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NJPW Independence Day
NJPW Independence Day
from Wikipedia
NJPW Independence Day
Official logo of the event
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandNJPW Strong
DateJuly 4–5, 2023
CityTokyo, Japan
VenueKorakuen Hall
Attendance
  • Night 1: 1,433[1]
  • Night 2: 1,401[2]
  • Combined: 2,834
Event chronology
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The NJPW Independence Day was a two-night professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on July 4 and 5, 2023, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[3][4] It was the first NJPW Strong-branded event to be held in Japan.

Production

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Storylines

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The event features professional wrestling matches, which involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines are produced on NJPW's events.[5]

Night 1

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Event

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The first night of the event from July 4 started with the preshow bout in which Oskar Leube, Yoh and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Takahiro Katori, Dragon Libre and Kengo in six-man tag team action. The match was broadcast live on NJPW's YouTube channel.[6]

In the first main card match, Bad Dude Tito defeated The DKC in singles competition.

Next up, Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs and J. R. Kratos outmatched the team of Ryohei Oiwa, Alex Zayne and Lance Archer.

In the fourth bout, Tom Lawlor defeated Kosei Fujita.

In the fifth bout, Rocky Romero and Eddie Kingston picked up a win over Gedo and the Strong Openweight Champion Kenta.

Next up, World Wonder Ring Stardom's Stars unit member Momo Kohgo and Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightingale picked up a win over Mafia Bella (Giulia and Thekla) in an anticipation of Giulia and Nightingale's match for the Strong title from one night later.

Next up, Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd defeated Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi to win the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship, halting the latter team's reign at thirty days and no defenses.

In the semi main event, Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors defeated TJP and Francesco Akira to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, halting the latter team's reign at thirty days and no defenses.

In the main event, Jun Kasai and El Desperado defeated Homicide and Jon Moxley in a No disqualification doomsday match.[7][8]

Night 1 (July 4)
No.Results[9]StipulationsTimes[1]
1POskar Leube, Yoh and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Takahiro Katori, Dragon Libre and KengoSix-man tag team match10:45
2Bad Dude Tito defeated The DKCSingles match7:29
3West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs and J. R. Kratos) defeated Ryohei Oiwa, Alex Zayne and Lance ArcherSix-man tag team match10:26
4Tom Lawlor defeated Kosei FujitaSingles match8:59
5Rocky Romero and Eddie Kingston defeated Bullet Club (Gedo and Kenta)Tag team match9:29
6Momo Kohgo and Willow Nightingale defeated Mafia Bella (Giulia and Thekla)Tag team match9:54
7Bullet Club War Dogs (Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd) defeated Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) (c)Tag team match for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship12:18
8Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors) defeated Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) (c)Tag team match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship15:36
9Jun Kasai and El Desperado defeated Homicide and Jon MoxleyNo Disqualification doomsday match18:34
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Night 2

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Event

[edit]

The second night of the event also started with a preshow match broadcast live on YouTube in which Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato and Boltin Oleg defeated Dragon Libre, Takahiro Katori and Rekka in six-man tag team action.[10]

The first main card bout saw Satoshi Kojima defeating Oskar Leube in singles competition.

Next up, TJP and Francesco Akira picked up a victory over Ryohei Oiwa and Homicide.

In the fourth match, Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors defeated Rocky Romero and Yoh to retain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship short to twenty-four hours after they won the titles the previous night of the event.

Next up, Alex Zayne and Lance Archer defeated Bad Dude Tito and Kosei Fujita.

In the sixth bout, Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi and The DKC outmatched the team of Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs.

The seventh bout saw Donna Del Mondo stable leader Giulia dethroning Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightingale, ending the latter's reign at forty-five days and two successful defences.

Next up, Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi defeated Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd to retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the first time in that respective reign.

In the ninth bout, Eddie Kingston defeated Kenta to win the Strong Openweight Championship.[11]

In the main event, Jon Moxley defeated El Desperado in a Final Death match.[12]

Night 2 (July 5)
No.Results[13]StipulationsTimes[14][2]
1PRyusuke Taguchi, Master Wato and Boltin Oleg defeated Dragon Libre, Takahiro Katori and RekkaSix-man tag team match11:37
2Satoshi Kojima defeated Oskar LeubeSingles match5:23
3Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) defeated Ryohei Oiwa and HomicideTag team match12:09
4Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors) (c) defeated Chaos (Rocky Romero and Yoh)Tag team match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship12:05
5Murder Sauce Monsters (Alex Zayne and Lance Archer) defeated TMDK (Bad Dude Tito and Kosei Fujita)Tag team match9:31
6Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi and The DKC defeated Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs)Six-man tag team match13:10
7Giulia defeated Willow Nightingale (c)Singles match for the Strong Women's Championship13:29
8Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) (c) defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd)Tag team match for the IWGP Tag Team Championship11:29
9Eddie Kingston defeated Kenta (c)Singles match for the Strong Openweight Championship13:30
10Jon Moxley defeated El DesperadoFinal Death match20:33
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
NJPW Independence Day, officially known as NJPW STRONG Independence Day, was a two-night (PPV) event produced by (NJPW). Held on July 4 and 5, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in , , the event marked the debut of NJPW's American-based brand in the country, blending wrestlers from the STRONG roster with Japanese talent in a series of high-profile matches. Sponsored by LEC, it was streamed live on the NJPW World service and drew crowds of approximately 1,400 each night, emphasizing cross-promotional dynamics between NJPW's international and domestic divisions. The first night featured eight matches, including championship contests and a brutal no-disqualification bout. War Dogs ( and Drilla Moloney) defeated defending IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions Catch 2/2 ( and TJP) to win the titles in a 14-minute opener that showcased the aggressive style of the challengers. In the co-main event, El Desperado and overcame and in a 19-minute Doomsday No DQ match, highlighted by hardcore elements like weapon use and intense brawling. Other key results included and defeating and KENTA, and and defeating and Giulia, setting up future storylines. Night two built on the momentum with seven matches, resulting in two title changes that reshaped NJPW's championships. dethroned KENTA as Champion in a 13-minute hard-hitting affair, marking Kingston's first reign with the title and solidifying his status as a top contender. Similarly, Giulia captured the Women's Championship from in 13 minutes, bringing the belt under Japanese control for the first time since its inception. The main event saw defeat El Desperado in a 20-minute , a involving extreme rules and weapons, avenging the previous night's loss and advancing Moxley's dominant run. The event served as a bridge to major tournaments like the , with several participants using the shows to build momentum.

Background

NJPW Strong Brand

is New Japan Pro-Wrestling's dedicated brand for its North American operations, launched on August 7, 2020, as a weekly television program streamed on NJPW World and broadcast from the promotion's Los Angeles Dojo. The brand emerged during the to sustain activity for NJPW's American-based talent and facilitate expansion into the U.S. market, featuring a roster blending Japanese wrestlers with international and local competitors, including crossovers from promotions like (AEW). Its core purpose is to showcase hybrid wrestling styles that merge NJPW's strong style with American influences, providing a platform for title defenses, tournaments, and storylines tailored to a global audience without interfering with the main Japanese roster's schedule. Key milestones include the establishment of the brand's foundational championships in 2021, starting with the Strong Openweight Championship announced on April 2 and won by inaugural champion via tournament, followed by the Strong Openweight Championship introduced in June 2022. The Strong Women's Championship was introduced in 2023, with becoming the inaugural champion after winning a tournament on May 21, 2023, at Resurgence, highlighting the brand's growing emphasis on women's divisions. Based at the LA , which serves as a hub for young talent and hosts early tapings, the brand has featured prominent wrestlers such as , who defended the IWGP Championship on Strong episodes, and factions like the War Dogs, comprising members including and Drilla Moloney, who have competed for tag titles. These developments positioned Strong as NJPW's vehicle for U.S. growth, with events like Resurgence and drawing crowds across American venues. The weekly NJPW Strong television program concluded on January 28, 2023, shifting to live events and on-demand content. As of November 2025, the brand persists with scaled-back U.S. operations. Distinct from the core NJPW roster, which focuses on annual cycles around events like , the Strong brand operates independently with its own championships and narratives, avoiding direct overlap to maintain separate ecosystems for Japanese and international talent. This separation allows Strong to emphasize versatile, high-impact matches suited to American preferences while preserving puroresu's intensity. Independence Day, held July 4–5, 2023, at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall, marked the brand's inaugural Japan-based shows, bridging the U.S.-focused division with NJPW's home audience and featuring title changes that underscored its evolving role.

Event Announcement

On May 21, 2023, during the NJPW Resurgence event at the in , (NJPW) officially announced Independence Day as a two-night special event featuring the roster traveling to Japan for the first time, positioned as a celebration of U.S. Independence Day. The announcement highlighted the event's role in bringing Strong's international talent to Japanese audiences, aligning with the brand's broader expansion objectives to integrate global wrestlers into NJPW's ecosystem. The events were scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in , a historic venue opened in 1962 with a capacity of approximately 2,000, known for hosting intimate professional wrestling shows that emphasize atmosphere and fan proximity, suiting the NJPW Strong style developed in mid-sized U.S. arenas. Tickets for both nights went on sale shortly after the announcement through official NJPW channels, with Night 1 selling out in advance, reflecting strong initial demand. Promotional materials emphasized bridging NJPW's Japanese and Strong brands by mixing international stars such as Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley with homegrown talent like El Desperado and Giulia, teasing dream matchups to showcase stylistic clashes. Early card previews featured Kingston in a high-profile singles bout and Team Filthy's involvement, building hype around cross-cultural confrontations, while both nights were promoted as pay-per-view exclusives on NJPW World.

Production

Storylines

The primary storyline heading into NJPW Independence Day revolved around the intensifying rivalry between Jon Moxley and El Desperado, rooted in prior cross-promotional clashes between AEW and NJPW that highlighted Desperado's desire to test his limits in extreme environments. Following a previous victory over Moxley, Desperado positioned himself as a resilient underdog seeking mutual respect through hardcore warfare, while Moxley, embodying AEW's aggressive style, escalated the conflict by challenging Desperado to find a partner for a brutal tag team match on Night 1. This buildup incorporated allies Homicide for Moxley, a veteran from the independent scene, and Jun Kasai for Desperado, a deathmatch specialist, underscoring themes of loyalty, pride, and unyielding violence as the feud built toward a Final Death match on Night 2. Parallel to this, the Openweight Championship narrative featured positioning himself as a gritty underdog challenger against champion Kenta, whose veteran heel tactics and mocking demeanor amplified the personal stakes after Kingston issued a direct video challenge following Kenta's recent defenses. Kingston's arc emphasized his roots in strong-style wrestling and determination to elevate the title's prestige, contrasting Kenta's calculated arrogance and history of psychological warfare, with the matchup framed as a test of endurance and authenticity on Night 2. In the women's division, Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightingale's reign faced invasion-style tension from Stardom standout Giulia, who declared her intent to conquer the NJPW Strong landscape after expressing frustration with domestic opportunities, leading to a title challenge on Night 2 preceded by a Night 1 tag match involving Nightingale partnering with against Giulia and . This storyline highlighted cross-promotional dynamics between and , with Giulia's technical prowess and aggressive mindset clashing against Nightingale's powerhouse resilience and champion's poise, symbolizing broader influences on the brand. The tag team landscape was dominated by War Dogs' aggressive expansion, as members and Drilla Moloney targeted the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship held by Catch 2/2 (TJP and ) on Night 1, while and Gabe Kidd aimed for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles defended by Bishamon ( and ) in the same night's co-main event. This dual-pronged assault stemmed from the faction's internal warfare and desire to dominate multiple divisions, portraying the War Dogs as chaotic upstarts disrupting established teams through ruthless tactics and loyalty.

Broadcast and Production Details

The NJPW Independence Day event was streamed live on the NJPW World platform as a pay-per-view, priced at $19.99 per night for viewers in the United States, with free preshow matches available on the official NJPW YouTube channel. International feeds provided multilingual options, including English and Japanese audio tracks to enhance global accessibility. English-language commentary for both nights featured Ian Riccaboni alongside Chris Charlton, offering analysis tailored to the Strong brand's style. The Japanese broadcast on NJPW World utilized the promotion's standard announcing team to cater to domestic audiences. Production was handled by NJPW's in-house team, with a focus on cinematic camera work to capture the intensity of hardcore matches, resulting in an approximate runtime of three hours per night including preshow segments. Post-event, full replays became available on-demand via NJPW World, and the event integrated with the NJPW global app for features like live chat and real-time match statistics.

Event

Night 1

Night 1 of NJPW Independence Day was held on , 2023, at Korakuen Hall in , , marking the inaugural Strong-branded event in the country and attracting an attendance of 1,433 spectators. The card showcased a mix of U.S. and Japanese talent, blending international storylines with high-stakes title defenses, and maintained a brisk pace throughout, building to a chaotic main event that highlighted the event's hardcore theme. Crowd reactions were enthusiastic, with chants of "Holy shit!" punctuating intense sequences and "This is awesome!" echoing after key spots, reflecting appreciation for the cross-cultural roster dynamics. The event opened with a six-man tag team match on the pre-show, where , YOH, and Oskar Leube defeated Kengo, Takahiro Katori, and Dragon Libre in 10:43, setting an energetic tone with YOH securing the pin via Direct Drive DDT. Subsequent undercard bouts included defeating The DKC in 7:26 via Steiner Screwdriver; (JR Kratos, Jorel Nelson, and Royce Isaacs) over Ryohei Oiwa, , and in 10:26, with Nelson pinning Oiwa after a springboard stunner; beating in 8:58 via knee strike; and and defeating KENTA and in 9:29, as Kingston landed a spinning back fist on Gedo for the win. Willow Nightingale and Momo Kohgo rounded out the non-title action, defeating Giulia and in 9:53 when Nightingale hit Thekla with a Doctor Bomb. Two championship matches delivered significant changes, underscoring 's dominance. In the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship bout, and Gabe Kidd defeated champions Bishamon ( and ) in 12:18 to claim the titles, finishing with a team spike piledriver on ; a post-match beatdown by the new champions added tension to their reign. Later, War Dogs ( and Drilla Moloney) captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Catch 2/2 ( and TJP) in 15:36, with Connors pinning TJP after a flying ; a notable mishap saw Moloney accidentally gore his partner, heightening the chaotic energy. The main event featured El Desperado and defeating and in a No Disqualification Doomsday Match lasting 18:37, a brutal affair rooted in ongoing feuds that intensified the U.S.- rivalry. Weapons were prominently used, including sticks, forks, razor blades, skewers, and a fork-covered board, leading to bloody exchanges; standout spots included Moxley driving skewers into opponents' heads and Kasai wielding a butcher's knife, while Desperado sealed the victory with a low blow followed by two Pinche Loco finishers on Homicide, the second atop a trash can lid. Post-match, Moxley remained in the ring with skewers protruding from his forehead as El Desperado and delivered promos challenging him further, directly building anticipation for their singles rematch on Night 2.
MatchResultTimeNotes
Pre-show: , YOH & Oskar Leube vs. Kengo, Takahiro Katori & Dragon LibreTaguchi, YOH & Leube def.10:43Opening energy builder
vs. The DKCTito def.7:26Quick undercard win
vs. Ryohei Oiwa, & Team Filthy def.10:26Multiman showcase
vs. Lawlor def.8:58Technical exchange
& vs. KENTA & Romero & Kingston def.9:29Feud advancement
& vs. Giulia & Nightingale & Kohgo def.9:53Women's division highlight
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship: Bishamon (c) vs. & Gabe KiddCoughlin & Kidd def. to win titles12:18Title change; post-match assault
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Catch 2/2 (c) vs. War DogsWar Dogs def. to win titles15:36Title change; accidental gore spot
No DQ Doomsday Match: & vs. El Desperado & Desperado & Kasai def.18:37Main event brawl; weapons heavy; Night 2 setup

Night 2

Night 2 of NJPW Independence Day occurred on July 5, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in , , attracting 1,401 spectators and contributing to a combined two-night attendance of 2,834. The card emphasized championship resolutions, with two title changes highlighting the roster's international flavor, while the main event delivered a brutal hardcore conclusion amid heightened anticipation from the previous night's action. Broadcast live on NJPW World, the event showcased intense rivalries built around title defenses and personal grudges. The full results are summarized below:
MatchResultTimeNotes
Preshow: Boltin Oleg, & vs. Dragon Libre, Rekka & Takahiro KatoriBoltin Oleg, & def. by pinfall11:37Six-man match
vs. Oskar Leube def. by pinfall5:23Singles match
Catch 2/2 ( & TJP) vs. Ryohei Oiwa & Catch 2/2 def. by pinfall12:09 match
War Dogs ( & Drilla Moloney) (c) vs. Rocky Romero & YOH War Dogs def. by pinfall12:05For the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship; title retained
& vs. TMDK ( & Shane Haste) & def. by pinfall9:31 match
The DKC, & vs. (, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)The DKC, & def. by pinfall13:10Six-man match
Willow (c) vs. GiuliaGiulia def. by pinfall13:29For the Women's Championship; title change to Giulia
Bishamon ( & YOSHI-HASHI) (c) vs. Gabe Kidd & Bishamon def. by pinfall11:29For the IWGP Championship; title retained
KENTA (c) vs. def. by pinfall13:30For the Openweight Championship; title change to Kingston
Main event: vs. El Desperado def. by pinfall20:33Final stipulation
In the semi-main event, captured the Championship from KENTA, ending his reign with a series of strikes culminating in a Northern Lights Bomb after 13:30 of back-and-forth action rooted in their ongoing feud over hardcore wrestling styles. Earlier, Giulia dethroned for the Women's Championship in 13:29, securing the victory with a Northern Lights Bomb following a competitive exchange that showcased both competitors' power and technical prowess; this marked Giulia's first title win in the division and elevated her status ahead of future cross-promotional opportunities. Other notable bouts included The DKC, , and overcoming (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson, and Royce Isaacs) in a 13:10 six-man tag, emphasizing generational clashes, while War Dogs retained their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against and YOH in 12:05, solidifying their dominance post-Night 1 success. The main event pitted Jon Moxley against El Desperado in a Final Death Match, a no-holds-barred stipulation featuring weapons under the ring and barbed-wire boards in the corners, where attempting to escape the immediate area invited escalating punishment from available implements like trash can lids, tables, and chairs. The 20:33 encounter unfolded with intense brawling outside the ring, multiple near-falls including Desperado's two attempts at his Pinche Loco finisher—both countered by Moxley—and culminated in Moxley driving Desperado through a barbed-wire board with a Death Rider for the decisive pinfall, concluding their year-long rivalry that began in a no-disqualification bout the prior summer. The match's visceral intensity, amplified by the Korakuen Hall crowd's reaction to Night 1's fallout, underscored the event's theme of unyielding determination in NJPW's Strong brand.

Reception

Critical Reviews

Critical reviews of NJPW Independence Day praised the event's main events for their intensity and narrative depth, particularly the tag team matches involving Jon Moxley and El Desperado across both nights. The Night 1 No Disqualification tag bout between Moxley and Homicide against Desperado and Jun Kasai was described as a memorable hardcore brawl that satisfied fans of the style, with effective use of weapons and no contrived moments. The Night 2 singles rematch, a Final Death Match, elevated the storytelling, earning four stars for its heightened drama and mutual respect between competitors despite the violence. Similarly, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match on Night 1 between TJP and Francesco Akira against Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney was hailed as the standout bout for its athletic sequences and momentum shifts, receiving four stars and ranking as the top match of the show. The Night 2 NJPW Strong Women's Championship clash between Willow Nightingale and Giulia was lauded as an athletic showcase, blending power versus technical prowess in a 13-minute sprint that highlighted Giulia's star quality and earned three and a half stars. Reviewers noted Nightingale's strong performance as a credible champion, though her title loss marked the end of a notable reign. Overall, the event's execution benefited from its Korakuen Hall setting, blending American and Japanese talent effectively for NJPW Strong's Japan debut. Critiques focused on pacing and midcard content, with some undercard matches dismissed as filler that lacked standalone appeal. For instance, several early bouts on both nights, such as tags involving or House of Torture, were rated around two stars or lower, seen as skippable setups for later developments rather than compelling contests. Fan reception emphasized the event's hardcore elements and surprises, with shifts generating significant online discussion and commentary praising its balance of brutality for dedicated viewers without overwhelming newcomers. Reviews highlighted the buzz around crossovers like Giulia's debut and the War Dogs' aggressive rise, contributing to positive word-of-mouth for NJPW Strong's international appeal.

Event Impact

The title changes at NJPW Independence Day marked significant milestones for the Strong brand's championships, enhancing cross-promotional ties and wrestler prominence. Giulia's victory over on Night 2 to capture the Strong Women's represented a key bridge between NJPW and its sister promotion , as the former standout became the division's new face and went on to make nine successful defenses during her 249-day reign (July 5, 2023 – March 10, 2024), including high-profile matches that integrated women's talent across properties. Similarly, Eddie Kingston's defeat of KENTA on the same night to win the Strong solidified his status as a U.S.-centric draw, with his 311-day reign featuring nine defenses, many on AEW and ROH platforms, which elevated the title's visibility in North American markets and culminated in a title loss to Gabe Kidd at Resurgence 2024. These shifts led to subsequent defenses at events like 2024 (where Giulia retained against Trish Adora), with the women's title changing hands again to on March 10, 2024, underscoring the event's role in sustaining championship narratives beyond Japan. Roster trajectories were notably advanced by the event's high-stakes bookings, particularly through interpromotional feuds and the brand's Japanese debut. El Desperado's profile in the and junior heavyweight divisions rose considerably following his intense "Final Death" match against on Night 2, a bout noted for its brutality and . Moxley's dual-night involvement, including the tag team loss on Night 1, further reinforced the deepening AEW-NJPW alliance, allowing AEW's world champion to headline and draw global attention to 's expansion. As the first Strong-branded event held in at Korakuen Hall, it paved the way for hybrid programming by blending U.S.-based talent with NJPW main roster stars, influencing future crossovers such as increased Strong appearances in Japanese tours. From a business perspective, Independence Day demonstrated viable mid-tier event potential without a 2024 follow-up, instead shaping broader 2024 scheduling toward integrated spectacles. The two nights drew strong attendance figures of 1,433 on July 4 and 1,401 on July 5, approaching Korakuen Hall's capacity and affirming the venue's suitability for Strong's international format despite its smaller scale compared to flagship shows. As a PPV on NJPW World, it contributed to the platform's growth by featuring title changes and AEW crossovers, though exact buy figures were not disclosed; the event's success in viewer engagement helped prioritize hybrid elements in later lineups, such as Wrestle Kingdom 18's inclusion of international talent integrations. The absence of a 2024 edition allowed NJPW to reallocate resources toward larger collaborative efforts, reflecting a strategic evolution in Strong's global positioning.

References

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