As if Ignition hasn’t started off hot enough, this week boasts an absolutely stacked card. NJPW legend Satoshi Kojima competes in singles action for the first time on STRONG and IMPACT! Wrestling star Josh Alexander makes his NJPW STRONG debut. Not only that, but we also will get to feast our eyes on Fred Rosser (FKA Darren Young). This will be Rosser’s first match on STRONG since signing a contract with NJPW, solidifying his position in the company. All this as we preview NJPW STRONG for 6/18/21
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Josh Alexander vs. Alex Coughlin
The opening match of this week’s card could easily be the main event. Although this is his first match for NJPW, Josh Alexander has made quite the name for himself around the world as one of the most technically sound wrestlers in the world. His IMPACT! Tag Team Championship reign with current AEW star Ethan Page, as The North is the longest in company history. That being said, he will certainly have his work cut out for him.
After narrowly falling short last week against BULLET CLUB Young Gun Hikuleo, Alex Coughlin announced that he would begin an open challenge. Josh Alexander was the first taker. This match-up promises to be a technical masterclass, with the victor likely determined by who makes the first mistake. Alexander is sure to want to make a splash upon debuting, and Coughlin surely doesn’t want it to come at his expense.
NJPW STRONG Preview for 6/18/21
Second Match:
Fred Rosser and Adrian Quest vs. Bateman and Barrett Brown
After the tension between former teammates Adrian Quest and Barrett Brown reached its boiling point, their inevitable collision took place two weeks ago. After the unpredictable Bateman offered up advice to Brown prior to the match, he also aided him in defeating Quest. Quest looked primed to finish off his foe, perched on the top rope when Bateman interfered. Bateman distracted Quest, which allowed Brown to score the roll-up victory. Fortunately for Young Fuego, newly signed Fred Rosser offered to even the odds. That led to this intriguing encounter, which should turn out to be a very evenly fought bout.
NJPW STRONG Preview for 6/18/21
Main Event:
Satoshi Kojima vs. JR Kratos
In the main event, we’ll get to see NJPW legend Satoshi Kojima in singles action for the first time on STRONG. Two weeks ago, Kojima teamed with Karl Fredericks to take on Team Filthy members JR Kratos and Danny Limelight. Kratos was obviously not star-struck, as it seemed he made it his personal mission to inflict as much punishment on the legend as possible. Kojima took all that Kratos could give him, and Kojima and Fredericks rose victorious. The encounter didn’t stop there, though. All four men continued brawling, with Kratos and Kojima locking on to each other. Will Kratos be able to avenge his loss and stake his claim as the Most Feared? Or will Kojima’s experience and determination prove to be too much once again?
As with the last two weeks, we have another incredible entry into this Ignition series of events. Every match on this week’s card is main event worthy, as NJPW STRONG continues to improve their show every week. All three matches on the card could fall either way, and I am very excited to see how it all shakes out.
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