Fale Dojo

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

02/10/2026

SIVA AFI’S FAMILY TO PRESENT INAUGURAL TAMASHII OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AT FIRST REIGN

NJPW TAMASHII and the New Zealand Dojo are honoured to welcome members of the late Siva Afi’s Taogaga family to FIRST REIGN on Saturday, 10 October.

Senior members of the Taogaga family will be representing Siva Afi as honoured guests and present the NJPW TAMASHII Openweight Championship to its inaugural titleholder following the Triple Threat main event between JOHNNY RECON, DON FALE and TRENT HOOPER.

Siva Afi was among the pioneering Pacific wrestlers who helped place New Zealand and the South Pacific on the international pro wrestling map.

Born in Samoa, Afi was part of the generation of Pacific migrants who made New Zealand their home. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1974 under the guidance of Peter Maivia and Steve Rickard before becoming a household name through regular appearances on the top-rated television programme On the Mat.

In 1978, Afi defeated John da Silva in Auckland to become New Zealand Heavyweight Champion. He was the first Samoan to hold the title since his trainer, Peter Maivia, won it in 1964.

Afi’s career took him to some of the world’s most prominent stages. In 1985, he challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Aloha Stadium in Hawai‘i. He later competed in the WWF in singles and tag team competition, including alongside fellow Pacific wrestlers Haku, then known as King Tonga, and Tonga Kid (Sam Fatu).

Members of the Taogaga family previously joined NJPW TAMASHII at COLD WAR last July as we honoured Siva Afi following his passing. We are grateful to welcome the Taogaga aiga back as TAMASHII crowns its first singles champion at FIRST REIGN.

🏆 NJPW TAMASHII: FIRST REIGN
📅 Saturday 10 October 2026
📍 22–24 Luke Street, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland
🚪 6PM | 🛎 6:30PM
🎟️ Tickets available now via Eventfinda

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/new-japan-tamashii-presents-first-reign/auckland/otahuhu

29/09/2026

10 DAYS AWAY | FIRST REIGN 🏆

Ten days from today, NJPW TAMASHII returns to Ōtāhuhu for FIRST REIGN, where history will be made with the crowning of the inaugural NJPW TAMASHII Openweight Champion.

Three challengers advance to the main event, each with their own story.

JOHNNY RECON has spent much of his TAMASHII career deployed in the tag team ranks alongside Jungle Fury partner Bruno Astro. With Astro currently in Brazil for an extended period, Recon has turned his attention to singles competition. As the sole Junior Heavyweight in the match, Recon will need every weapon in his arsenal to outmanoeuvre two Heavyweight opponents and capture the gold.

TRENT HOOPER comes into FIRST REIGN oozing with the confidence of one half of the reigning NJPW TAMASHII Tag Team Champions alongside TJ Illes. Determined to add more gold to his possession, the ungrateful one has no intention of leaving Ōtāhuhu until he is a TAMASHII dual champion.

DON FALE knows what it means to rule at the highest level of New Japan. In 2014, Fale defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to capture the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Twelve years have passed since Fale last held singles gold, and on Saturday, The Don returns to home soil with the chance to bring championship gold back under his command.

The historic main event headlines a six-match card featuring current and former TAMASHII champions, established competitors, and emerging talent from across the roster.

Opening the night, 13-year-old New Zealand Pasifika singer-songwriter TARA AUMALESULU will perform God Defend New Zealand, while DJ SPYCE will be behind the decks providing the soundtrack to FIRST REIGN.

🏆 NJPW TAMASHII: FIRST REIGN
📅 Saturday 10 October 2026
📍 22–24 Luke Street, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland
🚪 6PM | 🛎 6:30PM

🎟️ Tickets available now via Eventfinda
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/new-japan-tamashii-presents-first-reign/auckland/otahuhu