NJPW Thread (New Japan Pro Wrestling)

[WRau1]

neither is goldberg for now but i'd imagine it would be a similar deal where Goldberg could make appearances for both.

I don't think there's any chance the WWE let's Goldberg work NJPW while under contract. Not with how hot NJPW is right now and their American dojo inc. Who knows, though. They've let similar things happen before.

But WWE can't exactly do anything if they're not offering him a mania payday. They'll have to sort out a match for him on the card and quiet frankly, WWE shouldn't be booking him on that card, they should be focusing on actually building some stars.

I guess that all depends on what you think NJPW can offer Goldberg. By his own admission, he doesn't like the business and came back only for his wife/son. You'd think that the WWEs modified legends offer would be in the same ballpark as NJPWs substantial offer but for far less work. But I guess we have seen it before. I think the WWE let Taker fight in Japan and also Alundra Blaze while under contract, I forget for what promotions though.

[Spens1]

I don't think there's any chance the WWE let's Goldberg work NJPW while under contract. Not with how hot NJPW is right now and their American dojo inc. Who knows, though. They've let similar things happen before.

But WWE can't exactly do anything if they're not offering him a mania payday. They'll have to sort out a match for him on the card and quiet frankly, WWE shouldn't be booking him on that card, they should be focusing on actually building some stars.

I guess that all depends on what you think NJPW can offer Goldberg. By his own admission, he doesn't like the business and came back only for his wife/son. You'd think that the WWEs modified legends offer would be in the same ballpark as NJPWs substantial offer but for far less work. But I guess we have seen it before. I think the WWE let Taker fight in Japan and also Alundra Blaze while under contract, I forget for what promotions though.

for what will likely be a 5-10 minute match i think they'll pay him well in truth.

He's not signing a full time new japan deal that's for sure, its likely a 1 time thing that they'll give him and nothing more.

[Spens1]

they should be focusing on actually building some stars.

yeah that probably would be Vince's reaction in all honesty.

[Spens1]

New Beginning Night 1 last night. Not too bad of an event but it took a while to get into it (the main event was great though), the pure emotion also of that main event.

The important things to note, Okada pinned Bushi and then cut a promo on Sanada asking how much he wanted the title. Sanada went to walk away, Okada actually attacked him and shoved rainmaker dollars into his mouth dibiase style. This is the okada I know and love. I want more dickish Okada.

Jay White attacked Omega again after he pinned Yoh of Roppongi 3k in a 6 man match. Omega asked why the bucks weren't there for him. Honestly with that level of dissent, it may only be a matter of time until Omega is booted out of Bullet Club and maybe the bucks aren't leaving with him.

The big one was Tanahashi losing the title to Suzuki relatively clean. They really went all out on the story for this one. They made Tana look so broken, it looks like he's going away for a while, English commentary was really selling it so i imagine what the japanese commentary was doing (probably crying actually). Seriously though the story of a heel suzuki just lording over the broken Tanahashi was something else. Even if you don't watch any other match on the show, watch this last one.

[WRau1]

Did Omega get kicked out of TBC? I saw Cody attacked him.

Too bad he signed his new contract a few weeks back, would've made for some fun speculation tonight.

[Spens1]

Oh. My. God.

The incident in question.

Watch on YouTube

On Omega to WWE, he wouldn't make it for the rumble so the earliest he could possibly get their, plus he's signed until around this time next year.

Anyway wow what a last segment, might be the most impactful in the last couple of years in all honesty, especially given its bullet club and the implications of that.

Everything from Omega shoving Matt Jackson and the bucks leaving him (which is huge cause they've defended Omega at every corner) to them finally having Rhodes snap on Omega after teasing it since halfway through last year and Hangman also getting involved in it.

Then Cody is about to end Omega and Ibushi runs in to save his former tag team partner (and whatever else they are, idk Ibushi is a madman). Ibushi then going to shake his hand, Omega refusing and them hugging it out and actually crying with confetti falling and reducing the japanese commentary to tears.

This company is fantastic (ridiculous, but fantastic).

So many questions though, was this Cody on his own with Hangman or was this organised by the bullet club as a whole. If it was, who becomes the leader (if the answer ain't Fale or Tama Tonga imma flip though, keep Cody far away from that leadership position). In fact, with White winning, maybe down the road he gets brought in as an ace (because lord knows they need a legit threat).

Also with that US title, clearly White is getting a huge push. The matchups will be interesting, really interesting (Omega held that belt for a long time by the way, so this should be good).

Also what feuds come out of this, I imagine at some stage Rhodes vs Omega and Golden Lovers + extra's vs everyone. Also, what about the matchup against each other. This should be good though.

[Mich3006]

Did Omega get kicked out of TBC? I saw Cody attacked him.

Too bad he signed his new contract a few weeks back, would've made for some fun speculation tonight.

AJ Styles got the same treatment right before his switch to WWE.

If Kenny Omega goes to WWE I‘ll p*ss myself, that would be the craziest thing ever.

[WRau1]

Did Omega get kicked out of TBC? I saw Cody attacked him.

Too bad he signed his new contract a few weeks back, would've made for some fun speculation tonight.

AJ Styles got the same treatment right before his switch to WWE.

If Kenny Omega goes to WWE I‘ll p*ss myself, that would be the craziest thing ever.

I wish Omega and Jericho we're still feuding because I could maybe, MAYBE see Omega making an appearance at the RR to cost Y2J his spot despite Omega being under contract with NJPW for another year. Of course that would require Jericho to be in the RR which according to his Twitter, he is not.

[jr lucosa]

Yeah Devitt also got treated the same way when he left for the WWE, but unless Omega asked out early that wouldn't be the case here.

[Spens1]

Yeah Devitt also got treated the same way when he left for the WWE, but unless Omega asked out early that wouldn't be the case here.

yeah, Omega also said himself that he has too many things he wants to do in New Japan before he leaves (Ibushi feud and wrestle him at the dome, Win the world title, have a solid run with the belt as well as a few others).

I still think he will go to WWE in 3-4 years time and get the final payday.

[tugs]

Golden Lovers reunion!

[Spens1]

Golden Lovers reunion!

sure looks like they'll be back full time. Should be interesting to say the least.

[tugs]

Golden Lovers reunion!

sure looks like they'll be back full time. Should be interesting to say the least.

The hug, tears, and confetti > any WWE PPV

[Spens1]

Honor rising so far has been interesting to say the least.

Night one had Cody come out and say 'Bullet Club is fine and Bullet Club is mine'. Between that and the last being the elite video. I think he's gone also unless their is a plot twist involved.

Night two having the Bucks coming out and challenging the golden lovers should be good also, all according to Cody's plan. (it also had beer city bruiser in the ROH title match, come on ROH, really?).

Based on this, I'm thinking Tonga gets the reigns (finally). Not sure if he's ace material but then again he's been around long enough and is quite good in the ring, maybe New Japan will have him make a run in the NJ Cup, maybe he'll even win it, that would make him ace material in a hurry. The other option surely is Jay White to Bullet Club later this year (after he's messed up Chaos), Tonga did forshadow that maybe the wrong BC member went to recruit him, what if he's right. Tonga as Leader (much like Anderson) and White as Ace (like Styles) could be the way to go here.

As for the rest of them, surely Kenny vs Cody as a singles feud into Strong style evolved and maybe a bit past that, but after that i'm guessing the Tongans make their move surely leading into the storylines for the summer heading into dominion and all in (main event i'm sure will be golden lovers vs the young bucks, perhaps for the IWGP tag team titles).

Unlike most NJ storylines, this one is moving pretty damn fast, ever since WK this bullet club implosion has been relatively rapid but i can understand that. I mean their are at least 3 factions in this also so this should be interesting to see where the cards fall.

[Spens1]

So Naito is IC Champ, again........

What on earth are they going for here, just put the damn heavyweight title on him already (Okada's been champ for 3 bloody years, change it up already). Even the ending was really weird in this match, Suzuki murdered him yet Naito gets a Destino and some slaps and its done. I don't know if it was the planned finish either. I mean its entirely possible he loses it at Dominion (cause screw it he can't be bothered) or KOPW after winning G1, again.

Honestly though, If Omega or Ibushi (if he's signed) win it, i'm all for one of them winning it and the other winning G1 (and those two main eventing, ending the story effectively). The issue there would be that Omega would be done with New Japan by 2020 and i'm not convinced if Jay White is quiet there yet as the Gaijin Ace (granted, in 18 months he may be, his growth is rapid).

How i'd book things going forward.

Tomorrow, have Okada retain (Tana has no business beating any one of Okada, Naito or Omega outside G1 anymore, hell i'd argue he shouldn't beat Ibushi either, he's not on that level anymore, that's what Wrestle Kingdom was for). Then have Ibushi do something Omega hasn't been able to do, dethrone Okada and win the world title at Dominion. Omega then gets super motivated, steamrolls Rhodes at All In, Wins the G1 (i'd even have him maybe go 7-1 or 8-0 to get to Ibushi) and then they go all out at the Dome with Omega beating Ibushi.

As for who Omega drops to, i think i'd honestly have him drop it to White, it would be poetic in a sense (maybe White wins it at Dominion, drops it at WK to Okada or Naito).

Omega going over in early 2020 (he'll be 36 then) or even 2021 may be the best bet, he'd be in his prime and would be in his prime for a good amount of time.

So tldr:

Okada to Ibushi (Dominion - 2018)
Ibushi to Omega (WK - 2019)
Omega to White (Dominion - 2019)
White to Okada/Naito (WK - 2020)

[Spens1]

So night 1 of Dontaku finished. Sounds interesting.

Cody going Ibushi is suspect though (I'm sorry, right now New Japan need Ibushi to be a legit challenger as they have only Kenny who is a legit challenger for Okada, Okada vs Tana again would be bs and you can't really give him Suzuki after he lost to Naito. On top of that, you can't run Okada vs ZSJ on the 2nd biggest show of the year, i'm sorry, its ok for a minor show, but not this, they needed Ibushi to win). In all fairness, a good match nevertheless.

Sho pinned Izuka, man, a Junior team has beaten KES, maybe they are getting punished.

Young Bucks & Marty beat G.O.D and Fale. This is the one that has me the most intrigued. I think(hope) that this starts the Tama Tonga as Bullet Club leader arc. Its about damn time they gave him the leadership (honestly, i'd be up for him entering the NEVER openweight or US title picture). Fale too is probably too valuable as a singles guy. Roa has improved but i'd be ok if it was him, Owens and Yujiro doing the 6 man matches.

Omega vs Hangman was a really good match, Hangman had a great showing (i'd say such a good showing, that he should challenge Aries at some point for the ROH TV title, or even win the US or NEVER Openweight title at some point soon). It does make it abundantly clear, if they don't have Omega beat Cody (and end essentially the Japan side of this bullet club feud, which has lost a lot of steam it must be said), then have Omega challenge Okada.

I mean even if he loses, you can have Tonga and the O.G. Bullet Club members kick out the elite.

Good show, not the best though overall, i think night 2 (tomorrow) is the one to look out for.

[Spens1]

Spoiler:

Jericho is back in New Japan (don't believe his lies). Looks like Naito is facing Jericho for the IC title, not exactly how i thought Jericho would become a 10 time IC champ

He came dressed up as a drag queen though basically

[Spens1]

and Naito is now murdering Young Lions and is anything but Tranquillo.

[Spens1]

Bullet Club is fine. Omega and Cody are cooked though. They're both in a ton of trouble

[Spens1]

Ospreay can't sell, he's infuriating. The match though was fantastic. The NEVER Openweight title is technically weightless. Kushida would be the perfect first light heavyweight champion (hell, have him beat Goto even, i'd buy it).