News

AXS CEO Speaks Regarding WrestleKingdom 12 Success, Kenny Omega, Strong Style Evolved

Published

6 years ago

March 17, 2018

Andrew Simon, the AXS TV Fights CEO, told CageSide Seats this week that the network’s broadcast of NJPW WrestleKingdom 12 in January had a “tremendous increase” over the airing of last year’s WrestleKingdom 11. And the match between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega was the highest rated New Japan offering in AXS history, Simon said.

“We are a private company and do not disclose viewership numbers,” Simon said. “That said, I will say Chris Jericho’s appearance against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12 provided a tremendous increase in audience for AXS TV versus Wrestle Kingdom 11.”

Strong Style Evolved will be NJPW’s second trip to the U.S. in as many years. It will take place March 25 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach and feature a main event between the Golden Lovers (Omega and Kota Ibushi) and the Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson). Nearly 5,000 tickets sold out in less than 15 minutes. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported this week that NJPW has a hold on another date and location in the United States for a show this year — July 7 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

“AXS TV plans to be involved with more New Japan events this year (versus last) and for years to come,” Simon said. “We believe in the product and want to support their U.S. expansion. New Japan is performing quite well for AXS TV compared to other programming on the network.”

Business is certainly on the upswing for NJPW in the U.S. and abroad. But Simon doesn’t think that means New Japan will be — or is even trying to be — a true competitor to WWE.

“I don’t think NJPW is looking to be a major competitor to WWE,” he said. “They are fulfilling a void in the US market for those fans that prefer ‘pro wrestling’ to ‘sports entertainment.’ Their multiple quick sellouts in Long Beach and tremendous merchandise sales are encouraging signs that NJPW will bring more events to the U.S. market.”

Simon is bullish on Omega’s ability as a performer and as a draw. The Strong Style Evolved main event is one of a string of matches in an ongoing storyline between Omega and his Bullet Club stable that has gotten huge buzz in the wrestling world.

“Kenny Omega is an incredible talent and one of the best wrestlers in the world today,” Simon said. “His matches with Okada and Jericho were off the charts and are being called the best in wrestling history. His match with Jericho was the highest rated match of New Japan on AXS TV.”

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Related Topics:Chris Jericho Kenny Omega NJPW

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Continental Classic Update! (11/27/23)

What a start to the tournament!

Published

5 months ago

November 27, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Did your picks win points?

The AEW Continental Classic is underway, with almost everyone competing. Check in here if you haven’t seen the winners and losers of week 1!

Here are your Gold League standings!

Jon Moxley: 1-0, 3 points
Swerve Strickland: 1-0, 3 points
Jay White: 1-0, 3 points
Rush: 0-1, 0 points
Mark Briscoe: 0-1, 0 points.
Jay Lethal: 0-1, 0 points

Here are your Blue League standings!

Brody King: 1-0, 3 points
Claudio Castagnoli: 1-0, 3 points
Daniel Garcia: 0-1, 0 points
Eddie Kingston: 0-1, 0 points
Bryan Danielson: Yet to Compete
Andrade El Idolo: Yet to Compete

My Thoughts:

Nothing too crazy, nothing too wild, this tournament only just got started. The only disappointing point is that they could not get Bryan “cleared to compete” Saturday night. Not sure how much of that is shoot given the bad eye, but this was kinda the problem of wanting him in the tournament over tons of other choices. Bryan wants to face Okada for WrestleKingdom 18, how is Bryan supposed to do that at his best if he’s also gonna be in a round robin, doing five top level matches in about as many weeks? And it takes away from Andrade being able to do something. Also a little surprised we didn’t even hear from Andrade on Saturday.

Now as we heard on Saturday, round two’s matches are set. Gold League will see Mark Briscoe VS Rush, White VS Swerve, and of course, Moxley VS Lethal. Nice variety there, a couple 0-1 guys facing off, as well as two 1-0 guys, and then 1-0 VS 0-1. No offense to Lethal, but he feels like an 0-2 going up against Moxley. Hard to call the other ones but that’s the fun of it. Meanwhile, Blue League sees Brody VS Claudio in a showdown to be 2-0, then Bryan and Andrade finally jump in, Bryan against Eddie and Andrade against Garcia. Sadly, feels like Eddie and Garcia are going 0-2, no way Tony Khan is booking Bryan and Andrade to lose their first shots.

In fact, that could be half the reason they did wait on those two, that’s almost too good for just a first round opener. But I still would’ve done it, same as NJPW does stuff like that for round robins, which this is all modeled after anyway.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

AEW Coverage

AEW announces Continental Classic entrants

The C2 is set!

Published

5 months ago

November 22, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Tony Khan Reveals the Blue and Gold “Leagues!”

Originally livestreamed, Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone officially announced the twelve total entrants and divided them into the two round robin blocks known as the “Blue League” and “Gold League.” If you don’t feel like sifting through the almost 30 minute video, the groups are:

Blue League

Bryan Danielson
Andrade El Idolo
Brody King
Claudio Castagnoli
Daniel Garcia
Eddie Kingston

Gold League

Jon Moxley
Swerve Strickland
Rush
Mark Briscoe
Jay Lethal
Jay White

Tony Khan also explains the rules for the Continental Classic:

Every match has a 20 minute time limit
The winner of each match earns 3 points, losers earn 0, 1 point for a draw
EVERYONE ELSE is banned from ringside for true 1v1 action

Eddie Kingston also joined the selection special as his “life’s work” is on the line in this tournament, both the ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship on the line as part of the modern day North American Triple Crown Eddie, Tony Khan, AEW, ROH and NJPW are looking to create together. Gold League competes tonight on Dynamite while Blue League will have their start this Saturday on Collision. Look for more articles like this one to keep up with the Continental Classic standings over the next six weeks of tournament action!

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!