New Japan Pro Wednesday: Satoshi Kojima Injured, Fantasticamania Results, NJPW New Beginning Schedule, Kawato’s Excursion, More

Every Wednesday, WrestleZone brings you all of the latest headlines from across the Pacific. This is New Japan Pro Wednesday…

Satoshi Kojima Ruptures ACL

New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and tag team legend Satoshi Kojima has suffered a ruptured ACL in his left knee. The injury occurred during Kojima’s 1/22 match with CMLL‘s Rush in Korakuen Hall. There is no timetable for the 47-year old’s return, but at his age it will likely be a long and arduous recovery process. Everyone at WrestleZone wishes the Bread Club leader a safe and speedy recovery.

Translation via google translate: [Apology and News] Satoshi Kojima missed the next series due to a front cruciate ligament rupture of the left knee

Kojima took to twitter, where the 2010 G1 Climax winner gave fans an update on his condition and thanked them for watching the Fantasticamania tour.

Tranlation via google translate: Fantastica · Mania, Korakuen gang battle, end. Bleeding from the right arm last night. Bleeding from the head + left knee ligament damage today. I was able to survive to the end, but I became frustrating. However, I think that the rouge is a strong, wonderful and wonderful wrestler. Thank you to everyone who cheered us all over the country.

Tickets For Strong Style: Evolved Go On Sale 1/29

New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that tickets for Strong Style: Evolved will go on sale on 1/29 at 1pm EST. Strong Style: Evolved will be New Japan’s first return to the Long Beach, CA area since last year’s wildly successful G1 Special in USA. At that event, Kenny Omega became the inaugural IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.

Strong Style: Evolved will take place at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA on 3/25.

Hirai Kawato Heads On Excursion To Mexico

Hirai Kawato wrestled his last match as an NJPW Young Lion on Sunday. After spending the majority of the Fantasticamania tour being beaten to a pulp by the members of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Kawato teamed with CMLL legend Atlantis in a losing effort against Barbaro Cavernario & Gedo. Kawato was one of the breakout stars of NJPW’s Young Lion developmental program in 2017.

Translation via google translate: The battle game finished successfully. . It was the best I was surrounded by a lot of boards from the entrance \ (^ o ^) / Thank you for the best space!

In a post-match interview, Kawato said that he’ll return as a “big star.”

Continue onto NEXT PAGE for the full match cards and schedule for New Beginning In Sapporo…