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NJPW Independence Day
View on Wikipedia| NJPW Independence Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Official logo of the event | |||
| Promotion | New Japan Pro-Wrestling | ||
| Brand | NJPW Strong | ||
| Date | July 4–5, 2023 | ||
| City | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| Venue | Korakuen Hall | ||
| Attendance | |||
| Event chronology | |||
| |||
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
[edit]Storylines
[edit]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
[edit]Event
[edit]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 2
[edit]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]
| No. | Results[13] | Stipulations | Times[14][2] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1P | Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato and Boltin Oleg defeated Dragon Libre, Takahiro Katori and Rekka | Six-man tag team match | 11:37 | ||||
| 2 | Satoshi Kojima defeated Oskar Leube | Singles match | 5:23 | ||||
| 3 | Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) defeated Ryohei Oiwa and Homicide | Tag team match | 12:09 | ||||
| 4 | Bullet 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 Championship | 12:05 | ||||
| 5 | Murder Sauce Monsters (Alex Zayne and Lance Archer) defeated TMDK (Bad Dude Tito and Kosei Fujita) | Tag team match | 9:31 | ||||
| 6 | Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi and The DKC defeated Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) | Six-man tag team match | 13:10 | ||||
| 7 | Giulia defeated Willow Nightingale (c) | Singles match for the Strong Women's Championship | 13:29 | ||||
| 8 | Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) (c) defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd) | Tag team match for the IWGP Tag Team Championship | 11:29 | ||||
| 9 | Eddie Kingston defeated Kenta (c) | Singles match for the Strong Openweight Championship | 13:30 | ||||
| 10 | Jon Moxley defeated El Desperado | Final Death match | 20:33 | ||||
| |||||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 4, 2023). "NJPW STRONG Independence Day 2023 - Tag 1". cagematch.net. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 5, 2023). "NJPW STRONG Independence Day 2023 - Tag 2". cagematch.net. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (June 27, 2023). "Willow Nightingale vs. Giulia added to NJPW Independence Day night 2 The Strong Women's Championship will be on the line July 5". f4wonline.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ Mohan, Sai (June 27, 2023). "Willow Nightingale Set For Title Defense Against Giulia At NJPW Independence Day". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ NJPW World (July 4, 2023). 【第0試合のみ配信】7/4(火) NJPW STRONG INDEPENDENCE DAY Night1 / #njpwSTRONG 7/4/23. youtube.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Andrew (July 4, 2023). "New STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champions crowned at NJPW Independence Day". postwrestling.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Fritts, Chick (July 4, 2023). "NJPW Strong Independence Day night one live results: Doomsday No DQ match Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & Jun Kasai headlines today's show". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "LEC presents NJPW STRONG INDEPENDENCE DAY TUE. JULY. 4. 2023 / DOOR 17:30 / BELL 18:30". njpw1972.com. NJPW. June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ NJPW World (July 5, 2023). "The Buy-In: NJPW STRONG INDEPENDENCE DAY Night2 / #njpwSTRONG 7/5/23, Korakuen Hall". youtube.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Gibbons, Aidan (5 July 2023). "NJPW STRONG Independence Day Night Two Results All The Results From NJPW STRONG Independence Day Night Two". cultaholic.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Fritts, Chick (July 5, 2023). "NJPW Strong Independence Day night two live results: Moxley vs. Desperado Final Death match Three titles are also on the line on the show". f4wonline.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "INJPW Strong Independence Day night two live results: Moxley vs. Desperado Final Death match". Wrestling Observer. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "NJPW STRONG Independence Day Results (7/5): New champions crowned". POST Wrestling. 5 July 2023.
External links
[edit]NJPW Independence Day
View on GrokipediaBackground
NJPW Strong Brand
NJPW Strong 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.[4] The brand emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to sustain activity for NJPW's American-based talent and facilitate expansion into the U.S. market, featuring a roster blending Japanese puroresu wrestlers with international and local competitors, including crossovers from promotions like All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[5] 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.[6] 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 Tom Lawlor via tournament, followed by the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship introduced in June 2022.[7][8] The Strong Women's Championship was introduced in 2023, with Willow Nightingale becoming the inaugural champion after winning a tournament on May 21, 2023, at Resurgence, highlighting the brand's growing emphasis on women's divisions.[9] Based at the LA Dojo, which serves as a training hub for young talent and hosts early tapings, the brand has featured prominent wrestlers such as Jon Moxley, who defended the IWGP United States Championship on Strong episodes, and factions like the Bullet Club War Dogs, comprising members including Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney, who have competed for tag titles.[10] These developments positioned Strong as NJPW's vehicle for U.S. growth, with events like Resurgence and Battle in the Valley drawing crowds across American venues.[11] 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.[12][5] Distinct from the core NJPW roster, which focuses on annual cycles around events like Wrestle Kingdom, the Strong brand operates independently with its own championships and narratives, avoiding direct overlap to maintain separate ecosystems for Japanese and international talent.[13] 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.[14][15]Event Announcement
On May 21, 2023, during the NJPW Resurgence event at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) officially announced Independence Day as a two-night special event featuring the NJPW Strong roster traveling to Japan for the first time, positioned as a celebration of U.S. Independence Day.[14] 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.[14] The events were scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, 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.[14][16] 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.[14][17] 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.[14] 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.[14]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.[18][19][20] Parallel to this, the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship narrative featured Eddie Kingston 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.[21][22] 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 Momo Kohgo against Giulia and Thekla. This storyline highlighted cross-promotional dynamics between NJPW Strong and Stardom, with Giulia's technical prowess and aggressive mindset clashing against Nightingale's powerhouse resilience and champion's poise, symbolizing broader Joshi influences on the brand.[23][24][25] The tag team landscape was dominated by Bullet Club War Dogs' aggressive expansion, as members Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney targeted the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship held by Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) on Night 1, while Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd aimed for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles defended by Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) 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 Bullet Club loyalty.[26][27]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.[28] International feeds provided multilingual options, including English and Japanese audio tracks to enhance global accessibility.[29] English-language commentary for both nights featured Ian Riccaboni alongside Chris Charlton, offering analysis tailored to the Strong brand's style.[30] The Japanese broadcast on NJPW World utilized the promotion's standard announcing team to cater to domestic audiences.[28] 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.[31] 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.[29]Event
Night 1
Night 1 of NJPW Independence Day was held on July 4, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, marking the inaugural Strong-branded event in the country and attracting an attendance of 1,433 spectators.[32] 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.[33] 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.[33] The event opened with a six-man tag team match on the pre-show, where Ryusuke Taguchi, 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.[33] Subsequent undercard bouts included Bad Dude Tito defeating The DKC in 7:26 via Steiner Screwdriver; Team Filthy (JR Kratos, Jorel Nelson, and Royce Isaacs) over Ryohei Oiwa, Alex Zayne, and Lance Archer in 10:26, with Nelson pinning Oiwa after a springboard stunner; Tom Lawlor beating Kosei Fujita in 8:58 via knee strike; and Rocky Romero and Eddie Kingston defeating KENTA and Gedo in 9:29, as Kingston landed a spinning back fist on Gedo for the win.[33] Willow Nightingale and Momo Kohgo rounded out the non-title action, defeating Giulia and Thekla in 9:53 when Nightingale hit Thekla with a Doctor Bomb.[33] Two championship matches delivered significant changes, underscoring Bullet Club's dominance. In the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship bout, Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd defeated champions Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI) in 12:18 to claim the titles, finishing with a team spike piledriver on YOSHI-HASHI; a post-match beatdown by the new champions added tension to their reign.[33] Later, Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP) in 15:36, with Connors pinning TJP after a flying spear; a notable mishap saw Moloney accidentally gore his partner, heightening the chaotic energy.[34][33] The main event featured El Desperado and Jun Kasai defeating Jon Moxley and Homicide in a No Disqualification Doomsday Match lasting 18:37, a brutal affair rooted in ongoing feuds that intensified the U.S.-Japan rivalry.[33] Weapons were prominently used, including kendo 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.[34][33] Post-match, Moxley remained in the ring with skewers protruding from his forehead as El Desperado and Jun Kasai delivered promos challenging him further, directly building anticipation for their singles rematch on Night 2.[33]| Match | Result | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-show: Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH & Oskar Leube vs. Kengo, Takahiro Katori & Dragon Libre | Taguchi, YOH & Leube def. | 10:43 | Opening energy builder |
| Bad Dude Tito vs. The DKC | Tito def. | 7:26 | Quick undercard win |
| Team Filthy vs. Ryohei Oiwa, Alex Zayne & Lance Archer | Team Filthy def. | 10:26 | Multiman showcase |
| Tom Lawlor vs. Kosei Fujita | Lawlor def. | 8:58 | Technical exchange |
| Rocky Romero & Eddie Kingston vs. KENTA & Gedo | Romero & Kingston def. | 9:29 | Feud advancement |
| Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo vs. Giulia & Thekla | Nightingale & Kohgo def. | 9:53 | Women's division highlight |
| NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship: Bishamon (c) vs. Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd | Coughlin & Kidd def. to win titles | 12:18 | Title change; post-match assault |
| IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Catch 2/2 (c) vs. Bullet Club War Dogs | War Dogs def. to win titles | 15:36 | Title change; accidental gore spot |
| No DQ Doomsday Match: Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & Jun Kasai | Desperado & Kasai def. | 18:37 | Main event brawl; weapons heavy; Night 2 setup |
Night 2
Night 2 of NJPW Independence Day occurred on July 5, 2023, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, 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 NJPW Strong 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:| Match | Result | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preshow: Boltin Oleg, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Dragon Libre, Rekka & Takahiro Katori | Boltin Oleg, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi def. by pinfall | 11:37 | Six-man tag team match |
| Satoshi Kojima vs. Oskar Leube | Satoshi Kojima def. by pinfall | 5:23 | Singles match |
| Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira & TJP) vs. Ryohei Oiwa & Homicide | Catch 2/2 def. by pinfall | 12:09 | Tag team match |
| Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c) vs. Rocky Romero & YOH | Bullet Club War Dogs def. by pinfall | 12:05 | For the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship; title retained |
| Alex Zayne & Lance Archer vs. TMDK (Bad Luck Fale & Shane Haste) | Alex Zayne & Lance Archer def. by pinfall | 9:31 | Tag team match |
| The DKC, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) | The DKC, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi def. by pinfall | 13:10 | Six-man tag team match |
| Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Giulia | Giulia def. by pinfall | 13:29 | For the NJPW Strong Women's Championship; title change to Giulia |
| Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) (c) vs. Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin | Bishamon def. by pinfall | 11:29 | For the IWGP Tag Team Championship; title retained |
| KENTA (c) vs. Eddie Kingston | Eddie Kingston def. by pinfall | 13:30 | For the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship; title change to Kingston |
| Main event: Jon Moxley vs. El Desperado | Jon Moxley def. by pinfall | 20:33 | Final Death Match stipulation |
