Athena to Challenge Syuri for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW The New Beginning USA

By Noah Leatherland

NJPW return to the United States for The New Beginning USA later this month and a third title match has been added to the card. Syuri is in for a battle, as she will defend the IWGP Women’s Championship against ‘The Fallen Goddess’ Athena.

Syuri and Athena have never met one-on-one. The only time they’ve shared a ring was the Casino Gauntlet at last year’s AEW All In Texas. The New Beginning will also mark Athena’s fully fledged NJPW debut, having previously appeared in co-promoted Forbidden Door and Wrestle Dynasty events. Athena is currently the ROH Women’s World Champion and is the longest reigning champion in ROH history, having crossed 1,150 days with the belt.

However, Syuri is also a formidable champion. Syuri successfully defended the IWGP Women’s Title at Wrestle Kingdom, defeating Saya Kamitani and taking her NJPW STRONG Women’s Title in the process.

The New Beginning USA will also see Tomohiro Ishii defend the NJPW STRONG Openweight Title against Boltin Oleg, and El Phantasmo put up his NJPW World Television Title against Konosuke Takeshita. NJPW The New Beginning USA takes place in Trenton, NJ on February 27th.