New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced a buzzworthy card for the December 11 episode of NJPW STRONG.
On Saturday, the series’ presentation of the Detonation event will continue, and it will be headlined by a first-time clash between two powerhouses. Brody King will take on NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii in a bout that promises to be a physical battle. Plus, former ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham will face Gabriel Kidd, and United Empire will take on the trio of Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Ren Narita.
The card is as follows:
- Tomohiro Ishii vs. Brody King
- Jonathan Gresham vs. Gabriel Kidd
- Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Ren Narita vs. Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb and TJP
Another huge edition of #njpwSTRONG Saturday at 8/7c on NJPW World and FITE!
Two first time ever matchups!
?Brody King vs Tomohiro Ishii!
?Jonathan Gresham vs Gabriel Kidd!Plus the war between United Empire and LA Dojo continues in six man action!https://t.co/iNeZ4bLYAu pic.twitter.com/hlF2JmaIqF
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 7, 2021
The previews, courtesy of the official NJPW website, is as follows:
Main event: Tomohiro Ishii vs Brody King
The main event this week will see a first time ever singles confrontation for Tomohiro Ishii and Brody King. Two kindred spirits, these two will unleash some furious offense in a match that will have hire stakes for Brody especially. With regular tag team partner Chris Dickinson on the injured list, Brody will be looking to strike out on his own more than ever, and the new NEVER Openweight Champion makes a very prominent target. Should ‘Big Bad’ Brody pull off the win, it would be a big step toward the openweight gold, and take King a step closer to his career goal of making the G1 Climax in the future.
2nd Match: LA Dojo (Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors & Ren Narita) vs United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & TJP)
Six man tag team action will see the United Empire continue their battles with the LA Dojo. Will Ospreay’s first appearance in a US NJPW ring on August 14 at Resurgence saw him directly call out the LA Dojo, decrying a lack of ‘killer instinct. Karl Fredericks and Ren Narita have both stepped up to prove to Ospreay their killer instinct is very much intact, but losing efforts have seen the Dojo frustrated. The addition of TJP has bolstered the United Empire in the States, and now the Imperial Unit Jeff Cobb heads to action for the first time since the G1 Climax, bringing a formidable trio indeed.
1st Match: Jonathan Gresham vs Gabriel Kidd
Gabriel Kidd has emerged from the toughest challenges of his young life with courage and conviction as he heads to the ring a changed man this Saturday on STRONG. His technical expertise matches his fortitude, but will be put to the test in our opening match this week with Jonathan Gresham. American Catch as Catch Can will collide with British technical expertise as Kidd battles the former ROH Pure Champion in what could be one of the best technical battles of all 2021.
NJPW STRONG airs every Saturday at 8 p.m. EST on NJPW World and FITE.
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