Cody Rhodes wins the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship

New Japan Pro Wrestling was back in the United States this evening, hitting Long Beach for its Fighting Spirit Unleashed event. Fittingly enough, the IWGP United States Championship changed hands in one of the featured matches, with Cody Rhodes winning it from Juice Robinson.

Our expert Claire Elizabeth tells us how it happened:

Trading heavy chops early, Juice moves things along by taking it to the floor where of course Brandi Rhodes gets involved and her interference continues giving Cody unearned opportunities to take charge and dominate the champ even as Robinson’s wherewithal keeps him fighting. Rhodes soon begins targeting the leg in earnest, they trade finishers, and it all builds up to a (somewhat abrupt) finish.

This is quite good and full of drama, but never quite reached a fever pitch. Definitely worth watching all the same, however.

Oh, yes:

Cody started the month promoting the wildly successful ALL IN event, where he also won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. Now, he’s the champ champ. Hell of a month for the American Nightmare.