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New Japan today held a press conference with DDT to announce something unprecedented. One of Japan’s most exciting junior heavyweights and a recent IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Kota Ibushi, is now officially a New Japan wrestler! But… he’s also a DDT wrestler! Yes, Ibushi will be the first ever wrestler to belong to two organisations by joining New Japan while also staying with DDT who he has remained loyal to despite his “big league” talent. Ibushi confirmed he will focus on being a New Japan junior for now despite an admirable performance in the G1 Climax against heavyweights, which should enliven a junior division thoroughly dominated by Prince Devitt.
Ibushi will debut as a New Japan wrestler as “X” in the New Japan vs. Bullet Club six man tag match at Sumo Hall on 10/14. Don’t be surprised if this resurrects the Ibushi vs. Devitt rivalry.
In other Sumo Hall news, Alex Shelley has been forced to withdraw from the show with a herniated disc, meaning the Time Splitters can no longer challenge Forever Hooligans for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title. Instead, Suzuki-gun’s TAKA Michinoku & Taichi will challenge. Updated card:
NJPW “KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, 10/14/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
0. Manabu Nakanishi, Super Strong Machine, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Takashi Iizuka, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (c) vs. TAKA Michinoku [Kaientai Dojo] & Taichi
2. Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan Return & Takaaki Watanabe Farewell Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
4. Special 6 Man Tag Match – Kota Ibushi’s New Japan Affiliation 1st Match: Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Kota Ibushi vs. Prince Devitt, Karl Anderson & Bad Luck Fale
5. Special Singles Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata
6. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
7. NEVER Openweight Title (& IWGP Heavyweight Title shot): Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Yujiro Takahashi
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Naomichi Marufuji [Pro Wrestling NOAH]
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
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-Time to accept the idea of Tanahashi vs Naito at Dome. Sigh.
-Rumors of Ibushi vs Ishii on the next show in Osaka. Rematch of sorts from G1, when they brawled violently after a tag match. Again, long term booking paying off. Everything as a purpose with Gedo & Jado running things. If they don't win "Best Booker" again, I demand an investigation.
-New Japan desperately needs to freshen up the junior scene, in particular the tag teams. Clearly they are setting up Ibushi vs Devitt, which should be fun.
-Watanabe is getting Killer Bombed all the way to New Jersey. Watanabe vs Cody Rhodes. Book it.
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