TJPW Vancouver Premiere Day 1 Draws Sold Out Crowd for Promotion’s Canada Debut

By Noah Leatherland

TJPW are back on an international tour, this time making their debut in Canada. They welcomed a sold out crowd to the Great Canadian Hastings Racecourse & Casino in Vancouver, BC, marking a successful start to the tour.

On a card that saw TJPW stars mix it up with Canadian and American talent, the main event served as a preview tag for the upcoming Princess of Princess Championship match at TJPW Live in Las Vegas. The newly minted champion, Yuki Arai teamed with the former tag champion Wakana Uehara. They faced off against Miu Watanabe and Arai’s first challenger and American Gladiator, J-ROD. Arai got a taste of her challenger’s power, but Uehara suffered the worst of it. J-ROD crushed Uehara with a spear to pick up the win for her team.

Arai had some time to reflect on the loss in her post-match comments:

I really wanted to win! I’m due to defend my title for the first time against J-ROD in Las Vegas, but the tag team of Miu—who I fought for this very belt—and J-ROD, who I’m set to face next, are both top-class athletes. They really showed their strength.

Watanabe, who had previously defended the Princess of Princess Title against J-ROD, was pleased with their new alliance:

When I first teamed up with J, I was a bit scared of all the muscle, but we’ve become good friends now.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Boosting her momentum heading into Las Vegas, J-ROD was full of confidence in her post-match comments:

They were tough opponents, that’s for sure, but they’ve got nothing on me and Miu, so, I want you guys to bring your best. Bring your A-game. You’re gonna need it.

Here are the full results for TJPW Vancouver Premiere Day 1, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Yuki Kamifuku def. Shino Suzuki (8:14)
• Amira def. Uta Takami (6:52)
• Sakura Hattori & Toga def. Raku & Pom Harajuku (9:44)
• Suzume def. Alexia Nicole (7:11)
• Nicole Matthews & Liiza Hall def. Miyu Yamashita & HIMAWARI (12:51)
• Miu Watanabe & J-ROD def. Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara (13:05)