NJPW Capital Collision - August 30, 2024

[Chris]

Big matchups made for Capital Collision August 30!​

First bouts made for DC

On August 30, Capital Collision sees the first major event after G1 Climax 34. After the huge struggle to claim the title of Strongest of the Summer, Washington DC will bring the third annual Capital Collision, and some remarkable matchups have already been made.

August 30 Capital Collision DC Sports & Entertainment Arena TICKETS

After a challenge laid out by Gabe Kidd at Fantasticamania USA, the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion puts his title on the line against Lio Rush. The last time we laid eyes on Rush in an NJPW ring was at Resurgence in California after a long absence. There he faced Mustafa Ali, and after the bout, the Blakcheart persona of the junior heavyweight made his presence felt. Blackheart could be described as the physical manifestations of Rush’s inner demons; Kidd though said that ‘I’m all your demons right here’ when issuing his challenge.

Looking to define his NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship reign through battles in hostile territory, Kidd gleefully faced down Ultimo Guerrero in the lucha libre surroundings of Fantasticamania in San Jose, before now calling out one of Washington DC’s favoured sons. Whether that could be deemed bravery, confidence or arrogance may depend on the result in DC and whether Kidd can move to V2 days after his second G1 Climax campaign comes to an end.

Zack Sabre Jr. goes one on one with Titan in a special singles match. Sabre has had his ups and downs in Mexico this summer, with a win over Virus before a singles loss to Hechicero; then Hechicero and Virus picked up the win over TMDK in tag team action at Fantasticamania. Now ZSJ faces a very different style of luchador in TItan. Meanwhile, with a win over Naito in the G1 under his belt, and with Shingo Takagi to come, Sabres’ battles with Los Ingobernables De Japon take on an interesting new twist.

The West Coast Wrecking Crew’s rivalry with Dirty Work continues as Fred Rosser and Tom Lawlor get a grudge rematch against Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs. Isaacs and Nelson feel they put Fred Rosser, and specifically their former Team Filthy faction leader Tom Lawlor, firmly in the rear view mirror with a win at Resurgence, but now will look to underline that victory, and make a definitive statement heading into the autumn.

Meanwhile, kickoff action will see HANAKO’s US excursion continue with a battle against Trish Adora. HANAKO has developed quickly into an intimidating star as one of the largest women on the STARDOM roster. The Afropunk Trish Adora is intimidation personified though, and will be an imposing test for the young HANAKO in DC.​

 

[Kross Rhodes]

New Japan, taking over AEW collision next month

 

[Roy Mustang]

If Rush can not do the blackheart crap and stick to being awesome, I am super into that Kidd match up

 

[Chris]

 

[Chris]

Fucking nice

 

[Chris]

NJPW STRONG Tag Title bout set for DC!​

TMDK defend against Hechicero and Virus​

Capital Collision August 30 TICKETS
An increasingly stacked card in Washington DC August 30 for Capital Collision has gained a championship matchup as Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of TMDK will be defending their NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships against CMLL representatives Hechicero and Virus.

Haste and Nicholls won an elimination bout at Dominion back in June to leave as double IWGP and NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions. This will be their first defence of the STRONG belts against a team that has previous with TMDK and Zack Sabre Jr. in particular. In fact the llave masters made a point of saying this tag belt would mark the beginning and the end of ‘Zack’s group’, as Hechicero prepares to wrestle the TMDK frontman in the UK at RevPro’s Anniversary card just one week earlier.

Will the tag champions be fighting for revenge on behalf of ZSJ, or to maintain an upswing of momentum for TMDK into the autumn? We find out in DC August 30!​

 

[Chris]

 

[Chris]

 

[Chris]

 

[Canadian Dragon]

 

[Apoho Creed]

With the way Momo has been going in the Grand Prix she needs to take her anger on someone and it's gotta be Mercdes. I can't wait for that one protect your Neck Mercedes.

 

[Chris]

Two huge matches added to Capital Collision​

Major junior heavyweight rematch, STRONG Women’s title match added

Two more huge matches have been added to the stacked card at Capital Collision in Washington DC August 30!

Capital Collision August 30 TICKETS (Ringside A, Arena A almost gone!)

Watch LIVE in English on NJPW World PPV!

In her first defence of the NJPW STRONG Women’s gold she won back at Forbidden Door, Mercedes Moné faces the challenge of Momo Watanabe. Watanabe flies the flag of H.A.T.E, the new face of what was Oedo Tai in DC, and though the controversial group looked set to dominate the 5 Star Grand Prix in STARDOM, Momo took a series of losses to be mathematically eliminated from contention. With pressure on Momo to change tact and step up to bring gold to her faction, Watanabe declared that as H.A.T.E leader Natsuko Tora reigns as the World of STARDOM Champion, she would head to the States to win NJPW STRONG gold.

A double championship schedule for Moné could start to put strain on the CEO of Women’s wrestling. Less than one week after she defends her AEW TBS Championship against Britt Baker in Wembley Stadium, she’ll be defending her STRONG gold against Watanabe in Washington DC. Will H.A.T.E rule in DC, or will Moné’s reign continue?

Also official for August 30, Hiromu Takahashi will face Mustafa Ali in singles action. Back in April at Windy City Riot, Mustafa Ali made his NJPW debut with a victory over Hiromu, and an angry declaration that, as Best of the Super Jr. season was picking up in Japan, he was the one worthy of that distinction. Hiromu recently issued a challenge for a rematch on social media, with Ali accepting on one condition: that if Ali is victorious, Hiromu would have to publicly acknowledge him as the best junior heavyweight wrestler in the world. Either way IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI is sure to have eyes on this bout between two of the best potential contenders.​

 

[Canadian Dragon]

banger card

 

[Chris]

Capital Collision (August 30) Full card, preview​

Washington DC sees first major post G1 card

After a month long struggle to find the Strongest of the Summer, G1 Climax 34 is in the books. The last event of the summer, and the page turned as we get started toward the Tokyo Dome will be August 30, where a loaded card hits the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington DC.

Capital Collision August 30 TICKETS (Ringside A, Arena A almost gone!)

Watch LIVE in English on NJPW World PPV!
​

Main event: NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship- Mercedes Moné vs Momo Watanabe​

In her first defence of the NJPW STRONG Women’s gold she won back at Forbidden Door, Mercedes Moné faces the challenge of Momo Watanabe for our main event. Watanabe flies the flag of H.A.T.E, the new face of what was Oedo Tai in DC, and though the controversial group looked set to dominate the 5 Star Grand Prix in STARDOM, Momo took a series of losses to be mathematically eliminated from contention. With pressure on Momo to change tact and step up to bring gold to her faction, Watanabe declared that if H.A.T.E leader Natsuko Tora reigned the World as the World of STARDOM Champion, she would head to the States to win NJPW STRONG gold.

A double championship schedule for Moné could start to put strain on the CEO of Women’s wrestling. Less than one week after she defends her AEW TBS Championship against Britt Baker in Wembley Stadium, she’ll be defending her STRONG gold against Watanabe in Washington DC. Will H.A.T.E rule in DC, or will Moné’s reign continue?
​

8th Match: NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship- Gabe Kidd vs Lio Rush​

After a challenge laid out by Gabe Kidd at Fantasticamania USA, the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion puts his title on the line against Lio Rush. The last time we laid eyes on Rush in an NJPW ring was at Resurgence in California after a long absence. There he faced Mustafa Ali, and after the bout, the Blakcheart persona of the junior heavyweight made his presence felt. Blackheart could be described as the physical manifestations of Rush’s inner demons; Kidd though said that ‘I’m all your demons right here’ when issuing his challenge.

Looking to define his NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship reign through battles in hostile territory, Kidd gleefully faced down Ultimo Guerrero in the lucha libre surroundings of Fantasticamania in San Jose, before now calling out one of Washington DC’s favoured sons. Whether that could be deemed bravery, confidence or arrogance may depend on the result in DC. After a second G1 Climax campaign saw him a magnet for controversy and attention despite his 4–5 record when all was said and done, will Kidd can move to V2 to end his summer?
​

7th Match: Hiromu Takahashi vs Mustafa Ali​

Singles record: 1–0 Ali

Hiromu Takahashi will face Mustafa Ali in singles action. Back in April at Windy City Riot, Mustafa Ali made his NJPW debut with a victory over Hiromu, and an angry declaration that, as Best of the Super Jr. season was picking up in Japan, he was the one worthy of that distinction. Hiromu recently issued a challenge for a rematch on social media, with Ali accepting on one condition: that if Ali is victorious, Hiromu would have to publicly acknowledge him as the best junior heavyweight wrestler in the world. Either way IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI is sure to have eyes on this bout between two of the best potential contenders.
​

6th Match: NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships- TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) vs Virus & Hechicero​

Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of TMDK will be defending their NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships against CMLL representatives Hechicero and Virus.

Haste and Nicholls won an elimination bout at Dominion back in June to leave as double IWGP and NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions. This will be their first defence of the STRONG belts against a team that has previous with TMDK and Zack Sabre Jr. in particular. In fact the llave masters made a point of saying this tag belt would mark the beginning and the end of ‘Zack’s group’, as Hechicero prepares to wrestle the TMDK frontman in the UK at RevPro’s Anniversary card just one week earlier. Will the tag champions be fighting for revenge on behalf of ZSJ, or to maintain unstoppable momentum for TMDK into the autumn?
​

5th Match: Tetsuya Naito vs TJP​

A first time ever singles match pits Tetsuya Naito against TJP. On the last night of A Block competition, Great-O-Khan defeated IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Naito to advance to the G1 playoffs while El Ingobernable was eliminated. Naito admitted ‘this is where Tetsuya Naito is right now’, and O-Khan seems to have leapfrogged himself into world title contention. Could his United Empire teammate and captain TJP do the same in this openweight contest?
​

4th Match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs Titan​

Zack Sabre Jr. goes one on one with Titan in a special singles match. After Sabre completed a 20 year long journey to the G1 Climax trophy in Ryogoku, he called his IWGP World Heavyweight title shot not for Wrestle Kingdom, but King of Pro-Wrestling October 14 in Ryogoku Sumo Hall. At the present moment in time, that title is held by Tetsuya Naito, and here he faces Naito&s LIJ cohort in Titan for the very first time. Will Tekkers overcome Llave Inmortal in this unique openweight matchup?
​

3rd Match: Grudge Match- Dirty Work (Fred Rosser & Tom Lawlor) vs West Coast Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson)​

The West Coast Wrecking Crew’s rivalry with Dirty Work continues as Fred Rosser and Tom Lawlor get a grudge rematch against Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs. Isaacs and Nelson feel they put Fred Rosser, and specifically their former Team Filthy faction leader Tom Lawlor, firmly in the rear view mirror with a win at Resurgence, but now will look to underline that victory, and make a definitive statement heading into the autumn. With no DQ grudge match rules in effect, what will happen in DC?
​

2nd Match: Kevin Knight, Rocky Romero & YOSHI-HASHI vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney & David Finlay)​

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Connors and Moloney are back in action alongside IWGP Global Champion David Finlay in this six man tag. After a shock win for YOSHI-HASHI in six man action ovr Finlay in Ryogoku, he declared it was his time to get the IWGP Global Championship, and he seeks to reassert that claim tonight, while Knight and Romero could easily show interest in junior tag gold.
​

1st Match: NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Number One Contenders Match- TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Robbie Eagles) vs Tomohiro Ishii & Shane Haste vs Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson)​

Later in the night, CMLL’s Hechicero and Virus will be challenging champions Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships. Whoever walks out of that match with the gold will have a new team to prepare for, as DC will kick off with a three way number one contendership bout.

The Grizzled Young Vets, James Drake and Zack Gibson announced their intentions to prove themselves in the NJPW ranks with a video message released on social media. The highly acclaimed Liverpool lads will certainly have their work cut out for them in DC with some imposing opposition. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii reigned over the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championships together for the bulk of 2023, and Tanahashi still holds that NEVER gold, but wants to add STRONG titles as well. Plus, Robbie Eagles finds TMDK muscle in Bad Dude Tito as the group plan to keep the gold in the TMDK family. Who will emerge as the new number one contenders?
​

Kickoff Match 2: E Nexus V (HANAKO & Mina Shirakawa) vs Viva Van & Trish Adora​

In a change from the originally announced kickoff match for HANAKO against Trish Adora, the fast-rising STARDOM prospect will be joined by her E Nexus V partner Mina Shirakawa for the night. Shirakawa will be assessing how HANAKO’s international excursion is faring, but the two together have a strict test ahead of them in the form of NJPW Academy’s best.
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Kickoff Match 1: STRONG Survivor- Matt Vandagriff vs Allan Breeze​

Matt Vandagriff’s run as the NJPW STRONG Survivor is approaching a year of continuing to improve on NJPW Academy Showcases while defending his spot on kickoff matches before major cards across the States. Tonight, Academy prospect Allan Breeze will take on Vandagriff, and hopes to unseat the ‘aerial alchemist’ in a bid to gain more opportunities in NJPW moving forward.​

 

[Chris]

NJPW World has pre-show starting at 6:30 and main card at 7 EST tonight btw