Shootkick Man
04-11-2016, 01:10 PM
Following "INVASION ATTACK", New Japan is now heading into the next tour of shows with "Wrestling Hinokuni" on 4/29 and "Wrestling Dontaku" on 5/3, both of the bigger events taking place during "Golden Week" in Japan.
First up, "Hinokuni" on 4/29 will feature three title defenses and two prelude matches heading into the following show.
The main event for "Hinokuni" was announced Kenny Omega will be making his first ever defense of the IWGP IC belt against the powerhouse Michael Elgin. Following the outcome of "INVASION ATTACK", Omega and his crew were taking down a peg with the loss, but tempers flared between these two specifically with Omega taunting the bigger man. Elgin has been eager to get a singles shot at an IWGP belt and has been growing in popularity ever since his strong showing in last years G1 CLIMAX. Elgin could stand a chance in this match, but the three on one tactics that Omega shows with the Young Bucks at the wings could be the edge that he needs.
Hiroshi Tanahashi versus Bad Luck Fale has been setup following the last show after Fale attacked the newly crowned NEVER 6 Tag Champion. These two have traded losses in recent with Fale claiming the win over Tanahashi in the opening round of the "NEW JAPAN CUP" in early March and then Tanahashi pinning Fale in the close of an elimination match on 4/1. A grudge is definitely apparent between the two and this match could boast the winner into the next challenger slot for the IWGP Heavy belt.
Then the NEVER Openweight belt will be in defense as Katsuyori Shibata continues his recent trend in battle against the "Third Generation" veterans as he now takes on "Mr. Anti-Aging" Yuji Nagata. Shibata called out Nagata following his last defense of the belt as the champion looks to reclaim a previous loss against the challenger back in last years G1 CLIMAX. Nagata has not been in the single title hunt in a few years, especially in New Japan, but it always noted for his conditioning and ability for someone of his age, as he will be 48 by the time of this match. These two share similar styles and have always delivered a fierce confrontation in the past.
Then the last announced title match will see the IWGP Junior Tag belts in a rematch from "INVASION ATTACK" as the new champions "Roppongi Vice" Rocky Romero & Barreta take on the former champions in Ricochet and Matt Sydal. The new champions have formed a strong bond as of late and look to finally make a strong run with the belts, though the former champions look to get their revenge. New Japan noted that this match could set the tone of what it means to be an IWGP Jr. Tag Champion.
Then the last match announced will feature an all-out-war between L.I.J. (Los Ingobernables de Japon) and CHAOS. With the inclusion of the freelance SANADA (Seiya Sanada) now working alongside Tetsuya Naito, EVIL and BUSHI, whom he has a strong connection in the past with BUSHI specifically. L.I.J. is now poised more so than ever to be a strong unit in New Japan. The team will be taking on the next contender for Naito's IWGP Heavy belt in Tomohiro Ishii, the former IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, and Will Ospreay. L.I.J. aims to now conquer New Japan while CHAOS looks to reclaim their former position as the top faction in the promotion. This will mark the last major prelude match between Naito and Ishii before the title defense at "Wreslting Dontaku" on 5/3.
Below is the announced card at this time...
New Japan Pro Wresling "Wrestling Hinokuni 2016", 4/29/2016 [Fri] 17:00 @ Grand Messe Kumamoto
(-) Special 8 Man Tag Match: Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Will Ospreay vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA [SP.E.], EVIL & BUSHI
(-) IWGP Jr. Tag Championship Match: [46th Champions] Rocky Romero & Barreta vs. [Challengers] Ricochet & Matt Sydal
~ 1st title defense.
(-) NEVER Openweight Championship Match: [10th Champion] Katsuyori Shibata vs. [Challenger] Yuji Nagata
~ 4th title defense.
(-) Special Single Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
(-) IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: [13th Champion] Kenny Omega vs. [Challenger] Michael Elgin
~ 1st title defense.
First up, "Hinokuni" on 4/29 will feature three title defenses and two prelude matches heading into the following show.
The main event for "Hinokuni" was announced Kenny Omega will be making his first ever defense of the IWGP IC belt against the powerhouse Michael Elgin. Following the outcome of "INVASION ATTACK", Omega and his crew were taking down a peg with the loss, but tempers flared between these two specifically with Omega taunting the bigger man. Elgin has been eager to get a singles shot at an IWGP belt and has been growing in popularity ever since his strong showing in last years G1 CLIMAX. Elgin could stand a chance in this match, but the three on one tactics that Omega shows with the Young Bucks at the wings could be the edge that he needs.
Hiroshi Tanahashi versus Bad Luck Fale has been setup following the last show after Fale attacked the newly crowned NEVER 6 Tag Champion. These two have traded losses in recent with Fale claiming the win over Tanahashi in the opening round of the "NEW JAPAN CUP" in early March and then Tanahashi pinning Fale in the close of an elimination match on 4/1. A grudge is definitely apparent between the two and this match could boast the winner into the next challenger slot for the IWGP Heavy belt.
Then the NEVER Openweight belt will be in defense as Katsuyori Shibata continues his recent trend in battle against the "Third Generation" veterans as he now takes on "Mr. Anti-Aging" Yuji Nagata. Shibata called out Nagata following his last defense of the belt as the champion looks to reclaim a previous loss against the challenger back in last years G1 CLIMAX. Nagata has not been in the single title hunt in a few years, especially in New Japan, but it always noted for his conditioning and ability for someone of his age, as he will be 48 by the time of this match. These two share similar styles and have always delivered a fierce confrontation in the past.
Then the last announced title match will see the IWGP Junior Tag belts in a rematch from "INVASION ATTACK" as the new champions "Roppongi Vice" Rocky Romero & Barreta take on the former champions in Ricochet and Matt Sydal. The new champions have formed a strong bond as of late and look to finally make a strong run with the belts, though the former champions look to get their revenge. New Japan noted that this match could set the tone of what it means to be an IWGP Jr. Tag Champion.
Then the last match announced will feature an all-out-war between L.I.J. (Los Ingobernables de Japon) and CHAOS. With the inclusion of the freelance SANADA (Seiya Sanada) now working alongside Tetsuya Naito, EVIL and BUSHI, whom he has a strong connection in the past with BUSHI specifically. L.I.J. is now poised more so than ever to be a strong unit in New Japan. The team will be taking on the next contender for Naito's IWGP Heavy belt in Tomohiro Ishii, the former IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, and Will Ospreay. L.I.J. aims to now conquer New Japan while CHAOS looks to reclaim their former position as the top faction in the promotion. This will mark the last major prelude match between Naito and Ishii before the title defense at "Wreslting Dontaku" on 5/3.
Below is the announced card at this time...
New Japan Pro Wresling "Wrestling Hinokuni 2016", 4/29/2016 [Fri] 17:00 @ Grand Messe Kumamoto
(-) Special 8 Man Tag Match: Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Will Ospreay vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA [SP.E.], EVIL & BUSHI
(-) IWGP Jr. Tag Championship Match: [46th Champions] Rocky Romero & Barreta vs. [Challengers] Ricochet & Matt Sydal
~ 1st title defense.
(-) NEVER Openweight Championship Match: [10th Champion] Katsuyori Shibata vs. [Challenger] Yuji Nagata
~ 4th title defense.
(-) Special Single Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
(-) IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: [13th Champion] Kenny Omega vs. [Challenger] Michael Elgin
~ 1st title defense.