New Japan Pro-Wrestling is proud to announce the November launch of #NJPWTAMASHII, a new brand that will see big NJPW names compete in Australia and New Zealand, as well as highlight the very best in Australasian talent.

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1. Tokyo/Auckland September 8 2022

   New Japan Pro-Wrestling is excited to announce the November launch of NJPW TAMASHII, a new brand that will see the best of NJPW in Japan compete with the cream of NJPW’s New Zealand Dojo, as well as the best talents from Australasia.

   Meaning ‘spirit’, or ‘soul’, TAMASHII is the logical continuation of the philosophy behind NJPW STRONG in the United States, which has seen established names from NJPW compete with brand new prospects emerging from NJPW’s LA Dojo, as well as the best from the local scene.

   The first NJPW TAMASHII event will take place on November 11 in the Pioneer Recreation & Sport Center in Christchurch New Zealand. Sunday November 13 will see TAMASHII hit Liberty Hall in Sydney Australia.

   Already signed for the debut NJPW TAMASHII events are big names from BULLET CLUB. KENTA, who wrestled on the very first official match for NJPW STRONG in 2020, is joined by IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori and the Rogue general Bad Luck Fale.

   Fale is the principal force behind NJPW’s New Zealand Dojo, the rising prospects of which are set to be highlighted and developed through TAMASHII events, having already been focused on in the Lion’s Roar docuseries on NJPW World.

   ‘This was once the most popular professional wrestling territory in the world,’ Fale commented. ‘Now with so much talent in Australasia, it was logical to expand the New Japan brand in the territory. We’re very excited for what the future holds.’

   Representative Director for NJPW Takami Ohbari stated ‘New Zealand, and Oceania at large is a rapidly growing professional wrestling market rife with strong potential talent. It’s for that reason that we established the New Zealand Dojo, and why these events are so important for NJPW’s ongoing global expansion. The last time NJPW was involved in events in New Zealand specifically was all the way back in 2016, so I thank our Kiwi fans for their patience. Whether from the NZ Dojo, or further afield, you’ll see the same fighting spirit that is uniquely NJPW’s throughout these events. I hope you come to experience them for yourself, and know that TAMASHII is the place to find genuine Strong Style action in Oceania.’

   ‘We have been working hard to develop and refine our teaching to provide the best possible training,’ remarked NZ Dojo Head Coach Tony Kozina. ‘The Young Lions that have earned a place on these debut events all possess top notch work ethic and strive to go beyond their best both in and out of the ring. On November 11 and 13 the world will see what we are capable of’.

   Tickets for both NJPW TAMASHII events will go on sale on September 9 at 12AM midnight from Eventfinda (NZ) and 10AM AET from Moshtix (AU). We look forward to allowing fans to experience the next stage in NJPW’s international expansion and to be in on the ground floor of a new era for professional wrestling in the Australasian market.

   NJPW TAMASHII 1

   Friday November 11 Doors: 7PM Bell 7:30 PM (Meet and greet 6PM with details TBA)

   Pioneer Recreation & Sports Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

   Tickets on sale September 9

   https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2022/new-japan-tamashii-new-japan-pro-wrestling/christchurch-district

2. I went off wrestling when Strong first started and could never got quite into strong, so I’ll give this a chance from week 1.

   I watched the lions roar documentary and it had some interesting guys on it

3. Someone must have made a mistake with those prices, the ringside seats aren’t $300.

4. PWA Black Label (Sydney’s biggest promotion, and arguably the biggest promotion in Australia) have retweeted it with the *thinking* emoji, several PWA stars have tweeted about it, and the Tamashii account has liked a few PWA tweets. So one would assume PWA talent will be involved with the Sydney show.

   Give me Mick Moretti vs Taiji Ishimori you cowards!

   EDIT: Give me Toru Yano vs Big Fudge

    

   EDIT 2: List of PWA talent that have either retweeted or quote-retweeted it:

   – Robbie Eagles
   – Jack Bonza
   – Both members of the Velocities (Jude London & Paris De Silva)
   – Shazza McKenzie
   – **RICKY SOUTH** (PWA World Heavyweight Champion) – he’s the least ambiguous so far, saying “Conquering #NJPWTAMASHII”
   – Kyle Fletcher (he’s still ours in spirit, dammit)
   – Both members of **MK PLUS ULTRA** (Kai Drake & Mike Spencer, the PWA Tag Champions)
   – **MICK MORETTI** (Soul of PWA Champion, Interim World Heavyweight Champion)
   – A few other have liked it as well

   So yeah, I think it’s pretty safe to say they have PWA on board for this. Really cool for the Aussie scene!

   Also I believe some EPW (Perth) wrestlers have been hyping it up as well, though I’m less familiar with them.

5. Where’s Gino!?

   -Bad Luck Fale, probably

6. Another fun detail:

   Tamashii means ‘Spirit’ or ‘**Soul**’

   PWA introduced a new secondary belt at the end of last year called the ‘**Soul** of PWA’ Title. Coincidence? I think so, but it’s a fun one nonetheless.

7. Best part for the wrestlers: no jet lag.

8. This is awesome! Australian talent has been over delivering lately.

9. FYI for those travelling for the Christchurch show – the show is on the Canterbury Anniversary Day holiday and it is Cup & Show week, so flights/accom. may be an issue if left late.