New Japan Pro-Wrestling is loading up the card for its “Strong Style Evolved” event, which will be held in Tampa on March 20.
In a tweet on February 22, NJPW announced the first four matches for the taping. SW3RVE (Shane Strickland) will battle Blake Christian in a buzzworthy clash between two renowned competitors. Plus, Jay Lethal will face Ren Narita, Jay White will host an open challenge, and Mascara Dorada will clash with TJP.
MATCH ANNOUNCEMENT❗️
Huge matches announce for Strong Style Evolved in Tampa!
? @JayWhiteNZ Open Challenge
? @rennarita_njpw vs @TheLethalJay
? @_BlakeChristian vs @swerveconfident
? @Mascaradorada24 vs @MegaTJPTickets: https://t.co/p4CKsgeBH3#njpwstrong #njsse pic.twitter.com/CYnEb6QEbz
— NJPW of America (@NJPWofAmerica) February 23, 2022
The card is as follows:
- Jay White’s U-S-of-Jay Open Challenge: Jay White vs. TBA
- Shane “Swerve” Strickland vs. Blake Christian
- TJP vs. Mascara Dorada
- Jay Lethal vs. Ren Narita
The official preview, courtesy of NJPW’s official website, is as follows:
Jay White’s U-S-of-Jay Open Challenge: Jay White vs. TBA
The U-S-of-Jay open challenge continues in Floriday as Switchblade Jay White continues to compete against the best America has to offer. Already, White has battled Christopher Daniels in Hollywood and Jay Lethal in Seattle before a battle at RIVALS that had the wrestling world talking. Jay White has certainly courted controversy in recent weeks, and made some enemies out of former friends in the process. But just who will step to the ring to face him in Florida?
Shane “Swerve” Strickland vs. Blake Christian
The Coliseum becomes SW3RVE’s house on March 20, as ‘The Realest’ does battle on the cerulean blue. His opponent is ‘All Heart’ Blake Christian, fresh off a return to NJPW STRONG action at RIVALS in Hollywood and looking to cement his latest run-in NJPW with a landmark win. With a ton of buzz surrounding SW3RVE, this is an opportunity for Christian to do just that, but he’ll have a rough road in front of him.
TJP vs. Mascara Dorada
For the first time since 2016, Mascara Dorada competes in the cerulean blue, against the United Empire’s Public Enemy TJP. CMLL’s premiere luchador and TJP know one another from their days competing in WWE, but now do battle in the pinnacle of competition with Strong Style Evolved.
Jay Lethal vs. Ren Narita
Ren Narita continues a 2022 filled with all-star opposition. Starting his year in the Tokyo Dome opposite Katsuyori Shibata, Narita went on to wrestle Josh Barnett in Seattle, and Buddy Matthews in Hollywood. Jay Lethal is another top-flight name for Narita to test himself against, but can he come away with the W?
WrestleZone will provide more details as they become available.
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