Eddie Kingston will defend the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
NJPW announced that HENARE will challenge Eddie Kingston for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on October 28. HENARE has had his sights set on the gold for months; he attacked Kingston at the G1 Climax 33 semifinals in Ryogoku, and they brawled.
From NJPW:
Ever since they collided in G1 Climax 33 competition earlier this summer, HENARE has been demanding a rematch with Eddie Kingston. Long stating that he has lived the life that Kingston has romanticised as a long time fan of Japanese wrestling, HENARE would attack Kingston at the G1 Climax 33 semifinals in Ryogoku, an unprovoked assault that saw a quick receipt the next night. After the Mad King and the Face of Fury brawled to the back of Sumo Hall, challenged were issued for Vegas- the question being whether the STRONG Openweight Championship would be involved.
Much to HENARE’s chagrin, Kingston would take multiple championship matches before facing the United Empire member, though in hindsight, the Mad King’s AEW Grand Slam bout with Claudio Castagnoli has only made this meeting more attractive for the Maori Warrior. Thanks to Kingston’s New York victory, he became the double NJPW STRONG and ROH World Champion, and added to the prestige of the STRONG gold with a defense at AEW’s Wrestle Dream event against Katsuyori Shibata. While only the STRONG Openweight gold is on the line in Vegas, a win would see HENARE earn his first singles gold in NJPW, and put him well on the way to the ROH title as well.
As previously announced, Giulia will defend the NJPW Strong Women's Championship against Hyan at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
The updated lineup for NJPW Strong Fighting Spirit Unleashed is below.
NJPW Strong Fighting Spirit Unleashed (10/28)
- Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Mistico & Atlantis Jr. vs. Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr. & Adrian Quest
- Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis vs. Lluvia & Johnnie Robbie
- NJPW Strong Women's Championship: Giulia (c) vs. HYAN
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. HENARE
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