New Japan is back, for one final stop before the G1. This time, they're back in the US, working alongside the stars of Mexico's CMLL to bring us Fantasticamania USA.

Given that I don't watch CMLL it's probably not a great idea for me to try previewing this show, but I'm doing it anyway. As has become the norm for New Japan's US shows, this will be available on NJPWWorld as a PPV for $19.99. The show will be going live on 13th July at 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET/14th July 1:30AM BST.

Match 1: Copa Fantastica
Adrian Quest v The DKC v Viento v Cucuy

Four way action as these young men seek to make a name for themselves and take home the inaugural Copa Fantastica. Cucuy has competed for DEFY, West Coast Pro and Dragon Gate. Viento has also competed for those promotions, plus The Crash. Adrian Quest has worked on the US indie scene, has made appearances for CMLL and was at one time a regular for STRONG, most recently challenging Matt Vandagriff at Resurgence back in May. The DKC competed in Super Jr Tag League last year, tagging with Taguchi.

Match 2: MLW World Tag Team Championship
Cozy Max (Satoshi Kojima & OKUMURA) (c) v Los Depradadores (Magnus & Rugido)

Because CMLL and New Japan don't have enough titles between them, they've had to draft one in from MLW. Kojima, unsuccessful in his attempt to qualify for the G1, has brought his tag partner, CMLL's OKUMURA, to face the Mexican National Tag Team Champions, Los Depredadores. Combined, there's 101 years of experience here.

Match 3: CMLL World Women's Championship
Lluvia v Viva Van v Willow Nightingale

This was initially scheduled to be a title defence from Stephanie Vaquer, but her abrupt departure from CMLL saw her stripped of her titles and this replacement match scheduled for the vacant belt. Lluvia was the scheduled challenger, and is the CMLL Occidente Women's Champion, and competed on the Japanese Fantasticamania tour this year with a victory in tag action over Stardom's Ruaka and Starlight Kid. Viva Van competed on preshow matches at Battle In the Valley and Windy City Riot earlier this year, has competed for ROH and AEW (mostly on Dark, but she faced Toni storm on Rampage back in May), and has won various titles on the US indie scene. The Babe With the Power, Willow Nightingale, is a star on the rise at the moment. A former STRONG Women's and AEW TBS champion, back in March she made her first appearances for CMLL. All worthy champions, but only one can walk away with the gold.

Match 4: TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr & Bad Dude Tito) v Hechicero & Virus

Tito, the MLW National Openweight Champion, has been trying make make some inroads in CMLL of late. Sabre's recent trip there saw him beat Virus but lose to Hechicero, a loss he's eager to avenge. He'll get another shot in singles action at the RevPro 12th Anniversary show in August, but for now he'll have to settle for this tag bout.

Match 5: Yota Tsuji v Barbaro Cavernario

A first time singles encounter. Tsuji's coming off a loss of the trios titles and an LIJ on LIJ six man that ended in a draw, so if he wants some momentum going into the G1 this is his chance. He's facing CMLL's caveman, a consistent fan favourite in his Fantasticamania appearances.

Match 6: STRONG Openweight Championship
Gabe Kidd (c) v Ultimo Guerrero

Gabe's not taking it easy in the run up to the G1, making his first defence of the STRONG title here – and he's picked a tough opponent in the two time CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, Ultimo Guerrero. Will Guerrero's power and veteran wiles allow him to pull off the win, or will Kidd walk into the G1 still a champion?

Match 7: DOUKI & Mistico v Rocky Romero & Volador Jr

Parejas increibles action, as newly crowned IWGP jr champion DOUKI (for once, DOUKI didn't chokey) teams with Mexican megastar Mistico to take on Volador Jr and Rocky Romero. Mistico has been the CMLL World Historic Middleweight Champion since 2018 (his most recent defence was against Volador) and the MLW World Middleweight Champion since February, a title he won from Rocky. Romero has won titles all over the world, including ROH, NJPW, CMLL and MLW. Of late. He's often been a thorn in the side of Volador, including winning the World Historic Welterweight Championship from him. Hopefully they'll be able to put that rivalry aside here. Volador himself is a hugely decorated star, in particular he's a three-time Welterweight Champion, holding that belt for over eight years.

Hopefully I've given you some idea of who's who and if this is worth your time and money. Are you planning to watch the show? New Japan will return with the G1 Climax, which kicks off on the 20th July - make sure you don't miss it.

Pics via njpw1972.com