WrestleCon live special on FITE
Friday April 1 sees NJPW return to Dallas Texas for Lonestar Shootout. This special event from the WrestleCon convention sees five big time matchups, while fans in attendance will also be treated to a special STRONG taping after the live broadcast on FITE!
TICKETS (includes Lonestar Shootout and NJPW STRONG tapings) (P1 sold out, P2 almost gone)
Main event: Chris Dickinson vs Tomohiro Ishii
After over four months on the shelf from an injury sustained in San Jose at Battle in the Valley, Chris Dickinson returns to the cerulean blue on April 1, and he is quick to put himself to the ultimate test in Tomohiro Ishii. The Stone Pitbull will never back down from a fight, and is just the kind of opponent that the Dirty Daddy loves to step in the ring with. After months of rehab, Dickinson is finally ready, but if he gives an inch to Ishii, he may just find himself bounced right back to the injured list.
4th Match: U-S-of-Jay Open Challenge- Jay White vs Mike Bailey
After an initial bout with Christopher Daniels in the winter, Jay White’s U-S-of-Jay Open Challenge started 2022 with some mystery opposition, as first Jay Lethal and then SW3RVE surprised crowds in Seattle and Hollywood. Yet Jay White’s certain ability to ‘make friends and influence’, as well as the growing reputation of his challenge, has led to opponents making themselves known to the Switchblade ahead of time. That has included Chris Sabin, a challenge from within BULLET CLUB in Hikuleo, and here in Dallas, Speedball Mike Bailey.
Experienced worldwide, including in Japan, and a thrilling competitor, Bailey is more than competition enough for Jay White. Motivating Speedball though, and giving extra impetus to his challenge was White’s re-emergence onto IMPACT Wrestling earlier this year. His very first action was a sleeper suplex on Bailey, and the IMPACT star has neither forgotten nor forgiven. Can he put some respect on his name in the eyes of the arrogant Switchblade at Lonestar Shootout?
3rd Match: Killer Kross vs Minoru Suzuki
Just as with Chris Dickinson’s desire to make a new start right at the top, Killer Kross makes his NJPW debut with a desire to take on the toughest competitor he can find. That means Minoru Suzuki, and Kross and the King will go to war in Dallas. Kross carries an intense reputation, and the former NXT Champion in WWE is an intimidating name. Yet nobody personifies intimidation like Minoru Suzuki, and the resulting fight will be one to watch in Dallas.
2nd Match: David Finlay, Juice Robinson, Daniel Garcia & Kevin Knight vs Mascara Dorada, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks & Yuya Uemura
Tag team action will see eight of NJPW STRONG’s brightest lights go head to head, including the new addition of Mascara Dorada, and Red Death Daniel Garcia. STRONG’s Rivals series saw Garcia go to battle with Yuya Uemura in a thrilling singles contest. With unifished business still remaining, both will look to steal the spotlight in this bout, and turn an eight man tag into a de facto singles bout.
1st Match: Ren Narita vs Rocky Romero
Singles record: 1-0 Romero
Rocky Romero and Ren Narita will tie up in singles action for the first time since the 2019 Best of the Super Jr. tournament. Then, Narita was a last minute Young Lion addition to the lineup, pushing Romero but ultimately being convincingly beaten by the veteran. Now, three years later, Narita has undergone a phenomenal rise, and has weathered the tough waters of his LA excursion.
In 2022, Narita has upped his game, demanding to face the toughest of competition. Starting in the Tokyo Dome with Katsuyori Shibata, Narita battled Josh Barnett in Seattle, Buddy Matthews in Hollywood, and Jay Lethal in Florida. Now he seeks to show Rocky the benefit of that experience, and the growth he’s been able to undertake; can he convert that to victory in Dallas?
