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Pro Wrestling ZERO 1 has entered the legendary Shinjiro Otani into the 2019 Opera Cup in a strong style showdown with Davey Boy Smith Jr. December 5 in New York City. (buy tickets)

MLW today announced Shinjiro Otani vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. in an opening round match for the 2019 Opera Cup tournament at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City on December 5. The event will be a MLW FUSION TV taping for beIN SPORTS.

Tickets start at $20 at: http://www.OperaCup.com. You can learn more about the Opera Cup’s history here. 

The historic opening round of the Opera Cup is global in scale with several countries represented. 

Representing ZERO1 of Japan, the decorated Shinjiro Otani has made it his goal to claim the prestigious Opera Cup and he has the credentials to be an instant favorite to go all the way. A former Pro Wrestling ZERO1 World Champion, 4-time Fire Festival winner and J-Crown title holder, Otani also has the distinction of being the first-ever WCW World Cruiserweight Champion and is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Otani has been a force in ZERO1 for 2 decades.  It was in ZERO1 that Otani challenged then reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima for the championship in 2003.  Now, 16 years later, Otani's mission is simple: bring the antique Opera Cup trophy home to Japan. 

The December 5 MLW event will feature the return of the Opera Cup tournament after a 71 year hiatus. Featuring 4 opening round bouts, the league has invited some of the best wrestlers from around the world to compete in this one night single elimination tournament.

Standing in Otani's way is the man whose grandfather last won the Opera Cup in 1948: Davey Boy Smith Jr.  Smith along with the Hart family have donated the family heirloom to the league and has revived the historic Opera Cup tournament to celebrate the sport's history and reintroduce the coveted cup.

Fighting for his family's legacy and the coveted Opera Cup trophy, Smith promises to match Otani hold for hold, move for move and strike for strike as the two strong style combatants collide in New York City.

See Smith vs. Otani LIVE in New York City. Buy your tickets today at: www.OperaCup.com.

Matches signed thus far:
OPENING ROUND OPERA CUP
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani

OPENING ROUND OPERA CUP
MJF vs. Alex Hammerstone

OPENING ROUND OPERA CUP
TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Some of the athletes and talent signed to compete and appear include:

• World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu
• Salina de la Renta
• World Tag Team Champions Ross & Marshall Von Erich
• CONTRA Unit
• “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
• Timothy Thatcher
• World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed and Injustice (Kotto Brazil & Jordan Oliver)
• Richard Holliday
• Mance Warner
• Low Ki
• Jimmy Havoc
• And many more!

Tickets start at just $20 at MLWTickets.com.  There are limited VIP tickets available which includes early entry (5:30 P.M.) featuring a Pre-Show Meet and Greet with select MLW fighting athletes.

Please note: General Admission SRO Tickets are: $20 for advance sales, $25 Day of Event at the door.

General Public Doors Open: 6 P.M.
Showtime: 7 P.M.

ABOUT THE OPERA CUP
Held annually for nearly 50 years at various turn-of-the-century opera house locations from New York City to Boston, the Professional Wrestling Opera House Cup was a grueling multi-day tournament.

The best of the day competed in the tournament and would often be an entree to more success, including the World Heavyweight Championship of the day. For years the cup has sat in the attic of the Hart Mansion in Calgary until the tragic passing of the last cup recipient, Stu Hart (1948 winner).

Davey Boy Smith Jr. inherited the Opera House Trophy Cup upon the passing of his grandfather. Inspired by the legends whose names are immortalized in plaques on the sides of the cup, Smith has donated the cup to Major League Wrestling to reignite the spirit of the greats who preceded today and tomorrow’s greats. 

After a 71 year hiatus, the Opera Cup returns December 5th as MLW hosts the 2019 Opera Cup tournament at Melrose Ballroom in New York City.  The event will be a FUSION TV taping for beIN SPORTS.

The Professional Wrestling Opera Cup is dedicated to the great men who have fought valiantly before us to ensure our passion, professional wrestling be cemented and respected in the annals of time.