Tag: njpw cup usa 2021

NJPW introducing New Japan Strong Openweight Championship

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new championship was revealed during tonight’s NJPW Strong.

Tonight’s episode of Strong opened with the unveiling of the New Japan Cup USA trophy that the winner will receive. Kevin Kelly on commentary noted that instead of a future championship match, this year’s tournament winner will actually win a new championship being introduced: the Strong Openweight Championship.

The eight-man tournament begins next week on April 9. The opening matches will have Clark Connors taking on Lio Rush, Brody King facing Chris Dickinson, Ren Narita facing Tom Lawlor, and Hikuleo facing Fred Rosser. The semi finals will take place on April 16, and the finals will take place April 23.

KENTA won last year’s inaugural NJPW Cup USA tournament, defeating David Finlay in the finals to win the trophy and a shot at the IWGP United States title. Earlier this year, he faced Jon Moxley for the IWGP United States title in a losing effort.

NJPW New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament bracket set

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The field is set for the 2021 New Japan Cup USA tournament. 

Chris Dickinson and Clark Connors claimed the final two spots in the field on Friday’s episode of NJPW Strong. Dickinson beat Blake Christian, while Connors defeated TJP. 

On the March 19 Strong, Brody King defeated Bateman to earn a spot in the tournament, while Ren Narita secured his place by defeating Misterioso. Hikuleo and Fred Rosser gained tournament entry with wins on the March 12 episode of Strong. Lio Rush and Tom Lawlor won qualifying matches on the March 5 episode. 

Tournament matches will begin on the Friday, April 2 episode of Strong and will run through the month of April. The Cup winner will again receive a title shot against the IWGP United States Champion. 

The tournament bracket was also revealed. First round matches will be:

  • Clark Connors vs. Lio Rush
  • Brody King vs. Chris Dickinson
  • Ren Narita vs. Tom Lawlor
  • Hikuleo vs. Fred Rosser

The Connors/Rush winner will face King or Dickinson in the semifinals. Hikuleo or Rosser will face the Narita/Lawlor winner in the other semifinal match. 

KENTA won the 2020 New Japan Cup USA tournament, earning a title shot against IWGP United States Champion Jon Moxley. KENTA won the tournament on the August 21, 2020 episode of Strong, but the match with Moxley did not take place until the February 26, 2021 edition of Strong due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

KENTA went on to successfully defend the IWGP US briefcase five times before finally facing Moxley.