NJPW G1 Special in the USA Set for Live Broadcast on AXS TV

AXS TV and New Japan Pro Wrestling officially announced today that AXS TV will be the exclusive TV broadcast home of NJPW’s first-ever official US event, the NJPW G1 Special in the USA. The event is set for Saturday, July 1 and will be broadcast live on AXS TV at 8PM EST/5PM PST. AXS TV also released a preview video for the event which you can check out below.

The G1 Special on AXS TV will feature the first of a two-night tournament to crown NJPW’s first-ever IWGP United States Champion. It will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. As if that wasn’t enough, AXS TV has also confirmed that the network will premiere the second night of the event in a four-hour showcase on Friday, July 7 at 8PM EST/5PM PST. The presentation will have every match from night two in Long Beach with limited commercial interruptions.

This marks NJPW’s first-ever live TV broadcast on AXS TV. Previously, AXS has been home to an hour-long weekly NJPW broadcast since 2015. Also, AXS TV also confirmed that WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will be ringside for both of the NJPW G1 Special events to call all the action.

Speaking on the news in a press release, AXS TV Fights CEO Andrew Simon stated: “New Japan is coming to the U.S. for the first time in its illustrious 45-year history. The timing for the first-ever U.S. event and live TV broadcast is perfect—the weekly NJPW television show on AXS TV is a hit and the tickets for the G1 SPECIAL in the USA sold out within hours. We are excited to see how fans respond to this historic live broadcast.”

NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi added: “New Japan Pro Wrestling is simply delighted to have our very first event in the United States, and to have it air live on TV marks a major breakthrough for the Japanese pro-wrestling promoters. It is definitely going to have the most exciting matches by the most formidable wrestlers… don’t miss it!”

Jim Ross stated on the event, “This is going to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events that I have broadcast in my 40+ year career. Restaurant-quality slobberknockers will be abundant on this historic weekend of pro wrestling excellence.”

His broadcast partner Josh Barnett continued, “New Japan is bringing the lead in to the most prestigious tournament in the world of professional wrestling to the U.S., and I am pumped to call the blood, sweat, and tears ringside with J.R.!”

Stars confirmed for the G1 Special include Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tetsuya Naito. More wrestlers and official match listings are forthcoming.

AXS TV also confirmed that after the G1 Special, the network plans to air NJPW events closer to their original airdate for the Friday night NJPW series. This will start with the Best of the Super Juniors and the G1 Climax 27 Tournament. Here’s an upcoming NJPW on AXS TV schedule for the coming months:

· May 26 @ 7pE – “Wrestle Kingdom 11” 4-Part Marathon
· June 2 @ 7pE & 8pE – “New Beginning in Sapporo”
· June 9 @ 7pE & 8pE – “New Beginning in Osaka”
· June 16 @ 7pE, 8pE & 9pE – “New Japan Cup” & “Sakura Genesis”
· June 23 @ 7pE & 8pE – “Wrestling Toyo” & “Wrestling Dontaku”
· June 30 @ 7pE & 8pE – “Dominion 2017”
· LIVE – July 1, 2017 @ 8pE/5pP – “G1 Special in the USA Night 1”
· July 7 @ 8pE – “G1 Special in the USA Night 2”