Three Matches Set For NJPW STRONG April 23 Edition
The Finals of The NJPW Cup USA 2021 will see a new champion crowned
New Japan Pro Wrestling have announced three matches for the upcoming edition of NJPW STRONG on Friday April 23.
The main match for the show will be the NJPW Cup USA 2021 Finals pitting Brody King against Tom Lawlor, with the winner becoming the first ever NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion.
New Japan issued the following press release about the match:
“After an intense eight man single elimination tournament, Friday night on NJPW STRONG we will finally see a New Japan Cup USA 2021 winner, and with it, the first ever STRONG Openweight Champion determined. Who makes history this week?
“This week’s main event will see the very first STRONG Openweight Champion crowned when Brody King and Tom Lawlor collide in the New Japan Cup USA 2021 final.
“The only entrant in this year’s US cup with prior tournament experience, King has shown a world of improvement since his first round exit in 2020. With a confident swagger backed up by vicious brutality, King managed to level Chris Dickinson with a lariat in round one, before effectively countering Lio Rush’s speed with power and a crunching Gonso Bomb to make the finals.
“There, he’ll have a distinct size and power advantage over his opponent Tom Lawlor, but the Filthy one will contend this poses him no problems at all. Having gotten past the largest man in the tournament, Hikuleo in the semifinals, Lawlor built on a convincing submission victory over Ren Narita in round one with a performance that showed just how resourceful he can be.
“With King being a factor in NJPW STRONG since its debut episode, and Lawlor being involved in precursor Lion’s Break Collision last July, both these men have come to represent NJPW STRONG arguably more than any other competitor in the Friday night broadcast’s brief history. Valid arguments could be made for either one to represent NJPW STRONG as its first ever Openweight Champion, but will this be a title marked with violence, or the filthiest of fights?”
Also announced for STRONG on April 25 is TJP & Clark Connors vs. Team Filthy (Chris Dickinson & JR Kratos), and Rocky Romero vs. Wheeler Yuta.
Full line-up:
• Tom Lawlor vs. Brody King - New Japan Cup 2021 Final, STRONG Openweight Championship
• Rocky Romero vs. Wheeler Yuta
• TJP & Clark Connors vs. Team Filthy (Chris Dickinson & JR Kratos
