Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
New Japan Pro Wrestling, the "King of Sports" will present the first ever East Coast Invasion as the globally renowned hard-hitting athletic professional wrestling will burst upon the scene in New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, PA.
Leading the charge will be IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, who will defend the championship for the first time ever in the United States in New York City on Saturday 5/14 at Basketball City, facing former WWE star and Jersey All Pro Wrestling original Charlie Haas. The battle will pit two tremendously gifted and skilled pure pro wrestlers for New Japan's greatest prize.
Tanahashi will also be in competition on Sunday 5/15 at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, PA, facing a true wrestling machine in Davey Richards, who has make an incredible mark in the IWGP Junior Heavyweight division over the last year. This unique dream match will be among the highlights as NJPW invades the legendary former ECW Arena for the first time.
For ticket information on all NJPW East Coast Invasion events, visit www.JAPW.net.
Hiroshi Tanahashi will not be the only IWGP champion proudly storming the United States. IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion Prince Devitt will face the challenge of internationally traveled martial arts hybrid master Low Ki in Ki's hometown of New York City on Saturday 5/14. No matter which fierce combatant emerges with the championship, these warriors will rematch in tag team competition on Sunday 5/15 as Low Ki and his trainer and partner "The Notorious 187" Homicide, best known as the Strong Style Thugz, will face Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Low Ki & Homicide in Philadelphia.
IWGP Tag Team champions Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson will also see battle during the East Coast Invasion. On Friday 5/13 in Rahway, NJ at the Rec Center, the champions will partner with Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi, entering an eight man tag team war against the fearsome quartet of Jado & Gedo & Davey Richards & Shinsuke Nakamura.
For ticket information on all NJPW East Coast Invasion events, visit www.JAPW.net.
New Japan is also proud to crown its very first IWGP Intercontinental champion as part of the East Coast Invasion. Bringing some of the G-1 Climax flavor to its fans in the United States, the championship tournament will commence on 5/13 in Rahway with the Semi-Finals in New York City and the first-ever champion crowned in Philadelphia, PA. The first round matches can be found below.
Of course, what would an East Coast invasion be without the legendary Jushin "Thunder" Liger, who pioneered bringing the New Japan style Stateside all the way back in 1991 during his classic confrontations with the late Brian Pillman in WCW. Liger, the reigning JAPW Light Heavyweight champion, will defend his title on 5/15 in Philadelphia against the innovative and unique Kenny Omega. Prior to that championship defense, Liger will team with Tiger Mask IV to face The Strong Style Thugz, Homicide and Low Ki in a true dream tag team match.
Once again, New Japan Pro Wrestling will make sports history and it invites all of its fans worldwide to be there and witness "The East Coast Invasion" tour!
UPDATED OFFICIAL LINEUP FOR EAST COAST INVASION TOUR
Friday 5/13/11 in Rahway, New Jersey at the Rec Center
*The Strong Style Thugz, Homicide and Low Ki vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV.
*IWGP champion Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe vs. Rhino & Charlie Haas.
*IWGP Intercontinental championship Tournament: MVP vs. Kazuchika Okada.
*IWGP Intercontinental championship Tournament: Dan Maff vs. Toru Yano.
*IWGP Intercontinental championship Tournament: Tama Tonga vs. Tetsuya Naito.
*IWGP Intercontinental championship Tournament: Hideo Saito vs. Yujiro Takahashi.
*Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenny Omega.
*Eight Man Tag Team Battle: IWGP Tag Team champions Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson & Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jado & Gedo & Davey Richards & Shinsuke Nakamura.
Saturday 5/14/11 in New York at Basketball City
*IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Charlie Haas
*IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion Prince Devitt vs. Low Ki
*IWGP Intercontinental championship tournament Semi-Finals.
*Additional Matches to be announced.
Sunday 5/14/11 in Philadelphia at the Asylum Arena
*IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Davey Richards
*South Philadelphia Street Fight: Togi Makabe vs. Rhino
*JAPW Light Heavyweight champion Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Kenny Omega.
*IWGP Junior Heavyweigh champion Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Low Ki & Homicide
*IWGP Intercontinental championship tournament final.
*Additional Matches to be announced.
NJPW's East Coast Invasion is presented in conjunction with JAPW Promotions.
For ticket information on all NJPW East Coast Invasion events, visit www.JAPW.net.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
