El Desperado will defend his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Francesco Akira at NJPW 53rd Anniversary on March 6th.
Akira made the challenge on February 4th at NJPW Road to The New Beginning.
After an explosive challenge was made on February 4 in Korakuen Hall, Francesco Akira will take on IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado March 6 at NJPW's 53rd Anniversary.
Desperado had just completed his second successful defence of the IWGP gold when he was confronted by the Nova Fireball. Akira recounted how their singles meeting during the 2023 Best of the Super Jr. in Korakuen Hall ended in painful and humiliating defeat. The Italian declared that he was coming for revenge and the junior title, in a place that meant a lot to him- the Ota Gymnasium at Anniversary.
On June 26 2021, Akira captured All Japan Pro-Wrestling's World Junior Heavyweight title in Ota, and four years on, he seeks to claim the IWGP gold. Akira's journey in the intervening years has seen him progress significantly in the cerulean blue. Yet Desperado is a formidable champion, and when reminding Akira of how TJP had to help him out of the building two years ago sent the new challenger into a fiery rage, the champion showed that he has the ability to get inside Akira's head. In the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defence at an Anniversary Event since 2019, who will leave with the gold March 6?
Here is the current lineup for NJPW Anniversary Event:
NJPW 53rd Anniversary (3/6)
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado (c) vs. Francesco Akira
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