{
  "id": 19771416,
  "title": "5 years after leaving to wrestle in WWE & Japan, S'pore's own CHEN returns to face the man who 'ended' his career",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/5-years-after-leaving-to-wrestle-in-wwe-japan-spores-own-chen-returns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T07:18:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/11/dante-chen-return-singapore/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nearly five years after departing WWE and Japan for Singapore, Chen returns to the ring to face the wrestler who ended his career. In 2017, Chen was submitted by a young wrestler during a match, an experience he still vividly remembers. Years later, Chen made history by becoming the first Singaporean wrestler signed to WWE, wrestling against notable opponents like Lexis King and Ethan Page. However, in April 2025, WWE released Chen from his contract, reportedly due to stiff competition. Chen attributed his departure to the high level of performance required in WWE. Chen found new success in Japan's Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he appreciated the competitive nature of the sport over showmanship. He also had a memorable match against former New Japan Pro Wrestling champion Tetsuya Naito. Chen's ultimate goal was to reclaim the Southeast Asia Championship, which he previously held. Now back in Singapore, Chen will face former teammate Andrew Tang, a rivalry fueled by their shared history at SPW.",
  "summary": "A contentious homecoming.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chen returns to wrestling after 5-year hiatus in Singapore",
    "Former WWE and Japan opponent Andrew Tang is his new opponent",
    "Chen aims to reclaim Southeast Asia Championship"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This homecoming match transforms a long-standing professional grudge into a quest for redemption as Chen seeks to reclaim his regional dominance after years of international competition.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}