The NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship changed hands at NJPW Resurgence.
KENTA challenged Hikuleo for the gold at NJPW Resurgence on May 21, and the two stars fought all over the arena. Hikuleo controlled the action, but he could barely walk after the match spilled backstage. The camera didn’t catch what happened, but Hikuleo clearly wasn’t 100% after this portion of the match. KENTA ultimately won the match by sending Hikuleo off the ledge of the bleachers and through a table several feet below.
The champion failed to answer the referee’s 20 count, and because the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship can change hands on a countout, KENTA was crowned the new champion.
Eddie Kingston crashed KENTA’s celebration; in a brief promo that aired on the video screen, Kingston said that he’s coming for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion, whomever it may be, once he recovers. KENTA then grabbed a microphone and made it clear that he was ready to fight anytime and any place.
Kingston is currently sidelined as he is recovering from hernia surgery. It’s unclear when he will return to the ring, but he previously noted that he expected to be out for six weeks after the surgery.
Click here to catch up on our coverage of NJPW Resurgence.