One of the biggest names in New Japan Pro-Wrestling has teased a major announcement that, if confirmed to be true, will not only change the future of New Japan, but of its international partners Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling as well.
Hiroshi Tanahashi wrote on his blog that the company’s North American show, Strong, will be holding its final tapings today, January 7th, 2023. Thereafter, the show’s future remains unknown.
NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi teases at an end of an era
On his blog, Tanahashi wrote,
“#NJPWSTRONG, which has been going on for more than 2 years, will end with this recording. It seems that the overseas tournament will be told in a different way in the future.”
In a related tweet, NJPW’s president noted back in December 2022 that Strong would be “rebuilt” later in 2023.
One of the rumors circulating at this time is that NJPW Strong will merge with ROH. If this comes to pass, then it will strengthen and deepen the relationship between NJPW and AEW, which owns ROH.
NJPW Strong is an American based child promotion of New Japan’s and is mostly consists of non-Japanese wrestlers. Some American wrestlers exclusive to Strong include “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Fred Rosser, TMDK, and The Motor City Machine Guns.
There are also some cross-promotional wrestlers from AEW that wrestle on Strong as well including Eddie Kingston, Lance Archer, Brody King, and Q.T. Marshall.
h/t 411Mania for the transcription