Despite a couple slip ups, 2022 has been an incredible year for New Japan Pro Wrestling, both domestically and in the United States. They’ve just kicked off Best of The Super Juniors in Japan, with names like Ace Austin, Wheeler Yuta, and Titan spicing up the field – and NJPW Strong just held an incredible show with Capitol Collision. However, NJPW Strong also just had some TV tapings – and among the results was a title change.
Fred Rosser Wins The NJPW Strong Openweight Championship
For months now, the STRONG Openweight Champion Tom Lawlor has been doing his best to avoid Fred Rosser. They had two previous matches, with each men claiming a victory – but Lawlor won the match that mattered, when the title was on the line. Rosser would put his NJPW career on the line for another shot – and that match was taped as part of Collision in Philadelphia.
In what is said to be a fantastic match, Rosser would come out on top – and is the second ever STRONG Openweight Champion. Lawlor was able to reign for 387 days, with 10 successful title defences – but all reigns end eventually. While it might be hard to imagine the former Darren Young being a force in NJPW, crowds have really taken to Rosser as a top babyface on NJPW Strong.
It’s also worth noting that Rosser is now the first openly gay champion in NJPW history, an accolade I’m sure feels great to have. With Juice Robinson having turned heel recently, there is also an open spot as a babyface in hontai in Japan – which Rosser might fit perfectly into.
Other notable matches on these tapings include Minoru Suzuki vs. Tony Deppen, Brody King vs. Jake Something, Killer Kross vs. Yuya Uemura, Jeff Cobb vs. Willie Mack, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Dickinson, and Will Ospreay vs. Homicide.
Was Fred Rosser the right pick to take the gold off Tom Lawlor? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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