NJPW Strong is a professional wrestling television series produced by Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It airs every Friday at 10pm ET on NJPW's streaming service NJPW World, as well the subscription service FITE TV. The series debuted on August 7, 2020 after being announced at a press conference on July 31.[2]
| NJPW Strong | |
|---|---|
| File:NJPW Strong.jpg | |
| Genre | Professional wrestling |
| Created by | Takami Ohbari |
| Written by | Gedo |
| Presented by |
|
| Starring | New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America roster |
| Country of origin |
|
| Original languages |
|
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (as of October 31, 2020) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera setup |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company | New Japan Pro-Wrestling |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | August 7, 2020 – present |
| Related | |
| NJPW World of Pro Wrestling | |
History
In November 2014, NJPW and AXS TV struck a deal for AXS to broadcast a new series, called NJPW World Pro Wrestling, which would air weekly on Friday evenings starting in January 2015.[3] This was the first time NJPW had been aired on an American television network since its formation in 1972.[4] However, by December 2019, the deal had expired and NJPW content would no longer be broadcast on AXS TV.[5][6]
On July 31, 2020, NJPW conducted a press conference, where NJPW Strong was announced, with the show to feature matches from the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament. This show would also mark yet another step of NJPW's expansion into the United States, as the series would be produced by NJPW's American league "New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America."[7]
The premiere episode of Strong was held on August 7, 2020 and broadcast live from NJPW's training dojo in Los Angeles on NJPW World.[8] The event was held with no spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] On August 19, NJPW announced that Strong would be airing on FITE TV in conjunction with NJPW World.[10]
Special episodes
NJPW Strong usually brands 3-4 episodes at a time as special events to mimic the normal touring schedule of the main promotion, sometimes even adding a "Road To" show.
| Episode | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Japan Cup USA[11] | August 7–August 21, 2020 | Featured the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament. |
| Fighting Spirit Unleashed[12] | September 4–September 11, 2020 | Featured an IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate match. |
| Lion's Break Crown | September 18, 2020–October 9, 2020 | Featured the Lion's Break Crown tournament. |
| NEVER | October 16–October 23, 2020 | Featured heavyweight vs. junior heavyweight matchups. |
| NJPW Showdown | October 30, 2020 |
Roster
The wrestlers featured on Strong take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.[13]
Commentators
| Language | Commentators | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | Hiroshi Tanahashi, Katsuyori Shibata and Shigeki Kiyono | August 7, 2020 – present |
| English | Alex Koslov and Kevin Kelly | August 7, 2020 – present |
Ring announcers
| Language | Ring announcers | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| English | Adnan Kureishy | August 7, 2020 – present |
See also
References
- ^ Thompson, Andrew (August 5, 2020). "Alex Koslov returning to NJPW to do commentary for NJPW Strong". Post Wrestling. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ Radican, Sean (August 5, 2020). "NJPW Strong details announced for NJPW World, new weekly show will debut with NJPW Cup USA tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "AXS announces New Japan TV deal, official details, time slot, debut date and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 27, 2015). "July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking, and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 24. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ Nason, Josh (December 27, 2019). "NJPW NO LONGER AIRING ON AXS TV". F4WOnline. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "New Japan Pro Wrestling Won't Air in American TV In 2020". Uproxx. Warner Music Group. December 27, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "2020.08.07 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ Vishwakoti, Anish (August 8, 2020). "8/7 NJPW Strong results: Anish V's review of Kenta vs. Karl Fredericks, Jeff Cobb vs. Tanga Loa, David Finlay vs. Chase Owens, and Brody King vs. Tama Tonga in New Japan Cup USA first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Last Row Media, LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Watch NJPW STRONG on FITE! 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
- ^ "NJPW STRONG #1". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "2020.09.04 FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (2006-01-13). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.