IMPACT Wrestling’s Josh Alexander And Ring Of Honor’s Bateman To Be Featured On 6/18 NJPW STRONG

The next episode of NJPW STRONG will be headlined by Satoshi Kojima in action but the episode itself will feature talent from NWA, Ring of Honor, and IMPACT Wrestling.

Representing Ring of Honor will be Bateman and IMPACT will be represented by its X-Division Champion, Josh Alexander.

From NJPW:

STRONG Preview: Josh Alexander debuts, Kratos vs Kojima 【NJoA】
A slug fest main event to a stacked episode of STRONG

This Friday night sees Ignition start in earnest on NJPW STRONG, with big time singles matches highlighted by a massive super heavyweight clash. 

Watch STRONG Friday at 10/9c on NJPW World!

Main event: Satoshi Kojima vs JR Kratos

When Satoshi Kojima made his STRONG debut two weeks ago, he did so alongside Karl Fredericks against team Filthy’s JR Kratos and Danny Limelight. Hard hitting super heavyweight Kratos instantly had his ire drawn by Kojima, and refused to yield an inch to the living legend. That led to some violent in-ring collisions during the match, and an intense pull apart brawl after it. Now Kojima and Kratos meet one on one in a match that will be crucial to Kratos’ claim of being the Most Feared, and toughest big man on Friday nights. 

2nd Match: Fred Rosser & Adrian Quest vs Barrett Brown & Bateman

Two weeks ago on NJPW STRONG, former partners collided when Barrett Brown and Adrian Quest squared off one one one. Brown had an intriguing new ally for the bout, as Bateman lent words of advice to Brown before getting involved in the finish; just as Quest was about to finish Brown off the top rope, Bateman hopped on the apron and caused enough of a distraction for Brown to pick up the roll-up victory. 

To Fred Rosser, Bateman was a ‘bully’ intervening in Brown and Quest’s issues. The Suntan Superman volunteered his own services to Quest, which Young Fuego accepted; now he teams with Quest to take on Brown and Bateman in this tag team clash. 

1st Match: Alex Coughlin vs Josh Alexander

Last week on STRONG, Alex Coughlin fell short in a hard fought battle with BULLET CLUB’s gargantuan Young Gun Hikuleo. Far from letting the loss get the better of him however, Coughlin instead said he had the time of his life, and demanded that he face all comers going forward. This week then, the first match in Coughlin’s open challenge match series will put him opposite IMPACT Wrestling’s X Division Champion, Josh Alexander. With both Coughlin and Alexander extremely proficient amateur grapplers, this is an excellent matchup on paper. Alexander has beaten El Phantasmo on IMPACT programming recently, but could Coughlin upset the Walking Weapon? 

Fightful will has results from STRONG every Friday night