The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was used just once – as far as we can tell – as a wrestling venue. While it still would not equate to comparisons to other buildings like the Tokyo Dome, Dallas Sportatorium or the old ECW Arena, it did host a momentous night in the history of professional wrestling. On September 4, […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2007: Minoru Suzuki © vs Yuji Nagata – Triple Crown titleWrestle Kingdom (attendance: 28,000 / 18,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00168_1_7 It’s the first appearance of the Wrestle Kingdom name. New Japan celebrate their 35th anniversary by inviting All Japan to compete in a joint celebration (AJPW was founded in the same year) with the intention to recapture […]
Note: This article was written in 2017. 2006: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori ShibataToukon Shidou Chapter 1 (attendance: 31,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00167_1_8 We took a look at Shinsuke Nakamura for the 2004 event and in 2006 we meet the other two ‘New Musketeers’. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata. Both graduates of the NJPW Dojo (alongside Nakamura), New Japan planned to build the future around […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2005: Heat © vs Tiger Mask – IWGP Junior Heavyweight titleToukon Festival: Wrestling World 2005 (attendance: 46,000 / 36,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00165_1_3 It’s been six articles since we looked at the junior heavyweights, and you may be wondering why that is. In 2000 the role of booker in New Japan was taken over by Riki Choshu, […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2004: Shinsuke Nakamura © vs Yoshihiro Takayama © – IWGP Heavyweight and NWF Heavyweight title unification matchWrestling World 2004 (attendance: 40,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00164_1_15 After re-establishing the NWF Heavyweight title a year ago, here we are back in the Tokyo Dome to unify it with the IWGP Heavyweight title. After defeating Tsuyoshi Kohsaka last year, Yoshihiro […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2003: Yoshihiro Takayama vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka – vacant NWF Heavyweight titleWrestling World 2003 (attendance: 30,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00162_1_10 Who? Tsuyoshi Kohsaka is a mixed martial artist who as of this writing has a record of 29-19 which includes losses to Mark Hunt, Randy Couture, Bas Rutten and Frank Shamrock (among others). Brought in to NJPW as […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2002: Jun Akiyama vs Yuji Nagata – GHC Heavyweight titleWrestling World 2002 (attendance: 52,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00159_1_10 GHC Heavyweight title? Yes, New Japan continues the co-operative approach with Pro Wrestling NOAH guest Jun Akiyama defending the Global Honoured Crown against NJPW’s Yuji Nagata. Jun Akiyama came through All Japan’s system and debuted against Kenta Kobashi in […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2001: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Toshiaki Kawada – IWGP Heavyweight title tournament (semi-final)Wrestling World 2001 (attendance: 52,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00157_1_6 It’s 2001 and a lot has happened in the last twelve months. Since both promotions came into existence in 1972, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s main competitor had been All Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW was formed by Antonio […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2000: Keiji Mutoh vs Masahiro ChonoWrestling World 2000 (attendance: 53,500)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00155_1_11 Two years ago in 1998, it was NWO Japan member Keiji Mutoh challenging Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight title while the group’s leader Masahiro Chono cheered him on from ringside. It’s the start of the new millennium and the two are now […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 1999: Jushin Thunder Liger vs Koji Kanemoto – IWGP Junior Heavyweight titleWrestling World 1999 (attendance: 52,500)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00153_1_4 Last time we saw Jushin Thunder Liger was at 1997’s event where he defeated Ultimo Dragon for 8 belts (the J-Crown). One of those was of course the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title. This began his 8th reign […]
