Tag: Njpw Royal Quest III

Daily Update: Adam Cole surgery, Davey Boy Smith Jr., NJPW Royal Quest III

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer is out with these stories:

  • The Tuesday night head-to-head battle
  • The ratings numbers and competition, quarters, demos, and how both numbers compared to last year
  • Tony Khan’s tweets
  • Controversy over the MJF storyline
  • Some notable bad taste angles
  • Advertising of Moxley vs. Fenix
  • MJF talks his angle
  • Highlights and rundowns of both shows
  • Next head-to-head battle and why this one won’t be close
  • The end of the UFC/USADA relationship from both sides
  • Major questions on the USADA era and the good and the bad of it
  • The cases of Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar and Conor McGregor
  • Things fighters didn’t like about USADA
  • Travis Tygart’s statement and UFC’s response
  • WWE Fastlane coverage and business note
  • 2023 Hall of Fame ballot and thoughts on leading candidate
  • Who are unknown to most but almost have to be in
  • New Japan & Stardom talk future business, youth movement, reality show, Inoki movie
  • Destruction in Ryogoku coverage, business notes, major angles, and plans for Copper Box
  • This past week’s UFC coverage
  • The most detailed look at the U.S. TV ratings
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Major women’s tournament
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Several wrestlers celebrate 25th anniversary
  • Small town locals draw nice All Japan crowd
  • Katsuhiko Nakajima update
  • Tanahashi & Okada talk about Inoki upon release of movie as well as their futures
  • Plans for January 4th by New Japan and Stardom
  • Mayu Iwatani’s first IWGP title defense in the U.S. and opponent
  • Bill Dundee update
  • Billy Corgan talks NWA changes
  • Update on Mil Mascaras
  • Four-part BBC drama on famous talk show host and sometimes wrestler Jimmy Savile
  • Controversy regarding business deal in Europe
  • Update on Davey Boy Smith Jr.
  • GCW goes to Japan
  • Lots of new directions for AEW
  • AEW injury thoughts
  • Gordon Solie award winner for 2023
  • Update on WrestleDream PPV numbers
  • Two AEW stars in movie roles
  • Ticket advances for AEW & WWE shows
  • International TV ratings
  • Kyle O’Reilly talks return
  • UFC Saudi Arabia deal
  • UFC 294 changes
  • Laurence Epstein talks WWE/UFC merger
  • New UFC historical specials to be released this month
  • Bellator 300 coverage
  • Talks about the future of Bellator
  • Real weights vs. weigh-in weights and some surprises
  • A look at the career of Alistair Overeem
  • Update on WWE creative process
  • Ari Emanuel with interesting notes on the WWE TKO stock declines
  • John Cena update
  • Survivor Series notes
  • Update on recent main roster call-ups
  • Brian Pillman Jr. update
  • Update on WWE prospect

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking all the weekend news including the television shows, Vince McMahon and Ari Emanuel, Royal Quest and Logan Paul boxing. Our week in review show talking Tuesday night ratings, MJF angle, UFC/USADA, Hall of Fame in-depth, and much more with Garrett Gonzales is up right now.

We’re looking for your thoughts on Royal Quest, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Adam Cole did get ankle surgery on Thursday.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is out of the hospital after surgery to remove part of his colon due to getting appendicitis and diverticulitis at the same time. It was said to be painful as hell. He was in the hospital for four days and now he’s at home recovering.

I would tell everyone to go out of their way to see both the Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr., main event and the Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi semi from Royal Quest. The reaction across the board is both were match of the year candidates. Ospreay vs. Sabre was in the vein of Danielson vs. Sabre, but the idea was similar but the match was completely different. It was incredibly innovative. Takagi vs. Ishii was exactly what you would think it would be. I will say at least from my standpoint the sound didn’t travel well on the broadcast so it felt like it was a hard crowd but others have said the atmosphere was unreal.

For Google Searches this week, nothing from pro wrestling made the list. You can really see how little interest there is these days based on the Saturday UFC shows that are strictly streaming shows on ESPN+ not cracking the top 20. It used to be automatic for every UFC show to do so. As far as yesterday’s PPV show, the Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis fight got 1.1 million searches while the KSI vs. Tommy Fury main event got 50,000. Paul vs. Danis also got another 200,000 on Thursday based on Danis hitting Paul with the mic and cutting him open. The only other thing to make the list this week was No. 6 on Wednesday with 50,000 was UFC announcing that Fight Pass would be airing several college wrestling dual meets this season. Nothing involving Tuesday’ NXT vs. AEW made the list.

On last night’s Collision show, Tony Khan made the call for Tony Schiavone to be the lead announcer. Kevin Kelly worked the show as well, as did Nigel McGuinness. During the Bryan Danielson vs. Christian Cage main event (an outstanding match by the way), Jim Ross replaced Kelly.

At Royal Quest, they made three new matches. For Power Struggle on 11/4 in Osaka they made Will Ospreay vs. Shota Umino for the UK and US titles and Jon Moxley vs. Great O’Khan. For 10/28 in Las Vegas, Tama Tonga will defend the Never title against Singo Takagi.

WWE house show results from last night in Kansas City, MO, with a rare Roman Reigns house show match. Reigns is not on tonight’s house show in Springfield,MO:

  • Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso retained the tag titles over Ludvig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci when Rhodes pinned Kaiser.
  • Dominik Mysterio b Ricochet using the tights and ropes to retain the North American title
  • LA Knight b Jimmy Uso via DQ when Solo Sikoa interfered. Sikoa laid out Knight with the Samoan spike
  • Gunther b Chad Gable to retain the IC title after a power bomb. Maxxine and Otis were also involved
  • Seth Rollins b Shinsuke Nakamura with a curb stomp in a street fight for the world title
  • Carlito & Joaquin Wilde b The Street Profits
  • Iyo Sky won three-way over Charlotte Flair and Asuka. Apparently there was a close near fall where people thought Asuka didn’t get her shoulder up after a spear by Flair but that wasn’t the finish. Sky reversed the Asuka lock into a pin
  • Roman Reigns beat Sami Zayn with a combination spear and Solo Sikoa interfering with the spike. Long match. Jimmy Uso interfered. Zayn kicked out of the first spear. A couple of refs bumps. Jimmy Uso brought in a chair but Zayn speared him. Zayn used the helluva kick on Reigns but the ref was slow counting and Reigns took out. Sikoa came out and they did the spear and spike combo as the ref was down and that was the pin. Jimmy & Solo were beating on Zayn after the match. LA Knight made the save and used the BFT on Reigns, Uso and Sikoa.(thanks to Shannon Walsh)

We’re looking for reports on these shows:

  • NXT on Friday night in Largo, FL and last night in Winter Haven, FL
  • WWE house show tonight in Springfield, MO
  • We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

Thanks to Brian Overholt, Paul Meade and John Muse for the reports from AEW last night in Toledo.

With Nick Aldis now a WWE television character, it looks like no more indies. We don’t have that confirmed but he did pull out of his show for the Hart Family’s promotion in Calgary so it looks that way.

The Grizzled Young Veterans, formerly the Dyad, had their contracts expire and wrote, “You’ve got soulless wrestlers with heartless gimmicks. And then you’ve got the death of creativity. We took a long look around and we said to ourselves, `If this is the big life, then we’re not looking to live it.’ We are sick of taking the safe option, we are sick of reading the same old boring scripts that go absolutely nowhere. And we are sick of dealing with knobheads that have wormed their way into this business.”

The Grizzled Young Veterans will be part of the 10/28 OTT ninth anniversary show at Dublin National Stadium.

Cody Rhodes said he made one last decision as NXT General Manager which will be announced on Tuesday.

The Logan Paul boxing match with Dilon Danis was predictably terrible as Danis can’t box. Paul dominated and Danis just kept trying to block punches and not get hit. In the fifth round, Danis went for a guillotine and since it was a boxing match, he was DQ’d. Paul challenged Rey Mysterio and Conor McGregor, as well as challenged Danis to an MMA fight. 

Tommy Fury beat KSI in the main event in Manchester, UK on scores announced as 57-57, 57-56 and 57-56 in what was a close fight. KSI claimed he was robbed. The fight was also said to be terrible. Just Rafael Ramos, who scored the fight 57-57 actually added up his scores incorrectly and when added up it later came out he als scored it 57-56 for Fury.

UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich faced reporter and sometimes fighter Mike Jackson last night. Miletich, 55, beat on Jackson, best known for his fight with CM Punk, for two rounds at the fight in Davenport, IA. But Miletich was so exhausted he couldn’t come out for the third round and Jackson won the fight. Jens Pulver was furious at Jackson for celebrating his win.

Brian Cage was injured so he was out of last night’s scheduled match with Komander. Komander beat Metalik as part of the ROH tapings last night in Toledo, OH. 

Jerry Lawler was at a wrestling show Friday night in Memphis in a show put on by the Memphis Tigers college before their game with Tulane at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Lawler came to the ring but didn’t wrestle. Jimmy Hart, Doug Gilbert, Tommy Rich and Koko B. Ware were also at the show.

Defy from Friday night in Yakima, WA: Juventud Guerrera & Super Crazy & Guillermo Rosas b Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl & Mils Deville, Coyote Azteca & Alan Extreme b Sepulcro 3000 & Vaquero Fantasma, Masato Tanaka b Bryan Keith, Gringo Loco won three-way over Arez and Galeno del Mal (son of Dr. Wagner Jr.) for the Defy Lucha title, Shaff won BMF Battle Royal, Vert Vixen retained the Defy title in a four-way over Nicole Matthews, Liiza Hall and Karisma, Ultimo Dragon & Nick Wayne & Cody Chhun b Judas Icarus & Travis Williams & Evan Rivers, Swerve Strickland b El Hijo del Vikingo. The next show is 10/27 in Seattle with Sanada and Mike Bailey.

Brian Pillman Jr. worked both of the NXT house shows this weekend as Lexis King. Gable Steveson also wrestled on both shows.

West Coast Pro from last night in San Francisco: Alpha Zo b Mike Bailey, Bryan Keith b Jiah Jewell, Calvin Tankman & Beef b Royce Isaacs & Jore Nelson, Johnnie Robbie & Unagi Sayaka & Rachael Ellering & Chikayo Nagashima b Sandra Moone & Maria & Riko Kawahata & Mio Momono in what was said to be a great match, Vinnie Massaro b Masato Tanaka in a no DQ match, Ultimo Dragon & Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin Adrian Quest & Danny Rose & Ricky Gee, Timothy Thatcher b JT Thorne, Takumi Iroha b Masha Slamovich to keep the West Coast Pro women’s title, Starboy Charlie b Titus Alexander in 40:00 to win the West Coast Pro title. Also said to be really good. The show ended with Kenta Kobashi putting the title belt around Charlie’s waist. Chris Hero, who hasn’t wrestled in a few years but is the booker here, challenged Thatcher to a match after Thatcher attacked him which will be on 11/17 in San Francisco. Kobashi also did a long interview in the ring. He talked about getting his kidney removed in 2006 due to cancer and said he thought his life and his career were over. He said he came back from it and wrestled until 2013 and retired with no regrets and was grateful to be back in the U.S.

Innovate Wrestling tonight at 6 p.m. in Kingsport, TN at 100 Emory Lane at the Beautiful Bobby Eaton Arena.

Spark Wrestling from last night in Orlando: Devlyn Macabre b Brittany Blake, KZT b Kelsey Raegen, Amber Nova b Maika Ozaki, Sumie Sakai & Dani Mo b Emi Sakura & Ultra Violette, Miu Watanabe b KiLynn King, Miyu Yamashita b Jessie, Ram Kaichow b Xia Brookside to keep the Pacific title, Saki b Maya Yukihi to become the first Atlantic champion.

House of Glory Friday night in New York: Midas Black & Jay Lyon retained the tag titles over Ken Broadway & Showtime Moore, Carlos Ramierz b O’Shay Edwards, Idris Jackson b Joey Silver, Kevin Blackwood won over JJ Doujii, Raheem Royal, Dezmond Cole, Jay Armani and Roachie Roach, Nolo Kitano b Michael Fain to keep the cruiserweight title, Kiki Van Gogh b Leila Gray-DQ, Mike Santana b Rocky Romero, Minoru Suzuki b Charles Mason. Santana challenged HOG champion Matt Cardona for the 12/1 show.(thanks to Samuel Rosenthal)

UWC on 10/21 in New Egypt, NJ at the American Legion with a Halloween themed show.

NJPW Royal Quest III live results: Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Will Ospreay defends the IWGP United Kingdom/United States Championship against Zack Sabre Jr. today at Royal Quest III at the Copper Box Arena in London.

This will be the 16th career singles meeting between Ospreay and Sabre, and the first since the 2022 New Japan Cup when Sabre scored a win. Sabre has a 9-6 edge in the series. 

Tomohiro Ishii faces Shingo Takagi in the semi-main event in their seventh career singles meeting. Shingo has a 5-1 record in their six prior matches. 

Wrestle Kingdom 18 main event opponents SANADA & Tetsuya Naito will be on opposite sides of a tag team match on the undercard, with IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA & DOUKI teaming against Naito & BUSHI. 

In another notable undercard bout, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles are on the line with Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defending against Cameron Khai & Leon Slater. 

Ten matches in all are set for the show which begins at 1 p.m. Eastern time on RevPro’s streaming service.

**********

Taiji Ishimori defeated Robbie X

Nothing fantastic, but this was a fine opener. Robbie was given a lot, and, as you would expect, he utilized his time to show off for the crowd.

The match opened with Robbie getting the better of Ishimori with athletic offense. Ishimori struck back by shoving Robbie into an exposed corner, leading to an extended period of Ishimori control. Robbie’s rally was just as acrobatic as his opening but with more back-and-forth from Ishimori. Ishimori held on long enough to catch Robbie with a UFO and Bloody Cross to win the match.

El Desperado defeated Trent Seven

This was bad. They tried to have an intense fight, but it was much closer to a mild scuffle.

Before the match could begin, Seven entered the ring with a chair. Desperado answered by getting a chair of his own. The pair went back and forth with the chairs before spilling to the floor. Desperado gained an advantage on the outside, leaving him free to attempt a dive, but Desperado cut him off with a chair shot to the head.

Seven controlled Desperado for far too long with plotting holds before tearing away at Desperado’s mask. Desperado fired back up with a suplex, but Seven quickly responded with a piledriver.

Seven attempted a dive from the top rope but missed. Desperado hit Seven with a spear, but a now desperate Seven bumped the referee. Seven then landed a low blow and an emerald flowsion for a near fall. A frustrated Seven then lifted Desperado to his feet, only for Desperado to win the match with a quick trap pin.

Yota Tsuji defeated Luke Jacobs

Both guys looked good at times, but this match never became anything more than solid.

The match opened with a strike battle that Tsuji won, leading to an extended stint of control. Jacobs bounced back after a second strike exchange, reversing a suplex to gain a footing for the first time. From here, the pair went back and forth, but Jacobs maintained a slight lead before eating a Tsuji curb stomp.

Jacobs, now desperate, dropped Tsuji with a barrage of headbutts. A massive lariat scored Jacobs a nearfall, but he failed to follow up, dropping Tsuji from a powerbomb. Tsuji took advantage, landing a suplex to retake control. Tsuji then landed a Gene Blast to win the match.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney (Bullet Club War Dogs) (c) defeated Cameron Khai & Leon Slater

This was a very good match. The War Dogs maintained a traditional tag structure, while the challengers were firey babyfaces. Great stuff.

The War Dogs opened the match with a fierce attack on the challengers. As things slowed, the War Dogs maintained their control by isolating Khai. The War Dog pair were villainous, cutting off hot tags by any means necessary.

A sudden death valley driver from Khai led to a hot tag, allowing Slater to take control for the first time. Slater took on both War Dogs long enough for Khai to recover. Khai hit the ring, leading to a hot tandem sequence.

Moloney avoided a 450, buying him enough time to drill Slater with a superkick. Connors was quick in tow, landing a stunning spear and powerslam. The War Dogs then looked to close the match but were cut off on the top rope.

Khai caught Moloney with a sudden cutter, setting Slater up for a 450. Connors cut Slater off, leaving Moloney free to hit the driller killer. The War Dogs then hit Slater with their tandem suplex/top rope spear to win the match and retain their belts.

El Phantasmo, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (Guerrillas of Destiny) defeated Alex Coughlin, David Finlay & Gabe Kidd (Bullet Club War Dogs)

I thought this match had potential; I was wrong. The War Dog heat segments were beyond dry, and the babyface rallies weren’t much better.

This match opened with both teams meeting on the ramp and brawling. Once the match entered the ring, GoD took control. To stay in the match, the War Dogs pulled Loa to the floor, working to isolate him from the rest of his team. This lasted for quite some time.

Tama got the hot tag, wiping out all of the War Dogs with help from ELP. The pair landed dives to the floor, leaving Kidd and Coughlin on the floor. Back in the ring, GoD continued their advance, landing multiple moves on Finlay before Loa pinned Finlay after landing his reverse driver.

Ren Narita & Shota Umino defeated Francesco Akira & Great-O-Khan (United Empire)

This match was good, but was outshined by the junior tag from earlier in the night.

UE were first to strike, working to isolate Ren early. After an extended period of heel control, Ren reached Shota for a hot tag. Shota took on both of UE, with quite a bit of success, but they eventually retook the lead and returned to their isolation tactic.

This time, Ren hit the ring to save Shota, leading to a slick tandem sequence. O-Khan was forced to hit the ring but also fell to the babyface pair. Shota took off Akira’s head with an elbow strike before landing Death Rider to win the match.

After the match, Ren and Shota shook hands to celebrate their win.

BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables de Japon) defeated DOUKI & SANADA (Just 5 Guys)

This match was a total coast. If it got a single soul excited for the WrestleKingdom main event, I would be shocked.

J5G took control early and maintained it for quite some time. SANADA and Naito shared a lot of time in the ring, going through slow sequences of strikes and holds.

Eventually, BUSHI hit the ring and helped Naito run off SANADA. Naito was then free to hit DOUKI with Destino, winning the match.

After the match, Naito and SANADA had a stare-down. As SANADA tried to leave BUSHI sprayed him with a mouth full of mist. Naito then threw SANADA from the ring and stood tall with BUSHI.

Eddie Kingston, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Oku defeated HENARE, Jeff Cobb & TJP (United Empire)

Tanahashi and TJP opened the match with a standard exchange. Once Tanahashi gained an upper hand, the rest of UE hit the ring to take control. Once the UE trio had Tanahashi on the back foot, they kept him there by isolating him from his team.

Eddie eventually tagged in, leading directly to a strike exchange with HENARE. UE tried taking their lead back by rushing Eddie again, but Oku was quick in tow, landing a flop to the floor to keep his team ahead.

Once Oku was legal, UE rushed the ring again. This led to a match breakdown with both teams trading moves. In the chaos, Oku hit Eddie with a knee strike, allowing TJP to capitalize. With only TJP and Oku in the ring, TJP attempted to close. Oku reversed into a quick pin, which won his team the match.

Shingo Takagi defeated Tomohiro Ishii 

The exact match you expect from this pair–a ridiculously intense crowd-pleaser that’s worth seeking out if you’re a fan of either guy. They played the hits, but they’re hits for a reason. For a ton of people, this will be a MOTY contender.

From the opening bell, these two beat the breaks off of each other. When Shingo gained advantage, Ishii fought back with strikes. When Ishii gained advantage, Shingo fought back with strikes.

As the match escalated, both guys tried out doing each other by any means. Already late in the match, Shingo landed a superplex to a chorus of “fight forever” chants. Ishii answered with a backdrop. Shingo bounced back to his feet, leading to a sequence of suplex trading. By the end, both men were left grounded.

After returning to their feet, Ishii hit Shingo with a superplex of his own. The follow-up powerbomb left Ishii with a nearfall. Shingo held on, landing a GTR to put Ishii behind. Shingo then hit a pumping bomber and Made in Japan; Shingo kicked out.

On their last legs, these guys traded strikes again. Ishii landed a pumping bomber of his own, but Shingo kicked out at one. After eating a second lariat from Ishii, Shingo dropped him with a stiff punch.

Once both men made it back to their feet, they traded headbutts. Shingo won out and hit another pumping bomber, but Ishii kicked out again. Shingo hit Ishii with a brainbuster; Ishii kicked out at one.

Ishii floored Shingo with a nasty headbutt. Ishii tried for his brainbuster, but Shingo reversed, leading to a prolonged rally. Shingo finally closed the match with Last of the Dragon.

Even after the match, the pair continued to go at it, trading a couple more headbutts before finally calling it quits.

Once Ishii left the ring, Tama Tonga came to the ring, holding his NEVER belt. The crowd responded to Tama’s presence with chants of “F*ck him up, Shingo.” Tama then cut a promo that I couldn’t hear; thankfully, the announce team filled us in. Tama Tonga vs. Shingo Takagi is set for October 28th in Las Vegas for the NEVER title.

IWGP United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

This match opened with a prolonged feeling-out sequence, with neither guy getting a clear upper hand for some time. As the match progressed, Ospreay would gain small leads with a strike, but ZSJ would answer with a hold. In order to break through ZSJ’s defense, Ospreay approached with springboards and handsprings. ZSJ still caught Ospreay time after time, not letting him get through with more than a move or two.

After a prolonged struggle, Ospreay was able to prop ZSJ onto the top rope, where he delivered three beautifully shot kicks. Ospreay was able to capitalize, building the first substantial offensive sequence of the match. Ospreay landed a falcon arrow and twisting press from the top rope for a nearfall.

Ospreay attempted a second falcon arrow, but ZSJ reversed and turned his attention to Ospreay’s arm. ZSJ’s lead was cut short by a sudden Spanish fly, which reset the match.

A few seconds of rolling on the mat allowed ZSJ to retake his lead. ZSJ landed a tiger driver for a nearfall. Ospreay tried to answer with an OsCutter, but ZSJ caught him in an armbar. Ospreay powered through, turning the submission into a powerbomb.

Ospreay hit an OsCutter, a hidden blade, and a Stormbreaker, but ZSJ kicked out. Both men then fought to the top rope, where ZSJ used headbutts to rock Ospreay. From the top, ZSJ pulled Ospreay into an armbar, hitting a Zack driver once Ospreay wiggled free.

To follow up, ZSJ kicked Ospreay in the head. Ospreay managed to catch a kick, leading to a quick back-and-forth that ended with a hidden blade. Ospreay then hit an OsCutter from the top rope.

Ospreay ran at ZSJ, getting caught in another armbar. Again, Ospreay powered through, hitting a powerbomb to break the hold. Ospreay hit another hidden blade and a Stormbreaker to win the match and retain his title.

After the match, Ospreay cut a long promo, but production issues made it close to impossible to understand. He asked for a challenger and Shota Umino walked out from the back. Ospreay asked Shota who the best wrestler in the world is, Shota answered Jon Moxley. O-Khan stepped up to the plate; he’s scheduled to face Moxley on November 4th. Shota and Ospreay are also scheduled to wrestle on the same day for the IWGP UK Championship.

Full card revealed for NJPW Royal Quest III

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed the full card for its return to London.

Royal Quest III is being held at London’s Copper Box Arena this Saturday (October 14). The show will air live on RevPro On Demand.

New additions to the card include a tag team match with SANADA & DOUKI taking on Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI. At Destruction in Ryogoku, it was officially confirmed that SANADA will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Naito in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 18. Naito got the title shot by winning this year’s G1 Climax.

SANADA was formerly a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon with Naito.

An IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title bout has also been added to Royal Quest. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) will defend their titles against UK wrestlers Leon Slater & Cameron Khai).

The full Royal Quest card can be seen below:

  • IWGP United Kingdom Champion Will Ospreay defends against Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Eddie Kingston & Michael Oku vs. Jeff Cobb, Henare & TJP
  • SANADA & DOUKI vs. Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI
  • Ren Narita & Shota Umino vs. Francesco Akira & Great-O-Khan
  • Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & El Phantasmo vs. David Finlay, Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against Leon Slater & Cameron Khai
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Luke Jacobs
  • El Desperado vs. Trent Seven
  • Taiji Ishimori vs. Robbie X

Four matches announced for NJPW Royal Quest III

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW has announced four matches for Royal Quest III. 

The show takes place Thursday, October 14 from the Copper Box Arena in London. It will be headlined by Will Ospreay defending the IWGP United States/United Kingdom Championship against Zack Sabre Jr. The match was confirmed following Destruction in Kobe on Sunday. 

Additional matches for the show announced on Monday include Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii. Takagi defeated Ishii in the G1 this summer and holds a 5-1 edge in their all-time head-to-head series. 

Yota Tsuji will face Luke Jacobs on the show as well. Jacobs defeated Tsuji during Tsuji’s excursion to RevPro last year. 

Trent Seven vs. El Desperado will also take place at Royal Quest III. It will be Seven’s first match for NJPW since 2016. 

Also announced for the show in London next month is a six-man tag featuring Hiroshi Tanahashi, Eddie Kingston & Michael Oku facing the United Empire’s Jeff Cobb, HENARE, and TJP. 

NJPW Royal Quest III announced matches:

  • IWGP United States/United Kingdom Champion Will Ospreay defends against Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Oku, & Eddie Kingston vs. Jeff Cobb, HENARE, & TJP
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Luke Jacobs
  • El Desperado vs. Trent Seven

NJPW announces broadcast details for Royal Quest III

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Fans at home will be able to stream NJPW’s next show in London live.

It was announced today that NJPW Royal Quest III will air live on RevPro On Demand, which is Revolution Pro Wrestling’s streaming service. Royal Quest is taking place from the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, October 14.

Chris Charlton and Lord Gideon Grey will be the commentary team for Royal Quest.

NJPW wrote:

We’re excited to team up with our friends at Revolution Pro Wrestling for the event, which will air live in English on RevPro On Demand. Chris Charlton and United Empire’s Lord Gideon Grey will be bringing the action on what should be an unforgettable evening.

NJPW World subscribers will also be able to watch Royal Quest III at a later date soon after the event. Whether at home, or better yet in person, do not miss Royal Quest III October 14!

When Royal Quest II took place last October, the show was not available to watch live. Royal Quest II was a two-night event. Royal Quest III is only one night.

Royal Quest III is expected to feature an IWGP UK Heavyweight Championship match with Will Ospreay defending against Zack Sabre Jr.

NJPW’s first Royal Quest event took place in 2019 and was headlined by Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Royal Quest II included a stellar IWGP Tag Team title match with FTR facing Aussie Open.

NJPW announces Royal Quest III for London

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW is returning to London in October for Royal Quest III.

As announced early Monday, Royal Quest III is set for a return to the Copper Box arena on Saturday, October 14 in London. 

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA is being advertised for the event, as is G1 Climax 33 winner Tetsuya Naito. 

The first Royal Quest was held in August 2019, also at the Copper Box. Kazuchika Okada defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Minoru Suzuki in that show’s main event. 

After a two-year absence, NJPW returned to London in October 2022 with a two-night Royal Quest event, this time held at the Crystal Palace. FTR retaining the IWGP Tag Team titles against Aussie Open headlined night one in 2022, while Tetsuya Naito defeated Zack Sabre Jr. in an IWGP US title number one contender’s match on the second night. 

A ticket presale for the event begins on August 29. No general on-sale date has been announced as of yet.

Royal Quest III is likely to air on NJPW World as a pay-per-view event.