New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced three big main event matches for this year’s Destruction tour, kicking off this Wednesday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
The Road to Destruction tour will be running throughout the month of September, but the three key destinations are Destruction in Beppu on September 15, followed by Destruction in Kagoshima on September 16, and closing out with Destruction in Kobe on September 22.
Beppu will take place at the B-Con Plaza in Oita, and will see Hiroshi Tanahashi defend the RPW British Heavyweight Championship against Zack Sabre Jr. in a continuation of their long rivalry, and a rematch from this past weekend’s Royal Quest in London.
Kagoshima will be headlined by a hugely anticipated rematch, as the 2019 G1 Climax winner Kota Ibushi will make his first defense of his G1 contract. He will take on KENTA, which was expected as the former WWE star was one of his only losses throughout the tournament.
Finally, Tetsuya Naito will make his first defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against the “Switchblade” Jay White in Kobe, again, stemming from White’s victory over the champion in the G1 Climax. This show will also feature a special singles match between Hirooki Goto and Shingo Takagi.
As noted, the 12th NJPW Young Lion Cup will be taking place on the undercard of this year’s Destruction tour. Because it is strictly Round Robin with only one bracket, there will be no finals, but the final two matches of the tournament will be featured on the Kobe show.
All three events, as well as the September 4-8 Road to Destruction events (essentially house shows), will stream live on NJPW World. For more information visit NJPW1972.com.