Three singles matches highlight Labor Day weekend celebration

BBQ Brawl saw NJPW STRONG mark the Labor Day weekend with three singles matchups, headlined by Hikuleo facing Matt Morris. BULLET CLUB’s Young Gun started the match in characteristically aggressive form, as Morris tried to evade the big man’s clutches. The Drama King surprised Hikuleo with a dropkick and cannonball plancha, before a swanton connected in ring, but he would be cut off with a big boot, powerslam and the Tongan Driver. 

Post match, Hikuleo sought to make an example of Morris. One week after sending Juice Robinson through a table backstage, the Young Gun tried to drive the Drama King through a table in ring, only for Juice to make the save. Robinson and Hikuleo’s bitter feud looks to continue into the autumn. 

Rey Horus and TJP had a spectacular junior heavyweight clash on STRONG this week. The Fil-Am flash tried to keep Horus grounded, but the ROH star was able to score big with a Spanish Fly and an incredible corner tope con giro. In the end though, Horus was unable to resist a TJP Detonation Kick, and then the Manba Splash, as the two move to 1-1 with a rubber match looming somewhere down the road. 

 The night started with Daniel Garcia facing Josh Alexander. The larger Alexander forced Garcia to fight up from underneath for the bulk of the match and ‘Red Death’ gave Alexander plenty to worry about. Garcia’s submission prowess was highlighted through the match, but after a big powerbreaker, the IMPACT X Division champion was able to connect with Divine Intervention for the victory.