The headline match of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2020 featured event saw recent NJPW Noge Dojo graduate and Bullet Club member Hikuleo take on Brody King.
The match came about after Hikuleo made his return on the third episode of New Japan Strong, hitting Brody King with his Lifting Rotating Flatliner technique called the Gunslinger.
Brody King started the match hot, but his intensity was met by Hikuleo who didn’t back down from King. In what was a competitive back and forth match with heavy strikes, Hikuleo was able to get the fall at the 7 minute and 35-second mark after using his Gunslinger technique.
The victory for Hikuleo gives him momentum going forward as he looks to make his mark in NJPW.
The second match of the event saw a competitive contest between recent NJPW Los Angeles (LA) Dojo graduate Karl Fredericks and New Japan of America (NJoA) regular Misterioso.
After their altercation during the fourth New Japan Strong episode, there was an extra level of tension added to the match. Neither Fredericks nor Misterioso backed down from one another as both had impressive moments of offense during the encounter.
Having narrowly avoided Misterioso’s Lung Blower technique, Fredericks was able to use the Manifest Destiny technique to gain the fall on Misterioso at the 6 minute and 47-second mark.
Fredericks’ new-found cockiness presented itself after the match as he failed to show sportsmanship after his victory.
The opening match of the event saw “Mr. No Days Off” Fred Rosser make his NJPW debut when he teamed with Alex Zayne against NJPW LA Dojo Young Lion Clark Connors and The DKC.
Rosser didn’t look out of place and was solid teaming with the more acrobatic Zayne. Connors showed why he has a bright future within NJPW and The DKC continued to show why he could be a candidate for the LA Dojo.
Rosser would get the fall on The DKC at the 7 minute and 37-second mark with his Gutcheck technique. With the way he was discussed by the commentary team, Rosser seems to be in line for regular appearances on New Japan Strong.