NJPW Thread (New Japan Pro Wrestling)

[jr lucosa]

That was a fun match, pretty good show overall even with a few filler type matches.

So many head/neck spots in the main event, a couple had me worried for a sec. Well deserved win for Naito

[Spens1]

Holy crap, how the hell could they pull of such a good match at the end of 18 days straight of wrestling.



take all my stars (another 5 star match), this was incredible, how they're even alive after that is incredible really.

Omega looked strong in defeat (kicking out of multiple Destino's) and Omega just kept on kneeing Naito in the face.

Now Naito will go onto the dome and they have that story set. The anti-authority guy goes up against the main company guy (Okada is going to get booed in this).

It looks like they're going

Okada vs Naito - Main event (i think Naito wins since Okada has been champ forever and he's showing heelish mannerisms)
Omega vs Ibushi - Semi-Main event (i could see Ibushi or Omega winning the IC title at some stage, its a story that has been told slowly)

as for the rest of the show.

EVIL killed Okada (i take back my Omega vs Okada KOPW match, i do think they'll do EVIL vs Okada there).

For the first of the youtube matches, Liger wasn't having any of those distractions but Kanemaru won. Desperado and Kushida brawled up the ramp after the match which was pretty cool.

the 2nd match was solid, Roa has improved a lot since he first came in and now is pretty smooth, Tonga should be getting a singles push though, he has become very solid.

3rd match was a solid undercard tag team match, nothing spectacular, more concerning was the fact that Goto was in this match. Tacos pinned Finlay to the surprise of no one in a match that meant very little.

TenCozy & Juice (who I assume scored last night in his quest to become the new Karl Anderson) beat Bullet Club (Fale, Yujiro and Owens), Juice pinned Owens (of course Owens got pinned).

Taguchi Japan beat the young bucks, i can't even....... On what planet should this be a thing. I know the jr tag team titles aren't taken seriously but god damn.

War Machine keeping the titles was a solid choice, KES being back will do the tag team division a world of good though. Cody and Hangman Page is such a random team though. The division needs more teams though (somehow get Keith Lee and Shane taylor to unite and bring them to New Japan, that would be a great team to bring over).

ZSJ pinned Tana again in the 6 man tag between him, Suzuki (who murdered some young lions in retaliation to his loss last night to Yano), Iizuka (that madman) and Elgin, Ibushi (not related to the match, but Omega's jilted lover gimmick has been great with regards to Ibushi ) and Tana.

Takahashi pinned Gedo, DARRYL lives (well he is a cat, so he's down to 8 lives). How a stuffed cat got so over is beyond me but anyway, but Gedo booked himself to take the L again. In this match, EVIL killed Okada so i'm guessing that's happening at KOPW (unless it happens sooner, then Okada-Omega IV at KOPW, i doubt they do it then though).

Overall, despite the lull in the middle, the first 4-5 nights and the last 3 nights were incredible (honestly in a normal year, i'd say any one of those three were MOTY contenders/favourites, but this company and these competitors are something else).

[Spens1]

That was a fun match, pretty good show overall even with a few filler type matches.

So many head/neck spots in the main event, a couple had me worried for a sec. Well deserved win for Naito

yeah between these two and Okada, they're going for the Kurt Angle special.

[Spens1]

We're back but what a **** main event, i know its suzuki gun but that was an overbooked mess.

Taguchi Japan can also go home. Got no interest in their antics either

[Spens1]

This Kobe main event, god damn this was great.

2nd show as solid but this last show delivered. The main event was quality and that OWA off the top rope, rip Juice, also kenny kicking out of pulp fiction, that is rough but the story of juice has been great so far. Tacos as the next challenger is interesting though (would have thought Elgin would have been the one, but IC and world title's are getting defended at KOPW i guess), not sure if that's how you want to position the title though.

New tag team champs in KES, i'm good with that, they need a legit tag team to actually carry the division at the top that is full time (though war machine is that now i guess). I hope we get more Tama Tonga singles matches though as a result, i think he could be a breakout star for 2018.

Even Yujiro delivered, him and Berreta had a very good match. If he puts together these kind of performances in the ring, with his charisma, i'd be ok with him getting a singles title (like NEVER or US, but something).

[Spens1]

King of Pro Wrestling also is on today.

Naito and Ishii should be damn good and Okada and EVIL main event shouldn't be bad either.

The Jr's match should be interesting (hoping Kushida wins, i'm all for Kushida vs Takahashi III).

Should be interesting to see who on earth Roppongi 3K are (I'm guessing JTG and someone else or the Tempura Boyz returning).

The IWGP tag team match will most likely suck though (why they want to do it again when its failed 2 times is beyond me). Honestly, without even the excursion, just let Oka and Kitamura team be a team. They'd do a good job as is.

Some interesting filler though in between (Ibushi and Juice vs Tana and Makabe; Omega, Rhodes and Scurll vs Yoshi-Hashi, Baretta and Jado, meaning Jado is getting pinned by Omega; and Goto and Yano vs Suzuki and ZSJ, good god, potential Suzuki vs Goto, i am keen).

[improper]

King of Pro Wrestling also is on today.

Naito and Ishii should be damn good and Okada and EVIL main event shouldn't be bad either.

The Jr's match should be interesting (hoping Kushida wins, i'm all for Kushida vs Takahashi III).

Should be interesting to see who on earth Roppongi 3K are (I'm guessing JTG and someone else or the Tempura Boyz returning).

The IWGP tag team match will most likely suck though (why they want to do it again when its failed 2 times is beyond me). Honestly, without even the excursion, just let Oka and Kitamura team be a team. They'd do a good job as is.

Some interesting filler though in between (Ibushi and Juice vs Tana and Makabe; Omega, Rhodes and Scurll vs Yoshi-Hashi, Baretta and Jado, meaning Jado is getting pinned by Omega; and Goto and Yano vs Suzuki and ZSJ, good god, potential Suzuki vs Goto, i am keen).

When does this start? Might stream it.

[Spens1]

King of Pro Wrestling also is on today.

Naito and Ishii should be damn good and Okada and EVIL main event shouldn't be bad either.

The Jr's match should be interesting (hoping Kushida wins, i'm all for Kushida vs Takahashi III).

Should be interesting to see who on earth Roppongi 3K are (I'm guessing JTG and someone else or the Tempura Boyz returning).

The IWGP tag team match will most likely suck though (why they want to do it again when its failed 2 times is beyond me). Honestly, without even the excursion, just let Oka and Kitamura team be a team. They'd do a good job as is.

Some interesting filler though in between (Ibushi and Juice vs Tana and Makabe; Omega, Rhodes and Scurll vs Yoshi-Hashi, Baretta and Jado, meaning Jado is getting pinned by Omega; and Goto and Yano vs Suzuki and ZSJ, good god, potential Suzuki vs Goto, i am keen).

When does this start? Might stream it.

if you're in the states, 1AM pacific, 4AM east coast. If you're in europe, like 9 or 10AM i think. If you're in asia, around 5-6. Either way, its in an hour and a half.

[Spens1]

First match was alright, i mean Bushi winning cause of a plushy toy, well it is the undercard after all.

second match made me laugh, that is the second time YTR has gotten the best out of Suzuki now. Suzuki is going to kill him i think.

[Spens1]

so 3K are the Tempura boys and they got a big pop on their return also. Good match also they won the belts.

Also Rhodes is a conundrum, his in ring work is not that good but his character work is probably top 5 in the world, its strange. Kenny is phoning it in also (i mean, those tights after all), then again, ain't nobody helping Tacos.

Heavyweight tag team division needs teams badly (let Goto and Ishii team or something) War Machine is good, G.O.D are ok and K.E.S are ok but that isn't a division.

[Spens1]

Juice pinning Makabe. He's come a long way since CJ Parker, I'm thinking in 2018 he'll hold singles gold (US title or NEVER title) and he's earned it, he's honestly one of the most improved wrestlers of 2017, he's gone from glorified young boy to legit mid card talent.

Also Ospreay winning and it looks like Scurll vs Ospreay for the Jr heavyweight title at power struggle. Also Hiromu getting beat up

[Spens1]

2 Destino's for Ishii. Also what a match, surely 5 stars for that masterpiece, i had high expectations and wasn't disappointed. Ishii at the very least deserves an intercontinental championship run next year and to win the new japan cup (honestly, if it weren't for naito, Okada and omega, i'd say give him the world title).

Ishii vs Tana for the belt at WK would be how i'd go with that.

[jr lucosa]

Im impressed with Leo Tonga considering the lack of experience

Also, I want all the Toru Yano DVDs

[Spens1]

Im impressed with Leo Tonga considering the lack of experience

Also, I want all the Toru Yano DVDs

he seems to have plenty of supply.

Yeah Tonga has improved a lot since he debuted and he's what, like 20 or 21, at the very least, he'll be miles better than Fale.

[jr lucosa]

Hes 26 but has very little actual in ring experience, did train at the team 3D academy and Fale Dojo though and he looks natural considering hes had like a handful of professional matches.

[jr lucosa]

Watch on YouTube

Who wouldnt want this!? ( may need subtitles lol )

When i first started watching NJPW Yano got on my nerves and I didnt understand why he got on so many cards, ive grown to love his character though and signature troll shrug.

[Spens1]

Hes 26 but has very little actual in ring experience, did train at the team 3D academy and Fale Dojo though and he looks natural considering hes had like a handful of professional matches.

26, ah ok i thought he was a lot younger. He still should be better than Fale is in 3-4 years you should think.

[jr lucosa]

I am the biggest Fale mark around these parts, but sure, I could see him being better than Bad Luck eventually.

21, 26.. the difference isn't as big as it is in other sports. More about how good he looks considering the lack of experience, which is plenty good. Plus it's in his blood.

I would bet on him becoming a pretty solid wrestler at least.

[Spens1]

For a pretty minor show, wow, this show was amazing, also I'm pretty sure Gedo decided to take the same acid trip that Akimiya is taking with All Japan right now (though this has had better results).

Outside the generic filler tag team matches etc (they're fun but meh, they are what they are).

- The Super Jr final was great, Sho and Yoh are getting a mega push, also that much with the young bucks should be very good (also good for the division, its needed it).

- Suzuki killed Yano, as expected to be honest. Looks kinda like Goto may be facing Suzuki but that is subject to change, i think a better match may be juice or (my pick) Ishii going for it (its basically his belt after all).

- Scurll beating Ospreay. Fantastic match as expected. Real quality match (though all their matches are against each other). Kushida came out to challenge Scurll, Ospreay got pissed, then Hiromu him coming out in protective gear was great. Scurll wants to face them all. So we're getting a fatal 4 way at WK for the title. That is the very first acid trip pick from Gedo (i mean all title matches are usually 1 on 1, at least for new japan).

- Omega beating Barretta, Baretta did a decent job though. Well enough where he should definitely get the chance to mix and match with the others and get into the G1 next year.

After the match though, CHRIS JERICHO. I cannot believe it, he's challenging for the US title at the dome. Granted I did want Omega-Ibushi to finally happen but good god they got Chris freaking Jericho. Also the package, good god almighty. The pop he got also was huge and he got Y2J chants also. This should be epic (Vince is going to have an aneurysm though), I do hope Jericho is in character though (the WWE one, bring the list to Japan).

- The main event, absolutely amazing. These two are amongst the best and they proved it. Poor Kota fell just short here but the two babyfaces had a great moment at the end.

After the main event, the switchblade was actually Jay White and he was back, he attacked tanahashi after the match and it looks like he's getting propelled all the way to the top (that is the biggest acid move though, that is risky pushing him straight up there, unless this is just to get him the attention and they have another match instead there). The finisher looks like a better version of sister abigail, that looked brutal. I do think this will not semi-main though, as high as they may be on Jay White (this is basically sending the guy to the top immediately), i can't see this being higher on the card than Omega vs Jericho.

Overall, what a show, absolutely hype show, I liked this a lot more than KOPW even (though KOPW had the problem of a lot of the matches being dead giveaways as to what would happen). Also the surprises, I mean damn.

[Spens1]

Wrestle Kingdom has come and gone. I didn't really watch any of the undercard since i didn't get a chance (though i will go back and watch the jr tag team match).

Overall must be said, not nearly as strong as last years WK. I will say though, Jericho vs Omega was really done well, they booked it in a way that would hide Jericho's weaknesses (as little as they may be, you can't expect Jericho to wrestle a 45 minute iron match nowadays). MOTN it must be said, not quiet a 5 star classic but that was intense match with a bit of everything. ****3/4

the NEVER title match was fantastic also, I hope it actually leads somewhere for Goto and Suzuki looked so badass at the end. Hard hitting action that we all know and love. ****1/2

4 way jr title match was great, however i will say i question Gedo's decision of putting the title back on Ospreay and not giving it to Kushida or Hiromu. He's good but those latter two mentioned are on another level. I think Kushida is probably ready though to become a heavyweight, he could make the jump. I'd say this match still wasn't as good as last years though (but that was freakishly good). **** 1/4

even Ibushi vs Rhodes was good, maybe a bit too much theatrics from Rhodes (I mean if he did that in America fair enough, but you have to know your audience also, this isn't the WWE or TNA, he needs to adapt his style more) but one of his best matches on the independent scene. Ibushi, if he signed a full time contract with New Japan would be world champ inside a year and would certainly enter that top 4 scene. ****

Now to my biggest gripes.

Tag team match was pretty poor, though right decision getting the belts off of KES. I thought they would save the tag team division, but honestly have done more harm to it. Hopefully Sanada and EVIL do a good job restoring the belts. **1/2

The IC title match was underwhelming as hell, I had high hopes for White coming back but the character seems ill-placed on him and for what is basically a World title level match or should have been, it didn't deliver, still solid but not the best showing from both. ***1/4.

As for the world title match, the match itself was great (i'd argue not as great as it should have been and i think the two had better but its still great) but that finish, what on earth is Gedo thinking, Exactly who is Okada meant to face, this reign has gone on forever and having Okada be the Japanese John Cena does him no favours for his character (which he has deviated far from in recent times). As for Naito, I mean he is the most over guy so he loses nothing in that sense but where to for him also. This was the perfect time and they blew it badly. Okada needs some time away from the world title (so he can have some character based feuds which their are a plethora off them available) and Naito carrying the title would be great business. Okada has been champ for a year and a half and honestly it is incredibly stale now (by no fault of his own, he's done all he can). I just hope they have the sense to put the belt on someone else before too long. ****1/2