The February 26 episode of NJPW STRONG will present three exciting bouts as the series’ presentation of The New Beginning USA Tour will conclude.
In the likely main event, Tom Lawlor will defend the STRONG Openweight Championship. Plus, Matt Rehwoldt will take on El Phantasmo. Finally, Karl Fredericks will face the debuting Ethan HD.
The New Beginning USA tour wraps up Saturday 8/7c on #njpwstrong!@FilthyTomLawlor defends the STRONG Openweight Championship against @_TaylorRust!@DramaKingMatt returns to the ring to face @elpwrestling!@REALEthanHD debuts against @karlfredericks_! pic.twitter.com/VXHJ7Lt2r6
— NJPW of America (@NJPWofAmerica) February 22, 2022
The card is as follows:
- STRONG Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Taylor Rust
- Matt Rehwoldt vs. El Phantasmo
- Fredericks vs. Ethan HD
The official preview, courtesy of NJPW’s website, is as follows:
Main event: STRONG Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor vs Taylor Rust
Tom Lawlor seeks to make his seventh defense of the STRONG Openweight Championship in our main event this week against Taylor Rust. Over one year ago, Lawlor unceremoniously dumped Rust from team Filthy after a losing performance on NJPW STRONG, leading to the ‘Sultan of Submissions’ honing his skills in WWE and then ROH while Lawlor became the first STRONG Champion.
After his sixth defense in Riverside at the end of 2021, Rust made his shocking return to STRONG, first embracing his former team leader, before striking him with Perfect Circle, and declaring himself the next challenger. The Filthy era of STRONG has seemed all but unstoppable, but with submission skill that could even rival the champion, and with a finishing blow that can come from absolutely anywhere, could Tom Lawlor’s time as champion finally be running out?
2nd Match: Matt Rehwoldt vs El Phantasmo
First-time singles action will see the Drama King Matt Rehwoldt take on El Phantasmo.
Rehwoldt has been openly critical of Phantasmo on commentary for his nefarious tactics through 2021, from humiliation of his opponents to the now revealed secret of Sudden Death. Yet with a long history of activity in the Pacific Northwest, ELP might be in the rare position of fan-favorite tonight in Seattle. How will the Drama King adapt himself to the always wily Phantasmo?
1st Match: Karl Fredericks vs ETHAN HD
Starting the evening’s action will be Karl Fredericks taking on ETHAN HD. Neither man is a stranger to the Seattle crowd, but as ETHAN HD makes a NJPW debut many years in the making, will he be impossible to deny against the Alpha Wolf Karl Fredericks on home STRONG turf?
WrestleZone will have coverage of the show once it airs on Saturday.
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