NJPW announced today that Lion’s Break Collision weekly show to hit NJPW World next month. Starting on July 3rd, the show will run every Friday night for four weeks putting the best young talent against the present stars at 10 PM EST (3 AM BST).

NJPW of America first featured the Lion’s Break project in 2018 and 2019. The third edition was due to take place on April 2nd this year as part of WrestleCon in Tampa, Florida but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s edition will feature former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor, who will make his NJPW debut along with Misterioso, Rust Taylor, Danny Limelight and The DKC.

Two matches have been announced for the opening night:

Clark Connors vs Alex Coughlin

Clark Connors will take on Alex Coughlin in one on one action. On his way to a 4-3 record in the Young Lion Cup, Connors drew many an eye in Japan and the US. After a loss to TJP in the Super J-Cup, he would be taken under the wing of the ‘Fil-Am Flash’ during the Super Junior Tag League, the two managing to record one victory in their campaign over Tiger Mask and Yuya Uemura.

Yet for the hype Connors has received, a loss to Alex Coughlin in the Young Lion Cup definitely stands out like a sore thumb. Coughlin earned his own tough reputation en route to his own 4-3 record in the Young Lion tournament, with some vicious chops and impressive bridging ability being cornerstones of his offence. They take each other on in a bold new beginning for Lion’s Break and NJPW of America.

Jeff Cobb & Rocky Romero vs TJP & Karl Fredericks

The main event of week one on Collision will pit Rocky Romero and Jeff Cobb against Karl Fredericks and TJP. Winner of the 2019 Young Lion Cup, Fredericks was also on the winning team of NJPW’s first match of the 2020s, when he teamed with Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors and Toa Henare to emerge victorious on the Wrestle Kingdom 14 night one opening match. Now with a keen slate on NJPW’s return, Fredericks seeks to make a huge mark on 2020 at Collision.

TJP made his return to NJPW rings in the Super J-Cup last year and took Clark Connors under his wing in the Super Junior Tag League. This veteran and up-and-comer team could make a huge impact, but Romero and Cobb could present a combination of power and technique too tough for anyone to overcome!

Pics courtesy of NJPW