AXS TV’s NJPW Series Premieres in January

– AXS TV has officially announced that they have picked up a thirteen-episode series from New Japan Pro Wrestling. The network announced that the show will premiere on January 16th, 2015 at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. The show will air Friday nights in the timeslot leading into the network’s weekly live MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing broadcasts.

The press release notes that the series “features the most exciting matches from NJPW’s Japanese broadcasts and pay-per-view events. Former UFC Heavyweight champion and NJPW veteran Josh Barnett and famed combat sports commentator Mauro Ranallo are providing English language commentary for the series.”

The premiere will feature Tanahashi defending the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Kazuchika Okada. A highlight video for the promotion was included in the press release, which you can see below: