Episode 2 of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Strong showcases the semi-final round of the New Japan Cup USA 2020 Tournament. The marquee match of the event sees Jeff Cobb face Kenta, with the winner advancing to the final round which will air on New Japan World on August 21st.
This will only be the second time Jeff Cobb and Kenta have shared a ring, with the two having only previously met during the 2019 World Tag League with partners Yujiro Takahashi (Kenta) and Mikey Nicholls (Jeff Cobb).
The winner of the match will likely be seen as the favorite to win the tournament and make the V3 challenge of IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley second reign as champion.
The headline match showcases David Finlay against Tama Tonga in the first of two semi-final matches on the second episode of New Japan Strong. While the two have never met in singles competition, they have battled in numerous tag matches over the years.
FinJuice (Juice Robinson/David Finlay) and Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga/Tanga Loa) faced during the 2019 World Tag League and Wrestle Kingdom 14 in recent memory.
G.O.D. would win the World Tag Leauge encounter while FinJuice would win the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 14.
The match is expected to be highly competitive and could represent a stepping stone for the winner as they attempt to progress their singles career.
The second match features TJP, ACH, and Alex Zayne against Misterioso, Blake Christian, and PJ Black. Black and the young high flyer Blake Christian make their NJPW debuts, while ACH makes his return to NJPW for the first time since November 2018.
On paper, this match looks as if it will be a high paced contest that could display a different style from what NJPW fans are accustomed to. Christian and Zayne love to use flashy aerial techniques, while the other competitors aren’t strangers to springboards nor the top rope.
The opening match sees the NJPW debut of Jordan Clearwater and NJPW Los Angeles (LA) Dojo Young Lion Clark Connors face Logan Riegel and Barrett Brown.
Clearwater was trained by Karl Anderson who is due to make his return to NJPW in the near future, while both Logan Riegel and Barrett Brown have wrestled on New Japan Pro Wrestling of America (NJoA) events in the past, but are making their first appearances on NJPW Strong.
NJPW Strong airs on August 14th at 10 PM EST on New Japan World.
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