Notes and results from NJPW US dojo grand opening

[cero2k]

Source: f4wonline.com

New Japan Pro Wrestling held autograph signings, press conferences, and pro wrestling matches today in their brand new dojo in Carson, California.

One thing head coach Katsuyori Shibata emphasized during a scrum interview is that he intends for this to be a dojo, not a performance center, a knock at WWE's sytem. NJPW fully intends on training prospective wrestlers the same way that they are trained in Japan. Once we see the first students graduate, it will be interesting to see if they turn into well-rounded wrestlers in a short amount of time.

After the autograph signings, the press conferences started. The first was a contract signing for tomorrow’s IWGP United States Heavyweight title match. It became tense right off the bat as Hangman Page went after Jay White, saying that he was not a representative of New Japan in America and asked him when he’s defending the title next in North America. Page said that he would take the title, defend it in the United states (including for Bar Wrestling), and do it the American way.

White responded by saying that Page does nothing but hide in the shadows of Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks and is always in the background. He said he would prove to him that he was not ready to step out of the shadows. The two posed afterwords.

The second press conference was more of an opening ceremony for the new dojo. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Thunder Liger, David Finlay, Juice Robinson, coach Scorpio Sky, and Shibata spoke a few words. Shibata mentioned that he is looking for wrestlers with spirit, true heart, and true soul.

Tanahashi and Liger brought up names from North America that made it in Japan, with Liger saying the new potential prospects need to hang in there for Shibata’s tough training. Once everything was said and done, they joined longtime referee Tiger Hattori and banged ceremonial drums three times in honor of the dojo’s opening.

Up next were three matches, featuring a mixture of New Japan talent and independent wrestlers from the California scene. First was David Finlay and Juice Robinson against Violence Unlimited, the team of Brody King (who looked impressive the previous night at PWG) and Tyler Bateman. Finlay and Juice scored the win in a good opener.

Rocky Romero faced Scorpio Sky next in a singles bout. This was a good back-and-forth match, as they had great chemistry with one another. Scorpio Sky got the win after a TKO.

The final bout had the team of KUSHIDA and Uptown Andy Brown against Junior Tag Team title contenders Roppongi 3K. This was also pretty good -- a nice, simple back-and-forth tag team match with everyone looking good, including Brown. He took the pin for his team following the 3K.

Overall, this was a pretty fun event to be in attendance for. The dojo itself is basic -- exercise machines and a ring were the only things visible during the show. Where the dojo will go from here is anyone’s guess, though interest right now is very high. And with Katsuyori Shibata as head trainer, future prospects that have already started their training under him have a bright future ahead of them.