June 16, 2004 (Tokyo, Japan/Santa Monica, CA) – Today, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) informed NJPW _ USA that the scheduled June 26th IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title match featuring Champion Heat and Puma is off and now Heat will defend against Rocky Romero. Heat wanted this match because Rocky impressed “impressed me with his performance in the Super Jr. Tournament.” Heat continued with “Puma is an amazing athlete and he has the ability to put me to the challenge, but not at this event.” Rocky was one of two draws in the Best of Super Jr. Tournament and he completed the league by being in 3rd place.
There are other changes to the television taping. The planned IWGP Tag Team Championship is also cancelled due to American Dragon and Curry Man’s unsuccessful title defense against Gedo and Jado in Osaka. Curry Man also suffered a shoulder injury. NJPW – USA Director Kevin Quinn let it be known that he wanted to book other talent with the same marquee value, so he has booked Ultimo Dragon against The American Dragon and the tag team attraction will be with Ricky Reyes and Puma versus Nozawa and Masada. Quinn also listed that new NJPW wrestler Yano and shoot fighter Hamanaka will also be in matches.
Tickets on sale at the Inoki Dojo – 3200 Olympic Blvd. – Santa Monica, CA. For more information on changes to the event please visit www.njpw.com and watch KVMD-TV Channel 23 (Los Angeles) for updates and news on television playback and times.
