking part in Pro Wrestling NOAH’s 2026 N-1 Victory Tournament.
The tournament will mark his debut with NOAH and give him a chance to make an early impression against some of the promotion’s biggest names.
Dante Chen reveals new ring name ahead of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 Victory Tournament
Dante Chen will compete under the name “The Southeast Asian Standout” CHEN.
The tournament is a major opportunity following his departure from WWE earlier this year. WWE released Chen in April 2026 as part of their roster cuts. His departure ended a run with the company that began in 2021.
While Chen was never a regular main-event name in NXT, he became a familiar face to WWE fans through his frequent appearances. The 30-year-old had garnered a solid reputation for competing on NXT Level Up.
After leaving WWE, Chen wrestled only one match before his upcoming NOAH debut. In July, he competed for CCW under the name Trexxus.
NOAH has confirmed that he will just be known as CHEN, with “The Southeast Asian Standout” as his nickname. The new name also connects to his Singaporean background, something CHEN has made clear is important to him.
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After his N-1 Victory Tournament announcement, he took to social media to talk about representing his home country.
“For the first time, Singapore will be represented in Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N1 Victory Tournament, as I will be the one to help do so as history is made once again,” he wrote.
The 2026 N-1 Victory Tournament will feature 16 wrestlers split into two eight-man blocks.
Chen’s A Block presents a tough road ahead of him. Kiyomiya, Inamura, Haste, Fujita and Sugiura all bring a lot of experience. Chen will also face Yuki Iino and Alpha Wolf during the round-robin stage.
The B Block is just as competitive. It features former GHC Heavyweight Champions KENTA, Kenoh and OZAWA, along with defending tournament winner Masa Kitamiya. KOUGA, Manabu Soya, Tetsuya Endo and rising star Titus Alexander complete the group.
The tournament begins on September 12 at Korakuen Hall. The final is scheduled for October 4.
Read More: WWE and AEW Speculation Swirls as Free Agent Is Stripped of Title
The post After WWE Exit, Former Star Reveals New Name Ahead of High-Stakes Tournament appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Source: “AOL Sports”
