Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

NJPW Announces Completed Vaccination Program For Talent

NJPW announced that all participating staff members and wrestlers have now received both COVID-19 vaccine doses.

As noted in the below press release, the workplace vaccination program was for wrestlers and staff that live in Japan.

Thank you for your continued support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and your continued co-operation with COVID protocols at live events.

In recent weeks, NJPW has proceeded with a workplace vaccination program for wrestlers and staff residing in Japan. All participating staff members and wrestlers in the program have now received both vaccine doses.

Everyone involved in New Japan Pro-Wrestling will continue to come together to do everything we can to ensure peace of mind to fans attending NJPW events, and to create the safest possible environment to enjoy New Japan action.

We ask for your continued co-operation in COVID countermeasures at events going forward.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

New Japan’s Jay White Officially Invites IMPACT Wrestling’s Chris Bey To Join Bullet Club

Former IMPACT X-Division Champion Chris Bey was officially inducted into Bullet Club by New Japan Pro Wrestling star Jay White.

Bullet Club leader Jay White officially inducted IMPACT Wrestling star Chris Bey into the group on this week’s edition of IMPACT! on AXS TV.

It all went down following Bey’s victory over Juice Robinson. After the bell, White came out to celebrate with Bey. White handed the American wrestler a Bullet Club t-shirt and threw up the Too Sweet gesture, which Bey was more than happy to reciprocate.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1423436910161186818

White is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion who is currently under contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He walked through the proverbial forbidden door and made his IMPACT debut when he confronted Kenny Omega at the company’s Slammiversary pay-per-view on July 17.

On the July 22 post-Slammiversary edition of IMPACT’s weekly show, Jay White explained his presence in the promotion. The NEVER Openweight Champion said he was there for David Finlay, the man he will defend hit tile against at New Japan Pro-Wrestling Resurgence on August 14. Don Callis, The Good Brothers, and Kenny Omega confronted White and a war of words ensued. Gallows and Anderson demanded a “thank you” for building Bullet Club, but White refused. The two men attacked White, but Chris Bey made the save.

On last week’s edition of IMPACT’s weekly TV show, Bey and White teamed up to take on The Good Brothers. They came up short, but their alliance was far from finished, as the events of this week showed.

Chris Bey is a former X-Division Champion who debuted for IMPACT in November of 2018.

“I want to keep growing. I don’t think I’m the best in the world, but right now, I’m the best version of myself. I have the ability to be better tomorrow, and then better than that the day after. Over time, I want people to think of Chris Bey when they think of wrestling,” the 25-year-old told Sport Illustatrated’s Justin Barraso back in December of 2020.

Bey joins Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, Gedo, Hikuleo, KENTA, Taiji Ishimori, Dick Togo, El Phantasmo, EVIL, Yujir, and Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa)in Bullet Club.

Source: TheSportster

Hiroshi Tanahashi Issues Challenge For IWGP US Title On Dynamite

NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared via video on tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen.

Tanahashi said he’s won many championships in his career, but the IWGP US Championship has thus eluded him.

Tanahashi said the winner of the match between the current champion, Lance Archer, and NJPW star Hikuleo will face him next. A date has yet to be announced, however the match will take place in Japan. Archer won the title last week in a Texas Deathmatch against Jon Moxley.

Archer won last night’s match and commentary noted he’ll travel to NJPW so Tanahashi can challenge for the title. No word on when that will happen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam Results 7/25/2021

KOPW 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP (RANBO MATCH – PRE-SHOW)
Chase Owens wins and becomes the provisional KOPW 2021 Champion

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo (c) defeated Rocky Romero and Ryusuke Taguchi

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Robbie Eagles defeated El Desperado (c) to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

Kazuchika Okada defeated Jeff Cobb

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito and SANADA (c) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Shingo Takagi (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam 7/25/2021

DATE: July 25, 2021 3:00 am
LOCATION: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
AVAILABLE ON:NJPW World

CARD

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Tetsuya Naito and SANADA (c) vs. Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
El Desperado (c) vs. Robbie Eagles

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo (c) vs. Rocky Romero and Ryusuke Taguchi

KOPW 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP (RANBO MATCH – PRE-SHOW)
Toru Yano (c) vs. TBA

Bullet Club Member Hikuleo Appears At AEW Fyter Fest Night Two

NJPW star and Bullet Club member Hikuleo made a suprise appearance during night two of AEW Fyter Fest and laid down a championship challenge for Fight For The Fallen!

During Orange Cassidy’s clash with The Blade, New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Hikuleo appeared at ringside to take in the action. Later, the 30-year-old was shown at ringside donning a Bullet Club t-shirt with commentary noting he had particular interest in the IWGP United States Heavyweight title showdown between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer.

After a brutal and bloody Texas Deathmatch in the show’s main event, Archer regained the gold from the man he’d lost it to a year and a half earlier before being confronted by the Bullet Club member. The two stared down to close the show and it was later made official that Hikuleo will be Archer’s first challenger next week at Fight For The Fallen, the former’s AEW in-ring debut!

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1418010010014130178
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1418029036006264835

Despite making his pro wrestling debut in November 2016, the 6 foot 8 star quickly made an impression across the world. Immediately joining his fellow Fifita family members Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa in Bullet Club, Hikuleo faced off against some of the biggest stars in NJPW before leaving on excursion for UK promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling. (They are the sons of Haku)

Most recently appearing on NJPW Strong, he’s picked up wins over the likes of Brody King, TJP and Fred Rosser and most notably made it to the semi-finals of the New Japan Cup USA 2021 before falling to eventual winner Tom Lawlor.

Source: Inside The Ropes

NJPW Star Kota Ibushi Diagnosed With Aspiration Pneumonia

Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and will continue to miss upcoming NJPW events, the company announced Wednesday.

Ibushi has been out of action in recent weeks due to an illness. Prior to being pulled from the July 19 Summer Struggle card, Ibushi had missed the previous two events due to side effects from COVID-19 vaccination.

In an update, NJPW has confirmed that Ibushi’s illness was not a result of side effects arising from his COVID-19 vaccination. The company issued the following statement:

Aspiration pneumonia has no connection to COVID vaccinations, and Ibushi’s illness is not a result of his inoculation. We apologize for any misunderstanding. Ibushi has also tested negative for COVID-19.

The report added that a final decision on Ibushi’s participation at Wrestle Grand Slam on July 25 will be made after assessing his recovery. In the meantime, Ibushi will miss the NJPW events on July 22 and 23 in Osaka, as well as July 24 in Nagoya.

For the July 22 event in Osaka, Tomoaki Honma will replace Ibushi as Master Wato’s tag partner against the team of IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi & BUSHI.

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1417696953601708033

Source: Wrestling Inc,

Big NJPW Show To Be Delayed Again?, G1 Climax Dates Announced

The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a new state of emergency (due to rising COVID infections) in Tokyo that begins on July 12 and runs through August 22. NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in the Tokyo Dome is scheduled for July 25, but may yet again be postponed.

The first show was scheduled for May 29, but was also postponed due to an earlier state of emergency extension.

NJPW has yet to comment on the status of Wrestle Grand Slam, which features IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi.

In other NJPW event news, this year’s G1 Climax 31 dates have been announced. The company’s biggest tournament of the year will begin on September 18 in Osaka and finish on October 21.

19 events in total have been scheduled. The winner of the round-robin tournament typically faces the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom in January.

The G1 usually runs in July/August, but the Tokyo Olympics have pushed it to the fall over the last two years. Kota Ibushi defeated SANADA in last year’s finals.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

“NJPW Strong” Set To Have First Live Audience This Summer

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced NJPW Strong will have its first matches ever in front of a live audience on Monday, August 16.

NJPW announced the Fighting Spirits Unleashed 2021 series will see fans welcomed to the Thunder Studio in Long Beach, California.

Nine matches are planned to take place at the event. Limited tickets will be on sale, Wednesday, June 30 at 10 AM PDT.

Wrestlers that are scheduled for the event include NEVER Openweight Champion Jay White, STRONG Openweight Champion ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor, Juice Robinson, Lio Rush, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Fred Rosser, and Karl Fredericks.

NJPW Strong premiered in August 2020 on NJPW World and FITE.

Below is NJPW’s full announcement:

After announcing the return of US fans to matches for the ‘Resurgence’ event, New Japan Pro-Wrestling today announced the ‘Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2021’ series. The series will see fans welcomed to Thunder Studio in Long Beach for the ‘NJPW STRONG’ brand’s first matches ever in front of a live audience on Monday, August 16.

Premiering in August 2020 on NJPW World and FITE, NJPW STRONG began without a live crowd, but has quickly become critically acclaimed and a favorite of fans around the world. The Friday broadcast has seen the introduction to NJPW fans of STRONG Openweight Champion ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor, ‘Mr. No Days Off’ Fred Rosser and ‘The Man of the Hour’ Lio Rush, as well as the appearance of popular stars active in Japan like ‘The Flamboyant’ Juice Robinson and NEVER Openweight Champion ‘Switchblade’ Jay White, all of whom will be in action at Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2021.

Nine matches are planned to take place at ‘Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2021’ for future broadcast on STRONG, with extremely limited tickets on sale on Wednesday June 30 at 10AM PDT. New Japan Pro-Wrestling have been staging events with fans in attendance in Japan since July 11 2020, all with the safety of fans, staff and wrestlers taken as top priority. As a result and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, masks will be required during the event when not eating or drinking.

Fans not in attendance can watch NJPW STRONG every Friday night at 10e/7p on NJPW World and FITE.

NJPW STRONG: FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED 2021

Monday August 16, 2021 Doors: 6:30PM Start: 7:30PM

Thunder Studio

20434 South Santa Fe Avenue, Long Beach CA 90810

Ticket on sale: Wednesday June 30, 10am PDT

General Admission (standing): $60

Ringside C: $80

Ringside B: $100

Ringside A: $120

Tickets on sale Wednesday June 30:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fighting-spirit-unleashed-2021-in-los-angeles-tickets-160161644791

*Attendees will be asked to wear a mask during the event when not eating or drinking.

* Sales price includes tax* Other fees such as service/processing fees will be charged* Please be advised that event-day tickets may sell out early. Thank you for your understanding.

*Thunder Studio is a *closed studio set*. There is *no* entry to or exit from the venue after the event starts even if you hold a valid ticket. Thank you for your understanding.

Participating wrestlers

NEVER Openweight Champion: ‘Switchblade’ Jay White

STRONG Openweight Champion ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor

‘Flamboyant’ Juice Robinson

‘The Man of the Hour’ Lio Rush

Shota Umino

Ren Narita

‘Mr. No Days Off’ Fred Rosser

‘The Alpha Wolf’ Karl Fredericks

‘Wild Rhino’ Clark Connors

‘Young Gun’ Hikuleo

More names and match card TBA.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Good Brothers Returning To NJPW For Tag Team Turbulence

NJPW announced Friday that The Good Brothers will be returning to the company in July to compete in the Tag Team Turbulence tournament on NJPW Strong.

Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, former three-time IWGP Tag Team Champions, will face the team of Clark Connors and TJP in their first round match. It will be The Good Brothers’ first appearance on NJPW TV since their departure from the company in Feb. 2016.

The NJPW website has announced the following first-round match-ups:

Clark Connors & TJP vs The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows)

LA Dojo (The DKC & Kevin Knight) vs West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)

Yuji Nagata & Ren Narita vs Fred Yehi & Wheeler Yuta

Violence Unlimited (Brody King & Chris Dickinson) vs Team Filthy (JR Kratos & Danny Limelight)

The first round will take place on July 16, and will be available for stream on NJPW World and FITE.

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406086836133384195
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406084320415170566
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406114519714250757
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406099419850850310

Source: Wrestling Inc.