NJPW Thread (New Japan Pro Wrestling)

Spens1 · Post #341 » by **Spens1** » Wed Dec 5, 2018 3:36 am

Towards the end of tag league now, chucky t has lost his mind, the dream team is useless, CHAOS look on the brink to be honest. Overall though I'm pretty meh on the tournament because other than the chucky t thing and Okada and tana being really bad tag wrestlers not much has happened

Spens1 · Post #342 » by **Spens1** » Fri Dec 7, 2018 1:51 pm

WTL group stages have finished and we're getting a rehash of last year. The promotion is amongst the best in the world but my god the tag team division (both of them) is horrid. Anyway my guess is Sanada & EVIL win on sunday and then win the titles at Wrestle Kingdom.

The only other major development was Chucky T attempting to murder David Finlay pretty much. I hope they don't do Bullet Club chucky T because that would be bad.

The Young Lions win nothing (i mean legit, they finished on 0 points, not even able to beat Nagata and Nakanishi).

G.O.D and Sanada & EVIL both finish on 20 points (i believe 10-3 records each) with Ishii & Yano and K.E.S finishing on 18 points each.

Spens1 · Post #343 » by **Spens1** » Sun Dec 9, 2018 10:01 am

WTL Finals finished

The most important notes (don't read spoilers if you wanna watch afterwards)

Spoiler:

If I where to give recommendations, i'd honestly only watch the NEVER openweight title match and the #1 contenders match because they were really good. Ospreay has learned how to sell without under or overdoing it. Taichi as well is entertaining and the NEVER openweight match is a slogfest and fast paced.

Sanada & EVIL vs G.O.D was kind of meh but honestly if you had seen this matchup before you'll know what kind of match this is. Sanada though (and even EVIL) will be one of the main singles guys in a few years. This has never been my favourite tour and Gedo again showing he really doesn't think highly of the tag team belts at all (they're absolutely neglected).

So with that out of the way, we have the Road to WK shows (only thing i expect to happen will be the 6 man belts being dropped by G.O.D) then the big one, Wrestle Kingdom where the card,

I must say, actually is a bit dissappointing in comparison to the last few years and honestly this for me has been the worst year New Japan has had since i started really watching the product full time around 5 years ago. However despite that it is still pretty damn good and WK always (and i mean always) is, if not PPV of the year (and by some distance at that), then a clear contender.

Tanahashi vs Omega, provided both men are healthy is going to be a classic that is full of story and emotion (even if Kenny hasn't done the build any justice). Jay White vs Okada is going to be absolutely nuts, this is the feud i'm paying most attention to and that is a testament to both men (I've said it since around mid last year, Okada has needed a non-title feud to give him some depth, depth he has gotten, his character work has been incredible and Jay White already is starting to look like a star and on the cusp of the main event).

Cody vs Juice all but confirmed i'd say. This will be very story driven because lets be real, Cody is more for the western audience than he is for the Japanese, but Juice is super over and him winning will make people happy, i don't have high hopes for this one in terms of quality but both men have improved immensely since their first match 2 years ago.

Junior Heavyweight title match will be really enjoyable, Ishimori has been a breath of fresh air in a somewhat stagnant division, its not the 4 way from last year but has still gotten a really good build

The Junior Heavyweight tag team titles also has gotten a nice buildup, though the Champs are almost an afterthought, with Bushi & Shingo as well as RP3K taking centre stage and in particular, Shingo and Sho's rivalry.

Spens1 · Post #344 » by **Spens1** » Mon Dec 10, 2018 2:39 am

I guess with all that complaining i ought to at least say what i would do post WK13. (a bit of fantasy booking if you will). I'll edit this as i add more.

IWGP World Heavyweight Title:

- Tanahashi wins at WK13
- New Years Dash: Ibushi comes out (drops the NEVER openweight title earlier in the night), comes out, challenges Tanahashi, attacks him head and destroys him. We see the rise of Dark Ibushi (you know when he goes full sadistic, basically that's the default).
- New Beginning: Ibushi beats Tanahashi convincingly, as Tanahashi's body isn't able to withstand the all out assault Ibushi puts on. Omega comes out because he's frightened by the New Ibushi and talks about saving Omega, Ibushi destroys Omega after hearing this, Kamigoye and then a one winged angel through a table. Ibushi post match talks about Omega holding him back and screwing him out of the world title twice.
- Challenge is set for the Madison Square Garden main event. Ibushi goes in and is now a full blown heel vs Omega who is desperate to get Ibushi back. They go to war in a no time limit match which ends after around 70-80 minutes with Omega on top. The two of them hug it out, Ibushi's helped to the back.
- Naito Challenges Omega to a world title match at Dominion, having 'gotten rid of that other belt'. Omega accepts the challenge. Naito wins.
- Okada wins G1, beating Naito in the finals (Okada beats Omega, Naito beats Tana in the respective block finals).
- Naito's end of year defences are Goto (Power Struggle), Ishii (King of Pro Wrestling) and Sanada (some overseas show)

IWGP Intercontinental Championship:

- Naito beats Jericho almost at his own game and beats him rather convincingly (not squash but should win in under 15 minutes, its not that good of a matchup).
- Postmatch Naito throws the belt at a Horrified looking Harold Meij (need creative ways for Naito to destroy the belt).
- Jay White wins the New Japan Cup, talks about how he has gone through all of the Big 4 except Naito, challenges Naito to main event Sakura Genesis. He wins the belt off of Naito in relatively clean circumstances (Gedo runs interference to an extent).
- We get a nice long reign with him, obviously their is immediate storylines with him and Tanahashi (i'd have that be the semi-main at Dominion and have White win) and Sanada and EVIL (EVIL i'd have as the KOPW, and Sanada at WK) where he drops at Wrestle Kingdom.
- We set the belt up as the 1b belt again, making it the scene of the main eventers not involved with the world title and upper mid carders.

IWGP United States Championship

- Juice wins the US title. He sets about versing everyone he has lost to at the G1.
- Actually have him beat some of them.
- Loses out to ZSJ at Dominion in a good match (ZSJ works him over but the Juice fights valiantly).
- ZSJ has defences against some midcarders at an american show (presuming its in July) against Ospreay, Cobb, Hangman Page, Omega (maybe KOPW), Elgin and then EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom (where he drops it to him, mainly because there is a feud there already and i can't think of many others where it would make sense for ZSJ to drop to).

IWGP Tag Team titles:

- Have LIJ pin the young bucks (sets up The BC vs Elite nicely)
- LIJ vs KES immediately feud after this with KES winning the belts at Sakura Genesis (no point in having a long LIJ reign)
- KES feud against one of the dad teams, if not both and bullies them pretty much.
- They also feud against FinnJuice but Finn Juice win the titles (KOPW title change perhaps).
- G.O.D finally win tag league and go on to Wrestle Kingdom to face them.

IWGP Junior Tag Team titles:

- Have Shingo and Bushi win, pinning the champs
- We then have a nice long RP3K vs LIJ feud (because of the lack of other teams, maybe do a best of 3 or 5 for the titles).
- Bullet Club enter the fray after RP3k take the belts off of LIJ with Eagles and Ishimori going after the belts. As do Kushida and Sabin (provided Kushida isn't doing NEVER openweight stuff).

NEVER Openweight title:

- Ibushi pins Ospreay due to Ospreay's injuries (we see more of Sadistic Ibushi, Ibushi purposely targets the ribs and starts kicking the hell out of them). Ospreay can heal up more if needed until New Beginning.
- Ibushi drops the belt at New Years Dash to Beretta in a shock (maybe a roll up).
- Beretta subsequently drops to Ospreay with the belt being a mix of the stiff style it was noted for as well as top Juniors taking their shot
- Kushida also wants the belt, wanting to prove himself as a heavyweight, Goto (no longer affiliated), Ishii, Taichi, Yoshi-Hashi and Beretta are all in the mix (so its lower end heavyweights and Juniors i guess).

Factions:

Bullet Club: Sign Jeff Cobb, make him the #2 singles guy in the stable or play that gatekeeper role (since Fale is no longer really a full time singles guy). Also bring over Hangman Page (as another strong competitor for singles) into the faction if the rest of the Elite are done as full time New Japan competitors. Go all in (pun intended) on the Bullet Club-Elite warfare with Bullet Club coming out on top and basically ending The Young Bucks and Cody's New Japan careers (beside sporadic appearances). Yujiro Takahashi rejoins the stable as he ends up being Elite mole (Guerilla tactics etc etc) with Henare and Hikuleo filling out the stable in the pin eater roles. As for the mole, i'm leaning towards red herring or it be Rocky Romero (just to add more hype men to the stable, also he hates Bullet Club a little too much, its suspicious).

Leader: Tama Tonga (i guess)
Ace: Jay White
Members: Jeff Cobb, Hangman Page, Bad Luck Fale (kind of part time), Tanga Loa, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, Henare, Hikuleo, Robbie Eagles (part time)
Managers/pin eaters: Gedo, Jado, Rocky Romero

CHAOS: I'd have them dissolve and i'm going to borrow off of Dragon Gate here, have them enter a factional warfare match (either at New Years Dash or New Beginning) against Bullet Club after Okada beats Jay White, with the stip being that whoever loses has their faction disband. CHAOS lose (in dodgy circumstances) and Okada is force to dissolve CHAOS (go out in a bang rather than fizzle). Some of them don't follow Okada through to the new faction (notably Goto who goes faction-less again).

Okada-Tanahashi: Tanahashi and Okada have both had their worlds turned upside down, after New Beginning, they form their super faction. They'd be the super babyface faction to balance out Bullet Club as the main heel faction. Note Ospreay is mostly a heavyweight now and in that NEVER Openweight area, Kushida floats between the Juniors and the NEVER Openweight belt.

Leader: Tanahashi
Ace: Okada
Members: Tomohiro Ishii, Will Ospreay, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Micheal Elgin, YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano, Kushida, Chris Sabin (part time),
Managers/Pin-Eaters: Ryusuke Taguchi

LIJ: They'd remain LIJ, though with more prominence as they have championship gold around their waist and EVIL and Sanada step up. With Hiromu coming back, Shingo moves up to the Heavyweights and challenges (and wins) the NEVER Openweight title.

Suzuki-Gun:

Leader: Minoru Suzuki
Ace: Zach Sabre Jr
Members: Lance Archer, David Smith, Taichi, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Takahashi Iizuka

I think next year is the year to consider pulling the trigger on Suzuki getting the axe as leader of Suzuki-Gun along with some of the older members (Iizuka mainly). Whether or not that is ZSJ remains to be seen because ZSJ is a great #2 but hardly a guy i can see being a faction leader and #1. Ideally you look to the outside (Katsuhiko Nakajima would fit, Kento Miyahara is good enough but is too much of a face) but whether or not that is practical remains to be seen. If PAC comes to New Japan he must join Suzuki-Gun or its next iteration.

Spens1 · Post #345 » by **Spens1** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:18 am

Just after match 2 of the Road to show but wow Shota Umino is going to be a star. He's going to be an IWGP champion within 5 years easily. The only question will be which faction (personally, i'd like to see him join LIJ).

Spens1 · Post #346 » by **Spens1** » Fri Jan 4, 2019 1:04 am

Wrestle Kingdom is on tonight and it should be a cracker. Even if you're a WWE only fan, even if you only watch this one show, do yourself a favour and watch this show. Whilst i've said before, 2018 (especially the 2nd half) was a bit of a down year for them (granted, it still was better than basically anything besides NXT and maybe MLW and Impact in my opinion by a distance), but this year is already setting up to be a fantastic year full of change. Also Wrestle Kingdom never disappoints, it usually always is in the top 3 shows of the year and the stakes are incredibly high for the main event.

Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb & David Finlay vs. Suzukigun (Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Beretta & Chuckie T) vs. Hangman Page, Marty Scurll & Yujiro Takahashi
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Gauntlet Match

Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Will Ospreay - NEVER Openweight Championship Match

Suzukigun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (c) vs. Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI) - IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Three Way Match

Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. - Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship Match

Guerrilas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) (c) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & EVIL) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) - IWGP Tag Team Championship Three Way Match

Cody (c) vs. Juice Robinson - IWGP US Heavyweight Championship Match

KUSHIDA (c) vs. Taiji Ishimori - IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White - Special Singles Match

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito - IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match (No DQ)

Kenny Omega (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match

Start Times:

3rd Jan:
11PM - Pacific U.S

4th Jan:
2am - Eastern U.S
7am - GMT
8am - Central Europe
12:30pm - Delhi
4pm - Japan
6pm - Australia (Daylight Savings, 5pm for Qld, 5:30 for South Australia, 4 for W.A, and 4:30 for the Northern Territory)

For other times, please refer here:
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=NJPW+Wrestle+Kingdom+13+in+Tokyo+Dome&iso=20190104T16&p1=248

Spens1 · Post #347 » by **Spens1** » Fri Jan 4, 2019 12:49 pm

Wrestle Kingdom just finished and it was a weird one, fantastic last three matches i thought (MOTN between Okada vs White and Omega vs Tanahashi, leaning towards the latter), crowd actually gets to go home happy unlike last year :lol:

but mid card was very average with some bad matches also in the mix as well. Overall, much like 2018, good by normal circumstances, but a pretty poor PPV by New Japan's lofty standards.

1. 6 Man Tag Gauntlet - * 1/2 (i mean it was a gauntlet, it was kind of long winded though so i'd rather they bring back the rumble next year). There was some interesting stuff

Spoiler:

2. Ibushi vs Ospreay - NEVER Openweight Title match - *** 3/4 (very good match, but far too short and it cut off early as it was just about to hit a crescendo, this should have been a 1 hr time limit instead, the result was weird which indicates to me nonsense is very much afoot

Spoiler:

. Ospreay worked this match as a downright heel, I've said he is a much better heel than face and tonight showed it (he has top 3 heel potential, probably only upper middle card as a face though), they should consider moving him into Suzuki-Gun (Sabre-Gun potentially as ZSJ's right hand guy). They ran an injury angle as well, which played into late tonight. If this had been given the time, i have no doubt this would have been MOTN, Ibushi, moreso than anyone other than Ishii perhaps, can have a good match with absolutely anyone, it helps when he's in the ring with someone as good as Ospreay.

3. LIJ vs RP3k vs Suzuki-Gun - IWGP Jr Tag Team titles - *** (somewhat awkward would be how i would describe it with the dynamic with the tagging in and out in a three way, it wasn't bad, just not really great nor memorable, which is a bit of a shame because i did have expectations for it but certainly a decent match).

4. Zach Sabre Jr vs Tomohiro Ishii - RPW British Heavyweight Championship **** 1/4 (loved this match, thought it was excellent wrestling from two excellent wrestlers, you had the contrast of Ishii's brutal style and ZSJ working limbs and showing brutality of his own, with a move that made it look like he broke Ishii's arm and then the submission, even though Ishii didn't tap out, great exposure for Rev Pro as well).

5. LIJ vs G.O.D vs The Young Bucks - IWGP Tag Team Titles - ** 1/2

First of all, what is Tama Tonga :lol:

this 'good guy' gimmick is the damnest thing i've seen from him, which is saying something, its unsettling and it makes me think somethings up and they're going to write someone off again. I mean it was an alright match but it was a spotfest to an extent, it was a match is basically what i would say.

6. Cody Rhodes vs Juice Robinson - IWGP U.S title - * 3/4

This was a massive disappointment and worst match of the main card by a distance, i know Cody isn't all that in the ring but he has had good matches this last year, granted with Ibushi, but this was a downright bad match, their is no other way to say it, Juice also i felt was reasonably underwhelming though it may just be the style of match as well was more to Cody's New Japan style. If there is one silver lining to AEW potentially reducing the Elite's New Japan appearances, its Cody Rhodes getting far less singles matches, the guy is down there in terms of performances with Yoshi-Hashi and Tama Tonga, he should stick to the multi mans when in new japan).

7. Kushida vs Ishimori - IWGP Jr Heavyweight title - ***1/2

This was similar to the Never Openweight bout, great match, cut way too short. These two should have had at least 15 minutes, i'd say 20 in fact. Again rumours of a 2nd night next year for Wrestle Kingdom may not be a bad idea since they can't really get their stuff all into the 1 card.

8. Jay White vs Kazuchika Okada - **** 3/4

Maybe this is just me, but this was near perfect for me. The storytelling in this was brilliant. From before the opening, we got the return of the real Rainmaker (trunks and all, to a good pop, since no one liked those pants). This is a must watch i feel, go out of your way to watch this, it is a MOTY contender already.

Spoiler:

.

9. Tetsuya Naito vs Chris Jericho - IWGP Intercontinental Championship (No DQ) - **** 1/2

Was way better than it had any right to be. It was an intense, all out war, Naito was doing Naito things (spitting on Jericho, the disrespect etc) and bringing the hardcore game to him. This wasn't just a hardcore match, this had good wrestling as well. This was a hardcore match done right in New Japan, with plenty of the New Japan nuance you would expect, just with a kendo stick and chairs as well.

Spoiler:

. This is the first time, in a long time, that the IWGP Intercontinental Championship felt like a big deal and felt like the 1b and like an unofficial world championship.

10. Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi - IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - **** 3/4

Only reason it doesn't get a perfect for me is, and this may be nitpicking on my part, it started off super slow. Other then that, the drama was real. They did a damn good job at hiding at who was winning. The ideological battle that prefaced this feud came into it as well. Tanahashi forgoing his to try and win and backfiring was good as well. Omega getting his knee worked over (and a lot less V-Triggers, mercifully).

Spoiler:

Be sure to watch tomorrow night, its New Japan's Raw after wrestlemania, just with even more monumental twist and turns, tomorrow night, don't be shocked if not one, not two but three stables get changed monumentally and if at least one of them implode.

Spens1 · Post #348 » by **Spens1** » Sat Jan 5, 2019 12:37 pm

Well New Years Dash happened and that was a waste of time to be honest.

I can think of three things that happened.

1. Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens are back with Bullet Club, helping G.O.D and Ishimori retain the 6 man belts.
2. Naito is going to defend the Intercontinental Championship against **** Taichi :lol:

(well my above post about it being an unofficial world title aged well) and Suzuki-Gun and LIJ are feuding yet again :tsk: i'm beyond done with this feud, just move on ffs. LIJ vs Seki-Gun would be better.
3. Jay White is getting that rocket. He beat Okada in Rainmaker form, he's going to be Tanahashi as well.

Other then that, nothing happened at all. Ospreay being a dick on twitter after his NEVER Openweight match has thus far led nowhere other than CHAOS acting heelish in their match (though that's nothing of note, they were against Yuji Nagata, i will say, i am keen on Ishii vs Nagata, but Ishii would have been so much better served against Naito anyway, hell, Goto would have been a better choice than Taichi).

Chase got a pinfall victory over Henare (setting up things for later in the night).

We still don't know wtf is going on with CHAOS, we still don't know who the mole is (they could go with a Sanada at Invasion Attack type scenario and he costs Tana the world title) and despite a stronger Bullet Club, we don't really know their direction either other than Jay White.

I mean LIJ have feuds i guess (Tag team title feud is actually good though, Suzuki & ZSJ vs Sanada and EVIL, i actually love that match, Sanada vs Suzuki have good chemistry and that should propel Sanada into a major singles run and ZSJ vs EVIL is lowkey a really solid long term feud in the making).

Their where good multi mans mostly (except the Suzuki-Gun one but that was Suzuki-Gun things).

Oh yeah Yoshi-Hashi returns, that's it.

They really oversold this and underdelivered, they marketed this as the raw after wrestlemania for new japan and it somehow delivered less (as horrible as Raw usually is, the Raw at least provides some drama).

Spens1 · Post #349 » by **Spens1** » Sat Jan 5, 2019 12:39 pm

Also very dissappointed we got not Elite sendoff, as much as i have slagged Cody and the Bucks, they still had a major part in the promotion (especially the bucks, they were a huge part of the tag team division), Hangman was one of the company's fastest rising stars and no Omega at all, that is horrid.

Spens1 · Post #350 » by **Spens1** » Sun Jan 6, 2019 7:11 am

Anyway for realistic predictions from me (not fantasy as above):

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship:

- White beats Tanahashi at New Beginning in similar scenes to Invasion Attack 2016 (CHAOS mole revealed to be Will Ospreay, who becomes the #2 in the stable, in a similar role to Ishii in a sense).
- White goes into MSG as champion and manages to defend the belt
- Naito beats White at Dominion (a few reasons, Naito still has his hoodoo in Osaka and White has beaten Omega, Okada and Tanahashi, these two have never faced each other in singles competition, Gedo has done that on purpose).
- Okada wins the G1, Naito vs Okada at WK14 on the second night (using previous storylines, much like Okada vs Tanahashi at WK a few years back, i think Naito gets his revenge and retains)

IWGP Intercontinental Championship:

- Naito defends against Taichi (wins in somewhat convincing fashion)
- Ibushi or Omega wins the NJ Cup (leaning more towards Ibushi), challenges and beats Naito (in a way that makes Naito look strong). Only reason i can think of is because i can't think of any other potential winner other than Ospreay really.
- Other golden lover gets jealous, the champ defends and goes about his own career whilst the other gets ignored somewhat, they both come to be fully feuding again).
- Omega-Ibushi is the WK main event for night 1

IWGP U.S Championship:

- Juice defends against Baretta in a really close match
- Juice defends against a variety of opponents, keeping to his word about it being a New Japan championship, it gets defended against New Japan guys (expect Goto and a few other guys who have been ignored previously to get shots i.e. Suzuki, maybe Ishii, Nagata etc) as well as the Gaijins (Cobb, Elgin)
- Juice will defend against his road wife David Finlay once (Juice will come out on top, albeit just).
- Juice will get a really good run but it will end around the 6-9 month period, my guess being that EVIL or Sanada are the ones to win it eventually (both have been put over as singles talent), if not one of these two, then one of Ospreay, ZSJ, Cobb or Elgin (who i think will each get a shot anyway).

NEVER Openweight title:

- Ospreay is getting a good run with this
- Will defend against heavyweights and juniors
- Being a heel, i suspect he faces a lot of Seki-Gun guys and maybe former CHAOS stablemates (Okada namely will want to beat him up).
- Ospreay vs Hiromu will happen for the belt, as will Ospreay vs Shingo, i suspect he will drop the title to one of these guys

Tag team titles:

- the jr belts will probably go back to RP3K sometime this year with Shingo going up after that.
- They will bring in some teams from outside to bolster the division, don't be surprised if Strong Hearts come in as well to shake up the Jr Heavyweight Division
- With the heavyweight belts, Sanada and EVIL will hold it for about half the year, with the second half dedicated for both of them getting singles programs (one of them will be involved with an IWGP title of some kind).
- G.O.D win WTL this year
- more full time tag teams this year that we don't know and some we do know about that we've seen at WTL (Cobb and Elgin; FinnJuice) getting into contention.

Jr Heavyweight Title:

- I talked about Strong Hearts, i could expected a tour or two of them being in New Japan, with Cima going after the Jr title
- Taiji will most likely not hold it long if Hiromu is coming back to the jr heavyweight division, may get a good reign if he doesn't.
- New Japan will bring in outside talent to bolster a division which is light on talent (with Kushida gone, Ospreay moving up and Scurll mostly not in New Japan this year)
- Flip Gordon surprisingly will get a chance in the division and get himself over (he will not win the title though as he is a likely flight risk).

Celtsfan1980 · Post #351 » by **Celtsfan1980** » Sun Jan 6, 2019 5:08 pm

Is it reasonable that New Japan's major cards have regressed in the last year? NXT's Takeover cards are on par with New Japan's or maybe even better?

Spens1 · Post #352 » by **Spens1** » Tue Jan 8, 2019 4:20 am

Celtsfan1980 wrote:Is it reasonable that New Japan's major cards have regressed in the last year? NXT's Takeover cards are on par with New Japan's or maybe even better?

That's a fair assessment, I'd agree that the main cards in New Japan have certainly regressed (in the second half of the year) since 2017 for sure (which was an amazing year for the company). NXT takover cards are better overall, i'd still say New Japan's main event remains stronger however (though that's not a fair comparison really given the talent New Japan have at the top).

I think this year though they seem to be getting back to what they're good at (and that's building up superstars, rebuilding superstars and storytelling). At least they will need to, with the MSG show, Dallas G1 opening and 2 night Wrestle Kingdom.

Spens1 · Post #353 » by **Spens1** » Tue Jan 8, 2019 10:56 am

I'll post what i posted in the AEW thread:

edit: Per Wrestling Observer and Meltzer. Apparently Omega to WWE is not happening

“WWE really wanted him, and it’s not gonna happen”

It wasn't the right time like i said. Also they went from 'not working with AEW' to it actually being likely if it means they can keep Omega (then again i figured as much, he's a top guy along with Okada and Naito, they'll move heaven and earth to keep them).

Jericho also apparently wants to stay if a deal can be made and they want AEW. Jericho vs Tanahashi is the matchup they want.

Presuming Omega wins, i'll guess our two main events

Night 1 Main (Saturday Card, main night):
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Naito (c) vs Okada
IWGP US Championship (No idea who fights for this in truth, a duo of EVIL, Sanada, ZSJ, Ospreay, Elgin and Juice probably will be involved)

Night 2 Main (Sunday Card):
IWGP IC Title: Ibushi (c) vs Omega
Semi Main: Jericho vs Tanahashi

Spens1 · Post #354 » by **Spens1** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 12:52 am

Someone stuffed up severely at New Japan offices. So apparently they couldn't get Visa's for some of their key talents for the show (Ishii, Nagata, Goto, Kojima and a few others). Don't worry though, it will be filled up by some dojo boys and some sub-par ROH talent (to be fair, O-Karn was announced for his debut, please change Oka's gimmick, that better not be his actual new japan gimmick).

If i had bought a ticket i think i would be pissed, card subject to change aside and they did say it would be young lion focused, no one really pays to see young lions, they pay to see New Japan stars (that means they also don't come to see a ROH show, if they wanted an ROH show, they'd see ROH, something New Japan still hasn't gotten the message apparently).

I mean this is because of the government shutdown (again, how does everything just go to a stop just because the president and representatives aren't working, that's the dumbest thing i've heard of). But that doesn't excuse them since they've known since October they where doing this, so they should have applied for it then.

They ought to bite the bullet and refund tickets to those who are dissatisfied or some form of compensation (merch or a heavy discount to a future show or something along that lines or even a full compensation on tickets if you can) because again, no one came to see young lions or ROH talent (i mean the biggest draw left is Juice, JUICE freaking Robinson).

The Card now (remember, tickets are upwards of $90 bucks apparently)

https://www.njpw1972.com/42933?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

As you can see, not a single Japanese star to be seen, this is pretty much a Lions Gate show at this point.

improper · Post #355 » by **improper** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 2:48 am

Spens1 wrote:Someone stuffed up severely at New Japan offices. So apparently they couldn't get Visa's for some of their key talents for the show (Ishii, Nagata, Goto, Kojima and a few others). Don't worry though, it will be filled up by some dojo boys and some sub-par ROH talent (to be fair, O-Karn was announced for his debut, please change Oka's gimmick, that better not be his actual new japan gimmick).

If i had bought a ticket i think i would be pissed, card subject to change aside and they did say it would be young lion focused, no one really pays to see young lions, they pay to see New Japan stars (that means they also don't come to see a ROH show, if they wanted an ROH show, they'd see ROH, something New Japan still hasn't gotten the message apparently).

I mean this is because of the government shutdown (again, how does everything just go to a stop just because the president and representatives aren't working, that's the dumbest thing i've heard of). But that doesn't excuse them since they've known since October they where doing this, so they should have applied for it then.

They ought to bite the bullet and refund tickets to those who are dissatisfied or some form of compensation (merch or a heavy discount to a future show or something along that lines or even a full compensation on tickets if you can) because again, no one came to see young lions or ROH talent (i mean the biggest draw left is Juice, JUICE freaking Robinson).

The Card now (remember, tickets are upwards of $90 bucks apparently)

https://www.njpw1972.com/42933?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

As you can see, not a single Japanese star to be seen, this is pretty much a Lions Gate show at this point.

Saw they were coming to Charlotte and got excited.

Saw the card and got whatever the opposite of excited is.

Spens1 · Post #356 » by **Spens1** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 3:21 am

improper wrote:
Spens1 wrote:Someone stuffed up severely at New Japan offices. So apparently they couldn't get Visa's for some of their key talents for the show (Ishii, Nagata, Goto, Kojima and a few others). Don't worry though, it will be filled up by some dojo boys and some sub-par ROH talent (to be fair, O-Karn was announced for his debut, please change Oka's gimmick, that better not be his actual new japan gimmick).

If i had bought a ticket i think i would be pissed, card subject to change aside and they did say it would be young lion focused, no one really pays to see young lions, they pay to see New Japan stars (that means they also don't come to see a ROH show, if they wanted an ROH show, they'd see ROH, something New Japan still hasn't gotten the message apparently).

I mean this is because of the government shutdown (again, how does everything just go to a stop just because the president and representatives aren't working, that's the dumbest thing i've heard of). But that doesn't excuse them since they've known since October they where doing this, so they should have applied for it then.

They ought to bite the bullet and refund tickets to those who are dissatisfied or some form of compensation (merch or a heavy discount to a future show or something along that lines or even a full compensation on tickets if you can) because again, no one came to see young lions or ROH talent (i mean the biggest draw left is Juice, JUICE freaking Robinson).

The Card now (remember, tickets are upwards of $90 bucks apparently)

https://www.njpw1972.com/42933?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

As you can see, not a single Japanese star to be seen, this is pretty much a Lions Gate show at this point.

Saw they were coming to Charlotte and got excited.

Saw the card and got whatever the opposite of excited is.

yeah i can't blame you, the card is really bad. Its a shame because its likely that would have been the show to get Ishii vs Nagata.

Spens1 · Post #357 » by **Spens1** » Tue Jan 29, 2019 12:30 pm

Night 2 of the Road to Beginning at Korakuen. Before i get into the show, but the RevPro commentator sucks, not because he is a heel commentator, but he's so over the top its a bit ridiculous, it was like Corey this weekend, theirs being a heel and there is being a detriment. Rocky and Callis are the perfect two colour guys with Charlton adding his bits of tidbits and facts also nice from time to time.

Usually i'm not one to recommend road to shows (i mean if you're not super into products). Don't worry too much about the first three matches (most of them are very similar to the others). But Jay White and Fale vs Okada and Yoshi-Hashi was solid, with the LIJ vs Suzuki-Gun match i was actually entertained and they've sold me on the Taichi vs Naito feud (Taichi has somehow looked alright and believable in being in that feud, hell, he's done a better job than Taguchi has in building himself up as a Jr heavyweight contender).

The main reason though to watch, Kushida's send off match. Kushida vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, wow, what a match, under any other circumstances it would have been certainly a contender for one of the matches of the year. Started off slow, with them feeling each other out with some chain wrestling, it was clear from the beginning that Tana had the power advantage and that was the story throughout, as well as Tanahashi working the legs of Kushida. Crowd was firmly in Kushida's corner (as to be expected) and he showed a ton of heart and used his speed and submission techniques in, Both wrestlers hit their finishers, Tanahashi hit a high fly flow to a standing Kushida and tried to hit it again but Kushida got his knees up. Same with Kushida hitting the back to the future, but Tana kicked out. Eventually though, Tanahashi made Kushida tap out to a cloverleaf (in fact, it was basically a liontamer) at around the 26 minute mark (i think).

Anyway, we had a touching moment at the end where they had Kushida hugging Tana on the ground, then Jay White came in, attacked Tanahashi from behind and got MASSIVE heat (and I mean a ton of heat, for those who don't believe, the man is the best heel in wrestling today), he got a chair and started whailing on him, i thought Okada or Makabe or just anyone from CHAOS or Taguchi Japan would make the save but nope, Jay White would then wrap a chair around his knee and then did a con-chair-to to Tana's bad knee (they're coming up with every excuse in the book for Tanahashi to drop, so if White somehow does lose, he's screwed, which makes me believe White is getting the title).

Anyway, after the attack, Tana, who can barely stand up, is helped up by young lions, Kushida (who is still hobbling) hugged it out with Tanahashi in the end. Kushida then cut a promo, thanking the fans for the eight years he had in the company, saying that he would now go onto a new adventure (NXT most likely). He then went around the ring, shook hands with Liger, hugged the timekeepers, fans etc and fairwelled the crowd. English commentary sold it well (so i'd imagine Japanese Commentary probably got emotional). It was a very emotional affair in general, Kushida was tearing up, Tanahashi barely kept it together and a fair bit of the crowd was also crying as well. He has been a big part of the company for almost a decade now and for the last 5 years (probably until last year in truth) he was the Junior ace.

So I guess its Goodbye to Kushida, for now at least.

Spens1 · Post #358 » by **Spens1** » Tue Jan 29, 2019 12:44 pm

Now, whilst Kushida goes, when one goes, their will be those who step up, for the Junior Ace. its obvious, at least in the short term, Hiromu will step into that role (as he did pre-injury) before he moves up, we also have YOH who could do it, I'm guessing Shota Umino is a chance post excursion, as is Ren Narito and Yuya Uemura. Also their is a chance Shingo Takagi could be a singles guy for a time in the division as well.

They also could again look to the outside (i'd feel bad for NOAH but damn i want Kenoh in New Japan, him and Nakajima would both fit like gloves in the company. The other super obvious pick would be Eita who New Japan already want).

Spens1 · Post #359 » by **Spens1** » Wed Jan 30, 2019 12:08 pm

Read on Twitter

make of that what you will but if that's the case, that isn't a huge loss but does suck all the same since New Japan do need solid mid card workers. Also it would be a really bad look on Trent and Chucky to walk out on New Japan but what can you do. AEW will allow Chucky T to be, well, Chucky T and even Baretta can be a bit more goofy.

New Japan may really need to have a look at getting some outside talent as well, losing the entirety of the Elite and now losing these two and Kushida, that's 8 guys (3 mid carders, 1 lower mid, 1 tag team, 1 Junior Ace and 1 top 3 guy). Oka and Kawato be damned, New Japan need to go shopping if this is the case (I mean Jay White is the direct replacement for Omega right now it seems, but their is no obvious replacements in the mid card other than Ospreay). They need to look inside Japan as well (just pay Daisuke Sekimoto already, hell, let him do Big Japan also).

This is the one that made me laugh, hard

Read on Twitter

For those who don't know, Sydal, being the genius that he is, got himself nearly arrested in Japan for weed (i think he got stopped in Hawaii). I call bs on this part if its from the Observer, i think he'd be better off going back to the WWE or going to AEW (i'd say AEW, Sydal is a straight to 205 guy).

Spens1 · Post #360 » by **Spens1** » Sat Feb 2, 2019 11:43 pm

New Beginning in Sapporo and Charlotte were yesterday.

To be fair, The Sapporo show felt like a road to anyway. Switchblade and Fale beat Tanahashi and Okada. Which makes me believe Tanahashi is actually retaining (why i'm not sure though, White beat Okada clean, and Okada>Tanahashi). Jay White's submission finisher is better than the blade runner i'd say. I mean if he does work over the leg (i.e. uses Tanahashi's own 'inverted dragon screw') and puts that in, its over.

The Tag team titles were flush (1 each), Suzuki beat Sanada (albeit just) and EVIL beat ZSJ.

Other then that, not much happened there.

in Charlotte, Shibata came out and apologised to the fans for no New Japan wrestlers (Juice would also apologise later in the night after the main).

Young Lions fought to a time limit draw (the usual)

Cabana and Skylar beat Archer and Shane Taylor (with Taylor & Archer beating up Cabana and Skylar after the match).

O-Karhn (who needs a gimmick change badly) beat Tracer X in a competitive match

Villain Enterprises (King & Scurll) beat Cobb and Gresham (sounds like it was a great match, Gresham should come to New Japan, he's a very good mat/submission wrestler, would be a great addition to the junior heavyweight division and is so different from the rest of them, Cobb should sign full time so he can get a big push).

Davey Boy Smith Jr beat Alex Coughlin in a surprisingly competitive match. DBS actually showed some respect to the young lion rather than beating him up (Then again, DBS Jr has always been the most facish out of the Suzuki-Gun members)

Tracey Williams & David Finlay beat Chuckie T and Rocky Romero in what is Chuckie T's farewell basically from the company (Chuckie T tapped to Williams as well)

Juice beat Trent in the main event for the US title in what has been described as a very good match. Trent is leaving so this is his farewell tour in a sense also, so good match to go out on (though they're doing random tags after).

Tonight/Tomorrow's (depending on timezone) show sounds a lot better than tonight though. Naito will defend the IC title against Taichi, on paper, not the best, but the feud has been surprisingly good (credit to Taichi for doing his part) and these two have had really good matches in the past.