Former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion (as Black Tiger) Rocky Romero faced former IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, and Bullet Club member “Switchblade” Jay White in the marquee.
During the previous New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Strong episode, Romero was able to eliminate Switchblade during a multi-man elimination match, providing the immediate background for the contest. However, Romero has held harsh feelings towards Jay White since he turned his back on CHAOS during NJPW Destruction in Kobe on September 23, 2018.
Romero was able to frustrate Switchblade throughout, nearly defeating his heavyweight opposition on several occasions; however, Jay White was able to gain the fall at the 14 minutes and 12 seconds mark with his Blade Runner technique.
In the headline match, former six-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, two-thirds of three NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions, and Bullet Club members Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga/Tanga Loa) took on the controversial Flip Gordon and Brody King.
The match was back and forth, yet Guerillas of Destiny never felt they lost control due to their long history of teaming together. However, King and Gordon gave the prolific tag team champions a challenge.
Tama Tonga was able to gain the fall at the 7 minutes and 39 seconds mark with a Gun Stun on Gordon.
The second match saw recent NJPW Los Angeles (LA) Dojo graduate “Alpha Wolf” Karl Fredericks take on junior heavyweight ACH. The more experienced ACH gave Fredericks more than he could handle, yet he wasn’t able to shut the door on the high ceiling prospect.
Fredericks would gain the fall at the 6 minutes and 22 seconds mark with the Manifest Destiny technique. His Lifting DDT is becoming a potent move for Fredericks as he continues his journey on New Japan of America (NJoA) events.
The opening match saw “Mr. No Days Off” Fred Rosser taken on NJPW LA Dojo Young Lion and Lions Break 2020 tournament winner Clark Connors. The junior heavyweight Connor challenged Rosser on the ground and with power, but the veteran heavyweight was up for the challenge at every step.
Rosser would gain the fall at the 6-minute mark with his Gutcheck technique. Rosser has been in fine form since joining NJoA and may have earned himself the opportunity to tour with the main branch of the company in Japan.
The Road to Showdown tour begins next Friday on NJPW Strong.
