New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is one of the top pro wrestling companies around the globe and it is looking to build upon its influence in the U.S. with its upcoming show this week.The New Beginning will take place Friday in Trenton, New Jersey, at the CURE Insurance Arena and fans eager to take in strong-style pro wrestling will be able to see a loaded card.Rocky Romero, a longtime NJPW wrestler and ambassador who also performs for AEW, told Fox News Digital that having the show in Central New Jersey was a perfect spot because of its location in between New York City and Philadelphia.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM”New Japan Pro-Wrestling, obviously, has been doing shows for the last seven years in the United States, all over. Usually we hit New York and Philadelphia – we found a spot right in the middle in Trenton, New Jersey,” he said. “I think it’s a good place to appeal to both markets and I think just overall, the excitement of coming back to the East Coast, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, it’s really an event unlike any other. The hard-hitting style of Japanese professional wrestling here on American soil. There’s nothing like it.”There are several big names set to compete on the card.David Finlay will take on Fred Rosser in a singles match, Ricochet will defend the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) National Championship against Taiji Ishimori, NJPW world TV champion El Phantasmo will defend his title against Kosuke Takeshita, International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) women’s champion Syuri will take on Ring of Honor (ROH) women’s world champion Athena and AEW star Andrade El Idolo will challenge IWGP global heavyweight champion Yota Tsuji for his title – just to name a few.The set of matches in New Jersey is a part of NJPW’s strategy of further expanding into the U.S. It’s the first time since July that the promotion has had a show in the U.S.But increasing interest in NJPW from American pro wrestling fans has been one of the goals for the company since the mid-2010s, Romero said.”It’s always been the goal of New Japan since 2017-2018 to grow internationally,” he explained. “They are the No. 1 wrestling promotion in Japan and all of Asia. So, it only makes sense to come to America and expand the product globally. A few years ago, maybe 10 years ago, there was no way to watch New Japan Wrestling but now it’s so easy. NJPWworld.com, you can just log in and it’s like $9 per month and anybody can watch from anywhere around the world.”I think the mission now is to really take New Japan just further globally. And not only in the United States, but you’re looking at other places like now going to China, Australia is always there, the United Kingdom, possibly Germany. So, there’s different markets all around the world that I would be very interested in seeing the New Japan product.”While Romero brought up streaming as one way to expand the way wrestling fans can get to the NJPW product, he stressed that partnership
New Japan Pro-Wrestling set for first US show of 2026 with major names set to compete
