The marquee event of the New Japan Showdown 2020 Night 2 event and the tour finale sees former NEVER Openweight Champion, New Japan Cup USA 2020, and Bullet Club member Kenta defend his right to make the V3 challenge of Jon Moxley’s second reign with the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against David Finlay.
Kenta defeated Finlay in the New Japan Cup 2020 USA Finals, earning him the opportunity to face Jon Moxley at a later date. Kenta would recently successfully defend his challenge opportunity against former eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Power Struggle feature event.
In what is the biggest singles match of Finlay’s career, a victory will set him up in a high profile match against Moxley; Kenta will need to escape a third defense (first was against former NEVER Openweight Champion Jeff Cobb) of the challenge right to finally face the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
This episode of New Japan Strong had yet to record when Jeff Cobb joined the new Empire faction in the main touring branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). On the Showdown tour, Cobb faces longtime friend and rival JR Kratos, who joined Team Filthy within NJoA on last week’s episode.
A win for Kratos over Cobb will solidify the monster with NJoA and could open opportunities for him within the main branch as well.
After Rust Taylor made his return to NJoA to team with JR Kratos to defeat Jeff Cobb and Rocky Romero during the November 6th Road to New Japan Showdown event, this match was made to settle issues between the two.
Taylor has proven himself to be well equipped in the art of submission wrestling, however, Romeo is more than capable of catching an opponent as well.
Will Romero be able to use his experience to defeat the new Team Filthy member?
This is a rematch from the November 30th Road to New Japan Showdown event that saw the Riegel Twins (Logan/Sterling Riegel) claim victory. The future hopeful contenders for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship have the opportunity to further prove their skills as a tag team.
NJPW Los Angeles (LA) Dojo Young Lion Clark Connors and The DKC will have to bring a new gameplan if they hope to defeat the fluid Riegel Twins.
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
