At the start of the year, NJPW STRONG changed its approach to events by running larger single events with more top stars from Japan instead of monthly tapings with a more consolidated roster. The decision was, in part, to grow the NJPW STRONG brand in America and provide more synergy between the two entities.
Alex Coughlin was a staple of the NJPW STRONG tapings, and is still part of the NJPW STRONG marquee events as one of the top products of the LA Dojo.
Speaking to Jeremy Lambert & Joel Pearl on In The Weeds, Coughlin discussed the shift in NJPW STRONG.
"New Japan STRONG was fantastic for us," he said about the start of the brand. "During the pandemic, it was a very dry period for a lot of people, New Japan included. I went to Japan once, and then international travel shut down. I wasn't able to go over there and work the shows, so Rocky (Romero) and a few other people spearheaded it. The first couple of shows technically weren't New Japan STRONG branded. We had a few shows, the STRONG name stuck, we did a few airings. It was great we had something to do, and it was a very different atmosphere with the no crowd tapings and nobody there versus a regular show with people. A different atmosphere, but with everybody there, it would be a bit more laid back. You learn different things and learn from different people. It's a unique experience and a very good one, one that I'm very happy that I went through because you learn different things, that you normally wouldn't have. Spending all that time around everybody there, it was a who's who in the locker room, a lot of American talent or people able to come to the shows like Jay White, Juice Robinson, and those guys. I'm happy for the years we had, and looking what it's turned into with the shows we've had, the pay-per-view in San Jose, the show this Sunday, Resurgence, the first Resurgence we had was our first show back with people in America. The Resurgence show is important to me, just as New Japan STRONG is important to me. I'm very excited for these shows and looking forward to the future."
Speaking about the shift in focus with NJPW STRONG, Coughlin said, "Schedule-wise, it's similar to what we were doing. We show up, wrestle, and then they film it and air it. Now, it's bigger shows with bigger names. I'm happy with that direction. it seems pretty consistent. Shows have been great. We're getting big names. I'm happy and excited for how that's going to go in the near future."
Coughlin is set to take on Christopher Daniels at NJPW Resurgence on May 21.
Fans can check out the current lineup for NJPW Resurgence by clicking here and purchase tickets by clicking here.
Check out the full interview with Coughlin in the video above.
