NJPW News:  AXS TV will air the United States special Strong Style Evolved live

What's the story?

In a press release from AXS TV on Wednesday afternoon, they announced that the second New Japan Pro Wrestling show to take place in the United States, Strong Style Evolved, will air live on the television network.

In case you didn't know...

The first-ever New Japan Pro Wrestling Show in the United States occurred on July 1st and 2nd last year in a special called "G1 In The USA." The first night was highlighted by the main event of Kazuchika Okada defeating Cody Rhodes for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship; while on the second night, Kenny Omega defeated Tomohiro Ishii to become the first holder of the IWGP United States Championship.

The heart of the matter...

Strong Style Evolved takes place from the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on March 25th. Tickets for the show sold out within just 20 minutes.

The regular AXS TV NJPW announce team duo of Jim Ross and Josh Barnett will be on the live call on a show that is scheduled to feature the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, and many more.

In addition to the Strong Style Evolved announcement, AXS TV also provided their upcoming television schedule:

* Feb. 9 – Wrestle Kingdom 12 Finale – Kazuchika Okada vs Tetsuya Naito

* Feb. 16 – New Year Dash – NJPW's top wrestlers face off in a series of tag team matches and establish new rivalries for 2018.

* Feb. 23 – The New Beginning in Sapporo – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki

* March 2 – The New Beginning in Sapporo – The Young Bucks vs Roppongi 3K

* March 9 – The New Beginning in Sapporo – Kenny Omega vs Jay White

What's next?

As listed above, this Friday's edition of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV will feature the second of two main events from Wrestle Kingdom 12 when Okada and Naito clashed for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to close the show.

Author's take

It wasn't that long ago that what AXS TV showed from New Japan Pro Wrestling was about six months old. The partnership between the network and the promotion has grown and is giving fans the ability to watch these classic matches much sooner.

The fact that Strong Style Evolved is going to air live is the best thing yet for AXS TV regarding NJPW. If it is anything like NJPW's first special in the United States, it's going to be a treat to watch.

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