Category: NJPW

NJPW Announces STRONG ON DEMAND, Rebranding For All American NJPW Live Events

New Japan Pro Wrestling has overhauled its STRONG brand in order to consist of all the American shows under one banner.

NJPW announced on Sunday that all NJPW events in the United States will henceforth take place under the STRONG brand, and the weekly taping of NJPW Strong will switch to a “duel model” of STRONG LIVE and STRONG ON DEMAND.

The inaugural show under the new STRONG LIVE branding will be February 18th’s Battle in the Valley in San Jose, California event. The upcoming pay-per-view event will make up four episodes of their weekly TV series that is set to air on their new STRONG ON DEMAND service starting on March 4th.

The four-part model will continue with other United States live events that include March’s Strong Style Evolved at WrestleCon and April’s Capital Collision in Washington, DC, and Collision in Philadelphia shows.

You can check out the full announcement below:

“NJPW of America, STRONG transform in 2023 【NJoA】
STRONG LIVE, STRONG On Demand to see the best in the US
Since its inception during the COVID pandemic in 2020, NJPW STRONG has seen the best rising stars in the US compete with familiar names from the Japanese stage and beyond. Monthly tapings have seen passionate fans witness great action live, with matches from those tapings being distributed every week on NJPW World and FITE.

Additionally, Pay Per View events from the US have seen still more memorable moments, from Jon Moxley and El Desperado’s wild deathmatch at “Music City Mayhem” to Eddie Kingston and Kazuchika Okada teaming for the first time, and STARDOM’s Mayu Iwatani defending SWA gold at “Rumble on 44th Street”.

In the past, these PPV offerings were presented under the NJPW rather than NJPW STRONG branding in order to make them more distinct from the weekly TV style presentations on NJPW World and FITE. As NJPW moves into a new era in 2023 however, so too does action in the US, and the time has come to further fortify the NJPW STRONG brand, as well as to ensure even more people sample the incredible action that NJPW presents in the US.

Moving forward, all events from New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the US will carry the branding of NJPW STRONG. In addition, the weekly ‘TV taping’ format of STRONG will shift to a dual model: STRONG LIVE and STRONG On Demand.

The first STRONG LIVE event will be Battle in the Valley on February 18 from the sold out San Jose Civic. With Mercedes Moné versus KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship, Fred Rosser defending the STRONG Openweight Championship against KENTA, Jay White and Eddie Kingston in a grudge match, and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship also on the line, this immense card is a must watch event for fans live in English on FITE, or in Japanese on NJPW World PPV.

All this action will also be made available in March with NJPW STRONG On Demand. STRONG On Demand will see matches from STRONG Live cards delivered in a four part weekly basis through the month, much as NJPW STRONG has been to date.

NJPW STRONG on Demand March schedule

March 4 Battle in the Valley week 1: 2 matches

March 11 Battle in the Valley week 2: 3 matches

March 18 Battle in the Valley week 3: 2 matches

March 25 Battle in the Valley week 4: 3 matches

This model will continue with our return to WrestleCon this March with Strong Style Evolved, before NJPW Capital Collision in Washington DC and Collision in Philadelphia from the world famous 2300 Arena!

This dual model will give fans on a budget the chance to stay up to date with the hottest action in the US through their regular NJPW World subscription, while the very best live experience on the planet awaits on pay per view as it happens.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling thanks fans for their dedicated support of NJPW STRONG to date- we can’t wait to have you join us for Battle in the Valley and what lies beyond in a thrilling new chapter for all of NJPW.”

Source: eWrestlingNews

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 Schedule On AXS TV Announced

AXS TV announced its broadcast schedule for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, starting on January 12 through January 26. AXS TV issued the following: 

WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 FEATURES THE RETURN OF KENNY OMEGA WHEN AXS TV’S NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING PREMIERES THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

Other Highlights Include the debut of Mercedes Moné, Jay White vs Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title, FTR vs Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI for the IWGP Tag Team Titles, and ‘The Great Muta’ Keiji Mutoh’s Final Match of his legendary NJPW career, & More

LOS ANGELES (January 11, 2023) – AXS TV, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc., presents New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s premiere of Wrestle Kingdom 17, beginning Thursday, January 12 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The weekly series delivers one hour of blockbuster content compiling the absolute best moments from the groundbreaking promotion’s most recent broadcasts. Each episode is broadcast in English and features expert play-by-play commentary from NJPW’s own Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton and Gino Gambino.

AXS TV’s upcoming schedule of Wrestle Kingdom 17 coverage is as follows:

January 12—Wrestle Kingdom 17

-The legendary Kenny Omega makes his highly-anticipated return to NJPW for the first time in four years, as he challenges the “Commonwealth Kingpin” Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.

January 19—Wrestle Kingdom 17

-Bullet Club mastermind Jay White puts the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on the line against the “Rainmaker,” Kazuchika Okada, in a rematch of their championship bout from Dominion 2022, where White shocked the world by taking Okada’s title.

January 26—Wrestle Kingdom 17

-Witness the moment that took the wrestling world by storm, as Mercedes Moné (formerly known as Sasha Banks) makes her NJPW debut with a stunning statement—putting inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI on notice just minutes after her first title defense against Stardom standout Tam Nakano.

-Fan-favorite IWGP Tag Team Champions FTR defend their belts against Bishamon brutes YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto.

-Then, heralded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, “The Great Muta” Keiji Mutoh enters the squared circle one last time for NJPW, as he joins forces with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino to take on Los Ingobernables de Japon’s own Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and BUSHI.

February 2—Wrestle Kingdom 17

-2022 Super Jr. Tag League winners Lio Rush and YOH cash-in on their opportunity to challenge United Empire duo TJP and Francesco Akira for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship.

-Tama Tonga sets his sights on former Bullet Club brother WWE Superstar Karl Anderson, as Anderson walks through the Forbidden Door to defend his NEVER Openweight title.

-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori steps into the ring for a fearsome 4Way showdown with Hiromu Takahashi, El Desperado, and Master Wato.

In addition to these programs, NJPW on AXS TV is presenting all-new episodes through February.  

AXS TV produces the English-language version of New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a joint venture with New Japan World and in association with TV ASAHI CORPORATION.

NJPW & Pro Wrestling NOAH Announce Joint Show For This Month – Wrestle Kingdom 17 Part 2

New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling NOAH have announced a joint show for January 21. The show is being called Wrestle Kingdom 17 Part Two and will go down from the Yokohama Arena.

This was hinted at when NOAH’s KONGO faction confronted Los Ingobernables de Japon backstage at Wrestle Kingdom 17. No matches have been announced as of this writing.

Source: ewrestlingnews

Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) Makes NJPW Debut At Wrestle Kingdom 17

It is indeed ‘Boss Time’ at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 as Sasha Banks has made her debut for the promotion.

In the second match of the main card, IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI retained her title against Tam Nakano.

Post-match, Banks, now going by the name Mercedes Mone, appeared and posed in the ring, before challenging KAIRI to a Women’s Championship match.

Mone would attack KAIRI and vow to leave the IWGP Women’s Champion bankrupt when they face off for the title.

The match between KAIRI and Mone has been set for NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose, California.

Mone’s arrival was later shared via tweet by the NJPW Global account.

Source: ewrestlingnews

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 (Results) 1/4/2023

  • Ryohei Oiwa vs. Boltin Oleg ended in a three-minute draw
  • SHO, Great-O-Khan, Toru Yano, and Shingo Takagi win the New Japan Rambo to advance to the KOPW Championship match at New Year’s Dash
    • Participants in order: SHO, Hikuleo, EVIL, Tomohiro Ishii, Great-O-Khan, DOUKI, Rocky Romero, KENTA, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Aaron Henare, Ryusuke Taguchi, Jeff Cobb, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, Yujiro Takahashi, Toru Yano, El Phantasmo, Taichi, Shingo Takagi
  • Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe def. Minoru Suzuki, Tatsumi Fujinami & Tiger Mask
  • IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship: Catch 22 (Francesco Akira & TJP) (c) def. CHAOS (Lio Rush & YOH)
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI (c) def. Tam Nakano
    • Mercedes Mone’ (fka Sasha Banks) appeared, attacked KAIRI, and officially challenged her to an IWGP Women’s Championship match at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18
  • IWGP Tag Team Championship: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) def. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (c)
    • Bishamon are the new IWGP Tag Team Champions
  • NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. def. Ren Narita
    • Zack Sabre Jr. is the first NJPW World TV Champion
    • Zack Sabre Jr. joined TMDK after the match
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga def. Karl Anderson (c)
    • Tama Tonga is the new NEVER Openweight Champion
  • Shota Umino, Keiji Muto & Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI & SANADA)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi def. Master Wato, El Desperado, and Taiji Ishimori (c)
    • Hiromu Takahashi is the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • IWGP United States Championship: Kenny Omega def. Will Ospreay (c)
    • Kenny Omega is the new IWGP United States Champion
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada def. Jay White (c)
    • Kazuchika Okada is the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion
    • Shingo Takagi challenged Okada to a IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 (Card) 1/4/2023

  • Date: January 4, 2023
  • Location: Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
  • The event will stream on NJPW World at 3 am ET / 12 am PT for the main card

CARD

EXHIBITION MATCH:
Ryohei Oiwa vs. Boltin Oleg

NEW JAPAN RANBO:
Participants TBA

ANTONIO INOKI MEMORIAL SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima and Togi Makabe vs. Tatsumi Fujinami, Minoru Suzuki and Tiger Mask

IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Catch 2/2 (T.J. Perkins and Francesco Akira) (c) vs. LiYoh (Lio Rush and Yoh)

IWGP WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Kairi (c) vs. Tam Nakano

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
FTR (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi)

NJPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ren Narita

NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Karl Anderson (c) vs. Tama Tonga

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
Keiji Muto, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Sanada and Bushi)
* This is Muto’s last NJPW match *

IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FOUR-WAY MATCH:
Taiji Ishimori (c) vs. El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Master Wato

IWGP UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada

Trinity Fatu (Naomi) Is In Japan

In anticipation of Wednesday’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 event from the Tokyo Dome, Naomi, real name Trinity Fatu, has confirmed through her Instagram Stories that she is in Tokyo, Japan.

As Mercedes Varnado, formerly known as Sasha Banks, is believed to be appearing at the Wrestle Kingdom 17 event, Naomi was expected to be in Japan, as reported by PWinsider.com.

It’s still unknown whether Naomi will appear at the event or is merely there to support her friend. After Banks negotiated her WWE release, Naomi’s WWE status is uncertain.

Source: ewrestlingnews

Tama Tonga Invites AJ Styles To NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, Vows To Dethrone Karl Anderson

Karl Anderson will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga in two weeks at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. This will be the first time that a WWE-contracted talent wrestles on the show.

Tonga took to Twitter to invite Styles to the Tokyo Dome show so that The OC Leader can watch The Good Bad Guy “smash” the WWE Superstar at the venue. He wrote,

“AJ can come too. He can watch me smash his boy. ( still got love for you #PhenomenalOne ) #Wrestlekingdom17 – January 4, 2023 #AndNew #NeverOpenWeightChampion.”

Earlier this year, Anderson defeated Tonga to win the NEVER Openweight Title at NJPW Dominion. It will be interesting to see if Anderson can retain the title in his second outing with Tonga come January 4th.

Source: ewrestlingnews

NJPW Planning Surprises For Wrestle Kingdom 17 Next Month

NJPW will hold its Wrestle Kingdom 17 event on January 4. It is New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest event of the year. 

While appearing on The Sessions podcast, Rocky Romero promised that there would be surprises at the show. 

As previously reported, Mercedes Varnado, better known to WWE fans as Sasha Banks, will make an appearance during Wrestle Kingdom 17.

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors, but I can’t confirm nor deny at this moment. Fingers crossed, you never know what could happen. There will definitely be surprises at the Tokyo Dome.”

Sources: ewrestlingnews and Fightful

Report: Sasha Banks To Compete For STARDOM In April 2023

Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) is set to compete for STARDOM in April 2023, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Banks has finished with WWE, and will be appearing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that Banks has a deal with New Japan, but that it will include one date for STARDOM, expected for their April 2023 event.

It is believed that the show will take place in the iconic Sumo Hall and will be announced on December 29.

The hope within NJPW is that Banks will drive streaming subscription sales for New Japan World like Chris Jericho did when he debuted for the promotion.

Source: ewrestlingnews