Three title bouts and more are set for NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that SANADA will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight against EVIL in the main event of NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku on October 9.
Plus, David Finlay defends his NEVER Openweight Title against Tama Tonga and BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd) defend their NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships against El Phantasmo & Hikuleo.
SANADA will put the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line against EVIL. After EVIL forced SANADA out of the G1 Climax, he followed with disgraceful actions at the final night on August 13, hanging SANADA by his injured bicep as he took the world title belt away with him. As SANADA expressed concern that he might not be as strong of a champion as he needs to be, Ryogoku may see a referendum of sorts for him as champion, and vanquishing EVIL in Sumo Hall is crucial on October 9 to prevent an EVIL advance to the Tokyo Dome in January.
David Finlay puts his NEVER Openweight Championship on the line against Tama Tonga. After a win over Tonga during the New Japan Cup, Finlay dominated the Guerrilla of Destiny at Dontaku, leaving Fukuoka May 3 as the NEVER Openweight Champion as Tonga left the venue on a stretcher. That set the scene for their G1 Climax encounter at Korakuen Hall, where a fired up Tama engaged in a wild brawl, and handed the Rebel his first loss of the tournament. Now can he follow up, and in a venue that menas a lot to himself and his family, take the NEVER title for a third time?
Also set for Ryogoku, the BULLET CLUB War Dogs side of Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd will put their titles on the line against Hikuleo and newest Guerrillas of Destiny member El Phantasmo. It felt like ELP couldn’t buy a friend after being cut from BULLET CLUB, but after Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa reached out, Phantasmo was able to reconnect with Hikuleo for the first time since the big man’s UK excursion. Now this balance of power speed and style seek to become the STRONG Tag Champions on October 9.
Here is the current lineup for NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku:
NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku (10/9)
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA (c) vs. EVIL
- NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Tama Tonga
- NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships: BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd) (c) vs. El Phantasmo & Hikuleo
You can find results from around the world of wrestling at Fightful's results section.
