Lots of New Japan news relating to upcoming events:
First, the 1/4 Tokyo Dome Main Event is now official: Whoever is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at that time vs. Kazuchika Okada for the title. Jay White will defend the title against Tama Tonga on 10/10, whoever comes out of that as champion likely is taking it into Tokyo Dome. Also, Okada is expected to defend his title shot contract at least once, and if he loses to Jonah again on 10/10 plans could very well change.
Fans will be allowed to cheer vocally when the promotion returns to Korakuen Hall on 9/5 & 9/6, and Okada will return on 9/5 to team with Hiroshi Tanahashi against Shane Haste & Jonah. Haste, who debuted in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH in the late 2000s when he formed TMDK with longtime tag team partner Mikey Nicholls, is returning to New Japan for the first time since Tokyo Dome in January 2015. Also set for 9/5 is Bad Dude Tito vs. Minoru Suzuki, while 9/6 will have Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Phantasmo & KENTA.
The Burning Spirit tour-ender on 9/25 at Kobe World Hall now has 3 title matches set: IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Francesco Akira & TJP vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato for the titles, NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the title and the main event-IWGP US Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay for the title. Also set are Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale vs. Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb and Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr., both of which could help determine the next challengers for IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions FTR.
Gideon Grey, the newest recruit for United Empire from RevPro in England, will make his NJPW debut on 9/2 at Yokohama Budokan. NJPW STRONG standouts Alex Coughlin (coming back from injury) and Hikuleo also will return to Japan for the tour.
8/23 UPDATE: New Japan has announced Coughlin is now off the next tour. Left leg injury. The DKC is the replacement.
