New Japan kicked off this morning with a press conference to confirm their next steps for their company in response to the global pandemic.
The conference was held by chairman Naoki Sugabayashi, accompanied by New Japan stalwart Hiroshi Tanahashi, and kicked off with a public thanks for the supportive patience from the fans. Having worked closely with the Japanese sports authority, to discuss the appropriate guidelines, New Japan can confirm they will be resuming live events this month, having carefully selected and preparing venues for return.
Starting next week on Monday June 15th, a series of nine events are to be aired on NJPW World, but without the inclusion of fans attending these events. The first event, on June 15th, is a mystery event, specifically referred to as a special event, called the Together Project card, booked for 7pm Japanese Standard Time (a 10am start for GMT-based audiences). Then, beginning on Tuesday 16th June, they will present the New Japan Cup, running on the following dates at 7pm JST:
– Tuesday, 16th June
– Wednesday, 17th June
– Monday, 22nd June
– Tuesday, 23rd June
– Wednesday, 24th June
– Wednesday, 1st July
– Friday, 3rd July
The New Japan Cup will culminate on Saturday 11th July at the Osaka Jo Hall, kicking off at 5pm JST (8am for GMT) and being allowed with a 1/3rd capacity of fans. This is dependent however on New Japan monitoring any new developments of the ongoing global pandemic. The New Japan Cup will also feature for the first time in its history an openweight field, with an opportunity to challenge IWGP Heavyweight/Intercontinental double Champion for the winner. This opportunity will be granted at the final event for Sunday 12th July, which will be Dominion in Osaka Jo Hall, kicking off at 3pm JST (6am GMT) with a 1/3rd capacity allowed.
New Japan have confirmed the full brackets for the tournament, with the line-up being divided between the left bracket, and the right bracket of the tournament. The brackets contains names such as Tomohiro Ishii, Hiromu Takahashi, Kazuchika Okada taking on Gedo, and Minoru Suzuki on the left hand side, while the right hand side features Kota Ibushi taking on Zack Sabre Jr, Hirooki Goto, EVIL, and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Normality may not have completely returned yet, but it is starting to return again in the world of professional wrestling.
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