Resurgence (2023)was aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byNew Japan Pro-Wrestling(NJPW). It took place on May 21, 2023, at theWalter PyramidinLong Beach, California.It was the second event under theResurgencename.[2]
| Resurgence | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuringMercedes Moné | |||
| Promotion | New Japan Pro-Wrestling | ||
| Brand(s) | NJPW Strong | ||
| Date | May 21, 2023 | ||
| City | Long Beach, California | ||
| Venue | Walter Pyramid | ||
| Attendance | 2,903[1] | ||
| Event chronology | |||
| |||
| Resurgencechronology | |||
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Ten matches were contested at the event, including two on the pre-show. In the main event,Willow NightingaledefeatedMercedes Monéto win the inauguralStrong Women's Championship.In other prominent matches,Juice RobinsondefeatedFred Rosserin aStreet Fight,KentadefeatedHikuleoto win theStrong Openweight Championship,Blackpool Combat Club(Jon MoxleyandWheeler Yuta) andShota UminodefeatedChaos(Kazuchika Okada,Rocky RomeroandTomohiro Ishii) in asix-man tag team match,andWill OspreaydefeatedHiroshi Tanahashi.The event also saw appearances fromToni Storm,Eddie Kingston(via a video package) andKyle Fletcher,who announced the vacation of both theIWGP Tag Team ChampionshipsandStrong Openweight Tag Team Championshipson behalf ofAussie Open,due toMark Davis'sinjury.
Production
editBackground
edit
In October 2019, NJPW announced their expansion into the United States with their new American division, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA).[3]On July 31, 2020, NJPW announced a new weekly series titledNJPW Strong;the series would be produced by NJoA.[4]On January 30, 2023, NJPW announced that all of the promotion's future American events would be branded under the "Strong" name. Beginning withBattle in the Valleyon February 18, the NJoA PPVs began airing asNJPW Strong Live;these PPV events will later air onNJPW Worldas part of theNJPW Strong on Demandseries.[5]
On March 9, 2023, NJPW announced that Resurgence will take place on May 22, 2023, at theWalter PyramidinLong Beach, California.
Storylines
editThe event featured severalprofessional wrestling matches,which involve different wrestlers from pre-existingscriptedfeuds,plots,andstorylines.Wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines are produced on NJPW's events.[6]
On April 10, NJPW announced a four-mansingle-elimination tournamentto determine the number one contender forKenny Omega'sIWGP United States Championship.At Resurgence,Hiroshi TanahashifacedWill Ospreayin the semi-finals.[7]
On April 15, at Capital Collision,Fred Rosserwas scheduled to faceJuice Robinson.As Rosser made his way into the ring, it was revealed that he left a reserved seat at the attendance for Robinson's wife,Toni Storm.Before the match had begun, Robinson attacked Rosser, and continued to do so by using the reserved chair for Storm.[8]This led to Robinson's suspension.[9]On May 4, as the rest of event's card was unveiled, it was revealed that the two would face each other on Resurgence in aStreet fight.[10]
On April 27, NJPW announced the creation of theStrong Women's Championship,the inaugural champion of which was crowned at the end of four-woman single-elimination tournament at Resurgence.[11]The tournament will feature representatives from NJPW partner companiesAll Elite Wrestling(AEW),Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre(CMLL), and Stardom.[11]The tournament participants are the formerIWGP Women's ChampionMercedes Moné(NJPW),Momo Kohgo(Stardom),Stephanie Vaquer(CMLL), andWillow Nightingale(AEW).[11]
On May 1, NJPW announced that the former United States ChampionJon Moxleyfrom AEW would be set to appear at the event, marking his first NJPW appearance since October 2022.[12]On May 4, it was revealed that Moxley would team withShota UminoandWheeler Yutato take onChaos(Kazuchika Okada,Rocky RomeroandTomohiro Ishii) in asix-man tag team match.[10]
Results
editInaugural Strong Women's Championship tournament
edit| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| Mercedes Moné | Pin | ||||||||
| Stephanie Vaquer | 11:55 | ||||||||
| Mercedes Moné | 9:34 | ||||||||
| Willow Nightingale | Pin | ||||||||
| Momo Kohgo | 9:37 | ||||||||
| Willow Nightingale | Pin | ||||||||
References
edit- ^https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=362805
- ^Renner, Ethan (March 9, 2023)."NJPW Resurgence announced for Long Beach, California".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Archivedfrom the original on May 4, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2023.
- ^"NJPW ANNOUNCES NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING OF AMERICA SUBSIDIARY".f4wonline.October 21, 2019.RetrievedOctober 21,2019.
- ^"New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】".New Japan Pro-Wrestling.Bushiroad.RetrievedAugust 11,2020.
- ^"NJPW of America, STRONG transform in 2023 【NJoA】".New Japan Pro-Wrestling.January 30, 2023.RetrievedApril 20,2023.
- ^Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006)."How Pro Wrestling Works".HowStuffWorks, Inc.Discovery Communications.Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2013.RetrievedNovember 19,2022.
- ^abFritts, Chick (April 16, 2023)."NJPW Collision in Philadelphia live results: Aussie Open vs. Ishii & Lio Rush".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2023.
- ^Fritts, Chick (April 15, 2023)."NJPW Capital Collision live results: Strong Tag Team title match".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2023.RetrievedMay 6,2023.
- ^Jay, Ella (April 16, 2023)."Juice Robinson Suspended From NJPW, Fred Rosser Replaces Him In US Title Tournament".Wrestling Inc.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2023.RetrievedMay 6,2023.
- ^abcdefghijk"Resurgence (May 21) Full card, preview 【NJoA】".May 5, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on May 5, 2023.RetrievedMay 5,2023.
- ^abcdef"AEW, CMLL, STARDOM, NJPW in one night tournament for STRONG Women's gold! 【NJoA】".New Japan Pro Wrestling.April 28, 2023.RetrievedApril 28,2023.
- ^"Jon Moxley set for action at Resurgence May 21! 【NJoA】".New Japan Pro Wrestling.May 1, 2023.RetrievedMay 5,2023.
- ^"RESURGENCE | May 21, 2023".New Japan Pro-Wrestling.May 21, 2023.RetrievedMay 21,2023.
- ^Fritts, Chris (May 21, 2023)."NJPW Resurgence live results: Strong Women's title tournament Will Ospreay vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi is also set for the show".Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.RetrievedMay 22,2023.