STRONG Openweight Tag Title Tournament Semifinal And More Set For 7/23 NJPW STRONG

The semifinals of the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Tournament will begin on the July 23 episode of NJPW STRONG.

The semifinals of the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Tournament will begin on the July 23 episode of NJPW STRONG.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced the card for Saturday’s episode. In tournament action, Christopher Daniels and Yuya Uemura will face Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls.

Plus, Jordan Cruz will battle JR Kratos, and in a six-man tag team bout, Mascara Dorada, Rocky Romero, and David Finlay will face Negro Casas, Adrian Quest, and Lucas Riley.

Saturday on #njpwSTRONG we have the semifinals of the STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Tournament:
—@facdaniels @Im_YuyaUemura — TMDK @ShaneTMDK @mikeynicholls

Also:
— @JordanCruzPro— @Jr_KRATOS
— 6 man tag action

Tune in 8/7c @FiteTV and @njpwworld!#njIgnition pic.twitter.com/asaLicFQ8A

— NJPW of America (@NJPWofAmerica) July 19, 2022

From NJPW:

STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Tournament Semifinal: Christopher Daniels & Yuya Uemura vs TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls)

The main event this week will see the first semifinal in the STRONG Openweight tag Team Championship tournament. Two weeks ago on STRONG, an intense main event war saw TMDK advance past the West Coast Wrecking Crew to move into the final four. With Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls years as an established tag team around the world, it was the slight favourites on the night advancing, but the combination of Christopher Daniels and Yuya Uemura turned more heads with their progress.

The sudden, impromptu combination of youth and experience in Daniels and Uemura was able to get past The Factory combination of Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto with aplomb, despite the AEW team having rather more time together as a duo. If any of the first round results could be termed an upset, it was this one, but now meet what appewars to be an impossibly tall task. Can they possibly humble the mighty Saturday night?

Mascara Dorada, Rocky Romero & David Finlay vs Negro Casas, Adrian Quest & Lucas Riley

This week is the 100th episode of NJPW STRONG, and as the history and legacy of the brand grows ever stronger, this trios match will see someone who embodies both. The legendary luchador Negro Casas makes his NJPW STRONG debut as he teams with two incredible future prospects in Lucas Riley and Adrian Quest. Casas will be reunited in ring with Mascara Dorada for the first time in many years, and Rocky Romero and David Finlay will complete the lineup. As Finlay’s G1 campaign continues, the Rebel will not be letting the luchadors keep the limelight in what should be an incredible matchup. 

Jordan Cruz vs JR Kratos

Jordan Cruz makes his NJPW STRONG debut in the opening match of the evening as he takes on JR Kratos in singles action. 25 year old Cruz has been wrestling on the SoCal scene for the last four years, and has a big opportunity in this opening bout, but it’s a trial by fire in the form of Kratos. The Most Feared was campaigning for a singles match with Alex Coughlin for months, that match now delayed further due to the Android’s leg malfunction. Kratos will now be looking to take out his frustrations on Cruz. 

NJPW STRONG airs at 8 p.m. ET on NJPW World. Fightful will have results from the show following its conclusion. Fans can find results from past NJPW STRONG episodes at Fightful’s results section.