Various: NJPW Had Honorary Chairman Plans for Inoki, Stardom Announces Tag League 2022 Blocks, MLW

NJPW Revealed Plans for Antonio Inoki to be Honorary Chairman for Life Prior to Passing

As noted before, legendary wrestler and New Japan Pro Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki passed away this past Friday.

NJPW recently announced that prior to his passing, the company had plans to invite Inoki to their upcoming Declaration of Power event on October 10th in Tokyo. These plans included NJPW officially making Inoki an Honorary Chairman of the company for life.

Official press release:

New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes once again to express profound grief at the passing of founder Antonio Inoki, and our deepest sympathies to fans, family and friends.

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, and to celebrate Antonio Inoki’s role as a founder, wrestler and beyond, NJPW had planned to name Mr. Inoki the Honorary Lifetime Chairman of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. After Antonio Inoki graciously accepted the invitation, he was officially named Honorary Lifetime Chairman on September 1 2022.

This information was due to be made public on October 10 at Declaration of Power in Ryogoku Sumo Hall. It is to our deep sadness that this announcement cannot take place as previously planned. However, in accordance with Mr. Inoki’s wishes, all of us at New Japan Pro-Wrestling will continue to move forward and lead the professional wrestling world to the utmost of our abilities.

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Stardom Announces Teams for Goddess of Stardom Tag League 2022

Stardom recently announced the full field of teams for this year’s Goddess of Stardom Tag League, which takes place from October 23rd to December 4th in Japan.

Blue Block:

• Mai Fair Lady (Mai Sakurai & Lady C)
• Karate Brave (Syuri & Tomoka Inaba)
• Peach☆Rock (Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo)
• Mafia Bella (Giulia & Thekla)
• Black Desire (Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid)
• We Love Tokyo Sports (Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death)
• meltear (Tam Nakano & Natsupoi)
• AphroditE (Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani)

Red Block:

• The New Eras (MIRAI & Ami Sourei)
• KaWild Venus (Mina Shirakawa & SAKI)
• wing★gori (Hanan & Saya Iida)
• 02line (AZM & Miyu Amasaki)
• FWC (Hazuki & Koguma)
• MaiHime (Maika & Himeka)
• 7 Up (Nanae Takahashi & Yuu)
• BMI2000 (Natsuko Tora & Ruaka)

Team names:
Mai Sakurai & Lady- Mai Fair Lady
Syuri & Inaba – Karate Brave
Mayu & Comomo – Peach☆Rock
Giulia & Thekla – Mafia Bella
Momo & Kid – Black Desire
Saki & Fukigen – We Love Tokyo Sports
Tam & Poi – meltear
Utami & Saya – AphroditE

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) October 3, 2022

Team names:
MIRAI & Ami – The New Eras
Mina & SAKI – KaWild Venus
Hanan & Iida – wing★gori
AZM & Muyu – 02line
Hazuki & Koguma – FWC
Maika & Himeka – MaiHime
Nanae & Yuu – 7 Up
Natsuko & Ruaka – BMI2000

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) October 3, 2022

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MLW News & Notes

Major League Wrestling reportedly have delayed their plans for the debut of their upcoming new season of MLW Fusion, according to PWInsider. Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that the reason is due to MLW officials are currently waiting for several new deals to be finalized first before making the decision on the date for the start of Fusion’s new season. Johnson reported that MLW is currently considering a November date for the launch of this new upcoming season.

MLW reportedly is also currently in the process of hiring additional staff members for the company, according to PWInsider.

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre reportedly is currently working on plans to potentially book several MLW talents for their shows by the end of this year, according to PWInsider.

MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone recently reached the milestone of one year as champion for his current reign.

MLW recently announced a new match for the card of their Fightland 2022 event on October 30th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

• Lio Rush vs. Jacob Fatu