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Category: NJPW

  • Results: NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 Day 2

    Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will hold the second day of the 2020 New Japan Cup. The New Japan Cup is NJPW\’s annual 32-man single elimination tournament, usually scheduled for the Spring. The winner will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at NJPW Dominion on July 12. Today\’s card will hold four of the sixteen matches in the first round.

    Watch exclusively on NJPW World with Japanese commentary.
    English commentary will be recorded and uploaded to NJPW World this week.
    Note: This event was held in an empty arena.

    New Japan Cup 2020 Day 2 Results

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Gabriel Kidd vs. Taiji Ishimori (8:53)
    Gabriel Kidd is a British wrestler who was personally scouted from Revolution Pro Wrestling by Katsuyori Shibata last year. This would be his first singles match against non-young lion opposition. Ishimori channeled his absent tag team partner El Phantasmo with dirty techniques like back rakes and irish whipping Kidd into the outside guardrail. Ishimori went for a springboard rana but Kidd caught his legs and lifted him into a Boston crab, but Ishimori made it to the ropes to force a break. Ishimori hit a springboard kick to Kidd\’s face and then applied the Yes Lock to defeat Gabriel Kidd by submission. Ishimori advances to the second round.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Yoshinobu Kanemaru def. Yuya Uemura (9:32)
    If Yuya Uemura truly wants to be in the ring one-on-one against Minoru Suzuki like he\’s said, winning this match would be the first step towards that achievement. Meanwhile, if Kanemaru wins, his opponent would be Taiji Ishimori.Those two have wrestled one-on-one twelve times and Ishimori has never won. Kanemaru dominated the bulk of the match, but Uemura landed a springboard splash for a near fall and desperately tried to land the arm-trap suplex to no avail. Kanemaru attempted to spit his whiskey in Uemura\’s face, but the referee stopped him. Nevertheless, Kanemaru landed a dropkick followed by the diving DDT known as Deep Impact to win and advance to face Taiji Ishimori in the second round.

    CHAOS (SHO, YOH, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi, EVIL, BUSHI & SANADA) (12:14)
    The two main themes of this match were LIJ demonstrating their lack of adherence to proper tag conduct by all beating down Goto and YOSHI-HASHI together, and SHO and Shingo delivering a hard-hitting preview to their first round tournament match coming up next week. BUSHI tagged in and went for the M-X, but Goto dodged it and hit the GTR to pin BUSHI for the win.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Yuji Nagata def. Minoru Suzuki (20:35)
    Happy birthday to Minoru Suzuki, who turns 52 today. Unfortunately, there was no crowd to chant \”Kaze Ni Nare\” on this special day. These two old men took their sweet time slapping and forearming each other and jaw-jacking about how they wanted to be hit harder in between. With Nagata\’s neck being an appropriate shade of crimson, Suzuki took the match to the outside and hit Nagata with a folding chair so hard that the seat popped off. Back in the ring, Nagata made a comeback by attacking the right arm of Suzuki with kicks and arm wringers. As Nagata went for another, Suzuki applied a sleeper hold and pushed Nagata to the ground. He pinned him for a near fall then lifted him up to apply the Gotch-style piledriver. Nagata blocked it and lifted him into a back body drop. A slap and headbutt from Suzuki got Nagata bleeding from the mouth. Incensed, Nagata delivered an exploder suplex followed by a bridging backdrop driver to win the match and advance to the second round. Minoru Suzuki loses on his birthday.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Kazuchika Okada def. Gedo (15:30)
    Gedo entered with his right arm in a sling and got on the microphone to say that he injured himself during practice today, but still wanted to fight in this match. Gedo slowly removed the sling, but hid a can of spray in his hand that Okada slapped away. Okada also found a set of brass knuckles on Gedo\’s person and wrenched them away. Gedo then brandished a spanner and hit Okada with it. With Okada laying, Gedo stole the ring announcer\’s table and repeatedly bashed it into Okada\’s chest, and then did the same with a folding chair. After more than five minutes of this, Okada rallied and went for a diving elbow drop, but Gedo rolled out of the ring and tried to escape. When Okada caught him, Gedo revealed that he had stolen the ring announcer\’s bell hammer and attacked Okada with it. Okada came back with the revesre neckbreaker and went for the tombstone piledriver, but Gedo wiggled out of it and pushed Okada into the referee to hit a low blow. Gedo removed part of the ring apron to remove another set of brass knuckles that he had stashed there at some point. He punched Okada with them and applied the Gedo Clutch, but Okada kicked out at two. Gedo even attempted the Blade Runner. Jado then showed up and distracted the referee while Gedo went for another brass knuckle punch, but Okada caught him with a dropkick, knocked Jado off the ring apron, and submitted Gedo with a cobra clutch. Okada will face Yuji Nagata in the second round.

  • Results: NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 Day 1

    Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will hold the first day of the 2020 New Japan Cup. The New Japan Cup is NJPW\’s annual 32-man single elimination tournament, usually scheduled for the Spring. The winner will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at NJPW Dominion on July 12. Today\’s card will hold four of the sixteen matches in the first round.

    Watch exclusively on NJPW World with Japanese commentary.
    English commentary will be recorded and uploaded to NJPW World this week.
    Note: This event was held in an empty arena.

    New Japan Cup 2020 Day 1 Results

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Togi Makabe def. Yota Tsuji (8:41)
    It\’s going to take a while to get used to hearing Togi Makabe\’s actual music be played instead of a generic dubbed track to avoid playing licensing fees. As a young lion, Yota Tsuji was overeager to prove himself against the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Makabe. Tsuji leveled Makabe with a spear and a shoulder tackle as soon as the bell rang. Makabe quickly gained the advantage back, but Tsuji showed more than one would have expected for a young lion. Makabe leveled Tsuji with a lariat and pinned him with a bridging German suplex to advance to the second round.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Toru Yano def. Jado (9:07)
    Jado entered wearing a shirt that said \”So What, I Don\’t Care.\” I\’m sure he does care somewhat but he\’s been wrestling for thirty years and hasn\’t had a singles match since 2016 for good reason. Toru Yano started the match by attempting to rally a crowd that didn\’t exist with \”Yano To-Ru\” chants. Amused, Jado responded by chanting \”Jado-o!\” at him. As the referee fought Jado to take away his kendo stick, Yano knocked Jado square on the head with a turnbuckle pad. Jado fell on his face a la Ric Flair and Yujiro Takahashi briefly attacked Yano while the referee was checking on the fallen Jado. Despite Jado\’s sluggish pace, he was able to work over Yano with punches to the lower back and a cobra twist. Yano thwarted Jado\’s kendo stick attack and pinned him with a low blow and schoolboy to advance to the second round.

    Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Yuji Nagata & Yuya Uemura (13:27)
    The bulk of this match consisted of all of Suzuki-gun collectively trying to destroy Hiroshi Tanahashi\’s knees. Leg locks and a cheeky dragonscrew from Zack Sabre Jr. left Tanahashi writhing in agony. ZSJ and Ibushi always fight hard, even in large tag team matches when they don\’t have to. Yuya Uemura has been vocal about wanting to fight Minoru Suzuki head on and he briefly locked the Boston crab on Suzuki before Kanemaru broke it up. Suzuki got his revenge with the Gotch-style piledriver on Uemura for the pin.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Hiromu Takahashi def. Tomoaki Honma (18:45)
    Hiromu and Honma have been building up this first round match as a battle of two men who have both had their necks broken. The power of youth is evident: despite being sidelined for over a year, Hiromu has not lost a step, while nearly every movement Honma makes is labored. Hiromu dominated the heavyweight Honma with dropkicks and neck holds. Honma made a brief rally with a running bulldog and a Kokeshi. Honma attempted a Kokeshi headbutt of his own but missed. Hiromu hit Honma with a death valley driver on the outside of the ring, and Honma barely avoided being counted out. Hiromu pushed Honma into the mat with his foot on the back of Honma\’s neck. Honma made a comeback and hit three consecutive Kokeshis only for Hiromu to kick out. Honma went for the top rope Kokeshi but missed. Hiromu capitalized with the Time Bomb to to win and advance to the second round. His opponent will be Toru Yano.

    New Japan Cup First Round Match: Tomohiro Ishii def. El Desperado (20:17)
    El Desperado taunted Ishii about his height, but Ishii seemed to take advantage early with his superior strength and durability. Desperado used leg kicks and twists to target Ishii\’s knee and removed a corner turnbuckle pad. Ishii eventually had enough and used strikes to level the junior heavyweight. Persistently, El Desperado kept going back to the knee. He applied his Numero Dos stretch muffler but Ishii managed to flip over and break the hold. Ishii hit a powerslam to turn the momentum of the match. He attempted to powerbomb El Desperado but his knee buckled and he needed to do it a second time, but it only received a near fall. Despy hit a discrete low blow followed by a small package hold, but Ishii kicked out at two, followed by the Guitarra de Angel only for Ishii to kick out again. El Desperado went for the Pinche Loco, but Ishii levelled him with a headbutt and a lariat for a two count. Finally, he hit the vertical drop brainbuster to defeat El Desperado and take his place in the second round. His opponent in the second round will be Togi Makabe.

  • Results: NJPW Together Project Special

    Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will hold their first wrestling event in 110 days. Since late February, the promotion has cancelled all events as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, with testing of workers and staff, and approval of the Japanese government, that hiatus ends today.

    Watch:
    NJPW World (English Commentary)
    NJPW World (Japanese Commentary)
    Note: This show was held in an empty arena.

    NJPW Together Project Special Results

    Yota Tsuji def. Gabriel Kidd (8:43)
    Even without a crowd, the fire of young lions often leaps off the screen. The noise of the commentary, the ring, the grunts and growls of the wrestlers, and their hard strikes more than compensated for the lack of an audience to react. Yota Tsuji hit a spear and then submitted Gabriel Kidd with a Boston crab.

    Suzuki-gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) def. Tomohiro Ishii & Yuya Uemura (12:57)
    Yuya Uemura has clearly gained muscle mass over the last several months. Ishii and Uemura attacked the Suzuki-gun junior heavyweights before the bell rang. The main focuses of this match were Suzuki-gun beating down Uemura together, followed by Ishii fending off both of them by himself. Suzuki-gun worked together to attack Ishii\’s knee. After taking him out of commission, they systematically dismantled Yuya Uemura in similar fashion. El Desperado submitted Yuya Uemura with a Numero Dos, a stretch muffler.

    Ishii did some squats outside of the ring to show El Desperado that his knee wasn\’t affected that much. Tomorrow, June 16th, Tomohiro Ishii faces El Desperado in the first round of the New Japan Cup, as does Yuya Uemura against Yoshinobu Kanemaru on June 17th.

    Bullet Club (Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, Gedo & Jado) def. Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma (13:20)
    Toru Yano entered with a disinfectant spray bottle instead of his usual spitting water, as compliant with NJPW safety regulations. YOSHI-HASHI entered with new black and red gear that says \”Get Back Up\” on one leg, which I\’m convinced is a rib. Yano immediately went to remove the turnbuckle, while Jado brandished a kendo stick. They dared each other to drop their weapon first. Honma missing the second-rope Kokeshi was surprisingly impactful considering the lack of reaction, but this gave Yujiro the opening he needed to secure the victory. Yujiro Takahashi pinned Tomoaki Honma with the Pimp Juice DDT.

    The New Japan Cup fixtures for this match are as follows: Toru Yano versus Jado (6/16), Taiji Ishimori versus Gabriel Kidd (6/17), and Hirooki Goto versus Yujiro Takahashi (6/23).

    During the intermission to disinfect the ring and the ringside area, a vignette played for a new wrestler coming to NJPW. It only referred to them as \”The Grandmaster.\”

    Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI) (13:33)
    Tenzan and Kojima looked much more well-rested than they did prior to this hiatus. Kojima and EVIL took each other on in a battle of brawn. Failed attempt at the Paradise Lock aside, Taguchi looked surprisingly capable of standing in the ring with SANADA. Notably, SANADA is the only member of Los Ingobernables de Japon who does not possess any championship, and some have postulated that he should be the favorite to win the New Japan Cup. This was a chaotic match involving a lot of teamwork, but TenCozy and Taguchi showed unexpected synergy. Ryusuke Taguchi submitted BUSHI with his ankle lock known as Oh My and Garankle to win.

    The New Japan Cup first round matches involving people in this match are Ryusuke Taguchi versus SANADA (6/22), Hiroyoshi Tenzan versus YOSHI-HASHI (6/23), and EVIL versus Satoshi Kojima (6/23).

    Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata def. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & DOUKI) (13:04)
    Hiroshi Tanahashi might have appreciated three months of rest more than anyone. Neither arm of his donned a compression sleeve for what seems like the first time in ages. Suzuki and Nagata defied their combined age of 104 years old with some of the hardest strikes on this whole show while Zack Sabre Jr., the only non-young lion foreign wrestler on this show, squared off against Ibushi at a high rate of speed. Ibushi hit a double Pele Kick on both DOUKI and Zack to stop Suzuki-gun all ganging up on him. Togi Makabe hit the King Kong Knee Drop on DOUKI to win the match for his team. Makabe\’s music, a cover of Led Zeppelin\’s Immigrant Song, played in the building. This is unusual, usually a generic dubbed rock song plays when he wins since paying for licensed music is expensive.

    Minoru Suzuki goes one-on-one with Yuji Nagata on day one of the New Japan Cup tomorrow while Tanahashi and Ibushi compete against Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. respectively on June 22.

    Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi) def. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, SHO & YOH) (14:17)
    It was amusing watching Okada gesticulate excessively to absent members of the crowd. In what might be a first for Okada, he was the only person in this six man tag team match to not be a Champion. Naito and Okada briefly opened the match with grappling, but it kicked into the next gear when SHO and Shingo Takagi tagged in to batter each other. SHO and Shingo have both stated that their rivalry that began in last year\’s Best of the Super Juniors is not over, and they took the fight especially hard to each other. Tetsuya Naito pinned YOH with the Destino to close out the show. Naito and Hiromu fist-bumped each other after the match, but Shingo did not take part.

    In the New Japan Cup first round, Kazuchika Okada will face Gedo, Hiromu Tanahashi will face Tomoaki Honma, it\’s Shingo Takagi versus SHO, and YOH versus BUSHI. Tetsuya Naito sits out of the New Japan Cup as the reigning IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion, set to defend both championships against the winner of the tournament at Dominion next month.

  • NJPW Reportedly Taped Matches From LA Dojo, MLW Star Participates

    New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly taped matches yesterday at their dojo in Los Angeles. According to a report from PW Insider, 9-10 matches were filmed for a show titled “Lion’s Break Collision.”

    Former MLW World Champion, \”Filthy\” Tom Lawlor, is believed to have participated in the tapings. Other wrestlers reported to have taken part include Jeff Cobb, TJP, Rocky Romero, Misterioso, Alex Coughlin, Karl Fredericks, and Clark Connors.

    New Japan Cup 2020

    NJPW is back taping matches in Japan tomorrow. The company\’s first show since February titled \”Together Project Special\” has no advertised matches. On Tuesday and Wednesday, NJPW will begin the New Japan Cup.

    Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

    • Togi Makabe vs Yota Tsuji
    • Tomohiro Ishii vs El Desperado
    • Toru Yano vs Jado
    • Tomoaki Honma vs Hiromu Takahashi

    Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

    • Kazuchika Okada vs Gedo
    • Yuji Nagata vs Minoru Suzuki
    • Yuya Uemura vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru
    • Gabriel Kidd vs Taiji Ishimori

    Tuesday, June 22nd, 2020:

    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Taichi
    • Kota Ibushi vs Zack Sabre Jr.
    • Ryusuke Taguchi vs SANADA
    • SHO vs Shingo Takagi

    Wednesday, June 23rd, 2020:

    • Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs YOSHI-HASHI
    • YOH vs BUSHI
    • Satoshi Kojima vs EVIL
    • Hirooki Goto vs Yujiro Takahashi

  • Luke Gallows: There Would Be No AEW Without Bullet Club

    Recently released from WWE, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows appeared on Tama Tonga\’s podcast recently and discussed a variety of topics. During the discussion, Gallows stated that there would be no AEW without Bullet Club.

    ”The f**king Bullet Club revolutionized professional wrestling and if somebody hears this and they\’re mad about it, sorry,\” Gallows said. \”If there\’s no Bullet Club there\’s no AEW. If there\’s no Bullet Club there\’s no growth in professional wrestling. If there\’s no Bullet Club there really is no reason to have an NXT because why do you turn developmental into indie heaven and hire everybody in the business? There’s no reason to do it.”

    The Young Bucks joined Bullet Club in 2013 as the faction\’s junior heavyweight tag-team. Kenny Omega would join the following year, originally as the group\’s junior heavyweight single\’s competitor. Cody, Hangman Page, and Marty Scurll were all involved with the faction during their time in NJPW.

    Tama Tonga, Karl Anderson, Bad Luck Fale and Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) are the group\’s founding members dating back to May 2013. Doc Gallows would join that November, shortly after the Young Bucks did.

    \”Professional wrestling advanced because of what the Bullet Club was in Japan,\” Gallows continued. He would continue to credit Bullet Club with wrestling resurgence over the last few years.

    Gallows would continue to say the success of Bullet Club was also why they were recruited by WWE.

    \”That\’s why they bought us, they f**king wined and dined us, then they fired us.\”

    A link to the full podcast can be found here.

  • NJPW Annnounces First Events Post-COVID19 State of Emergency

    On May 25th, the Japanese government lifted the nationwide state of emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic. New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced their plans to return to conducting live wrestling events over the next month. To ensure minimal risk of virus propagation, NJPW has been conducting antibody testing on wrestlers, crew, trainers, and other live event staff, and preparation of venues has begun.

    The last NJPW event took place on February 26th in Okinawa, Japan. New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s first live event following the end of Japan’s COVID-19 state of emergency will be an empty arena event on June 15th, called the NJPW Together Special. In all, eleven events have been scheduled, including a rescheduled New Japan Cup and Dominion.

    The New Japan Cup participants have changed to accommodate international travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. The majority of participants who live overseas have been replaced. As such, the 32-man New Japan Cup, usually a heavyweights-only tournament, now includes a number of NJPW\’s junior heavyweight wrestlers. Also, it has been announced that, as previously, Tetsuya Naito will defend both his IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental championships against the winner of the New Japan Cup.

    All events will be streamed live on NJPW World. NJPW has also announced that their Summer Struggle 2020 tour, originally scheduled to take place from July 11 to July 19, has been cancelled.

    NJPW Event Schedule

    • June 15: NJPW Together Project Special
      • Matches unknown
    • June 16: New Japan Cup 2020 First Round (empty arena)
      • Togi Makabe vs. Yota Tsuji
      • Tomohiro Ishii vs. El Desperado
      • Toru Yano vs. Jado
      • Tomoaki Honma vs. Hiromu Takahashi
      • Unknown “special match”
    • June 17: New Japan Cup 2020 First Round (empty arena)
      • Kazuchika Okada vs. Gedo
      • Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
      • Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
      • Gabriel Kidd vs. Taiji Ishimori
      • Unknown “special match”
    • June 22: New Japan Cup 2020 First Round (empty arena)
      • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi
      • Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
      • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SANADA
      • SHO vs. Shingo Takagi
      • Unknown “special match”
    • June 23: New Japan Cup 2020 First Round (empty arena)
      • Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. YOSHI-HASHI
      • YOH vs. BUSHI
      • Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL
      • Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi
      • Unknown “special match”
    • June 24: New Japan Cup 2020 Second Round (empty arena)
      • Four New Japan Cup second round matches
      • Unknown “special match”
    • July 1: New Japan Cup 2020 Second Round (empty arena)
      • Four New Japan Cup second round matches
      • Unknown “special match”
    • July 2: New Japan Cup 2020 Quarterfinals (empty arena)
      • Four New Japan Cup quarterfinal matches
      • Unknown “special match”
    • July 3: New Japan Cup 2020 Semifinals (empty arena)
      • Two New Japan Cup semifinal matches
      • Two unknown “special matches”
    • July 11: New Japan Cup 2020 Final (Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka, one third capacity attendees)
      • New Japan Cup 2020 Final match
    • July 12: Dominion (Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka, one third capacity attendees)
      • IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships Match: Tetsuya Naito © vs. New Japan Cup 2020 Winner

    Watch NJPW\’s announcement video with English subtitles.

  • NJPW & Stardom Executives Taking Pay Cuts

    The parent company of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Stardom, Bushiroad, will be implementing salary reductions for several of their executives. NJPW has not run a live event since February 26th, 2020.

    According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, directors from Bushiroad will be taking pay cuts ranging from 15% to 95% depending on the person. These pay cuts will be in place from May 27th until September 2020. As of this writing, Bushiroad has not released any wrestlers from NJPW or Stardom.

    In addition to pro-wrestling, Bushiroad also produces trading card games and smartphone apps.

    Harold Meij On NJPW\’s Return To Live Events

    Harold Meij addressed NJPW\’s roadmap to the return of live events recently in a YouTube video.

    “New Japan is an industry leader both in Japan and worldwide,” Meij said. “With that position comes a great responsibility. As the global society holds a magnifying glass up to us, it behooves New Japan to act to the highest possible ethical standards.”

    He continued to say that the promotion\’s first step would be to run empty-arena show.

    “This step will be taken when and only when the state of emergency restrictions are lifted, the number of new coronavirus infections declines and when matches can take place in a properly disinfected and safe setting.”

    The full video of Harold Meij\’s address can be viewed below:

  • Lance Archer Reveals He Never Had a Full Time Contract With NJPW

    The \’Murderhawk Monster\’ Lance Archer recently appeared on the Talk Is Jericho podcast. The former TNA, WWE and New Japan performer would discuss a number of topics from his career; including how he would end up leaving Japan after eight years to join All Elite Wrestling.

    \”So everything was a whirlwind\” Lance Archer began, discussing the transition back to the United States. \”We literally just finished the World Tag League last year, I got home on December 9th I think? AEW was coming to Dallas on the 11th so I got home on a Monday and AEW was in Dallas on the Wednesday.\”

    Lance Archer would elaborate further, saying \”I know Billy [Gunn], so many of the guys like Trent, who was getting ready to work with Moxley. I know Kenny Omega and all these guys, they\’re friends of mine.\”

    The Murderhawk Monster would then reveal that initially he was just going to the show to see friends, not actually looking for a job at the time.

    \”I was like I want to go see my friends, I\’m not going looking for a job. I\’m not going to bother anybody, I don\’t want to be that guy going \’hey man can you can you hook me up brother?\’ I didn\’t want to be that way you know? And things were good with me in New Japan so it wasn\’t like I was in essence needing to do that at the time.\”

    \"Lance
    Lance Archer

    Lance Archer Meets Tony Khan

    Lance Archer would then talk meeting AEW President Tony Khan for the first time. \”So I just wanted to go see my friends and it was one of those situations where I got to meet Tony for the first time and we had a good conversation. He and I talked that night and we talked about the possibility of something in the future. It came to be that they found out that I didn\’t have a full contract; I had never had a full contract working with New Japan for over eight and a half years. Or just eight years at that point.\”

    Chris Jericho was completely bemused at this, referencing how WWE had previously taken the likes of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Gallows and Anderson from New Japan. \”Even after they raided Gallows and Anderson, AJ and Nakamura they didn\’t sign you up to a contract!?\” Jericho asked.

    Lance Archer would then reveal that newer talent in New Japan are now signed to full contracts. \”They did have guys and I\’m absolutely blessed for those guys. The [Will] Ospreays and Juices [Robinson] and guys like that. They were all under contract, but I was a guy that had been with the company for over eight years and never was.\”

    Do you think that New Japan are going to miss having Lance Archer on their roster? Let us know in the comments

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  • Tama Tonga Sends Warning To Kenny Omega & Cody

    One of the original members of Bullet Club, Tama Tonga, recently posted a Tweet directed at Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega. During the Bullet Club civil war angle in NJPW, Tama was one of the most outspoken critics of \”the Elite.\” According to Tonga, he still has unfinished business with both Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes.

    https://twitter.com/Tama_Tonga/status/1262189959269801987

    Tonga\’s Tweet comes just as an interview with him from NJPW1972.com was published today. During that interview, Tonga reflected on the 7-year history of Bullet Club.

    \”We were four foreigners, in a Japanese company in Japan,\” Tonga said about the early days of the faction. \”We spoke English which gave us a common ground anyway, and we were all outsiders. Nobody knew what we were going through better than we did, so it was natural that we would talk to one another and natural that we would be friendly with one another.\”

    Tama Tonga On Bullet Club comparisons to the NWO

    Tonga also responded to comparisons between Bullet Club and the NWO.

    \”I know what we did reminds a lot of people about the nWo, and I respect everything that came before me, but really, I don’t give a s**t about what they did. I give a s**t about what I do, building this thing with its own identity,\” Tonga continued.

    The full interview with Tama Tonga can be read here.

  • Tama Tonga On Bullet Club Recruiting KENTA, Karl Anderson, Future Opponents

    Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga has shared the reasoning behind the group’s decision to bring in KENTA as a member. He revealed how when he first arrived in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, KENTA was a hot commodity in pro wrestling. Tama believes that was something that fizzled out after KENTA signed with WWE and was repackage as Hideo Itami. 

    Speaking with the Wrestling Inc. Daily podcast, Tama Tonga shared how KENTA was considered to be “hot sh*t. Real hot sh*t” but lost his momentum because “the other side” didn’t know what to do with him. He feels that bringing KENTA into Bullet Club would help reignite him into the wrestler he was before, only with “more experience and knowledge.” As far as he’s concerned, Bullet Club was the group to help KENTA rediscover that killer instinct. 

    Tama Tonga On Karl Anderson

    Recently released WWE Superstar Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have former ties to Bullet Club. Anderson even hinted recently that he may be soon traveling back to Japan, teasing a comeback to the stable. 

    Acknowledging Anderson’s history with the group, Tama Tonga refused to be goaded into answering if fans can expect Anderson back amongst their ranks. “I\’ve given you enough juice. I\’ve given you enough juice,\” said Tonga. \”We\’ll let the world speculate but you know those are my brothers.”

    Guerrillas Of Destiny Vs. Golden Ace

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been forced to cancel several dates and tours due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tama Tonga, however, already has his eyes set on their eventual comeback. He also knows who he’d like to face when NJPW is finally able to run shows: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi. 

    Tama Tonga is interested in a chance to reclaim the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Tanahashi and Ibushi. He noted how they had “great chemistry with the first run-in” and believes there is more than can do together in the future. He added that, at some point, he’d love the opportunity to go one-on-one with Ibushi as he’d like to “mess that pretty face up.”

  • NJPW Provides Roadmap To Live Events Returning

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has not produced a live event since February 26th, 2020. The New Japan Cup, Wrestling Dontaku, and the Best of the Super Juniors tournament have been canceled.

    NJPW President Harold Meij recently updated fans on the company\’s roadmap to returning to live events. Meij stated 3 reasons why the company has not produced \”empty-arena\” shows.

    \”The first and foremost reason has been to protect the health and safety of our wrestlers and staff,\” Meij said.

    \”Data has clearly shown high-levels of infection within cities like Tokyo. Therefore we believe to stage events, even empty-arenas, involves a level of unnecessary risk.\”

    Meij then noted the second reason why they don\’t run empty arena shows is due to unavailability of the venues.

    \”As the pandemic has escalated, these venues have closed their doors even to empty-arena presentations.\”

    Meij then stated the 3rd reason they have not produced events during the pandemic is NJPW\’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

    \”New Japan is an industry leader both in Japan and worldwide,\” Meij continued. \”With that position comes a great responsibility. As the global society holds a magnifying glass up to us, it behooves New Japan to act to the highest possible ethical standards.\”

    NJPW\’s Roadmap to Return

    Meij also mentioned the steps NJPW will take in order to return to producing live events. The first step will be to produce empty-arena shows when it is safe to do so.

    \”This step will be taken when and only when the state of emergency restrictions are lifted, the number of new coronavirus infections declines and when matches can take place in a properly disinfected and safe setting.\”

    He then noted that matches would then take place both in Japan and at the LA Dojo.

    Meij then said the next step would be to allow fans back to the shows under certain conditions. Temperature checks and masks would be mandatory for fans attending. Wrestlers and staff would undergo rigorous testing and venues would be properly disinfected, spaces left between seats and there will be increased ventilation.

    The video featuring NJPW President Harold Meij can be viewed below:

  • Heath Slater Wants Matches With Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega

    Former WWE Superstar Heath Slater recently appeared on the Chris Van Vliet podcast. The \’One Man Band\’ would discuss a number of topics from his time with the company and what he plans on doing now that he has hit the independent circuit.

    Two names that Heath said he wants to face in the ring are NJPW and Japanese Wrestling legend Hiroshi Tanahashi and AEW\’s Kenny Omega.

    Heath Slater on Meeting Tanahashi

    Heath would tell a story of when Tanahashi visited the FCW developmental territory while he was there. \”I remember Hiroshi Tanahashi came to FCW, and this was a decade or so ago? No longer than that. This was when FCW finally got into the warehouse\” Heath Slater began.

    \”He [Tanahashi] came down I want to say he was with Yoshi [Tatsu]? He came down for a visit and just talking and shaking hands and stuff but then left. And then, he was huge in Japan! But I remember him just talking and stuff.\”

    Heath elaborated further, saying \”I remember seeing these clips and everything and then people reminded me \’that was him, that was him!\’ I was like \’oh crap!\’ And then he became the mega star over there in Japan to where I would like to go and work him over there.\”

    Kenny Omega

    Slater would then discuss his time in WWE\’s Deep South developmental territory, where he worked alongside another extremely notable talent, Kenny Omega.

    \”Kenny Omega. You know, I worked him back in the developmental days of Deep South\” Heath Slater would reveal. \”That\’s the only match we ever had, and we were babies, you know? I would like to work him again. I feel like we can kill it.\”

    Who would you like to see Heath Slater mix it up with on the independents or otherwise? Let us know in the comments.

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  • Okada Recalls The Language Barrier Hindering His Run With TNA

    Kazuchika Okada was sent on excursion to America by NJPW in 2010. They sent him to TNA Wrestling where he posted a 2-16 record in 18 matches from September 2010 to June 2011. NJPW was said to have not been pleased with how its future World Champion was used while in the promotion.

    Okada himself commented on his time in TNA recently during an interview with NJPW1972.com. According to Okada, the language barrier he experienced in TNA was frustrating. He was also upset that there was little effort made to communicate with him.

    \”The other wrestlers would only be around if they had matches,\” Okada said about his time with TNA. \”Every day I would be going to the gym by myself, going shopping by myself, and then going home, and that was it.\”

    Okada on the Language Barrier in TNA

    Okada continued to talk about how the language barrier was difficult at the time.

    \”I’d be going to the gym and just working out in silence and then coming home, putting the TV on and having no clue what anybody was saying. I’d be so bored sometimes I’d talk to myself in the mirror (laughs).\”

    Okada would continue to say his English isn\’t too bad, however. He also noted that Finn Balor and Karl Anderson helped him earlier in his career with it.

    \”It really made me think, with no human contact people go absolutely nuts (laughs). But as far as English goes, it’s never been too bad. I studied in junior high, and then went to America on my excursion. Plus when I was in the Dojo, Prince Devitt and Karl Anderson were around, and I could have conversations with them OK.\”

    The new management of Impact Wrestling is reported to have apologized to NJPW for the way TNA used Okada during his time on excursion to the United States.

    The full interview with Okada can be read here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcUH2FDzRSA

  • NJPW Best Bout Collection (2016-2019) Airing On FITE This Weekend

    This Saturday, FITE.TV will present a collection of the best matches in recent history from New Japan Pro Wrestling.

    The NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol 1. premieres featuring 12 classic matches spanning from 2016-2019. Some of the biggest names that will appear are Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White and more.

    The show premieres Saturday, May 16th at 8pm (Eastern) and will be available worldwide.

    Order Now at FITE.TV for Just $9.99

    The following matches included in this offering:

    Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome (January 04, 2016)
    Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles

    G1 Climax 26 A-Block Tournament Match (August 06, 2016)
    Okada Kazuchika vs Tomohiro Ishii

    G1 Climax 26 B-Block Tournament Match (August 13, 2016)
    Kenny Omega vs Tetsuya Naito

    G1 Climax 27 A-Block Tournament Match (July 17, 2017)
    Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi

    G1 Climax 27 B-Block Tournament Match (August 05, 2017)
    Kazuchika Okada vs EVIL (*Japanese Commentary)

    G1 Climax 27 Finals (August 13, 2017)
    Kenny Omega vs Tetsuya Naito

    New Japan Cup 2018 Finals (March 21, 2018)
    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Zack Sabre Jr.

    IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Dominion 6.9 (June 09, 2018)
    Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega

    G1 Climax 28 B-Block Tournament Match (July 28, 2018)
    Kota Ibushi vs Tomohiro Ishii

    Best of The Super Jr. 26 Finals (June 05, 2019)
    Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi

    G1 Climax 29 A-Block Tournament Match (July 20, 2019)
    Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay

    G1 Climax 29 Finals (August 12, 2019)
    Kota Ibushi vs Jay White

    Order NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol. 1 (2016-2019) Now at FITE.TV.

    \"\"/

  • NJPW Reportedly Considering Empty Arena Shows

    Having been forced to cancel several events due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is now reportedly considering running empty arena shows.

    According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, New Japan was reluctant to cancel further shows. This extended to the postponement of their highly-anticipated Madison Square Garden show Wrestle Dynasty.

    The feeling in NJPW was that Wrestle Dynasty would have been its number two event of the year. The only show ahead of Wrestle Dynasty would be its annual Wrestle Kingdom show.

    It was noted that they would have to wait until the Japanese government eases off their lockdown before NJPW could consider or implement any plans. Japan is operating under a state of emergency until at least May 31.

    NJPW Wrestle Dynasty & Best Of Super Juniors Tournament

    NJPW recently officially announced that Wrestle Dynasty was postponed to 2021.

    In a statement, the promotion explained:

    “In response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, and its continued effect on social gatherings all over the world, NJPW has arrived at the decision to postpone Wrestle Dynasty, which was scheduled to take place on August 22 2020, to a date in 2021 to be announced.\”

    As well as postponing Wrestle Dynasty, NJPW recently announced that their annual Best of Super Juniors Tournament would also not be taking place.

  • Kazuchika Okada Contributes To Nippon Foundation\’s Coronavirus Relief

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Kazuchika Okada has donated 5 million Yen ($47,010) to the Nippon Foundation’s special coronavirus relief fund. NJPW1972.com reports that his contribution will help doctors, nurses and volunteers currently working in the fronts lines as they combat the coronavirus pandemic in Japan.

    Kazuchika Okada has previously founded the Rainmaker Foundation. This foundation and its efforts are dedicated to supporting those afflicted by childhood cancer.

    In an official statement, the CHAOS leader expressed his gratitude to New Japan’s fanbase and their support. He noted how he hopes to soon be able to hear the cheers of sold-out crowds again.

    He added how “It’s usually me receiving the support and power of the people, but now I feel it’s my turn to lend support to medical staff fighting this disease.”

    The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion then urged fans to stay and home and stay healthy. Kazuchika Okada then explained that this will help NJPW get back to putting on shows sooner rather than later.

    NJPW Cancellations

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been forced to cancel a number of events due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several planned tours have been affected by the outbreak.

    The amount of rescheduling and cancellations led NJPW President Harold Meij to pen an open letter to their fanbase addressing their decisions.

  • Tama Tonga Compares Japanese & American Promotions\’ Reactions to COVID-19

    Founding member of Bullet Club, Tama Tonga, was recently interviewed by SI.com. During the discussion, Tonga noted the differences between Japanese and American wrestling companies during the pandemic. According to Tonga, there is more unity in Japan and concern for the safety of fans and wrestlers.

    “There is a different sense of unity in Japan,” said Tonga. “Here in America, the show must go on. Money needs to come in, so the wrestlers are still wrestling. New Japan stopped holding shows. That’s not just for the safety of the fans, but it’s also for the health of the wrestlers.”

    Tonga continued to talk about how New Japan Pro Wrestling has assured staff and wrestlers that nobody will be let go. He noted that the company is more of a family.

    “It’s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from ‘the show must go on’ mindset,” said Tonga. “The majority of our income comes from live shows, which has been cut out, but the company has held onto the staff and reassured us that no one will be let go. The company is more of a family in Japan.”

    Tama Tonga is one of the most decorated tag team wrestlers in NJPW history. The Guerrillas of Destiny rank 5th all-time in IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team title defenses with 9. Their 6 reigns with the titles is tied for 1st all-time with Tencozy. They rank 4th all-time with 607 combined days with the belts. The team also made it to the finals of World Tag League 3x in a row from 2016-2018. They\’ve never won the tournament, however.

    The full interview with Tama Tonga can be read here.

  • Latest On Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows Potentially Returning To NJPW

    An update has surfaced online regarding the futures of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

    The two stars were released from WWE last week when the company decided to make mass firing of staff and talent. The wrestlers who were released are now under a 90-day non-compete clause, which prevents them from officially signing a deal with any promotions. 

    Since being let go, Anderson and Gallows have gone back to the gimmicks that they portrayed in NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) on social media. 

    It was reported by Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that NJPW has not offered contracts to Gallows and Anderson that would see them make a return to the promotion. 

    It should be noted that NJPW hasn’t held a show since March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Meltzer noted that if NJPW wasn’t dealing with the financial impact of the virus, “such a deal would be a given as far as getting an offer to return.”

    Thus, it’s possible when NJPW starts running shows again, perhaps a deal will be offered to Anderson and Gallows. 

    Anderson and Gallows had reportedly turned down lucrative five-year deals due to being unhappy last year. 

    There was speculation that they would leave the company in the fall once their contracts expired. That changed when WWE offered them more money and they signed new deals. 

    Triple H Explains Why He Has No Desire To Work Money In The Bank Ladder Match

  • Will Ospreay Talks Move To NJPW Heavyweight Division, People Asking If He Was \”On The Gas\”

    NJPW star Will Ospreay recently appeared on the Chris Van Vliet podcast/YouTube channel. The \’Aerial Assassin\’ discussed a number of topics from his recent career, including the move from the Juniors division to the Heavyweight class of the company.

    Will Ospreay would talk about how the idea for the transition came together. With the Essex born star revealing that he initially pitched an idea to PROGRESS Wrestling, one of the top independent promotions in England.

    Idea Pitched To PROGRESS

    \”I had an idea that I pitched to PROGRESS\” Ospreay began. \”And they didn\’t go along with it. They had the ATLAS title at the time. and the ATLAS Title is a super heavyweight title so you have to be over 93 kilos. And at the time I was at 85kg. I was like, \’I can make that, I\’ve got the right height, I\’m six foot.\”

    Will Ospreay would elaborate further, revealing how he hoped that the extra weight could pay dividends in Japan also. \”Instead of focusing on putting that towards PROGRESS I thought maybe I should just start doing it anyway, just to see if there are any benefits. Because like everyone\’s known I\’ve always had neck problems, I\’ve always like had this body pain. I was just like, I\’m just gonna do it anyway to protect my body. In like a month and a half I shot to 90 kilos, just by eating. Not good stuff, just pizza! (laughs)\”

    Will Ospreay Asked If He Is \’On The Gas\’

    Will Ospreay would then reveal that he started to get questions from others in the industry regarding his size. Due to the muscle mass that Ospreay had gained some were asking him if he was taking steroids, or \’on the gas.\’ \”I just must have a good metabolism. So I just kept lifting and then every now and again, people just ask \’are you on the gas?\’ So I was like \’NO! I wouldn\’t know where to start stuff like that!\’ So I\’ve just been eating. I broke my ribs I think because my body put on so much mass. And then finally I did something where, like, I do it blindfolded do it all the time but my body kind of wasn\’t prepared enough to do it so my body just buckled in on itself.\”

    \"Will

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    Headline Image Credit to Beyond Gorilla

  • Will Ospreay Talks Potential Match With CM Punk at Wrestle Kingdom

    New Japan Pro Wrestling star Will Ospreay recently addressed CM Punk\’s comments on the \’Aerial Assassin\’ being a potential match up he would consider. In a recent interview, CM Punk stated that if the \”conditions were right\” then he would consider discussing potential matches against John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio and Will Ospreay.

    https://twitter.com/365Wrestle/status/1240109279467597824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2F1556289-will-ospreay-has-challenged-cm-punk-to-a-match-at-njpws-wrestle-kingdom-ppv-in-2021

    Obviously, Ospreay is the only name on that list that does not currently work for WWE. This has lead many to believe that not only does Punk keep up with New Japan Pro Wrestling, but that it might be a consideration.

    Will Ospreay vs CM Punk?

    Whilst there\’s no confirmation of this whatsoever, Will Ospreay has publicly stated that he would like the match at Wrestle Kingdom in January next year. Appearing recently on the Chris Van Vliet podcast; Ospreay said that the ball is completely in Punk\’s court when it comes to the potential match.

    \”It can happen and the only person that can make it happen is him\” Ospreay began. \”We live in this world of possibility. Anything is possible and the whole \’Never Say Never\’ thing? But like whenever someone goes \’Will are you ever going to go to WWE?\’ like my natural reaction is to go like \’no.\’ But the reality is it IS never say never.\”

    Punk Has Left Wrestling?

    Will Ospreay would elaborate further, saying how he really never considered facing CM Punk a possibility, due to the way he left WWE initially. \”But like, Punk? I didn\’t really consider this a possibility at all. Because the way he talked in the Colt Cabana interview? He was DONE with wrestling. And when he showed up in the UFC it was \’all right so this is him just pretty much done with wrestling.\’ It was only when I saw that (aforementioned) interview.\”

    \”Because my phone just went off on a random day, my phone just started going off. And when Punk did that interview and he said like, \’I would listen to your idea if it was John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan or Will Ospreay!?\’ and I was like, \’dude those three are legends right there. That\’s the cream of the crop stuff. So no matter what you say about my confidence in ability or whatever? Like, they\’re there (up in the echelons). I\’m here, I\’m not even on the screen down here (laughs).\”

    The Pipebomb

    Ospreay also mentioned that whilst he was taken aback by the suggestion, he knows that Punk is at least aware of what is happening in Japan. \”I thought, If he\’s coming back he\’s going to WWE. But then I always remember that promo where he sat cross legged, and he was like, \’maybe when I\’m done here I could go to New Japan Pro Wrestling, maybe I could go to Ring of Honor.\’ So he does watch. And that was back in 2011. He\’s still watching (New Japan), because I wasn\’t around in 2011.\”

    Do you think that we could see Punk vs Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom? Let us know in the comments

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  • NJPW President Pens Open Letter To Fans Regarding Event Cancelations

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling President Harold Meij has written an open letter to fans regarding event cancellations. Like several other wrestling promotions, NJPW has been forced to reschedule and cancel a number of events. This was done due to the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, New Japan’s Road to Dontaku tour was canceled, prompting Meij to connect with the NJPW fanbase.

    Meij highlighted how their recent 12 cancellations from April 19 to May 4 join previously canceled events dating back to March 1. He revealed that the promotion is monitoring the situation closely regarding events scheduled from May 4 onwards.

    He shared how the promotion has been taking the global situation “very seriously from an early stage.”

    According to Harold Meij, 90% of their employees are currently working from home as they do all they can to help stop the spread of COVID-19. “We, like you, are disappointed and frustrated at not being able to present the best professional wrestling on the planet on a live basis at the current moment in time.”

    Harold Meij Thanks The Fans

    Harold Meij urged fans to do what they can to prevent the further spread of the disease. He noted how, unless you are in essential work, you should stay home and enjoy entertainment via NJPW World. He thanked the fans for their support and stressed that “we will get through this together.”

    Meij added how the fighting spirit of NJPW is something that can overcome any opposition and that he looks forward to the day they can begin delivering shows once more.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip6kgdXCNIo

  • NJPW Cancels More Shows Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced further cancellations amidst the coronavirus pandemic. They had previously cancelled their annual New Japan Cup tournament. Now NJPW has been forced to cancel both Sakura Genesis and their Road to Dontaku shows. Sakura Genesis was scheduled to take place on March 31 from Ryogoku Sumo Hall. The Road to Dontaku tour was intended to start from Sagamihara on April 11.

    NJPW Official Statement

    In an official statement, New Japan addressed how their decision is in line with the guidelines laid out by the Japanese Ministry of Health. They apologized to fans who were looking forward to the events but noted the importance of ensuring the safety of their fans, staff, and talent.

    \”We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to these events. Ultimately, the health and safety of our fans, wrestlers and staff, as well as society at large is our utmost concern, and we will make announcements about events scheduled after April 11 upon careful monitoring of this developing situation.\”

    \”We will soon announce refund procedures for the affected events. Programs like the NJPW Together Project will continue to see wrestlers and staff come together to bring the best possible content to fans while we eagerly await the opportunity to entertain live crowds once more.\”

    NJPW has been putting on a range of alternative content in place of their cancelled shows via NJPW World. The Together Project brings stars together to talk, entertain, and provide wrestling commentary over matches.

  • NJPW\’s Harold Meij On Coronavirus, Getting Back To \”Business As Usual\”

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling acted quickly as the coronavirus pandemic first started taking hold. The promotion cancelled their annual New Japan Cup tournament in order to help protect their fans and talent. Speaking with Sports Illustrated, NJPW President Harold Meij discussed how he intends to help get business back to normal.

    \”The Coronavirus has impacted the entire world,\” Meij said. \”However, throughout our 50-year history we have experienced and overcome numerous crises, not only emerging stronger as an organization, but also as a good social beacon bringing hope and excitement worldwide. NJPW sincerely believes professional wrestling will once again unite us all very soon, sharing our passion for wrestling together.\”

    Harold Meij On NJPW\’s Alternative Content

    Harold Meij reiterated how all New Japan events have been cancelled up to and including their March 21 show. He noted how eagerly everyone involved wants to get back to \”business as usual.\” According to Meij, NJPW officials are actively working towards that ambition. He acknowledged that the continuous situation is \”fluid\” and so they have to act responsibly with every decision.

    \”The Coronavirus has dramatically affected how sports and events-based businesses worldwide are able to operate,\” Meij continued. \”Being the biggest professional wrestling organization in Japan put a spotlight upon us and gave us a significant social responsibility. It has been our duty to not just act in the best interests of our fans, wrestlers and staff, but of society at large.\”

    In the wake of the New Japan Cup cancellation, the promotion has attempted to deliver alternative content to fans worldwide. NJPW has been releasing videos for their NJPW Together Project via NJPW World. The videos bring stars together to talk, entertain and provide wrestle commentary over matches.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u5ykJ-O2yI

  • Kota Ibushi Shares His Thoughts On Empty Arena Matches

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) was one of the first wrestling companies to cancel a major event in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak began as NJPW were gearing up for their annual New Japan Cup tournament.

    New Japan’s Kota Ibushi recently sat down for an interview with njpw1972.com. During their conversation, Ibushi addressed the coronavirus and shared his thoughts on wrestling in front of empty venues in the way AEW and WWE have been doing.

    “There’s a lot of different ways of thinking about it, but [in complete honestly,] I’m not a fan of empty arenas,” Ibushi admitted. “There’s, of course, a lot of merit to watching video, and you can get a closer sense of the action in the ring perhaps.\”

    \”The thing is though, I’m not really about showing off what moves I can do. I want to be engaging a live crowd. In that sense, I really don’t see the point of running events if there aren’t going to be any people there.”

    Kota Ibushi shared how he had previously wrestled in an empty arena during his time with Japanese promotion DDT. He joked how the empty arena wasn’t “by design” and that the show had started without any fans turning up.

  • Will Ospreay Responds To CM Punk\’s Comments About In-Ring Return

    CM Punk had recently said that he would consider a wrestling return against the right opponent and one of the names he mentioned as a potential rival he has never faced was the current NJPW star Will Ospreay.

    The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion responded to these comments from the former WWE Champion recently. He challenged Punk with the following tweet, while also taking a shot at his current WWE backstage gig:

    https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1240260385271418882

    Will Ospreay recently defeated Zack Sabre Jr to win the British Heavyweight Championship and announced moving to the heavyweight division of NJPW after spending almost 4 years in the junior heavyweight division.

    CM Punk On Facing Will Ospreay

    CM Punk had recently appeared on the Swing & Mrs Podcast where he had named people like John Cena and Daniel Bryan as potential opponents he would consider for a return.

    When discussing opponents he never faced during his pro wrestling career, the former Champion had named Will Ospreay as one of the people he would like to wrestle with:

    “For people I haven’t ever wrestled before, I think Will Ospreay, I would listen to your idea. There’s a lot of moving parts. I’m busy doing other stuff and nobody has found the right combination of ways to approach me\”

    With Ospreay making his mark on NJPW, and CM Punk working on WWE Backstage, a face-off between the two in near future looks very unlikely. Though it\’s still possible if Ospreay joins WWE in future and Punk makes his return to the company.

    Would you like to see a match between the current British Heavyweight Champion and the Best In The World? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.