While there are other ‘big’ stories to report today, I think none is more interesting than the fact that Juice Robinson seems to be given the weight of the first U.S. Tour of 2019 as the headlining act.  In Los Angeles, California, Charlotte, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee, Juice Robinson is headlining each of the three shows.

He’ll tag with Tracy Williams against the former tag team of Rocky Romero and Beretta in LA.  Then in Charlotte he’s got Beretta in a U.S. title defense.   Finally he’ll tag with Williams and Dave Finlay against Beretta, Romero and Chuckie T.

Jan. 30 – Los Angeles, California

Alex Coughlin vs. Clark Connors

Jonathan Gresham vs. Tyler Bateman

Colt Cabana vs. Shane Taylor

Brody King & Marty Scurll vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr & Lance Archer

Jeff Cobb vs. Karl Fredericks

David Finlay vs. Chuckie T

Tracy Williams & Juice Robinson vs. Rocky Romero & Beretta

 

Feb. 1 – Charlotte, NC

Karl Fredericks vs. Clark Connors

John Skyler & Colt Cabana vs. Shane Taylor & Lance Archer

Tracer X vs. Great-O-Kharn

Jonathan Gresham & Jeff Cobb vs. Brody King & Marty Scurll

Alex Coughlin vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr

Tracy Williams & David Finlay vs. Rocky Romero & Chuckie T

IWGP US Heavyweight Championship
Juice Robinson (c) vs. Beretta

 

Feb. 2 – Nashville, TN

Karl Fredericks vs. Alex Coughlin

Jonathan Gresham & Colt Cabana vs. Shane Taylor & Lance Archer

Harlem Bravado vs. Great-O-Kharn

Clark Connors vs. Marty Scurll

Jeff Cobb vs. Brody King

Elimination Match
Tracy Williams, David Finlay & Juice Robinson vs. Rocky Romero, Chuckie T & Beretta

However, while this is a big chance for Juice Robinson and other ROH stars to compete under the NJPW banner and maybe get noticed, the reason for a lack of Japanese talent actually falls on Donald Trump.  Trump started a government shutdown and because of that it’s apparently become harder for people to get in and out of the country.    NJPW released a statement saying;

It is with great disappointment that we must announce that due to the ongoing 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown, we were unable to obtain visas for our Japanese talent who were looking forward to seeing our US fans at the New Beginning in USA.

We are excited to still be able to share a great line-up with our US fans, regardless of visa issues. The IWGP US Champion, Juice Robinson, is defending his title against Barretta and The Great O-Kharn, who is flying in from England, will be debuting in New Japan! What’s more, this show will highlight the talent and potential of our Young Lions, who have been working hard in the NJPW LA dojo. We are looking forward to being able to celebrate the abilities of the exciting new generation of young NJPW wrestlers.

The Government Shutdown has claimed just….another victim.

In Other News…

Ronda Rousey appears done with pro wrestling after only a year according to Dave Meltzer.  The former UFC star is wanting to take time off to have babies, because, and yes this is real, she wants to pass her genetics down to another generation.  For fuck sake….Here’s hoping she’s a better parent than her mom was.  Things are always in flux, so things could change but Rousey is expected to wrap up her run after WrestleMania this year.

As mentioned on Twitter yesterday, Abyss and Sonjay Dutt are expected to take pay raises to join the WWE in the next few weeks, with Konnan and Tommy Dreamer replacing the two men.  Both are leaving on good terms, and neither is expected to wrestle in the WWE. Dutt already had a deal that he turned down to return to IMPACT with Jeff Jarrett, while Abyss is said to have been pushed by Jeremy Borash to be brought in.  Abyss is not expected to wrestle for the WWE.  Ed Nordholm released a statement late yesterday in regards to the story, saying;

We reached an amicable agreement with Sonjay and Abyss to allow them to pursue this opportunity. They have been tremendous contributors to IMPACT Wrestling and we wish them every success. We are thrilled that Konnan and Tommy Dreamer have agreed to bring their 50+ years of experience to our core creative team.

In Quick Hit News: Oriental Wrestling Entertainment has landed a deal with the UK based NothingElseOn.TV service, bringing the Chinese wrestling fed to foreign markets for the first time.