Every Wednesday, WrestleZone brings you all of the latest headlines from across the Pacific. This is New Japan Pro Wednesday…
Satoshi Kojima Ruptures ACL
New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and tag team legend Satoshi Kojima has suffered a ruptured ACL in his left knee. The injury occurred during Kojima’s 1/22 match with CMLL‘s Rush in Korakuen Hall. There is no timetable for the 47-year old’s return, but at his age it will likely be a long and arduous recovery process. Everyone at WrestleZone wishes the Bread Club leader a safe and speedy recovery.
Translation via google translate: [Apology and News] Satoshi Kojima missed the next series due to a front cruciate ligament rupture of the left knee
【お詫びとお知らせ】小島聡選手が左膝前十字靭帯断裂により次期シリーズを欠場 https://t.co/U6UPthr2Ch #njpw #njnbg pic.twitter.com/NyPblDbUWQ
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 24, 2018
Kojima took to twitter, where the 2010 G1 Climax winner gave fans an update on his condition and thanked them for watching the Fantasticamania tour.
Tranlation via google translate: Fantastica · Mania, Korakuen gang battle, end. Bleeding from the right arm last night. Bleeding from the head + left knee ligament damage today. I was able to survive to the end, but I became frustrating. However, I think that the rouge is a strong, wonderful and wonderful wrestler. Thank you to everyone who cheered us all over the country.
ファンタスティカ・マニア、後楽園二連戦、終了。
昨夜は右腕から流血。本日は頭から流血＋左膝靭帯損傷。
最後まで乗り切れたけど、ボロボロになってしまった。
だけど、ルーシュは強くて凄くて素晴らしいレスラーだと思う。
全国各地で応援して頂いた皆様、ありがとうございました。
— 小島 聡【SATOSHI KOJIMA】 (@cozy_lariat) January 22, 2018
Tickets For Strong Style: Evolved Go On Sale 1/29
New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that tickets for Strong Style: Evolved will go on sale on 1/29 at 1pm EST. Strong Style: Evolved will be New Japan’s first return to the Long Beach, CA area since last year’s wildly successful G1 Special in USA. At that event, Kenny Omega became the inaugural IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
Strong Style: Evolved will take place at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA on 3/25.
Presenting the ticket site for Strong Style Evolved March 25! Tickets on sale on Jan 29, 10AM PST /1PM EST! Are you ready? https://t.co/nUBfw0bxIs
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 23, 2018
Hirai Kawato Heads On Excursion To Mexico
Hirai Kawato wrestled his last match as an NJPW Young Lion on Sunday. After spending the majority of the Fantasticamania tour being beaten to a pulp by the members of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Kawato teamed with CMLL legend Atlantis in a losing effort against Barbaro Cavernario & Gedo. Kawato was one of the breakout stars of NJPW’s Young Lion developmental program in 2017.
Translation via google translate: The battle game finished successfully. . It was the best I was surrounded by a lot of boards from the entrance \ (^ o ^) / Thank you for the best space!
壮行試合が無事終わりました。。
入場からたくさんのボードに囲まれて最高でした＼(^o^)／
最高な空間をありがとうございました！ pic.twitter.com/36RNoCJV9y— Master Wato (@Master_Wato) January 22, 2018
In a post-match interview, Kawato said that he’ll return as a “big star.”
NJPW Younglion @kawatohirai goes in excursion to Mexico! Replay his post match comment from #njcmll Korakuen live Night03 only on #NJPW YouTube Channel▶︎https://t.co/9J6UhFIbKB pic.twitter.com/7ilqapwzHO
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 24, 2018
Continue onto NEXT PAGE for the full match cards and schedule for New Beginning In Sapporo…
