Lio Rush issues challenge to Hiromu Takahashi for IWGP Junior title

  • Ian Carey

Lio Rush has his eyes set on Hiromu Takahashi’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. 

Rush teamed with Trey Miguel and defeated Takahashi and Mike Bailey at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 on Sunday in Philadelphia. The finish of the match saw Rush hit a low blow on Takahashi and roll him up for a three count. 

After the match, Rush, already the X-Division Champion, cut a promo about wanting more gold and challenged Takahashi to a IWGP Junior title match. Takahashi appeared to accept but this didn’t seem to sit well with Bailey, who had issued a similar challenge to Takahashi the night before at All Star Junior Festival USA. 

NJPW has yet to announce who Takahashi will defend his IWGP Junior title against next. 

Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 results:

  • Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura, & Heath defeated Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato (Pre-Show)
  • Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Just 5 Guys) to retain (Pre-Show)
  • Chris Sabin defeated MAO, Kevin Knight, Rich Swann, YOH (CHAOS), BUSHI (LIJ), Frankie Kazarian and El Desperado (Strong Style) in a scramble match
  • Moose & Eddie Edwards Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste (TMDK)
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia (Donna del Mondo) defeated Momo Kohgo (Stars), Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw to retain
  • Sami Callihan defeated Douki (Just 5 Guys) in a South Philly Street Fight
  • Catch 22 (TJP & Francesco Akira) (United Empire) defeated Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (TMDK)
  • Bullet Club (Ace Austin, Chris Bey, KENTA, Clark Connors, Alex Coughlin & David Finlay) defeated The World (The DKC, PCO, Josh Alexander, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & El Phantasmo)
  • Trey Miguel & Lio Rush defeated Mike Bailey & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain