NJPW Strong Style Evolved Confirms Huge Interest In America

Earlier this year NJPW announced their return to America with Strong Style Evolved in Long Beach California. The company has expressed an interest to extend their product abroad to the states. The company returning for a second year to tour in the states with an event that sold out quickly is a nod to the company’s growing fan base.

Last Year NJPW made headlines when they decided to have their own show on American soil. This year, the whole wrestling world is paying attention as NJPW sold out their event Strong Style Evolved on March 25, 2018 in a matter of minutes without announcing a single competitor.

One could argue that this means that the efforts NJPW has taken over the past few years to expand their product to an American audience has paid off. NJPW has been broadcasting a weekly program on American cable television on AXS TV since 2015.

Selling out a major event in America without announcing any matches is a momentous event for NJPW. This means the American wrestling fan is sold on the company product and has faith in their ability to book an amazing show.

On Feb. 10, in Osaka, Japan at NJPW New Beginning, the faith American fans have placed in the company was legitimized. The video above was played during the event where the iconic Rey Mysterio Jr. announced he will compete at the event. Mysterio challenged the Japanese legend Jushin Thunder Liger. The duo has only battled once in their careers, and this occurred at Starrcade 1996 back in WCW.

With this being the first time the two have battled in over 20 years, this is sure to be a must see encounter between two battle tested athletes.

What does this say about NJPW when it comes to expanding to America? To me this shows an appearant intrest from fans in the states. Americans have been made aware of the vartiety of wrestling styles that is displayed by companies all over the world. The Strong Style of Professional wrestling is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States. NJPW Strong Style Evolved may just be the starting point of a more active role NJPW will have in running shows in the states.

California is just one market imagine if this tour was expanded to be a multi city affair? In my person opinion NJPW could have the same success selling tickets in any major city across America.

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One thing is for sure those who were lucky enough to score tickets to Strong Style Evolved are going to witness a once in a life time show. A show that just might be looked back on as a significant night in the expansion of NJPW and the sport itself.