Windy City Riot (2024)

Last updated
Windy City Riot
NJPW WCR 2024.jpg
Promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Brand(s) NJPW Strong
DateApril 12, 2024
City Chicago, Illinois
Venue Wintrust Arena
Attendance6,028
Event chronology
← Previous
Sakura Genesis 		Next →
Wrestling World in Taiwan
Satsuma no Kuni
Wrestling Dontaku 2024
Windy City Riot chronology
← Previous
2022 		Next →
—

Windy City Riot (2024) was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on April 12, 2024, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. [1] [2] It was the second event under the Windy City Riot chronology.

Contents

Eleven matches were contested at the event, including two on the pre-show. In the main event, Jon Moxley defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. In other prominent matches, Nic Nemeth defeated Tomohiro Ishii, Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Matt Riddle to win the NJPW World Television Championship, Bullet Club (David Finlay, Kenta, Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd) defeated Eddie Kingston, Homicide and United Empire (Jeff Cobb and TJP) in a Riot Rules match and Stephanie Vaquer defeated AZM to retain the Strong Women's Championship.

Production

Background

The event was held at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Wintrust-arena-exterior.jpg
The event was held at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

In October 2019, NJPW announced their expansion into the United States with their new American division, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA). [3] On July 31, 2020, NJPW announced a new weekly series titled NJPW Strong ; the series would be produced by NJoA. [4] On January 30, 2023, NJPW announced that all of the promotion's future American events would be branded under the "Strong" name. NJoA PPVs have since aired under the NJPW Strong Live banner, and are later shown as part of the NJPW Strong on Demand series. [5]

On January 5, 2024, during New Year Dash!!, [1] NJPW announced that Windy City Riot will take place on April 12, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. [2] This is the second Windy City Riot event, with the first taking part in April 2022. [6] It was later confirmed that NJPW would provide English commentary for the event. [7]

Storylines

The event featured several professional wrestling matches, which involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines are produced on NJPW's events. [8]

On January 13, during Battle in the Valley, Mustafa Ali issued a challenge to Hiromu Takahashi at Windy City Riot, [9] which would mark Ali's NJPW debut. [10]

At Battle in the Valley, after Jon Moxley defeated Shingo Takagi in a No Disqualification match, Moxley challenged the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito for a match at Windy City Riot. [11] On February 22, Naito stated that he would put the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line at Windy City Riot; if he successfully defends the title at Sakura Genesis against Yota Tsuji, which he did. [12]

Also at Battle in the Valley, Eddie Kingston and Gabe Kidd competed in a match that ended in a double countout, where Kingston defended his Strong Openweight, ROH World, and the AEW Continental Championships. [13] As a result, NJPW later announced that Kidd and Kingston would serve as captains in an eight-man Riot Rules tag team match. [14]

Results

No.Results [15] StipulationsTimes [16]
1P Matt Vandagriff defeated Zane Jay by pinfall Singles match 3:33
2P Trish Adora and Alex Windsor defeated Mina Shirakawa and Viva Van by pinfall Tag team match 7:03
3 Ren Narita defeated Minoru Suzuki by pinfall Singles match 7:43
4 Stephanie Vaquer (c) defeated AZM by pinfall Singles match for the Strong Women's Championship 10:50
5 TMDK (Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) defeated Fred Rosser and Tom Lawlor, West Coast Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs and Jorel Nelson) and Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo) (c) by pinfall Four corners tag team match for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship 9:56
6 Shota Umino defeated Jack Perry by pinfall Singles match [17] 15:04
7 Mustafa Ali defeated Hiromu Takahashi by pinfall Singles match [9] 15:08
8 Bullet Club (David Finlay, Kenta, Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd) defeated Eddie Kingston, Homicide, and United Empire (Jeff Cobb and TJP) by pinfall Riot Rules match [14] 17:58
9 Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Matt Riddle (c) by pinfall Singles match for the NJPW World Television Championship 13:15
10 Nic Nemeth defeated Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall Singles match [17] 14:07
11 Jon Moxley defeated Tetsuya Naito (c) by pinfall Singles match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship [11] 20:21
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Related Research Articles

The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The championship was created on March 1, 2021, by the unification of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. The current champion is Tetsuya Naito, who is in his record-tying second reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evil (wrestler)</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Takaaki Watanabe, better known by his ring name Evil, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and the leader of its sub-group House of Torture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Ospreay</span> English professional wrestler (born 1993)

William Peter Charles Ospreay is an English professional wrestler. As of November 2023, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the current AEW International Champion in his second reign. He is also known for his eight year tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he held various championships, including the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hikuleo (wrestler)</span> Tongan professional wrestler

Tautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE. He is best known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name Hikuleo, where he was a member of Bullet Club and Guerrillas of Destiny (GoD). In his tenure with NJPW, he was a former Strong Openweight Champion, a two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion, and a one time IWGP Tag Team Champion with partner El Phantasmo as part of a new incarnation of GoD. He is the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Tonga Fifita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrestle Kingdom 14</span> 2020 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event

Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome was a two-night professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on January 4 and 5, 2020, at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan. It was the 29th January 4 Tokyo Dome Show and the 14th promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name; it was also the first time the event was held over two days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shota Umino</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Shota Umino is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Beginning in Osaka (2020)</span> Japanese professional wrestling show

The New Beginning in Osaka (2020) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event, promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on February 9, 2020 at the Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka, Japan.

Castle Attack was a professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on February 27 and 28, 2021, in Osaka, Osaka at Osaka-jō Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Openweight Championship</span> Japanese pro wrestling championship

The Strong Openweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned and promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The title was officially announced on April 2, 2021, and the inaugural champion was Tom Lawlor. The current champion is Gabe Kidd, who is in his first reign. He won the title on May 11, 2024 by defeating Eddie Kingston at Resurgence in Ontario, California, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windy City Riot</span> 2022 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Windy City Riot was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on April 16, 2022, at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois.

Connor Deutsch, better known by his ring name Clark Connors, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable and its War Dogs subgroup. He is currently one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions alongside Drilla Moloney, in their second reign. Also in NJPW, Connors was the winner of the 2020 Lion's Break Crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship</span> Mens professional wrestling championship

The Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The title is exclusively featured on NJPW's United States based television program NJPW Strong Live. The current champions are TMDK who are in their second reign as a team and individually. They defeated Guerrillas of Destiny June 9, 2024 at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 9, 2024 in Osaka, Japan.

The NJPW World Television Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The inaugural champion was Zack Sabre Jr., who has held the championship a record-setting two times. The current champion is Jeff Cobb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Collision (2023)</span> 2023 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Capital Collision (2023) was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on April 15, 2023, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. Wrestlers from NJPW's partner promotions, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact Wrestling, also appeared on the card. This was the second event to be held under the Capital Collision name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Women's Championship</span> Womens wrestling championship

The Strong Women's Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The creation of the championship was announced by NJPW on April 27, 2023. The title is exclusively featured on NJPW's American internet television program NJPW Strong Live, which features a distinct roster of American and other foreign wrestlers. The inaugural champion was Willow Nightingale, who defeated Mercedes Moné in a tournament final at Resurgence to win the championship. The current champion is Moné, who defeated Stephanie Vaquer in a Winner Takes All match in which Moné's AEW TBS Championship was also on the line at Forbidden Door.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighting Spirit Unleashed (2023)</span> 2023 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event

Fighting Spirit Unleashed (2023) was a professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place at the Sam's Town Live venue in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 28, 2023. It was the sixth event held under the Fighting Spirit Unleashed name. Besides wrestlers from NJPW, the show featured talent from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrestle Kingdom 18</span> 2024 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event

Wrestle Kingdom 18 was a professional wrestling event promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on January 4, 2024, at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan. It was the 33rd January 4 Tokyo Dome Show and the 18th promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name. Wrestlers from NJPW partner promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) were featured at the event. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom event to feature Hiroshi Tanahashi as the new president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom since Wrestle Kingdom 13 to have a one-night format, as the previous Wrestle Kingdoms had been held across multiple nights in a row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle in the Valley (2024)</span> New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event

Battle in the Valley was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on January 13, 2024, at San Jose Civic in San Jose, California. It is the third event under the Battle in the Valley chronology. The event features wrestlers from NJPW partner promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW), World Wonder Ring Stardom, Major League Wrestling (MLW), and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Collision (2024)</span> 2024 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Capital Collision (2024) is an upcoming professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It will take place on August 30, 2024, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. This will be the third event to be held under the Capital Collision name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Resurgence (2024)</span> 2024 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Resurgence (2024) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on May 11, 2024, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It was the third Resurgence event.

References

  1. 1 2 "Windy City Riot sees NJPW hit the Wintrust in Chicago April 12! 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . January 5, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Renner, Ethan (January 5, 2024). "NJPW returning to Chicago for Windy City Riot 2024". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ "NJPW ANNOUNCES NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING OF AMERICA SUBSIDIARY". f4wonline. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  4. ↑ "New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Bushiroad . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  5. ↑ "NJPW of America, STRONG transform in 2023 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  6. ↑ Renner, Ethan (January 31, 2022). "NJPW announces Windy City Riot event for Chicago". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ Wannan, Jack (February 23, 2024). "NJPW World to carry Windy City Riot English feed on PPV". Post Wrestling. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Lambert, Jeremy (January 13, 2024). "Mustafa Ali is Bringing his Campaign to NJPW, Challenges Hiromu Takahashi for NJPW Windy City Riot". Fightful. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ Renner, Ethan (January 14, 2024). "Mustafa Ali vs. Hiromu Takahashi set for NJPW Windy City Riot". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  11. 1 2 lambert, Jeremy (January 14, 2024). "Jon Moxley vs. Tetsuya Naito Announced For NJPW Windy City Riot". Fightful. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  12. ↑ "SANADA breaks silence in Naito Sapporo confrontation". NJPW. February 22, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ Tessier, Colin (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle in the Valley Results (1/13/24): Okada vs. Ospreay, Jon Moxley, More". Wrestlezone. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Tessier, Colin (February 11, 2024). "Eddie Kingston and Gabe Kidd to Captain Teams in Riot Rules Match at NJPW Windy City Riot". Fightful. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  15. ↑ Renner, Ethan (April 13, 2024). "NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Moxley vs. Naito IWGP title match". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  16. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 12, 2024). "NJPW Windy City Riot 2024". cagematch.net. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Renner, Ethan (March 21, 2024). "Nemeth vs. Ishii, two more matches added to NJPW Windy City Riot". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved March 21, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.