New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the match cards for their upcoming specials in Long Beach, as well as the participants for a two-day tournament which will crown the first ever IWGP United States Champion.
Cody Rhodes will headline the 7/1 show in the biggest match of his career, challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight title. This match comes just one week after he faces Christopher Daniels for the ROH World Championship, so there is a possible scenario – however unlikely – that the “American Nightmare” could kick off the summer holding two of the top titles in pro wrestling. The Guerrillas of Destiny will also defend their newly won IWGP Tag Team titles against Hanson and Raymond Rowe of War Machine.
There will be eight participants in the inaugural U.S. Championship tournament, with all four first round matches held on 7/1. The match-ups are as follows:
- Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page
- Kenny Omega vs. Michael Elgin
- Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito
The 7/2 show will feature the semi-final matches as well as the tournament finals. The Young Bucks will also put the IWGP Jr. Tag Team titles on the line against Rocky Romero and Trent Barreta of Roppongi Vice in a rematch from both Wrestle Kingdom and Dominion. Finally, after defeating Tetsuya Naito to win the prestigious IWGP Intercontinental title this weekend, the Ace of New Japan will put his newfound gold up for grabs against an extremely strange choice for an opponent… former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn.
More will be announced for the 7/2 show as we get closer to the day of the event. Most of New Japan’s main roster will be on hand for the tour including all of the CHAOS, Los Ingobernables de Japon and Bullet Club factions.
