New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced a four-match card for the December 4 episode of NJPW STRONG.
Saturday’s show will begin the program’s presentation of the Detonation taping; NJPW STRONG recently wrapped up its multi-week airing ot the Showdown event. The December 4 episode will be headlined by a tag team match in which Jay White and Hikuleo will take on Alex Zayne and Yuya Uemura. Plus, Lio Rush, JONAH and Josh Barnett will be in action.
The preview, courtesy of the official NJPW website, is as follows:
Main event: Alex Zayne & Yuya Uemura vs BULLET CLUB (Jay White & Hikuleo)
Our main event this week sees Switchblade Jay White head to the ring for his first match since losing the NEVER Openweight Championship to Tomohiro Ishii at Battle in the Valley. It’s safe to say that the Switchblade will not be in a buoyant mood as he teams with Hikuleo, who will no doubt be looking to make a violent impact as ever in Riverside.
In the opposite corner the ever innovative Alex Zayne pairs with Yuya Uemura. Chris Dickinson was originally set to be the Sauce’s partner for this one, but as the Dirty Daddy recovers from injury, Yuya Uemura will make a very capable replacement. Uemura has impressed with every single outing in STRONG and beyond as his excursion continues, and the BULLET CLUB duo make significant targets.
3rd Match: JONAH vs Lucas Riley
After his shocking first appearance at Battle in the Valley, the Top Dog, JONAH makes his in ring debut on STRONG this week. Opposite him is promising young high flier Lucas Riley. Riley has earned the nickname of the ‘gravity renegade’ for his disregard to the laws of physics, but this is a physics equation that does not suit young Riley at all. Can he survive JONAH?
2nd Match: Lio Rush & Adrian Quest vs Stray Dog Army (Misterioso & Bateman)
Lio Rush and Adrian Quest take on the Stray Dog Army’s Bateman and Misterioso this week. Quest is indirectly responsible for the formation of Stray Dog Army in the first place; after frustration at having the spotlight taken away from him by his partner Quest, Barrett Brown was taken under Bateman’s wing, and Misterioso would follow. As the unit has been looking to make an impact and grow their presence on NJPW STRONG, they go back to their roots as they try to take down Young Fuego Saturday, but Quest has incredible backup in the Man of the Hour Lio Rush.
1st Match: Alex Coughlin Open Challenge Series: Josh Barnett vs Alex Coughlin
Kicking off the night, Alex Coughlin’s challenge match series continues against Josh Barnett. The Warmaster will wrestle his first NJPW match in over 17 years in order to take on a student of his in the LA Dojo member as he attempts to make the next big step in his career. The former UFC Champion has been working with Coughlin for years, but will not go easy on his student in what could be the defining match of Alex’s still young career.
NJPW STRONG airs every Saturday at 8 p.m. ESR on NJPW World and FITE.
Detonation kicks off this week on #njpwstrong!
? Yuya Uemura & Alex Zayne vs Jay White & Hikuleo
? JONAH vs Lucas Riley
? Alex Coughlin vs Josh Barnett
? Lio Rush & Adrian Quest vs Stray Dog ArmySaturday at 8/7c on @njpwworld & @FiteTV! pic.twitter.com/HDWFZRNIKz
— NJPW of America (@NJPWofAmerica) November 30, 2021
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