New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced two major events for the Battle Autumn event on November 5, which will mark the conclusion of the tour.
Will Ospreay will defend the IWGP United States Championship against Tetsuya Naito, who defeated Zack Sabre Jr. at the Royal Quest II event to earn a shot at the gold. Plus, Hikuleo will challenge Karl Anderson for the NEVER Openweight Championship. Hikuleo previously turned on the Bullet Club and set his sets on the gold.
Two title matches are set for Battle Autumn in Osaka November 5!
Hikuleo faces Karl Anderson for NEVER gold, and Will Ospreay's IWGP United States Championship defence is set!https://t.co/tIsl7IAcnx#njpw #njautumn pic.twitter.com/THyy10ejgK
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 4, 2022
The announcement, courtesy of NJPW’s website, is as follows:
November 5 will see the conclusion of the Battle Autumn series. Osaka will see one of the year’s last big events as well as significant steps toward Wrestle Kingdom. With two championship matches already made for EDION Arena, it’s sure to be a thrilling culmination to a battling autumn!
After burning Spirit in Kobe, defending IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay had every right to be surprised at the appearance of Tetsuya Naito in the ring. Openly indifferent to the IWGP United States Championship from its very inception in 2017, Naito appeared more out of a desire to thrust himself back into the biggest lights on the biggest stage. Demanding a rematch from their classic G1 Climax semifinal, Naito was interrupted by Zack Sabre Jr., leading to business to be settled in London.
After a Royal Quest battle that had the fans on their feet, Naito emerged further emboldened, and will be facing Ospreay for the IWGP US gold in EDION Arena. With this likely being the last defence of the red and gold in 2022, who might carry the title into Wrestle Kingdom 17?
The NEVER Openweight Championship will also be on the line November 5, when Hikuleo takes on Karl Anderson.
At Burning Spirit in Kobe, Anderson retained his gold against Hiroshi Tanahashi, before putting the boots to his challenger after the match. When Jay White headed to the ring to join in the attack, it was an obvious attempt to lure Tama Tonga into danger, the Tongan confronted by younger brother Hikuleo. Yet it was Jay White that the Young Gun attacked, and as the brothers reunited, Tama had a gift for Hikuleo in the form of the NEVER Openweight Championship belt.
The giant hot prospect held the NEVER gold aloft and sent a clear message to Karl Anderson for Osaka. Will Hikuleo be victorious in his first NJPW singles title bout? Find out when Battle Autumn hits Osaka November 5!
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