Introducing New Japan’s latest dojo graduate and debutant…

Kyosuke Mikami
Height: 5′10″ (177cm)
Weight: 220lbs (100cm)
Alignment: Sekigun (Heavyweight)

Facts:
- Was a fan of professional wrestling from his youth, influenced by his father, and trained in both judo and amateur wrestling.
- Attended Senshu University, former school of Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Jun Akiyama, and fellow young lion Mitsuhide Hirasawa.
- Dropped out of the university so by no means an “honor student” and went to New Japan’s tryout last May, passing it.
- Tough guy persona, is likely to be one of the “strong men” types during his career.

–> “38TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES” <--

NJPW, 3/7/10 (SXW)
Act City Hamamatsu
2,150 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Ryusuke Taguchi beat Kyosuke Mikami (debut) (6:45) with a crab hold.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat El Samurai & Atsushi Aoki (11:22) when Liger used an air scissors drop on Samurai.
3. Riki Choshu & Manabu Nakanishi beat Yuji Nagata & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (10:02) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Hirasawa.
4. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson beat Wataru Inoue, Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito (14:23) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Inoue.
5. Masato Tanaka & Dick Togo beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (13:05) when Tanaka used the Sliding D on Honma.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Nobuo Yoshihashi beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Gedo (15:50) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on Gedo.

Some notable card changes for tomorrow’s show in Hamamatsu. 25-year-old Kyosuke Mikami (pictured on the right here) will make his debut in the opening match against Taguchi. Mikami is one of three current dojo boys preparing for their debut, with the much hyped Fale Simitaitoko soon to follow. Also announced is the addition of NOAH’s Atsushi Aoki to the card, and he will team with El Samurai against Liger & Tiger Mask. Aoki replaces Kanemoto, who picked up a knee injury in yesterday’s brutal half hour match against Marufuji.

NJPW, 3/7/10 (SXW)
Act City Hamamatsu

1. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kyosuke Mikami (debut)
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. El Samurai & Atsushi Aoki
3. Riki Choshu & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Yuji Nagata & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
4. Wataru Inoue, Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson
5. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka & Dick Togo
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Nobuo Yoshihashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Gedo

–> “38TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES” <--
Shinya Hashimoto and Animal Hamaguchi were inducted into New Japan's "NJPW Greatest Wrestlers" hall of fame today at Korakuen Hall, a show that also saw Naomichi Marufuji make a successful V2 defense of his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in a half hour blockbuster against Koji Kanemoto. Jushin Thunder Liger appeared after the match and issued a challenge to Marufuji, so that could be up next. In the main event, Shinsuke Nakamura led Toru Yano and Masato Tanaka to victory over 3/4 of his fellow "4 Heroes", the IWGP Heavyweight Champion pinning Makabe.

NJPW, 3/5/10 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Ryusuke Taguchi beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (6:24) with a flying cross armbreaker.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Gedo & Dick Togo (9:09) when Liger used an air scissors drop on Gedo.
3. Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoaki Honma beat Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (9:58) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Hirasawa.
4. Yuji Nagata, Yujiro Takahashi (Yujiro) & Tetsuya Naito beat Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson (13:32) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Anderson.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Naomichi Marufuji (c) beat Koji Kanemoto (31:44) with the Pole Shift (2nd defense).
6. 38th Anniversary Special Match: Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Masato Tanaka beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe (17:49) when Nakamura used the Boma Ye on Makabe.

Gilco Power Production “DREAM MATCH”, 2/28/10
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Yuji Nagata beat Kikutaro (5:24) with a hammerlock.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Shoryu , Tiger Mask & BUSHI beat Tomohiro Ishii, Gedo, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato (19:24) when Liger used an air scissors drop on Gedo.
3. K-1 Rules: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kyotaro went to a draw (R2 5:00).
4. Keiji Muto , Hiroshi Tanahashi & Power Pro Kamen beat Bono Warrior (Akebono), Pink Warrior (Yutaka Yoshie) & Pork Warrior (Ryota Hama ) (16:11) when Power used a lariat on Pork.

Lots of news and cards today, so right to it.

- Yujiro is reverting to his full name, Yujiro Takahashi, with immediate effect. He originally used his full name before shortening it to Yujiro on the 9/2/04 “LION’S ROAD” show but his switch back is a symbol of the new growth and direction in his career.

- New Japan will at last debut its latest dojo graduate in April. He is the big Tongan who I recently posted a photo of, along with other trainees. His full name is Fale Simitaitoko, born 1/8/82 making him 28 years old. He stands at a tall 6′4″ (193cm) and weighs 249lbs (113kg) so should be one to look out for and possibly one of those rookies who moves up the card quick.

- Two long-running factions are now history. With Masahiro Chono’s exit from New Japan to become a freelancer and AKIRA also no longer being booked, Legend is dead. Choshu is still around of course but Koshinaka is long gone and Super Strong Machine is part of Nagata’s Aogi-gun. Secondly, the remnants of RISE - originally Nakamura’s faction with Goto, Minoru, Milano, and Devitt - has disbanded, with Goto and Devitt now entering the regular army, which they have pretty much been a part of for a while anyway. That leaves Sekigun, Aogi-gun, and CHAOS as the main factions, with GBH (Makabe & Honma) also existing but more as a tag team name than a faction.

- Cards have been announced for both the two show “38TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES” and the now traditional “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN CUP ~The Perfect Generalist~“, which returns for it’s fifth installment in 2010. The anniversary tour is highlighted by a Naomichi Marufuji vs. Koji Kanemoto match for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title at Korakuen Hall, one of the few unrealized junior dream matches. Masato Tanaka and Dick Togo also continue to appear, while El Samurai makes some stops, but there is no sign of TAJIRI on any upcoming cards after his beating by Nagata.

New Japan welcomes “Strong Man”, a beastly assassin from CMLL who will be immediately thrust into the limelight when he faces Tanahashi in the first round of the New Japan Cup. At 6′0″ and 302lbs, he is a major powerhouse and will be better known to Japanese fans (or at least the few who watch IGF) as Jon Andersen from Antonio Inoki’s IGF promotion. Nowadays he is working in CMLL and heads to New Japan for his first tour, also forming a team with Nakanishi throughout it.

Last year’s New Japan Cup winner, Hirooki Goto, isn’t missing as the Korakuen card would suggest. As the reigning tournament champion, he is given a free pass into the second round.

38TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES

NJPW, 3/5/10 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Nobuo Yoshihashi
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Gedo & Dick Togo
3. Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
4. Yuji Nagata, Yujiro Takahashi (Yujiro) & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Naomichi Marufuji (c) vs. Koji Kanemoto
6. 38th Anniversary Special Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Masato Tanaka

NJPW, 3/7/10 (SXW)
Act City Hamamatsu

1. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai vs. Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask
3. Riki Choshu & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Yuji Nagata & Super Strong Machine
4. Wataru Inoue, Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson
5. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka & Dick Togo
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Nobuo Yoshihashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Gedo

CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN CUP ~The Perfect Generalist~

NJPW, 3/14/10 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano
2. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Tetsuya Naito vs. Karl Anderson
3. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Wataru Inoue vs. Giant Bernard
4. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi
5. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Masato Tanaka
7. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Strong Man

NJPW, 3/15/10
Tsubame Citizen Gymnasium

1. Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii
2. New Japan Cup Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe vs. Toru Yano, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson

NJPW, 3/16/10
Kumagaya Citizen Gymnasium

1. Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
2. New Japan Cup Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 3/19/10
Mito Citizen Gymnasium

1. Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito
2. New Japan Cup Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka

NJPW, 3/20/10 (WPW)
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

- New Japan Cup Round 2 matches
- El Samurai participation

NJPW, 3/22/10 (Samurai! TV)
Amagasaki Memorial Park Gymnasium

- New Japan Cup Semi Finals
- New Japan Cup Final

The unstoppable Shinsuke Nakamura defeated the “last fort” of the third generation, Manabu Nakanishi, to secure a successful V5 defense of his IWGP Heavyweight Title today at Sumo Hall. Just 6,300 watched what was probably New Japan’s weakest card for a big Tokyo show in some years but those who watched it in person or on PPV called it a very good show. Nakanishi resisted Shinsuke’s Boma Ye several times before finally succumbing to the deadly knee kick, joining Makabe, Tanahashi, Otani, Nagata, and Takayama as victims of the CHAOS leader in recent IWGP Heavyweight Title matches. No one stepped up to challenge Nakamura post-match as expected, as he will make his V6 defense against the New Japan Cup winner at Korakuen Hall on April 4th.

MVP Hiroshi Tanahashi expectedly defeated CHAOS’ Toru Yano in the semi final, pinning him after the High Fly Flow. After the match though, Masato Tanaka joined Yano in the ring and they cut off some of pretty boy Tanahashi’s hair, leading to Tanahashi vowing revenge afterwards. Tanaka had just sealed his series against Hirooki Goto, winning the deciding match of their unofficial three match series in his environment - Hardcore Rules. Tanaka won a good match with the Sliding D, dooming Goto to more defeat after failing to capture the GHC Heavyweight Title from Takashi Sugiura at the Tokyo Dome. Goto’s career seems to have stalled and he will have to work hard to get it back on track. NO LIMIT wrapped up one last piece of unfinished business from Mexico, defeating the team that took their hair and in doing so making a successful V1 defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title. Yujiro & Naito overcame El Terrible & El Texano Jr., Naito pinning Texano after NL’s Limitless Explosion finisher. The two appealed for a match with Bad Intentions and that looks to be their V2 defense in the near future.

Yuji Nagata taught TAJIRI the strength of New Japan, warding off a surprise attack and beating the constant nuisance quite easily with an armlock in under 5 minutes. Nagata saluted after the match, declaring this situation dealt with. Gedo invited old friend Dick Togo back to replace his injured brother Jado, the two challenging Apollo 55 for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title in today’s second match. Taguchi & Devitt pulled through in what was their fifth defense in a productive reign, Taguchi pinning Gedo. Milano Collection AT, who accompanied the champions, entered the ring after the match and levelled Gedo (who attacked his injured eye with a bamboo stick last October) with a thrust kick. Milano also enjoyed an emotional retirement parade today, which was attended by the likes of Hayabusa and Toru Owashi.

NJPW, 2/14/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
6,300 Fans

1. Special Opening Match: Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask beat Kota Ibushi , Fujita “Jr.” Hayato & GENTARO (11:23) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on GENTARO.
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) beat Gedo & Dick Togo (14:01) when Taguchi pinned Gedo after the Blackhole Vacation (5th defense).
3. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Riki Choshu & Wataru Inoue (9:10) when Bernard pinned Inoue after the Magic Killer.
4. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma beat Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii (8:34) when Makabe used a top rope King Kong kneedrop on Ishii.
5. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata beat TAJIRI (4:42) with an armlock.
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (c) beat El Terrible & El Texano Jr. (10:37) when Naito pinned Texano after the Limitless Explosion (1st defense).
7. Special Singles Match - Hardcore Rules: Masato Tanaka beat Hirooki Goto (15:45) with the Sliding D.
8. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Toru Yano (14:04) with the High Fly Flow.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Manabu Nakanishi (18:02) with the Boma Ye (5th defense).

-

NJPW “NEW DIMENSION”, 4/4/10
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. New Japan Cup winner

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/11/10
Gifu Industrial Hall
2,900 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Koji Kanemoto & Nobuo Yoshihashi (11:27) when Liger used a brainbuster on Yoshihashi.
2. Takashi Iizuka beat Taichi (7:57) by referee stop.
3. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Riki Choshu & Tomoaki Honma (10:06) when Anderson pinned Honma after the Magic Killer.
4. Togi Makabe, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Super Strong Machine, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (14:13) when Makabe used a top rope King Kong kneedrop on Hirasawa.
5. Hirooki Goto, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Masato Tanaka , Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo (13:30) when Goto used the Shouten on Gedo.
6. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & TAJIRI (18:30) when Tanahashi used a horizontal cradle on TAJIRI.

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/10/10 (SXW)
Osaka Central Gymnasium #2
1,600 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Tomohiro Ishii beat Taichi (10:15) with a brainbuster.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask beat Super Strong Machine, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (17:09) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Hirasawa.
3. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Riki Choshu & Nobuo Yoshihashi (9:46) when Anderson pinned Yoshihashi after the Magic Killer.
4. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (13:47) when Yujiro pinned Honma after the Limitless Explosion.
5. Yuji Nagata, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. TAJIRI, Takashi Iizuka & Gedo went to a no contest (15:15).
6. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Masato Tanaka (17:51) when Nakanishi used a German suplex hold on Tanaka.

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/8/10
Ota City Nitta Gymnasium Ex Arena
1,000 Fans

1. Taichi beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (8:51) with a Frankensteiner.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Koji Kanemoto & Nobuo Yoshihashi (11:06) when Tiger used a chickenwing armlock on Yoshihashi.
3. Takashi Iizuka & Karl Anderson beat Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto (14:03) when Goto was DQ’d.
4. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (12:04) when Naito pinned Honma after the Limitless Explosion.
5. Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (13:06) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Taguchi.
6. Shinsuke Nakamura & Giant Bernard beat Manabu Nakanishi & Wataru Inoue (15:35) when Nakamura used the Boma Ye on Inoue.

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/7/10
New Sunpia Tochigi
711 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Wataru Inoue beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (8:21) with the Triangle Lancer.
2. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Takashi Iizuka & Gedo (11:59) when Gedo was DQ’d.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Koji Kanemoto & Taichi (10:31) when Tiger used a front cradle on Taichi.
4. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Yuji Nagata & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (13:08) when Yujiro pinned Hirasawa after the Limitless Explosion.
5. Toru Yano, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (14:47) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Honma.
6. Manabu Nakanishi & Hirooki Goto beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii (12:39) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Ishii.

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/6/10
Kasukabe City Gymnasium
1,300 Fans

1. Gedo beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (9:12) with the Gedo clutch.
2. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Taichi (15:52) when Tiger used a chickenwing armlock on Taichi.
3. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (11:08) when Yujiro pinned Hirasawa after the Limitless Explosion.
4. Giant Bernard & Takashi Iizuka beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (17:02) when Bernard used a corner press on Honma.
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto beat Toru Yano & Karl Anderson (15:02) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on Anderson.
6. Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii (13:34) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Ishii.

With Jado now off the tour injured, Gedo is promising to bring a mystery partner to team with him against Apollo 55 at Sumo Hall. Apparently this is someone significant in Gedo’s past, which could be quite a few names, with a few obvious ones (Ultimo Dragon, Super Delfin). Since this is an IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title match it can’t be a heavyweight, although the most significant heavyweight in Gedo’s past, Kodo Fuyuki, passed away in 2003.

NJPW, 2/14/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Special Opening Match: Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask vs. Kota Ibushi , Fujita “Jr.” Hayato & GENTARO
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) vs. Gedo & X
3. Riki Choshu & Wataru Inoue vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
4. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. TAJIRI
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr.
7. Special Singles Match - Hardcore Rules: Hirooki Goto vs. Masato Tanaka
8. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/3/10
Ueda Creation Hall
915 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Taichi beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (8:56) with the Black Mephisto.
2. Koji Kanemoto beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (9:46) with an ankle hold.
3. Yuji Nagata & Super Strong Machine beat Riki Choshu & Jushin Thunder Liger (7:59) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Liger.
4. Toru Yano, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Wataru Inoue, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (12:59) when Yano used the Uragasumi on Inoue.
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (15:20) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on Honma.
6. Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo (17:35) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Gedo.

All nine matches for the 2/14 Sumo Hall show were finalized today, with one under review. That is Apollo 55’s IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title defense against Jado & Gedo, which is in significant doubt after Jado’s injury yesterday. Matches added today include Tanahashi vs. Yano, one of Yano’s biggest singles opportunities to date. Meanwhile, Goto vs. Tanaka has been made into a Hardcore Rules match which would seem to work against Hirooki given that Tanaka is something of a hardcore legend in wrestling from his time in FMW and ECW.

There is also a special opening match, with three of New Japan’s junior veterans facing three of the brightest young talents from the indie scene. The event has also been announced as a SKYPerfecTV! PPV. Meanwhile, New Japan has confirmed that the next IWGP Heavyweight Title match after this will be on 4/4 at Korakuen Hall, the main event of “NEW DIMENSION”. The winner of the 2010 New Japan Cup is likely to challenge the victor of Nakamura vs. Nakanishi there.

NJPW, 2/14/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Special Opening Match: Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask vs. Kota Ibushi , Fujita “Jr.” Hayato & GENTARO
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) vs. Jado & Gedo
3. Riki Choshu & Wataru Inoue vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
4. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. TAJIRI
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr.
7. Special Singles Match - Hardcore Rules: Hirooki Goto vs. Masato Tanaka
8. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi