Right now in New Japan Pro Wrestling of America, we have a tournament to name the first ever NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. Eight men had entered the second New Japan Cup USA, but after this past week’s episode the field has fallen to two. Brody King & Tom Lawlor made it to the finals, so let’s see what brought them there.
Tom Lawlor Beat Ren Narita & Hikuleo To Earn His Shot
Up first is the path of ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor. Ever since he started to work with NJPW Strong, he was one of the major newsworthy names on the promotion. His path wasn’t easy, having Ren Narita first. The Young Lion is doing his excursion, and was keen to take Lawlor down, but fell to a PK into a rear naked choke.
Second round action saw Lawlor take on the giant Hikuleo who dropped Fred Rosser in the first round. He would chop the giant down at the leg, working him down with a Figure Four on the outside before trapping him in a roll up in the ring. Lawlor was able to overcome both these talented men, and earned his spot in the finals.
Brody King Is The Fan Favorite To Become NJPW Strong Openweight Champion
On the other side we have ROH talent Brody King. Much like how he’s had issues with LFI in ROH, Team Filthy has been an issue for King in NJPW. He’d first take down Chris Dickinson, with a huge lariat in the first round, an odd matchup due to Dickinson being aligned with King in ROH, but Team Filthy in NJPW.
Regardless, King was able to move on and face Lio Rush in a heated match. While Rush was outsized, he gave King a helluva fight, kicking him in the head before nearly hitting Rush Hour. King halted his progress and nailed the Gonso Bomb for the win.
This sets up the biggest match yet for NJPW Strong, as Tom Lawlor and Brody King will clash next Friday for this title. Much like KENTA vs. Jon Moxley, you can expect full coverage for this big match once it airs, right here on TheOvertimer.
Who do you expect to see as NJPW Strong Openweight Champion when the dust settles? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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