Multiple matches have been added to NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
NJPW announced that Lio Rush will face Mustafa Ali at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on November 8th. Plus, David Finlay will clash with Kevin Knight, and Ryohei Oiwa will take on KENTA. NJPW also confirmed that Gabe Kidd will defend the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship against Kosei Fujita.
From NJPW:
Gabe Kidd will defend the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship against Kosei Fujita. At Togane this month, and after an ROH defence against Anthony Henry he deemed too easy, Kidd threw out an open challenge for his STRONG gold. This challenge was accepted by Kosei Fujita at King of Pro-Wrestling, following ZSJ’s urging for him to pursue championship ambition. Gabe responded enthusiastically on social media, reminding Fujita that he was once his senior and the first to mentor and elevate him to the top — now, he’s determined to send him back down. Now, will the Japanese Young Punk be able to put away the Madman for his first championship gold?
Ryohei Oiwa goes one on one with KENTA. Oiwa has leapt off the page in New Japan Pro-Wrestling since returning from a domestic excursion, and credits a lot of his abundant presence to his time in NOAH. Oiwa has even been compared by TMDK teammate Shane Haste to the great Kenta Kobashi, but that’s a comparison Kobashi’s protege in KENTA takes exception to. Who will win out in what is sure to be a violent encounter?
David Finlay takes on Kevin Knight. Just days after he defends IWGP Global Championship gold at Power Struggle, Finlay will have more singles action to contend with, and against the hungry high flying Jet. Could athleticism and speed overcome Finlay’s strength and power, and could Kevin Knight, by then fresh off Super Junior Tag league, be in line for both tag junior gold and singles heavyweight gold by mid November?
Lio Rush versus Mustafa Ali is now official for Lowell. Back at Resurgence in Ontario this May, a win for Ali was followed by a surprising transformation by Lio Rush that froze the junior heavyweight superstar in his tracks. At Capital Collision, Ali responded by attacking Lio Rush backstage after his NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship challenge, demanding another bout at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. Rush again indicated that his Blackheart alter ego may not be far behind in this grudge contest.
Here is the current lineup for NJPW Fighting Spirit:
NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed (11/8)
- NJPW Strong Women's Title Number One Contenders Match: Anna Jay vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA
- David Finlay vs. Kevin Knight
- Mustafa Ali vs. Kevin Knight
- KENTA vs. Ryohei Oiwa
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Kosei Fujita
Fightful will have coverage of NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed as it airs on November 8th.
