Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) have, for several years now, run a tour of some major Eastern U.S. and Canadian cities each Spring. ROH stars are "lent" to New Japan for tournaments and other events.
2016 is demonstarted an even bigger partnership, however, as each promotion is putting matches with storyline implications on the other's cards. At Wrestle Kingdom, NJPW's version of WrestleMania, the ROH World title was defended. Now, at 14th Anniversary, New Japan is holding a match that could have ramifications for their IWGP Heavyweight title scene.
Tomohiro Ishii is one of several puro stars appearing on the pay-per-view (PPV), and ROH today announced who he'll be facing in his ROH appearance in one of their rings. Ishii is a member of Kazuchika Okada's CHAOS stable, and he'll be fighting a man who has his sights set on the Rainmaker's IWGP belt, Hirooki Goto.
This the fourth match officially announced for the Feb. 26 Las Vegas show, joining:
- Jay Lethal (c) vs. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the ROH World title
- The Briscoes vs. Tanahashi & Elgin
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Moose
What do you think, Cagesiders?
UPDATE: ROH has also announced what Kenny Omega and his Bullet Club brothers the Young Bucks will be doing on the show, in a six man tag that will feature more NJPW talent on the other side...