Tag: NJPW

AXS TV To Air New Episodes Of NJPW Starting Next Month

AXS TV announced the return of NJPW programming starting January 11.

NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING RETURNS TO AXS TV WITH 45 ALL-NEW EPISODES IN 2024, BEGINNING THURSDAY JANUARY 11 AT 10 PM ET

Highlights Include Iconic Matchups from Wrestle Kingdom 18, Featuring Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Kazuchika Okada and SANADA

LOS ANGELES (December 18, 2023) – AXS TV, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc., has renewed its fan-favorite New Japan Pro-Wrestling series with 45 all-new episodes in 2024. The upcoming season kicks off with four weeks of exclusive coverage from Wrestle Kingdom 18, beginning Thursday, January 11 at 10 p.m. ET. All episodes are presented in English and feature expert play-by-play commentary from NJPW’s own Walker Stewart and Chris Charlton.

Additionally, AXS TV NOW viewers will be able to enjoy classic episodes in English of NJPW every Sunday, starting January 7 at 6 a.m. PT and repeating throughout the day. The AXS TV NOW January slate includes unforgettable bouts from Wrestle Kingdom 7 through 13.

AXS TV’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling schedule for January is as follows (with more matches being announced at a later date):

January 11—Wrestle Kingdom 18

– Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and David Finlay go toe-to-toe in a triple threat match for the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.

January 18—Wrestle Kingdom 18

-Next, “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada meets “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson once again, in a stunning rematch of their highly-acclaimed bout at Forbidden Door 2 last June.

January 25—Wrestle Kingdom 18

-Then, G1 CLIMAX 33 Winner Tetsuya Naito gets his long-awaited title shot, as the Los Ingobernables de Japón honcho challenges SANADA for the coveted IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

AXS TV NOW’s January slate of classic New Japan Pro-Wrestling episodes is as follows:

January 7

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 7, 8, and 9.

January 14

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 10 and 11.

January 21

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 12 and 13.

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.

About AXS TV

AXS TV is a leading multi-platform music and entertainment digital platform and television company owned and operated by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. AXS TV’s broad library offers content headlined by concerts and music-inspired programming, world-class professional wrestling and MMA. AXS TV’s signature programs include The Top Ten Revealed, The Very VERY Best of the 80s, and Parking Lot Payday. The channel also is the home of IMPACT Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Invicta Fighting Championships. AXS TV is available nationally in the United States, and parts of Canada and the Caribbean. Additionally, AXS TV’s digital programming can be enjoyed on several different platforms including the AXS.TV website and the Network’s app AXS TV NOW, and FAST Channel, as well as on the Network’s official YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram pages, Twitter and TikTok profiles. For a full list of providers and territories, please visit axs.tv/subscribe.

NJPW Introducing Global Championship At Wrestle Kingdom 18

The new championship belt being introduced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 18 now has a name. During a press conference today following the conclusion of this year’s World Tag League tournament, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced that the winner of the three-way match between Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and David Finlay on January 4 will be crowned the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. The decision to create the new title came after Finlay destroyed both the NJPW United States Heavyweight Championship and the NJPW United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship (a rebranded belt made by then-U.S. titleholder Ospreay) belts at Power Struggle last month.

The introduction of the Global Heavyweight Championship also coincides with NJPW’s aim to establish its presence in more countries next year; the company wants to grow “throughout all of Europe and the rest of Asia and Oceania.” NJPW has already attempted to make a larger mark in both the United Kingdom and the United States, hence the creation of the NJPW STRONG brand in the U.S. a few years ago. Notably, the Japanese organization had considered reviving the NJPW Intercontinental Championship, which was retired in March 2021, for the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom. However, given NJPW’s mission for more global reach, it was agreed that the Global Heavyweight Championship name was “most fitting” of the current plans and direction.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mercedes Mone Has Started Training For Her In-Ring Return

Mercedes Mone is currently sidelined with a broken ankle that she had surgery to fix earlier this year.

She is expected to return shortly, likely making her promotional debut with AEW while also working for NJPW.

As seen below, Mone has released footage of her training for her return. It’s still unclear exactly when she will be back from injury.

Source: eWn

NJPW Star Tetsuya Naito Reportedly Set For Eye Surgery This Week

New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Tetsuya Naito will be undergoing his third right eye surgery on November 7. He announced the news to Tokyo Sports. Since 2019, Naito has been dealing with superior oblique muscle paralysis — a condition that causes double vision. He spoke about the surgery, noting the unfortunate news about it never getting “completely better.”

“It’s muscle paralysis, so even if you have surgery, it won’t get completely better. So, even if you have this surgery, … you’ll probably return to the same condition eventually,” assuming he continues to wrestle, a translated version of Tokyo Sports indicates he told the outlet.

Naito has undergone surgery twice before — in 2019 and 2022. His upcoming surgery this week will be his last since his doctor told him that the surgery can only be performed three times. Naito revealed that he wanted to wait to do the surgery after retirement, but he decided to “cherish the present,” and do it now.

Also, another reason was that after the 2023 G1 Climax tournament, his condition worsened. Naito was the winner of this year’s G1 Climax tournament, which was how he earned his Wrestle Kingdom 18 match against the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA for the title.

Over the weekend, Naito was in action at NJPW Power Struggle, where he and Yota Tsuji defeated the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Yuya Uemura. It was the same event where AEW star Jon Moxley defeated Great-O-Khan in a Falls Count Anywhere match. IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay also had a confrontation which led to another match likely being made for Wrestle Kingdom 18 — Ospreay is expected to be defending his title against both Moxley and David Finlay.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Reported Plans For Mercedes Mone When She Returns From Injury

Mercedes Mone has been out of action with an ankle injury since her match against Willow Nightingale at NJPW STRONG Resurgence in May. As she gets closer to her eventual return, it appears there are still plans for Mone in NJPW going forward.

Yesterday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter states that, as many have expected, the promotion is planning to have Mone challenge Giulia for the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship. That title was reportedly created with Mone in mind, and she was set to become the first winner. However, that ankle injury resulted in Mone making a call on the fly to have Nightingale win the title. Nightingale would go on to drop the championship to Giulia in early July.

It’s not yet known exactly when she’ll be ready to return, but Mone is believed to be approaching a full recovery from the ankle injury. The former WWE star had an eventful few months leading up to the injury, returning to the world of wrestling at the Tokyo Dome during NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January. Mone went on to feud against KAIRI, eventually winning the IWGP Women’s Championship against her. However, Mone would drop that title to Mayu Iwatani in April.

Before her injury, Mone was reportedly set to wrestle at AEW All In, providing some further explanation for her appearance in the crowd at the Wembley Stadium event in August. Because of that, it seems likely that Mone will make her way to AEW in some capacity once she is cleared by doctors, in addition to her NJPW dates.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Hiroshi Tanahashi Says The End Of His Active Career Is In Sight

Hiroshi Tanahashi has spent over 20 years with New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he has won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship eight times and held various other titles in the promotion.

Tanahashi recently spoke with “Number Web,” where he revealed that he believes his active career is coming to an end. He said,

“The end of my active career is in sight. So before the Coronavirus outbreak, I think I could have retired with peace of mind thinking, New Japan is fine now and I’ve done my best. New Japan Pro Wrestling, which had a lot of excitement, has once again been forced to struggle due to factors other than themselves, such as the Coronavirus, so we want to make it exciting once again…”

Source: eWn

Minoru Suzuki vs. Jacob Fatu Set For MLW Slaughterhouse

Minoru Suzuki vs. Jacob Fatu has been announced for MLW Slaughterhouse. MLW issued the following:

Minoru Suzuki vs. Jacob Fatu signed for Slaughterhouse Oct 14 in Philly

Tickets available at MLW2300.com

Tickets Now Available at MLW2300.com

Major League Wrestling (MLW®) today announced Jacob Fatu vs. Minoru Suzuki at MLW Slaughterhouse live and exclusively on FITE+ Saturday, October 14 at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.

🎟 Grab tickets at MLW2300.com and the 2300 Arena box office. Tickets start at $15.

The MLW x New Japan Pro Wrestling crossover escalates come October 14 with the arrival of Minoru Suzuki in MLW LIVE on FITE+. Sign up for your FITE+ subscription now.

Lock in your tickets now at http://MLW2300.com as MLW Slaughterhouse will feature a DOUBLE main event.

MLW can confirm the first of two big main events today.

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Minoru Suzuki will make his MLW debut against MLW’s “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu!

Last week on Fusion Fatu laid down the challenge, calling out Suzuki — and the “King of Pro Wrestling” was delighted to accept and cautions there will be no mercy as these two fight for the first time ever.

See this dream match, a match that has never happened EVER before LIVE at Slaughterhouse!

MLW can confirm a LIMITED meet & greet will also take place prior to the start of the show. More details will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

Get your tickets and see it go down Saturday, October 14 in Philadelphia at http://www.MLW2300.com

SLAUGHTERHOUSE FITE+ CARD

NJPW vs. MLW

Minoru Suzuki vs. Jacob Fatu

FUSION TV TAPING BOUTS

Some of the athletes and talent signed to compete and appear include:

World Heavyweight Champion Alex Kane and the Bomaye Fight Club

Salina de la Renta

Matt Cardona

Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Mance Warner

National Openweight Champion Rickey Shane Page

World Middleweight Champion “Death Fighter” AKIRA

“Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams

1 Called Manders

Matthew Justice

World Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo

“International Popstar” B3CCA

Ichiban

Love, Doug

Tony Deppen

Little Guido

Matt Striker

Joe Dombrowski

Mister Saint Laurent

Plus MORE to be announced in the days ahead!

The card is also an MLW FUSION TV taping, airing nationwide in the US and in over 60 countries around the world.

Tickets start at $15 at MLW2300.com. Tickets will also be available day of show at the box office unless the event sales out in advance.

DAY OF EVENT INFO
The schedule for the event is as follows:

5:30 p.m.: Early entry for front row ticket holders
6:00 p.m.: Doors open for general public (all ticket holders)
7:00 p.m : Showtime

The venue is located at: 2300 S Swanson St, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

The world of MLW never stops. See you at the historic 2300 Arena for Major League Wrestling!

About Major League Wrestling

Major League Wrestling (MLW®) is a sports media holding company, offering television content, action figures, apparel, live events, and ancillary entertainment. MLW operates live events in major markets throughout the United States and Mexico, including New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Tijuana.

One of the fastest growing wrestling leagues today, MLW programming is available in over 60 countries worldwide, including MLW Fusion on beIN Sports in the U.S. and Ayozat TV on SKY in the United Kingdom.

MLW premium live events stream monthly live and exclusively on FITE+.

MLW events showcase diversity and the full spectrum of professional wrestling, with athletes representing countries around the world with fighting styles, including: technical, Japanese strong style, lucha libre, King’s Road brawling, MMA, catch wrestling, hybrid wrestling, submission grappling and other disciplines.

For more information visit MLW.com and follow MLW on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Impact Wrestling x NJPW MultiVerse United 2 8/20/2023 (Results)

Pre-Show – Countdown to Multiverse United 2

Joe Hendry, Heath & Yuya Uemura def. Master Wato, Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) def. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Multiverse United 2: For Whom the Bell Tolls

X-DIVISION Scramble Match:
Chris Sabin def. YOH, Frankie Kazarian, BUSHI, Kevin Knight, Rich Swann, MAO & El Desperado

After the match, BUSHI blinds Sabin with the black mist

IMPACT (Moose & Eddie Edwards) def. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr & Shane Haste)

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Match:
Giulia (c) def.. Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw & Momo Kohgo

After the match, Kohgo blindsides Giulia but gets taken out with a Glorious Driver from the champ.

SOUTH PHILLY STREET FIGHT:
Sami Callihan def DOUKI 

Catch 22 (TJP & Francesco Akira) def TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita)

Bullet Club (David Finlay, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Alex Coughlin, KENTA & Clark Connors) def. The World (PCO, Josh Alexander, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, The DKC & ELP)

After the match, Bullet Club clears the ring of their adversaries before standing tall.

Lio Rush & Trey Miguel def Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey

After the match, Lio Rush sets his sights on the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship. Takahashi appears to accept his challenge but Bailey is concerned because he believes that opportunity should be his.

Impact World Championship Match:
Alex Shelley (c) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Impact Wrestling x NJPW MultiVerse United 2 8/20/2023 (Card)

LIVE THIS SUNDAY, August 20th at 5pm ET streaming exclusively on FITE, IMPACT and New Japan Pro-Wrestling join forces for another co-branded mega event, Multiverse United 2: For Whom the Bell Tolls from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Tickets are on-sale now at 2300arena.com.

CARD

Impact World Championship Match:
Alex Shelley (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Match:
Giulia (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Momo Kohgo

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

X-DIVISION Scramble Match:
BUSHI vs. Chris Sabin vs. El Desperado vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Kevin Knight vs. Mao vs. Rich Swann vs. YOH

Bullet Club (David Finlay, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Alex Coughlin, KENTA & Clark Connors) vs. The World (Josh Alexander, PCO, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, El Phantasmo & the DKC)

Lio Rush & Trey Miguel vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey

Zack Sabre Jr. and Shane Haste vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards

DOUKI vs. Sami Callihan

Joe Hendry, Heath & Yuya Uemura vs. Master Wato, Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi

TJP and Francesco Akira) vs. Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita

NJPW Strong Independence Day Final Cards 7/4 & 7/5 2023

NJPW will hold its Strong Independence Day event over the course of two nights on July 4th and July 5th in Japan, with both shows airing on NJPW World at 5:10 a.m. Eastern time.

The event will feature two AEW stars in action as Jon Moxley, who will be teaming with Homicide on the first night against El Desperado & Jun Kasai in an “Exciting Encounter Doomsday No DQ” match, while he’ll wrestle Desperado on the second night in a “Final Death” match.

Eddie Kingston will also be in action. Here are the final cards:

Night 1

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match:
TJP & Francesco Akira (champions) vs. Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors

Exciting Encounter Doomsday No DQ Match:
Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & Jun Kasai

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship Match:
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (champions) vs. Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd

Eddie Kingston & Rocky Romero vs. KENTA & Gedo

Tom Lawlor vs. Kosei Fujita

Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Ryohei Oiwa vs. JR Kratos, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs

Bad Dude Tito vs. The DKC

Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo vs. Giulia & Thekla

Kickoff Match:
Syusuke Taguchi, YOH & Oskar Leube vs. Kengo, Dragon Libre & Takahiro Katori

Night 2

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship Match:
KENTA (champion) vs. Eddie Kingston

Final Death Match:
Jon Moxley vs. El Desperado

IWGP Tag Team Championship Match:
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (champions) vs. Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Match:
Willow Nightingale (champion) vs. Giulia

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & The DKC vs. Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs

Lance Archer & Alex Zayne vs. Bad Dude Tito & Kosei Fujita

Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors vs. YOH & Rocky Romero

Homicide & Ryohei Oiwa vs. TJP & Francesco Akira

JR Kratos vs. OSkar Leube

Kickoff Match:
Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Boltin Oleg vs. Dragon Libre, Takahiro Katori & Rekka