Fred Rosser explains missing NJPW Strong Independence Day shows

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

Fred Rosser says circumstances beyond his control are preventing him from performing on NJPW Strong’s upcoming Independence Day shows. 

NJPW originally advertised Rosser for the July 4 & 5 shows from Korakuen Hall, although he was never officially announced for a match. The former Strong Openweight Champion hasn’t wrestled since the NJPW Academy Showcase event on June 10.

NJPW1972.com posted the following message from Rosser:

“Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I will miss New Japan STRONG July 4 & 5. Working with STRONG has been one of the highlights of my career. I am grateful to New Japan management and most importantly our fans for your continued support.

There is so much more for me to accomplish with this awesome organization. You all will see me sooner than later in Japan!

Thank you so much for the support and love that you have given me during my time here! More to come!

The two-night event will be the first time a NJPW Strong card has taken place in Japan. Updated lineups for the show are below. 

NJPW Strong Independence Day night one, Tuesday, July 4, 5:10 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World pay-per-view —

  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: TJP & Francesco Akira defend against Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors
  • Exciting Encounter Doomsday No DQ match: Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & Jun Kasai
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defend against Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd
  • Eddie Kingston & Rocky Romero vs. KENTA & Gedo
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Kosei Fujita
  • Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Ryohei Oiwa vs. JR Kratos, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Bad Dude Tito vs. The DKC
  • Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo vs. Giulia & Thekla
  • Kickoff match: Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH & Oskar Leube vs. Kengo, Dragon Libre & Takahiro Katori

NJPW Strong Independence Day night two, Wednesday, July 5, 5:10 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World pay-per-view —

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA defends against Eddie Kingston
  • Final Death match: Jon Moxley vs. El Desperado
  • IWGP Tag Team Championship: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defend against Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale defends against Giulia
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & The DKC vs. Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Lance Archer & Alex Zayne vs. Bad Dude Tito & Kosei Fujita
  • Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors vs. YOH & Rocky Romero
  • Homicide & Ryohei Oiwa vs. TJP & Francesco Akira
  • JR Kratos vs. OSkar Leube
  • Kickoff match: Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Boltin Oleg vs. Dragon Libre, Takahiro Katori & Rekka