Tag: Impact X NJPW Multiverse United

X-Division to be featured in Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 tag team match

Posted on by Josh Nason

The X-Division will be on display in the first officially announced match for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2.

New X-Division titleholder Lio Rush will team with former champion Trey Miguel to take on IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi & former X-Division champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a tag team match.

The pay-per-view is set for Sunday, August 20th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rush defeated Chris Sabin at Saturday’s Slammiversary to win his first X-Division title while Sabin had just defeated Miguel for the belt in June.

Takahashi is in his fifth reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight titleholder and has shared the ring with Rush 15 times through the years. While he has faced Bailey twice in singles action, this is his first time teaming with him. He has never shared a ring with Miguel.

The only other announced wrestler for the show is NJPW legend Hiromu Tanahashi.

Here’s the current card:

  • Lio Rush & Trey Miguel vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey
  • Hiromu Tanahashi in action

Hiroshi Tanahashi announced for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2

Posted on by Josh Nason

NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi is coming to Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2.

The former IWGP Champion was the first competitor announced for the event during Friday’s Against All Odds. The show is set to take place on Sunday, August 20th at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena and is expected to stream on FITE as a pay-per-view.

The 46-year-old was part of March’s first Multiverse United event during WrestleMania weekend, picking up a win over “Speedball” Mike Bailey. Tanahashi was an injury replacement for Will Ospreay.

Tanahashi has mainly been working multi-man matches for NJPW as of late and is expected to be part of this month’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2 from Toronto, Canada.

The first Multiverse United event featured a mix of inter-promotional matches that included NJPW Strong Champion KENTA defending the title against Minoru Suzuki, Deonna Purrazzo winning a four-way to earn a World title shot that would be a successful one, Jeff Cobb defeating Moose, and more.

Both promotions air on AXS TV in North America and have a good working relationship with talent exchanges.

Impact x NJPW Multiverse United results: Tanahashi vs. Bailey

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Impact Wrestling and NJPW held their Multiverse United pay-per-view event on Thursday night in Los Angeles featuring talent from both promotions. 

In the show’s main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi took on “Speedball” Mike Bailey. Three titles were also up for grabs — the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championship, and the Impact X-Division Championship.

A spot in the Impact Knockouts Championship match at the Rebellion pay-per-view set for April 16 was also on the line at the event. 

Below are results from the show at the Globe Theatre:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA defeated Minoru Suzuki to retain the title
  • KUSHIDA defeated Lio Rush
  • Impact World Tag Team Championship: Chris Bey & Ace Austin defeated Motor City Machine Guns, Aussie Open, and TMDK to retain the titles
  • Deonna Purrazzo defeated Masha Slamovich, Gisele Shaw, and Miyu Yamashita to advance to the Knockouts title match at Rebellion
  • Jeff Cobb defeated Moose
  • Fred Rosser, Alex Coughlin, PCO & Callihan defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, JR Kratos, Eddie Edwards & Joe Hendry
  • Impact X-Division Championship: Trey Miguel defeated Frankie Kazarian, Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble match to retain the title
  • Pre-show: Yuya Uemura defeated Gabriel Kidd

KUSHIDA vs. Lio Rush set for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Josh Nason

With Impact World Champion Josh Alexander out of his title defense against KUSHIDA at Thursday’s Impact x NJPW Multiverse United, a gap was left on the card.

On Tuesday, that gap was officially filled as Lio Rush will now face KUSHIDA for the first time ever on the pay-per-view.

Alexander revealed last week that he tore his triceps and needed to relinquish the title. KUSHIDA will battle no. 1 contender Steve Maclin at next month’s Rebellion with the winner becoming the new champion.

Thursday’s co-promoted PPV will be held in Los Angeles as part of WrestleMania weekend.

Here’s the final lineup:

  • KUSHIDA vs. Lio Rush
  • Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Miyu Yamashita in a four-way
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark David) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion KENTA defends against Minoru Suzuki
  • Mike Bailey vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose
  • Callihan, PCO, Fred Rosser & Alex Coughlin vs. Joe Hendry, Eddie Edwards, JR Kratos & Tom Lawlor
  • Countdown Show: Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Mike Bailey official for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Josh Nason

After offering his services earlier in the day to fill in for the injured Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi got his wish Tuesday as he will take on “Speedball” Mike Bailey at next Thursday’s Impact x NJPW Multiverse United.

The pay-per-view takes place in Los Angeles as part of WrestleMania weekend following a live Impact on AXS TV.

Ospreay injured his shoulder in the New Japan Cup and had to withdraw from the tournament. It was unclear until today if he would miss the Multiverse event as well.

This will be Tanahashi and Bailey’s first-ever match against each other of any kind.

It was also confirmed that KENTA will put his NJPW Strong Openweight title on the line against Minoru Suzuki in their previously announced match.

Also announced Tuesday was a bout for the countdown show as Gabriel Kidd takes on Yuya Uemura.

Here’s the final lineup:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against KUSHIDA
  • Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Miyu Yamashita in a four-way
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark David) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion KENTA defends against Minoru Suzuki
  • Mike Bailey vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose
  • Callihan, PCO, Fred Rosser & Alex Coughlin vs. Joe Hendry, Eddie Edwards, JR Kratos & Tom Lawlor
  • Countdown Show: Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd

Hiroshi Tanahashi offers to replace Will Ospreay at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Josh Nason

Hiroshi Tanahashi has offered to replace the injured Will Ospreay in his match against “Speedball” Mike Bailey at next Friday’s Impact x NJPW Multiverse United.

After Tuesday’s New Japan Cup finals, Tanahashi said he would be a “pinch hitter” for the co-promoted show and that they would regret choosing him as he is going to make an impact.

Neither promotion has made an official announcement about the change, nor that Ospreay has been officially pulled.

Last week, Ospreay had to remove himself from the New Japan Cup tournament due to a shoulder injury that was believed to have  been sustained during his second round tournament match against Mark Davis. 

His timeframe for returning to action is unknown.

Here’s the current card:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against KUSHIDA
  • Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Miyu Yamashita in a four-way
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark David) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. KENTA
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay*
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose
  • Callihan, PCO, Fred Rosser & Alex Coughlin vs. Joe Hendry, Eddie Edwards, JR Kratos & Tom Lawlor

*Injured

Knockouts title four-way added to Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Josh Nason

The Impact Knockouts Championship will be on the line at this month’s Impact x NJPW Multiverse United.

Current champion Mickie James is set to defend her gold in a four-way against former champion Deonna Purrazzo, past title challenger Gisele Shaw, and TJPW regular Miyu Yamashita.

However, James will have to first survive her title defense against former champion Jordynne Grace at next Friday’s Sacrifice, an Impact streaming special from Canada.

If she does, she will defend the title the following Thursday (March 30th) at the co-promoted Impact and NJPW pay-per-view.

Another new addition announced over the weekend was an eight-man tag team match as Callihan, PCO, Fred Rosser & Alex Coughlin take on Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry, Eddie Edwards, JR Kratos & “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.

Here’s the current card:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against KUSHIDA
  • Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Miyu Yamashita in a four-way
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark David) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. KENTA
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose
  • Callihan, PCO, Fred Rosser & Alex Coughlin vs. Joe Hendry, Eddie Edwards, JR Kratos & Tom Lawlor

Tag title match set for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Impact Tag Team Championships will be on the line at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United.

The promotion revealed on Friday that Bullet Club’s Chris Bey & Ace Austin will defend their titles against Aussie Open, TMDK, and the Motor City Machine Guns in a four-way match on the show. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin’s NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships will not be on the line. 

Impact x NJPW Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive takes place Thursday, March 30, 2023, from the Globe Theater in Los Angeles. 

Here’s the current card:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against KUSHIDA
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors, and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark David) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. KENTA
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose

Minoru Suzuki vs. KENTA set for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United

Posted on by Josh Nason

Minoru Suzuki will make his return to Impact Wrestling against KENTA as part of this month’s Multiverse United.

Suzuki debuted for Impact in late-October 2021, culminating in a match with Josh Alexander. KENTA debuted for Impact in a Bullet Club trios match at last month’s No Surrender and was also part of their subsequent TV tapings.

The show is set for Thursday, March 30th in Los Angeles, California, and is a co-branded PPV with New Japan Strong, NJPW’s U.S. arm.

The Impact X-Division title will be also on the line in a six-way scramble match.

Also announced Thursday, the match will include current champion Trey Miguel, Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors and Rocky Romero.

Miguel may not make it to the PPV as champion as he will defend against a challenger of Santino Marella’s choosing at Sacrifice on Friday, March 24th.

Here’s the current card:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against KUSHIDA
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Rich Swann, Kevin Knight, Frankie Kazarian, Clark Connors and Rocky Romero in a scramble
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. KENTA
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Moose