Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

WWE Reportedly In Talks With New Japan To Be Its “Exclusive American Partner”

WWE is apparently in talks with New Japan with a view to becoming the promotion’s exclusive American partner.

If there has been a buzzphrase in wrestling so far in 2021, then it is almost definitely forbidden door. The make-believe barrier that previously prevented major companies from working together. AEW proverbially kicked it open by working with Impact, as well as the NWA and New Japan. The AEW Champion Kenny Omega is even holding the Impact Title right now, not to mention AAA’s Mega Championship.

One of the main reasons wrestling promotions working together has been seen as being forbidden for so long is WWE. Ever since WWE bought its competition in 2001, Vince McMahon has seemingly been averse to rival promotions existing, let alone working with them. However, in light of its rivals starting to work together, Triple H has previously insisted WWE is open for business on that front.

A new report suggests Triple H wasn’t just saying this to keep up appearances. According to Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, WWE is actively trying to build a relationship with New Japan. Apparently, WWE president Nick Khan has been heading up the talks and they may have been going on since March of this year. The deal would see WWE become New Japan’s “exclusive American partner”.

The word exclusive is the key here. New Japan has been very open to working with American promotions throughout the pandemic and even before it. An AEW star is currently the New Japan US Champion, and it has previously run joint supershows with Ring of Honor. Should it enter into an agreement with WWE, its working relationship with AEW would likely have to come to an end.

Details surrounding the potential deal are scarce right now, especially when discussions are in such early stages that it might not even happen. Early indications are the deal would very much be a two-way street. WWE Superstars would go to Japan and work shows there, with New Japan sending wrestlers the other way. Perhaps Daniel Bryan’s attempts to convince WWE to let its stars work elsewhere while remaining under contract actually worked.

Source: The Sportster

NJPW Cancels Wrestle Grand Slam Yokohama And Tokyo Dome Shows

NJPW announced today that the Wrestle Grand Slam shows in Yokohama and Tokyo Dome shows have been cancelled. The show were originally scheduled on May 15 and May 29, respectively.

The decision comes after the Japanese government announced an extension to the state of emergency currently in place in Tokyo and other prefectures. The state of emergency has been extended for three weeks until the end of May.

The only match that was announced for the shows was for the May 29 Tokyo Dome show that had Kazuchika Okada and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay in the main event. In their announcement, NJPW apologized for the news and announced that new dates will be finalized in the future.

Earlier this week, NJPW announced that two wrestlers had tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes as Osaka’s medical system is reaching it’s limit and Tokyo nearing those levels as well.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku (Night Two) Results 5/4/21

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku (Night Two) was earlier today.

As noted, six wrestlers (Kazuchika Okada, Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, and YOH) were held off today’s show due to COVID-19 concerns. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion El Desperado was scheduled to wrestle YOH, but the title match was taken completely off the event.

Below are the results:

* Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., and DOUKI defeated Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Jado

* Yujiro Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Master Wato

* Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, and Aaron Henare defeated Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI

* Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Jay White, EVIL, and Dick Togo

* Will Ospreay (c) defeated Shingo Takagi (IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)

Multiple NJPW Stars Removed From Show Over COVID Concerns

Kazuchika Okada, Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, and YOH were taken off today’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku (Night Two) card due to COVID-19 concerns.

NJPW announced a wrestler scheduled to appear on today’s show had a fever and was undergoing evaluation (including PCR and antibody testing). Another wrestler who has been involved in events since May 1 also had a fever and was undergoing further evaluation.

“In an abundance of caution, neither participated in today’s event, and any wrestler who competed with them on recent cards were also removed from the event,” NJPW said in a statement.

NJPW ended up removing the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship match between El Desperado and YOH completely off the card. They made addition changes to other tag matches that were featured on the undercard.

Kazuchika Okada and SHO vs. Minoru Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru became Master Wato and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Taiji Ishiomori and Yujiro Takahashi. Also, Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Dick Togo, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, EVIL, and Jay White was changed to Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Dick Togo, EVIL, and Jay White.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku (Night 1) Results 5/3/21

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku (Night One) took place earlier today in Fukoka.

* EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori, and Dick Togo defeated Toru Yano, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Tiger Mask, and Master Wato
* Kazuchika Okada, SHO, and YOH defeated Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
* Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI defeated Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, and Aaron Henare
* Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tanga Loa
* Taichi with DOUKI defeated Tama Tonga with Jado (Iron Fingers From Hell Ladder Match)
* Jay White with Gedo defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) (NEVER Openweight Championship)

Post-match, White referred to himself as “the real belt collector” (a reference to Kenny Omega) and offered up anyone to find him if they had a problem with that.

Night two of Wrestling Dontaku takes place tomorrow and features the following matches:

* Will Ospreay (c) vs. Shingo Takagi (IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)
* El Desperado (c) vs. YOH (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship)
* Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Master Wato vs. Jay White, EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori, and Dick Togo
* Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI vs. Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, and Aaron Henare
* Kazuchika Okada and SHO vs. Minoru Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
* Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., and DOUKI vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Jado

New Japan Pro Wrestling Cancels Three Events Due To State of Emergency

It was reported last week that a state of emergency was declared in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it seems it will force changes for New Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW’s English-language website has announced that the company has cancelled three events in Korakuen Hall next month. The shows that were cancelled were set for May 8, 10 and 11. The announcement reads:

As a result of the State of Emergency declared across Tokyo, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel three events on the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour on May 8, 10 and 11 at Korakuen Hall.

We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to these events. Though matches with no fans in attendance were considered, NJPW has decided that, in order to act in the best interests of staff and wrestlers as they prepare for Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium May 15 and Tokyo Dome May 29, cancellation was the correct course of action.

The following events are covered by today’s cancellations:

Saturday May 8, Korakuen Hall

Monday May 10, Korakuen Hall

Tuesday May 11, Korakuen Hall

All other events on our current schedule are set to proceed as planned, though New Japan Pro-Wrestling will be in constant contact with local authorities with regards to restrictions and regulations. Please check back on njpw1972.com for the latest event information. Fans in attendance are also reminded to check and comply with our live event policy.

All tickets for affected events will be refunded, with a procedure to be announced at a later date. If you have any ticketing inquiries, you can get in touch through our contact form, using the subject header ‘ticket inquiries’.

Source: 411Mania

NJPW Sakura Genesis Results 4/4/21

DOUKI, Zack Sabre Jr., and Taichi defeated Jado, Tango Loa, and Tama Tonga

YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, and Kazuchika Okada defeated Dick Togo, Taiji Ishimori, Yurijo Takahashi, KENTA, and EVIL

Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, and Aaron Henare defeated Shingo Takagi, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito

Satoshi Kojima and Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale and Jay White

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) vs. SHO and YOH

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Will Ospreay defeated Kota Ibushi (c) to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

NJPW Sakura Genesis 4/4/21

DATE: April 4, 2021 4:00 am
LOCATION: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
AVAILABLE ON:NJPW World

CARD

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Will Ospreay

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) vs. SHO and YOH

DOUKI, Zack Sabre Jr., and Taichi vs. Jado, Tango Loa, and Tama Tonga

YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, and Kazuchika Okada vs. Dick Togo, Taiji Ishimori, Yurijo Takahashi, KENTA, and EVIL

Shingo Takagi, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito vs. Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, and a mystery partner

Satoshi Kojima and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale and Jay White

NJPW Announces Big Events, 49th Anniversary Show Results

Earlier today, NJPW held its 49th Anniversary Show with Kota Ibushi defeating El Desperado to retain his IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. As noted, NJPW is going to unify the two titles into one IWGP World Heavyweight Championship going forward.

The opening round of the New Japan Cup also began with Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb each moving forward. Below are the full results:

* Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma, Gabriel Kidd, and Master Wato defeated Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., and DOUKI

* EVIL, Jay White, KENTA, Chase Owens, and Taiji Ishimori (with Gedo and Dick Togo) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Toa Henare, and Ryusuke Taguchi

* Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, and SHO defeated SANADA, Shingo Takagi, and BUSHI

* Jeff Cobb defeated Satoshi Kojima (New Japan Cup Match)

* Great-O-Khan defeated Tetsuya Naito via Referee Stoppage (New Japan Cup Match)

* Kota Ibushi (c) defeated El Desperado (IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships)

NJPW also announced Wrestle Grand Slam, which will happen over two nights on May 15 and May 29.

The first takes place at Yokohoma Stadium, an outdoor baseball stadium, similar to what they did last year with Summer Struggle in Jingu. The second show happens at the Tokyo Dome.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Officially Unifies IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championships

New Japan Pro Wrestling has officially unified the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships to create the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, reports PWInsider. 

New Japan chairman Naoki Sugabayashi had confirmed the news to Tokyo Sports. 

PWInsider also reports that Kota Ibushi’s first defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be against the winner of the New Japan Cup. The New Japan Cup starts on March 5.

El Desperado vs. Ibushi will headline New Japan’s Anniversary Event on March 4, but it will be a non-title match.

NJPW will be holding a press conference on March 1 at 3 pm JST (1 am ET).

Source: Wrestling Inc.