An idea originally proposed by Hiromu Takahashi shortly before Tokyo Dome, New Japan held a special All-Star Jr. Festival event today, bringing together top Jr. Heavyweights from throughout Japan-both the Big 3 and the smaller independent promotions-and a couple of the Mexican luchadors from CMLL that were in Japan this past week. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to longtime wrestler Shinjiro Otani to support his recovery efforts from serious injuries & medical issues.
Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand as a PPV on New Japan World for about $27 US. It will be available as a PPV until June 1, after which time it should be available without additional fees for all paying New Japan World subscribers.
The announced paid attendance was 1381, a legit advance sellout.
Pre-show: Soma Watanabe, Kazuma Sumi & Yoh beat Ryo Hoshino, Akira Jumonji & Fuminori Abe. Yoh pinned Jumonji after Direct Drive.
Before the PPV began, Jushin Liger & Tatsumi Fujinami made special appearances. Liger read a message from Otani on his behalf.
Match 1: Hiromu Takahashi, AMAKUSA & Fujita “Jr” Hayato beat Kazuki Hashimoto, HAYATA & YAMATO. Hayato pinned Hashimoto after K.I.D.
Match 2: MAO & Isami Kodaka beat Sho & Onryo by DQ. Sho DQ’d. Ref assault.
Match 3: Shinjiro Otani Support Match: Jun Kasai, Yodhinobu Kanemaru, Minoru Tanaka, TAKA Michinoku & Tatsuhito Takaiwa beat Chichariso Shoki, Shoki Kitamura, Kota Sekifuda, LEONA & MUSASHI. Takaiwa pinned Shoki after Death Valley Bomb.
Match 4: Yumehito Imanari, Ryusuke Taguchi & Hikaru Sato beat Batten Butabura, Tigers Mask & The Great Sasuke. Sato beat Burabura with an armbar.
Match 5: El Desperado & Volador Jr. beat El Lindaman & Yuki Ueno and DOUKI & HANAOKA in a 3-way when Desperado pinned HANAOKA.
Match 6: Alejandro, Billy Ken Kid, Gurukun Mask & Mistico beat Atlantis Jr., Black Menso-re, BUSHI & Dragon Kid. Mistico pinned Menso-re with La Mistica.
Match 7: CIMA beat Kazuki Hirata.
Match 8: Taiji Ishimori beat Shun Skywalker, YO-HEY, Ninja Mack & Soberano Jr. in a 5-way by pinning YO-HEY.
Main Event: Master Wato beat Atsuki Aoyagi.
The event was considered a great success and there are hopes of making this happen again in the future. Rocky Romero made a pre-taped video appearance and stated his desire to hold such an event in the US.
Next up is the 2023 New Japan Cup, the annual heavyweight singles tournament held each March. The tournament begins Sunday at Korakuen Hall with live streaming beginning at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. Every event will be available live & on demand on New Japan World.
