NJPW crowns first-ever Strong Openweight Champion
Tom Lawlor defeated Brody King to win the New Japan Cup USA and become the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion on tonight’s NJPW Strong.
Lawlor became the first-ever Strong Openweight Champion after beating King with a rear naked choke. King was unable to respond to the referee, who called for the stoppage finish at 20:05.
Lawlor already has a surprising first challenger lined up as well.
After being presented with the New Japan Cup USA trophy and the Strong title belt, Lawlor cut a promo with Team Filthy allies Chris Dickinson and JR Kratos by his side. He declared that no one in NJPW thinks they can beat him or is man enough to. Dickinson took the microphone from Lawlor and said that he is stepping up as Lawlor’s first challenger.
Lawlor ran through Ren Narita, Hikuleo and King to win the 2021 New Japan Cup USA tournament. Dickinson lost to King in the tournament’s first round.
Lawlor joins KENTA as New Japan Cup USA winners after the tournament was introduced in 2020.
An F4WOnline Editor since 2019, Ethan has been covering wrestling and MMA since 2011. He has hosted The Wrestling Life Podcast since 2014, and is a former Baltimore Sun TV/Tribune Media contributor. He is also a Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles fan.