Lance Archer Advances In IWGP United States Title Tournament

Lance Archer picked up a big win at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Collision in Philadelphia show on Sunday night.

The AEW star went one-on-one with Fred Rosser at the event in the first match of the IWGP United States Heavyweight Title number one contender's tournament. Archer was originally scheduled to face Juice Robinson in the semifinals but 'Rock Hard' was suspended by NJPW after he attacked Rosser at Capital Collision on Saturday, April 16. It was later announced that Rosser would take Juice's place in the tournament.

Before the match got underway, Archer challenged Rosser to make the bout a Hardcore Rules clash, a challenge which Rosser accepted. The stipulation ultimately played to Archer's strengths but it was Rosser who looked to have the win down the stretch after he locked in the Stepover Chickenwing on The Murderhawk Monster. Before Archer could tap out, though, Juice Robinson hit the ring and decked Rosser with a sock of quarters for the second night in a row.

Archer took advantage and hit Rosser with a Lariat before the 1-2-3. The former IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion then cut a promo on the current champ, telling Kenny Omega that Tony Khan couldn't protect him anymore.

With his win, Archer will face the winner of Will Ospreay vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, which will take place at Resurgence on May 21. The bout is currently up in the air, though, as Tanahashi suffered a broken rib at Capital Collision.

The final of the tournament will take place at Dominion on Sunday, June 4. The winner will challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship in a match likely to take place at Forbidden Door on June 25, although that has not been confirmed.