NJPW Strong

NJPW Strong is a professional wrestling television series produced by Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It airs every Friday at 10pm ET on NJPW's streaming service NJPW World, as well the subscription service FITE TV. The series debuted on August 7, 2020 after being announced at a press conference on July 31.[2]

NJPW Strong
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byTakami Ohbari
Written byGedo
Directed byLogan Chegwidden
Presented by
StarringNew Japan Pro-Wrestling of America roster
Country of origin
  • Japan
  • United States
Original languages
  • English
  • Japanese
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes25 (as of January 31, 2021)
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running time60 minutes
Production companyNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
DistributorNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
Release
Original network
Picture format720p
HDTV 1080p
Original releaseAugust 7, 2020 (2020-08-07) –
present (present)
Chronology
Preceded byLion's Break Collision
Related showsNJPW World of Pro Wrestling

History

In November 2014, NJPW and AXS TV struck a deal for AXS to broadcast a new series, called NJPW World Pro Wrestling, which would air weekly on Friday evenings starting in January 2015.[3] This was the first time NJPW had been aired on an American television network since its formation in 1972.[4] However, by December 2019, the deal had expired and NJPW content would no longer be broadcast on AXS TV.[5][6]

On July 31, 2020, NJPW conducted a press conference, where NJPW Strong was announced, with the show to feature matches from the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament. This show would also mark yet another step of NJPW's expansion into the United States, as the series would be produced by NJPW's American league "New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America."[7]

The premiere episode of Strong was held on August 7, 2020 and broadcast live from NJPW's training dojo in Los Angeles on NJPW World.[8] The event was held with no spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] On August 19, NJPW announced that Strong would be airing on FITE TV in conjunction with NJPW World.[10]

Special episodes
Main article: List of NJPW Strong special episodes

Roster
Main article: List of New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel

The wrestlers featured on Strong take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.[11]

Commentators
LanguageCommentatorsDates
Japanese Katsuyori Shibata, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Shigeki Kiyono August 7, 2020 – August 22, 2020
September 19, 2020 - October 10, 2020
December 12, 2020 - December 18, 2020
Japanese Katsuyori Shibata and Shigeki Kiyono August 29, 2020 - September 12, 2020
October 17, 2020 - October 24, 2020
November 28, 2020 - December 5, 2020
January 15, 2021 - present
Japanese Katsuyori Shibata, Hirooki Goto, and Shigeki Kiyono October 31, 2020 - November 21, 2020
Japanese Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shigeki Kiyono January 8, 2021
English Alex Koslov and Kevin Kelly August 7, 2020 – present

Ring announcers
LanguageRing announcersDates
English Adnan Kureishy August 7, 2020 – present
Japanese Takuro August 7, 2020 – present

See also

References
  1. Thompson, Andrew (August 5, 2020). "Alex Koslov returning to NJPW to do commentary for NJPW Strong". Post Wrestling. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  2. Radican, Sean (August 5, 2020). "NJPW Strong details announced for NJPW World, new weekly show will debut with NJPW Cup USA tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. "AXS announces New Japan TV deal, official details, time slot, debut date and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  4. Meltzer, Dave (July 27, 2015). "July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking, and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 24. ISSN 1083-9593.
  5. Nason, Josh (December 27, 2019). "NJPW NO LONGER AIRING ON AXS TV". F4WOnline. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  6. "New Japan Pro Wrestling Won't Air in American TV In 2020". Uproxx. Warner Music Group. December 27, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. "New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. "2020.08.07 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  9. Vishwakoti, Anish (August 8, 2020). "8/7 NJPW Strong results: Anish V's review of Kenta vs. Karl Fredericks, Jeff Cobb vs. Tanga Loa, David Finlay vs. Chase Owens, and Brody King vs. Tama Tonga in New Japan Cup USA first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Last Row Media, LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  10. "Watch NJPW STRONG on FITE! 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Bushiroad. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  11. Grabianowski, Ed (2006-01-13). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
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