Tetsuya Naito Is Touring America

The Midwest is about to get a bit INGOBERNABLE
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

Tetsuya Naito's star has risen meteorically over the last two years. New Japan Pro Wrestling was already grooming him to be a main player, but he didn't really find footing until he joined up with LOS INGOBERNABLES on one of his excursions into Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Now, he's one of wrestling's hottest properties, and the Midwest indies are taking full advantage of it. Naito will be doing a three-promotion tour in February, one where he could be representing NJPW as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. He'll take on Kazuchika Okada for the strap at WrestleKingdom 12 on January 4 by virtue of his win in this year's G1 Climax.

Natio will begin his tour in Dayton on February 16 for Pro Wrestling Revolver. Normally, Revolver is based in Iowa, but it does shows in Ohio from time to time. The promotion didn't announce Naito's opponent, but it should be a hoot regardless. Next up, AAW, Chicago's top indie, announced him for February 17. He'll be taking on Sami Callihan. Finally, on February 18, Naito will be hitting up fellow NJPW wrestler Michael Elgin's Glory Pro Wrestling's one year anniversary show in Alton, IL (St. Louis). He'll be taking on none other than AR Fox, the reckless high-flyer who has been an American indie and Lucha Underground staple for a good bit of time now. Elgin was actually the first to announce Naito a few weeks ago, and he arguably has the best match on paper, pending whomever Revolver puts across the ring.

Naito has made several trips to the States before, but it's mostly been for Ring of Honor and for the flagship company. Seeing him in an indie setting will be a sight to behold. Most experts seem to predict that this tour is a spoiler for WrestleKingdom, but honestly, that assumes too much foreknowledge of how head booker Gedo crafts his stories vis a vis outside dates. I mean, Okada is wrestling in Melbourne in November as IWGP Champion against some dude named Slex. I doubt holding the belt precludes outside touring. Anyway, if you're in any one of those three locales, run, don't walk, and buy tickets as soon as they hit the market, ESPECIALLY if you're in the St. Louis area. Naito/Fox is gonna baaaaang.