NJPW - TPWW ***OFFICIAL*** Discussion Thread -- New Japan of America announced

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m no lawyer (maybe BCZ can help on this front?), but if WWE talent work elsewhere — at their own risk — does that somewhat mitigate the independent contractor (non)issue? Or at least get in front of it? I mean, if talent go to Japan and beat the snot out of each other (work), why should Vince front the medical bills at least a little due to wear and tear?

The Network is always looking for content too. New Japan is looking to expand. And there’s that tier pricing rumor. New Japan could either eliminate their OTT (which probably costs a lot) and rely on the Network’s wider audience OR they could keep it for the fans that already have it and hope your fan base is bigger in 10 years or whenever you stop housing on the Network. WWE can have a percentage of the gate of all shows they air, but you can get some of the WWE/New Japan crossover merchandising.

Vince increases his monopoly, extends the Network to being more than just WWE. ROH has no chance of MSG without the New Japan talent. Cody looks small time using WWE approved acts to draw his freak crowd. Harold Meij probably looks like a genius getting New Japan talent on WWE shows and getting WWE talent into New Japan. And that sweet merchandise money. We get Daniel Bryan winning the G1 and the IWGP Title and maybe even defending it at WrestleMania.

I was about to say “weirder things have happened,” but have they?

[LibSuperstar]

You've got a good mind for business, Noid.

[Ultra Mantis]

Triple H actually said he was open to work with ANYONE, so there's as much chance of a CHW crossover. He never said anything about New Japan. The British Tabloids are the ultimate shitlords and are just trying to spin a story out of it.

NJPW becoming a WWE offshoot where Zack Ryder can go to recharge his batteries would be the absolute fucking worst, come on.

[Vastardikai]

"recharge his batteries" or "try something new that could work."

To be fair, a great deal of the talent could use some greener pastures from time to time.

[Simple Fan]

If that's the case they can leave and join NJPW. I don't see why NJPW would work with WWE at a point where I hey are trying to expand. WWE has a monopoly on the business and a partnership would probably end up helping NXTs global expansion more so than NJPWs. You know WWE would spin everything to make them look superior to NJPW so I don't think it's smart.

[Ultra Mantis]

"recharge his batteries" or "try something new that could work."

To be fair, a great deal of the talent could use some greener pastures from time to time.

They could, or just time off in general, but why would you want to dilute New Japan with WWE midcarders just trying shit out? They have NXT already which would be much better suited to that. Not everyone can be Juice Robinson.

[Evil Vito]

I remember once thinking that they could do a temporary talent exchange where Cesaro goes into the G1 and Kitamura goes to NXT for his excursion since he appeared to be Vince's wet dream.

Then he got concussed and retired. :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

Triple H actually said he was open to work with ANYONE, so there's as much chance of a CHW crossover. He never said anything about New Japan. The British Tabloids are the ultimate shitlords and are just trying to spin a story out of it.

NJPW becoming a WWE offshoot where Zack Ryder can go to recharge his batteries would be the absolute fucking worst, come on.

It wouldn't be Zack Ryder going to New Japan. It would be people they actually wanted to book, lol. If Ryder wanted a spot in the New Japan Rumble then maybe he inserts in there.

If that's the case they can leave and join NJPW. I don't see why NJPW would work with WWE at a point where I hey are trying to expand. WWE has a monopoly on the business and a partnership would probably end up helping NXTs global expansion more so than NJPWs. You know WWE would spin everything to make them look superior to NJPW so I don't think it's smart.

They can, but what if more people are like Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and Jim Ross and want to work for New Japan, but also want to retain their relationship with WWE? What if Bryan wants to bucket list a Wrestle Kingdom but also wants to keep his wife's profile out there with the reality shows and throw more money into an account for his daughter?

New Japan have openly stated that they want to work with WWE. New Japan would benefit by getting more eyeballs on their product. Right now they only have 100,000 or so New Japan World subscribers. Going with the WWE means that their shows have a potential audience of 10x that size.

Vince having a monopoly on the business is more of a reason that this would be possible. Not likely, mind you -- because we do know Vince -- but possible. More so than ever he's got a bunch of talent with a positive relationship with New Japan and more of an artistic approach to the business. If keeping Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura means that he occasionally lets them do what Jericho and Mysterio do, I can see him saying "Fuck it. I want to be able to show it though." And it babyfaces him. He's the benevolent don of wrestling that lends out his talent.

Now Vince can not book New Japan talent. That is obvious. He doesn't really follow other products and is likely to have Okada lose on SmackDown to Tye Dillinger. But I imagine that it would be simple enough to have someone work as the liaison and work on the booking ideas/put together pieces for WWE television. If Brock is leaving WWE in August, then that could be a new role for Heyman? If they bring the commentary in-house and have Mauro/JR and Nigel McGuinness call the English shows, then Don Callis is someone who could move into that position. I'm sure Triple H would take credit for heading up something like that. In the first year, hypothetically, the presence of New Japan in WWE could be Chris Jericho defending the IWGP IC Title at SummerSlam against Tetsuya Naito in a semi-main, Suzuki working a Takeover against Aleister Black, Okada teaming with some babyfaces at Survivor Series (and surviving), Okada challenging Daniel Bryan for the IWGP Title at Mania (after Bryan wins it at WK13). For example. It doesn't mean Tanahashi has to be in opening tags against The Revival every week. But yes, how Vince would book New Japan is a big concern.

I remember once thinking that they could do a temporary talent exchange where Cesaro goes into the G1 and Kitamura goes to NXT for his excursion since he appeared to be Vince's wet dream.

Then he got concussed and retired. :(

This sort of thing is something that Triple H would definitely do, because he loves pandering to the internet crowd. And he's worked with New Japan before (Liger). How does it help Cesaro? Well, he gets to go and prove that he's the "best wrestler in the world" and comes back stateside, he gets the "yay, he's back" reaction and people are generally more into him given that they've been worked into thinking he's the best wrestler in the world. Japan made Albert and Festus "good."

NXT is always going to be looking for talent to restock itself, so sending young boys on excursion to NXT gives them a great chance to be packaged as something more complete. You wouldn't have 8 different Japanese guys running around at one time, but taking someone the New Japan office likes and having them work against some of the experienced guys there means you've got an emerging talent that you know you've got for (x) amount of time. And they will get more of a following than they would be working north-east indies or whatever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

To clarify: I am not saying it will happen. If Bryan were, hypothetically, dead-set on working the G1 Climax, I imagine he'll just try and use a loophole to get out of his contract and take the time away from WWE and pick up the occasional dates -- ala Jericho and Mysterio -- with Vince probably not wanting to use him at all because he might view him as a guy that should still be working under him. He doesn't have that veteran cache in the same sense. But it does make sense for Bryan to sit down with Vince and say "Look, boss. I want to work under you still -- you've been great to me -- but there is just this bunch of stuff I've got to do too. I'm definitely going to go and do it, but it doesn't make sense to end our relationship because of it."

[Ultra Mantis]

Matt Bloom worked as Giant Bernard because he was playing the Gaijin powerboy hoss, currently the spot belonging to Michael Elgin. Scott Norton had the same spot and was IWGP Champion but nobody really gave a fuck about him in WCW the same way nobody gave a fuck about Lord Tensai. Not to say any of those three are bad workers, but it's a spot that only really applies in Japan and doesn't translate well once theyre back in the US. They even tried to subvert it with Albert and have him pretend to be the Japanese powerboy hoss. We all know how that turned out. You could put Cesaro in this spot and crush it but as soon as he returns to Smackdown he's immediately back where he was spinning wheels.

Gallows on the other hand was never a good worker or regarded as one, he was popular because he was in Bullet Club and people liked his promos but he was consistently the worst guy on the show in ring. He was basically doing what Camacho / Tanga Loa is now, but a better talker.

Liger in NXT was not done through New Japan, it was Regal asking Liger directly if he wanted to do it. Liger's contract allows him to work wherever he wants, Ibushi and SANADA were (or maybe still are in Ibushi's case) on similar contracts which has been cited as one of the reasons neither guy was getting pushed hard.

Jim Ross does not work for New Japan, he works for AXS, and again he does not give a fuck about the product and is only there because Mark Cuban liked him in the WWF and wants to give him money.

The way they've handled their partner companies in the UK has been basically poaching their top guys (British Strong Style mainly), sometimes forcing them to cancel appearances last minute and sending them Kassius Ohno, Jack Gallagher or Noam Dar for a one off appearance here or there to make up for it. I get the feeling that is what they would be "open" to doing with NJPW too, "Hey we need Okada, Naito and Omega for Summerslam so don't put them in the G1, thanks, we'll send you our next top stars: Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal and Big Cass as replacements". And that's just worst case, even if they sent Cesaro, Bryan, Rollins etc it wouldn't cover the difference.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Matt Bloom worked as Giant Bernard because he was playing the Gaijin powerboy hoss, currently the spot belonging to Michael Elgin. Scott Norton had the same spot and was IWGP Champion but nobody really gave a fuck about him in WCW the same way nobody gave a fuck about Lord Tensai. Not to say any of those three are bad workers, but it's a spot that only really applies in Japan and doesn't translate well once theyre back in the US. They even tried to subvert it with Albert and have him pretend to be the Japanese powerboy hoss. We all know how that turned out. You could put Cesaro in this spot and crush it but as soon as he returns to Smackdown he's immediately back where he was spinning wheels.

Gallows on the other hand was never a good worker or regarded as one, he was popular because he was in Bullet Club and people liked his promos but he was consistently the worst guy on the show in ring. He was basically doing what Camacho / Tanga Loa is now, but a better talker.

Liger in NXT was not done through New Japan, it was Regal asking Liger directly if he wanted to do it. Liger's contract allows him to work wherever he wants, Ibushi and SANADA were (or maybe still are in Ibushi's case) on similar contracts which has been cited as one of the reasons neither guy was getting pushed hard.

Jim Ross does not work for New Japan, he works for AXS, and again he does not give a fuck about the product and is only there because Mark Cuban liked him in the WWF and wants to give him money.

The way they've handled their partner companies in the UK has been basically poaching their top guys (British Strong Style mainly), sometimes forcing them to cancel appearances last minute and sending them Kassius Ohno, Jack Gallagher or Noam Dar for a one off appearance here or there to make up for it. I get the feeling that is what they would be "open" to doing with NJPW too, "Hey we need Okada, Naito and Omega for Summerslam so don't put them in the G1, thanks, we'll send you our next top stars: Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal and Big Cass as replacements". And that's just worst case, even if they sent Cesaro, Bryan, Rollins etc it wouldn't cover the difference.

Oh no, people definitely think that Gallows is good. Your assessment of him is correct, but the perception definitely seems to be that Japan makes people better workers, regardless of whether or not it is true. Just listen to the crowds that got to NXT Takeover shows. Do you really think they are that hard to work?

On the Liger point: Do you really think New Japan would have blocked him from doing it? Contract allowing him to or no, I doubt he called up Tiger Hattori and said "Fuck you, I'm doing NXT Takeover. Wooo!" It was still a guy with a profile in New Japan working with WWE, which is more to the point than the actual contract structure. Jim Ross working for AXS is a similar thing. It's still a WWE guy not being locked down doing all WWE things all the time. Mauro still does his boxing. It's not like Vince is 100% "No, you must only work for me" 100% of the time, because there are these examples of talent -- granted, ones with a lot of tenure and/or with PR issues surrounding them (Mauro) that have their fingers in multiple pies.

What you mention at the end is a concern, but that is why you wouldn't structure it like that. New Japan talent would still work for New Japan. WWE can pluck those talents from UK shows because they are under WWE contract and value that more than those indy obligations. With actual go-between between the New Japan and WWE offices, they would be able to exchange talent in a way that doesn't step on anyone's toes. And it wouldn't be like 6 guys at a time. Well, they could work it -- I'm not sure that they would.

[Ultra Mantis]

I've never heard or read anyone praising Gallows for his ring work, plenty of reports about him being a good guy to have back in the locker room but nothing really praising his actual work.

Liger is another one of those cases where he's a legend, and is at a stage of his career where he's an attraction but also an enhancement talent. He also helps train the young lions and is heavily involved in the dojo, I'm sure they trust him to do whatever he wants, wherever he wants and that's why they are fine with having him on that contract in the first place. If he wants to go to NXT and wrestle jobber to the stars Tyler Breeze, sure, it's Liger. If he wants to go to PWG and pretend to stick his thumb up Ciampa's butt, sure, it's Liger.

Ibushi is also allowed to do whatever he wants, and that is mainly because he's not one of their boys. They forgave him pretty quickly for doing the Cruiserweight Classic instead of the G1. Neither guy really "had permission" though, because they don't require it, New Japan don't tend to lock guys down and that's what allowed Nakamura to jump ship instead of dropping the IC title to Omega. I don't think that move did much good for a potential relationship since loyalty and honour is a big deal in Japanese culture. For an example of this just look at Shibata and how he had to re-earn everyone's respect after he quit to do MMA. Look how long they kept Yoshi Tatsu around even though he was fucking terrible at everything.

The only way that sort of deal would work like that is if WWE approached NJPW as an equal, which seems improbable as it wouldn't really benefit WWE in any meaningful (ie. monetary) way.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've definitely heard that he got good in Japan. CM Punk likes him too, which boosted his cred. Hell, I think it even bought into it. You're probably just talking to smarter people.

You're right on the Liger front. I got the feeling that Nakamura heading to WWE was something that New Japan was behind? I mean, they obviously would have liked to have kept Nakamura, but they knew he was leaving when he wrestled AJ Styles, right? I thought it was like a send-off. I wasn't aware of there being any heat there.

I think you're right about them needing to approach it as relative equals. I mean, obviously a New Japan match is not going to headline a WrestleMania, whereas Daniel Bryan, hypothetically, probably would headline Wrestle Kingdom. It would be a proportionate relationship. But I agree generally with what you're saying there. I do think that there is monetary value in terms of them maybe being able to keep talent that otherwise might want to branch out and can help "create stars" (as much as the WWE has stars in 2018). It allows for merchandising opportunities and it thumps those individuals who think that they don't need the WWE because they've got the New Japan/ROH relationship. More content. I mean, they gobble up content when they don't even have the intention of showing it. It would really put the pressure on ROH, which is fun for them, and they might even knock them down enough pegs that Sinclair considers selling it to them. Even more content.

It's a bit silly to argue in defense on this hypothetical arrangement, because the status quo is the status quo for a reason, and it's unlikely things change that much. But goddamn if it isn't a potentially interesting time. Because Bryan could do that. I sincerely think that talent can hold Vince up for a lot more freedom than ever before. Just like Vince managed to use the UFC and the interest from FOX in order to bounce up his TV deals, I can see WWE talent being able to use the ambitious nature of New Japan right now push up their deals. What's more appealing to Vince: Having Daniel Bryan as a WWE guy winning a belt in Japan while remaining under your umbrella, or having Bryan leave the WWE, go to New Japan and potentially create a storm with no monetary benefit? This stops the arms race (not that Vince is scared -- it's just pointless) and makes sure everybody except ROH has access to the weapons they want.

Plus, it would be something creatively for WWE as well. I wouldn't expect to see many New Japan storylines or whatever, but being able to throw Minoru Suzuki at a Seth Rollins or something means they can keep guys cycling and not getting too stale. Which doesn't seem to be an active concern of theirs -- unless it results in talent feeling unfulfilled and wanting to cycle themselves out. And you never know if something is going to click. Maybe Hiroshi Tanahashi works a gem in WWE and Randy Orton is the best thing ever in New Japan? I'm just randomly spit-balling there. Those could be monetary gains for WWE if Tanahashi becomes every school-age boy's favorite wrestler.

It would be more of a "fertilization" strategy, I guess. And it would increase the perception of the size of what Vince is trying to achieve. The WWE Network has original content, but it is in-house. Opening it up means that the WWE Network starts to become more of its own service. Vince has always wanted to start a football league and get WWE shined up so it's in the position that it could be bought by Disney -- but maybe he actually wants to be Disney?

[Simple Fan]

Luke Gallows did win me a TPWW Survivor season though, so he has that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He seems like a charming and charismatic guy. There's something "Kevin Nash" about him. Unfortunately that follows him into the ring.

[Evil Vito]

SANADA was already a lock I think. From last year's entrants, I would say there are at least 16 locks to remain in:

Bad Luck Fale, EVIL, Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Michael Elgin, Minoru Suzuki, SANADA, Tetsuya Naito, Togi Makabe, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, and Zack Sabre Jr.

Tama Tonga and YOSHI-HASHI are the 2 guys from last year that I'd say are on the bubble.

The only ones from last year definitely getting replaced are Satoshi Kojima (injured) and Yuji Nagata (retired from G1).

Jay White will be getting a spot as US Champion.

So that leaves one spot. Could be Taichi. But traditionally there is always at least one surprise entrant so who knows. KUSHIDA moving up? An AJPW guy? Rey goddamn Mysterio?


Last guy wound up being Hangman Page. I’m super cool with that.

Would’ve rather had Taichi in this thing than YOSHI-HASHI but that’s what being a trueborn NJPW guy gets you

[Ultra Mantis]

You're right on the Liger front. I got the feeling that Nakamura heading to WWE was something that New Japan was behind? I mean, they obviously would have liked to have kept Nakamura, but they knew he was leaving when he wrestled AJ Styles, right? I thought it was like a send-off. I wasn't aware of there being any heat there.

The send off was for AJ, who had let them know in advance he wanted to go and work back home. It was all booked around the usurping of AJ by Kenny Omega because AJ couldn't get the job done and then Omega would challenge Nakamura and beat him for the IC belt to prove he can do what AJ could not.

Nakamura however, along with Gallows and Anderson, allegedly told New Japan he was leaving on the morning of Wrestle Kingdom which gave them a bit of a dilemma because both guys in the IC match are now leaving, so they can't just change the finish to fix it. Plus the big Bullet Club angle was attached on the following night's show, based on AJ failing here.

They went ahead as planned with the whole thing, even down to Kenny challenging Nakamura and Gallows & Anderson siding with Omega then bumbling around for a month because everyone knew they were leaving too, but the payoff match never happened because it would have taken place two weeks after his contract expired and he became property of the Performance Center. Instead they stripped Nakamura of the IC belt and had him work six man tags until he left. Okada cried, then Omega went over Tanahashi instead. I don't believe there was any heat on Nakamura for leaving, he had stuck with the company through the dark times, but WWE sniping him and ruining the payoff of that angle definitely didn't go over well.

[mike adamle]

Damn the G1 looks identical to last year. Page doesn't really add to my interest of it.

[Fignuts]

Yoshi hashi has "douchebag" face, something feirce. He would make a good nonchalant heel. Needs to do something different.

[Vastardikai]

Why did Elgin win NEVER?

[Evil Vito]

Damn the G1 looks identical to last year. Page doesn't really add to my interest of it.

In fairness, the roster is loaded and there really weren't that many expendable guys to pull out from last year.

YOSHI-HASHI, as mentioned, is a trueborn which means the company's gonna give him a long leash. And in his defense, his match with Ibushi earlier this year was great. If he's motivated he can put out good work. I'd expect he's mostly there to eat pins anyway.

Fale is pretty meh, but having a big dude like that adds a dynamic nobody else in the tournament and produces underdog potential for his opponents.

Yano's a comedy guy but he's over as fuck and he's mostly there because wrestling him is kinda a day off from an otherwise grueling schedule.

Tama might be the most questionable returnee, come to think. He served a purpose last year with his story with Kenny (getting mad at Kenny wearing Elite garb), but without that his presence is kinda random and he's not done much this year. I'll guess he may beat Goto or White to set up a title match for a future show.

Makabe's also done nothing of note lately, and with Honma coming back you could argue he should just be working tag matches with him the whole tour to make the most of that return. But realistically Makabe was always gonna be in even though he's likely to finish mid-block. He's actually more recognizable to the Japanese mainstream than Tanahashi and Okada and was prominently featured on the poster. Plus with Kojima hurt, Nagata and Tenzan retired from G1, and Nakanishi probably not up for the grind of 9 singles matches in a month, Makabe's the closet guy left to a New Japan Dad they could've had in there.

[RP]

http://giant.gfycat.com/SaltySoreAmericanwirehair.gif

[Evil Vito]

A Block:
Bad Luck Fale
EVIL
Hangman Page
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Jay White
Kazuchika Okada
Minoru Suzuki
Michael Elgin
Togi Makabe
YOSHI-HASHI

Can never bet against Tanahashi/Okada for the A Block final match

B Block:
Hirooki Goto
Juice Robinson
Kenny Omega
Kota Ibushi
SANADA
Tama Tonga
Tetsuya Naito
Tomohiro Ishii
Toru Yano
Zack Sabre Jr

Golden Lovers in the B Block finals certainly

[Innovator]

Golden Lovers go to a draw so MY BOY ISHII GOES TO THE FINALS

[Innovator]

https://i.imgur.com/nrdd1j5.png

For the visual learners

[Innovator]

Fale loses 50 lbs and is gonna drop Okada even faster

[Evil Vito]

B Block I'm pretty sure I'm going to watch everything. Might even try to watch Omega/Ibushi live.

A Block is much more of a wait and see as there a few guys in there I don't really care about. Probably will still wind up seeing all of Suzuki, Tanahashi, and Okada's matches except for the ones against Elgin as I'll be skipping all 9 of his matches.

[Jordan]

Any chance Tanahashi wins this?

[Simple Fan]

Yeah Block B looks amazing. Block A could have some surprises with Hangman vs Suzuki and White vs Okada. Feel like Hangman will have a good showing but I think it'll be either Okada or Tanahashi out of that block. Not sure who out of B, safe bet would probably be Kenny but I could also see Niato or ZSJ as well.

[Jordan]

I feel it will be too soon to go with Kenny/Okada in the Dome again but that is likely the plan. If they don't go with that and Tanahashi is healthy I'd like to see them super push him to that match and put Omega over.

[RaginRonic]

https://i.imgur.com/J6IuD.jpg

Does this mean Vince compares wrestling fans to Bajorans?

=P

[Ultra Mantis]

Gotta be Little Kazu from A Block, and I would have said Ibushi from B Block but Kenny is also in B Block and Naito is there too so who knows what Gedo is planning now.

[Evil Vito]

Kenny saying "Tranquilo" during his victory speech most certainly not a throwaway. I'm thinking Naito goes over Kenny at some point in the tourney to set up a title match for Power Struggle or another show before the Dome.

[Ultra Mantis]

I read a translated interview with Ibushi about Kenny winning the title and he was also dropping Tranquilos and Assen na yos. They're up to something.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Any chance Tanahashi wins this?

If the plan is to go with Omega taking the belt into Wrestle Kingdom, it would not surprise me. But I'm not sure that is the plan. I've got a feeling that the finals of this are Okada/Naito. I can see Naito taking the belt into Wrestle Kingdom somehow.

[Evil Vito]

Match fixtures announced. They've not exactly made it a mystery who is winning A Block. Okada/White headline night 1. Then Tana/White night 2. That tells me White may well go over Okada. But after night 2 (where Okada faces Fale), the rest of A Block is headlined by Okada. So that's 8 of 9 A Block nights he'll be headlining with the story likely being that he's regaining his form after being a bit mopey on the Kizuna shows. Tana will be kept strong enough in the standings to make the Tana/Okada night 9 match a win-and-in type deal, but yeah...Okada's going to the finals. Seems like a near lock.

B Block however is still wide open and way more interesting in terms of how it may shake out. They went the expected/correct route in saving the best for last with the Golden Lovers battle headlining night 9. But there are a billion ways they could go. It could be a win-and-in scenario with both guys with Naito, ZSJ, or someone else in a position to pass them in a draw. I'll stick with my initial prediction of Okada over Ibushi in the finals but it's a wide open Block

[Innovator]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgDbrtdUYAAE1ap.jpg:large

[Mr. Nerfect]

It would seem really weird if Okada was not in the finals. I can see Okada/Naito being the finals, with Naito winning and Okada doing something else at Wrestle Kingdom. *cough* Bryan Danielson.

[Evil Vito]

Okada being dropped by Jay White and Bad Luck Fale to start the tourney only to win his next 7 matches to get to the finals and win the whole thing has Gedo's fingerprints all over it.

[Innovator]

It's tradition, Fale has to beat Okada in the G1

[Evil Vito]

Here's your full G1 Special in San Francisco card

1. SHO/YOH/YOSHI-HASHI/Rocky Romero/Gedo [CHAOS] vs. Tama Tonga/Tanga Loa/Yujiro Takahashi/Chase Owens/KING HAKU [Bullet Club]

2. Toru Yano/Tomohiro Ishii [CHAOS] vs. Zack Sabre Jr./Minoru Suzuki [Suzuki-gun]

3. Hiroshi Tanahashi/KUSHIDA [Sekigun] vs. Hangman Page/Marty Scurll [Bullet Club]

4. NEVER Openweight Championship: Hirooki Goto [CHAOS] (V1 defense) vs. Jeff Cobb

5. IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Matt Jackson/Nick Jackson [Bullet Club] (V1 defense) vs. EVIL/SANADA [Los Ingobernables de Japon]

6. Kazuchika Okada/Will Ospreay [CHAOS] vs. Tetsuya Naito/BUSHI [Los Ingobernables de Japon]

7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi [Los Ingobernables de Japon] (V2 defense) vs. Dragon Lee

8. IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Jay White [CHAOS] (V4 defense) vs. Juice Robinson [Sekigun]

9. IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega [Bullet Club] (V1 defense) vs. Cody [Bullet Club]

[Jordan]

They could’ve done a much stronger card.

[Evil Vito]

I dunno, I think that looks pretty great. Especially the singles matches.

Love me some Jeff Cobb, hope they do more with him (fuck Elgin).
Hiromu/Dragon Lee looks like it'll be a show stealer.
Juice has been putting in good work.
And Cody's a logical V1 defense for Kenny.

[Innovator]

Yeah Jordan I don't think you get how insane in the membrane Hiromu and Dragon Lee will be

[Simple Fan]

Love Juice's post match interviews. Really hope he beats Switchblade for the US Championship.

[Evil Vito]

Also, motherfucking HAKU!!!!!!!!!!!

[Innovator]

Love Juice's post match interviews. Really hope he beats Switchblade for the US Championship.

"Down some sapporos and go balls deep in some pretty japanese girls"

[Innovator]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ETmm-RCYLwg?start=57" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Fignuts]

Wait Elgin dropped the title back to goto already? Is no finally shitcanning him?

[Emperor Smeat]

Love Juice's post match interviews. Really hope he beats Switchblade for the US Championship.

Kevin Owens feels the same .. well in regards to promos at least.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Juice Robinson, best promo in wrestling.</p>&mdash; Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) <a href="https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1009443067580092417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

Wait Elgin dropped the title back to goto already? Is no finally shitcanning him?

Honestly, I think part of it is they wanted Elgin in the G1 but he'd done fuck all this whole year. So they tossed the belt on him just in time for the field to be announced to make his inclusion easier to justify, and then quickly switched it back off.

[Ultra Mantis]

I've seen people say that CHAOS lost all their titles on that show to make it seem more likely Okada was going to keep his, so that's another purpose the change served. Jay White even ate the pin in the six man.

[Ultra Mantis]

Naito's birthday present from Hiromu.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">LOS INGOBERNABLES de JAPON<br><br>Un regalo de un conocido.<br>No estoy contento...<br>Pero gracias. <a href="https://t.co/6xuIYZsGHA">pic.twitter.com/6xuIYZsGHA</a></p>&mdash; 内藤哲也 naito tetsuya (@s_d_naito) <a href="https://twitter.com/s_d_naito/status/1010159046324711426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Simple Fan]

oYqY7Tt7KH0

[Mr. Nerfect]

That card looks fine. I do wonder if BUSHI needs to be anywhere near Okada though.

[Fignuts]

Bushi may not be doing much outside of tag matches at the moment, but he's still a phenomenal talent, and it will be fun to watch him mix it up with Okada.

[Ultra Mantis]

Okada is in a stable with Yoshi Hashi. What's wrong with him being around Bushi?

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, NJPW still hasn't come close to selling out the Cow Palace show but since a ton of expensive seat tickets were sold, its still on track to break the venue's record for highest gate revenue ever.

[DaveWadding]

Anyone else watching this When Worlds Collide show on twitch?

[Simple Fan]

Looking for it now but not having any luck. Might not be up yet.

[Simple Fan]

AXS TV is also showing Dominion tonight in two parts.

[Simple Fan]

Up now.

[DaveWadding]

https://m.twitch.tv/ceogaming/profile

Card:

Jeff Cobb vs. Chase Owens
* Jushin Liger vs. Rocky Romero
* The Guerrillas of Destiny vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
* Roppongi 3k vs. Dragon Lee & Ryusuke Taguchi
* Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi

[Simple Fan]

Timer says the show should start in about 9 minutes.

[Simple Fan]

Pretty good crowd, not sure about these commentators though.

[Emperor Smeat]

Anyone else watching this When Worlds Collide show on twitch?

Just tuned into the show thinking I missed the first hour but guess they started late instead.

Had a bit of a laugh at the audio botch to start the show.

[Simple Fan]

Don't know either of these guys, weren't on any of the cards I seen. Epic vs Chason?

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at this open challenge promo and the commentators insults at who answered it first.

[DaveWadding]

What the hell am I watching?

[Simple Fan]

1/2 * my ass that deserves negative stars.

[DaveWadding]

First 5 star match featuring baby oil and a guy with a torn Achilles.

[Emperor Smeat]

What the hell am I watching?
Artistic combat in its purest form.

Whatever Meltzer gave Okada-Omega IV, he's going to need a new standard after this masterpiece of a match.

[Simple Fan]

Alright the real show is starting.

[DaveWadding]

MULTIPLAYER MAYHAM

[Simple Fan]

Damnit

[Simple Fan]

These Twitch shows really try your patience.

[Simple Fan]

OK I'm taking the dog out this shit isn't going anywhere.

[slik]

https://m.twitch.tv/ceogaming/profile

Card:

Jeff Cobb vs. Chase Owens
* Jushin Liger vs. Rocky Romero
* The Guerrillas of Destiny vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
* Roppongi 3k vs. Dragon Lee & Ryusuke Taguchi
* Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi

Just tuning in, how's it been??

[slik]

Juice Robinson making his way to the ring, he means business in Daytona tonight

[Simple Fan]

Just tuning in, how's it been??

Show really just started. Not sure if you cought Liger vs Rocky but that was the first real match.

[slik]

I did not catch it -- lol @ Juice Robinson grabbing his junk

[slik]

Wooo one of the camera angles has great lighting and the other is like, not well lit

[slik]

What is that fucking squeaking sound, is that the ring??

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Biggest babyface of the night will be the first person to show up with a can of WD-40 for the squeaky ring.</p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1012885516507910145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Simple Fan]

What is that fucking squeaking sound, is that the ring??

I believe it's the ring spring.

[slik]

OMG Fix the ring

That fucking squeaking

[Simple Fan]

Needs some WD40.

[slik]

If AAA, God rest his soul, was here w/ us in this thread r/n he would be 'stressed' af

[slik]

Thinking about the time Michael Cole needed to clear his throat during a ppv and kept talking and Trips just kept posting "Clear your throat" and "Clear your fucking throat" and then Cole kept going and coughing/gargling and AAA got so stressed he had to quit watching the ppv.

[Simple Fan]

G.O.D is well oiled machine but the ring sure as hell isn't.

[Simple Fan]

Ring did not sound like that in the first match.

[DaveWadding]

Tama Tonga: YOU GET A CUTTER! YOU GET A CUTTER! EVERYBODY GETS A CUTTER!

[Emperor Smeat]

Tag match was pretty good overall.

[DaveWadding]

It's Jeff Cobb time :cool:

[slik]

any1 got a free stream of ROH's ppv that I think is also happening r/n where Cody is wrestling for the World Title?

[Simple Fan]

Feel like Jeff Cobb just did Samoa Joe's entrance.

[slik]

this dude looks like samoa joe in a singlet

[DaveWadding]

this dude looks like samoa joe in a singlet

I would share something with you, but it will majorly spoil Lucha Underground seasons 1-3, so...

[slik]

Dave, just spoil it

It will take me like 5 years to watch the first three seasons

[slik]

OMG GLOW 2.0 came out today

[slik]

I totes forgot

[DaveWadding]

He's Matanza. And he's awesome as shit

[Simple Fan]

Don't think he looks like Joe but he definitely copied his entrance.

[Jordan]

Cobb is the good for sure. More like a talented Taz than Joe.

[Jordan]

Match is too long though, Owens is a jabroni.

[DaveWadding]

Cobb is Vader with mad suplexes.

[Simple Fan]

Think they've turned down the ringside mics to counter the ring squeak.

[slik]

who r these commentators, anyone I'd have heard of

[Simple Fan]

Cobb is Vader with mad suplexes.

Vader inspired mask would be cool for him. Also Jeff Conb is such a dorky name for such a bad ass. Tanza would be a great name for him I think.

[slik]

watching this and roh at the same time r/n

roh good street fight going on

[Simple Fan]

who r these commentators, anyone I'd have heard of

They're gamers.

[slik]

They aren't bad @Simple Fan

[slik]

whoever roh's commentators are -- they are also good

[Simple Fan]

They aren't bad @Simple Fan

Yeah they've been better than I thought they'd be when I first heard them.

[slik]

LMAO at way tooo excited guy in front row who got sunglasses r/n

[slik]

Young Bucks fighting Brisco Bros on ROH r/n...like Nitro vs RAW

[Emperor Smeat]

Besides the squeaky ring issues, the long breaks has been the worst thing about this show so far.

The matches and commentary have been great though.

[slik]

Honestly prefer both the commentary teams on this NJPW vs CEO event and ROH to anyone on RAW or SD

[slik]

This ROH show seems 'really good'

[slik]

I like all four guys in the tag match on CEO vs NJPW r/n

All seem 'cool'

[Simple Fan]

Besides the squeaky ring issues, the long breaks has been the worst thing about this show so far.

The matches and commentary have been great though.

Agree, for a first time thing the problems are understandable. Show looks good and the commentators have been good. Thought they were just some gamer's that really didn't know anything but they seem to be fans themselves and know their stuff.

[DaveWadding]

From a presentation standpoint, this has been way more professional than the Impact Twitch streams usually are.

[DaveWadding]

DARYL

[slik]

Daryl is here

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: NJPW still hasn't bothered to get Takahashi's Super Jrs trophy fixed.

[slik]

Both main-events starting at the same time

[Simple Fan]

From a presentation standpoint, this has been way more professional than the Impact Twitch streams usually are.

Yep, Impact Twitch shows just feel like taped live events, which they are but this show has felt more like a PPV presentation. Big crowd helps with that feel but the production has been great.

[Simple Fan]

Both main-events starting at the same time

Kenny milked this show to go head to head with Cody. This is kind of Kenny's All In I feel.

[slik]

Ibushi vs Daryl

[slik]

ROH ref has thrown out Brandi Rhodes and Nick Aldis for multiple interferences

[slik]

Dalton Castle retains over Cody Rhodes and Marty Scurll

[slik]

NJPW/CEO commentary making fun of the neckbeards in the crowd lol

[slik]

OUCH at powerbomb on floor on Kota

[Simple Fan]

Damn that was nasty. Not sure how Ibushi is still going.

[Simple Fan]

Now Naito might be dead.

[slik]

who is/was the ref of this main event of njpw vs ceo

[slik]

Naito landed bad on his neck too

[Emperor Smeat]

Golden Lovers vs Naito/Takahashi/Daryl was really good.

Very fun event overall tonight.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyOmegamanX</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a> crush Naito! Goodness! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CEOxNJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CEOxNJPW</a> <br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/1SZtCJjpHS">https://t.co/1SZtCJjpHS</a> <a href="https://t.co/xTu6xV6aH9">pic.twitter.com/xTu6xV6aH9</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1012911123249627136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Destor]

Other than the marks in the booth this was solid.

[Emperor Smeat]

Dalton Castle retains over Cody Rhodes and Marty Scurll

Seems a bit dumb considering Castle's recent injury problems and gets rid of a potentially interesting ROH-NWA title vs title match at All In.

[Destor]

Money mark needing a rub

[Simple Fan]

Seems a bit dumb considering Castle's recent injury problems and gets rid of a potentially interesting ROH-NWA title vs title match at All In.

Did he pin Cody or Marty? If it was Marty Cidy will definitely get another shot. Really thought Cody was a lock to sin that so I guess it was unpredictable.

[slik]

He pinned Marty

[slik]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BrOd8vFBdVo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7zgiBpUnt8Q" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JeTDG9QZa1I" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7sVKqlvUfrs" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7r9bCis_tN0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


They should upload more of the show later

[Simple Fan]

Yeah Cody will get another shot before All In. Feel like WWE will get wind of how good this was and support a New Day vs Elite show at E3 next year.

[Vastardikai]

So, the Chasing Rants guy is a Pedo?

[slik]

Apparently so -- And now some parts of the internet are mad at Kenny Omega for him being on the show.

Omega clarified on Twitter he didn't book the dark matches or talent -- and that he didn't know -- but, of course, some wrestling fans don't care and now think he is the devil.

[slik]

Here are the other two matches:


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBMbAk_2ZRc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WT4xqpSqNcc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[#1-norm-fan]

I like Dalton Castle and all. It still seems weird to me that he's the ROH champion though.

[Destor]

The notion that every random twat on a show needs a background check is fucking absurd. The internet is stupid

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently so -- And now some parts of the internet are mad at Kenny Omega for him being on the show.

Omega clarified on Twitter he didn't book the dark matches or talent -- and that he didn't know -- but, of course, some wrestling fans don't care and now think he is the devil.

Supposedly he's also catching heat for having a woman abuser also get booked on the show. He was the sex offender's opponent.

Even if he didn't book or know about their pasts, he's still taking a pretty bad hit PR wise.

[Destor]

Because the internet is stupid

[Emperor Smeat]

IWC can be really dumb at times but this situation was also completely avoidable had someone either in CEO or Omega himself just done a quick check on the non-NJPW & DDT guys.

Seems the only reason why the sex offender keeps getting booked in the indies is due to him owning a ring and ring truck which he supplied for this event. Also Omega made the simple mistake of giving the wrestling school associated with this event too much control for the dark match.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here it is: I produced all matches from dark match #2 on.I gave the ring crew (also a wrestling school) carte Blanche to have our first dark. No entrances,no name graphics. And thus they had a match. I met Chasyn once in 2004 so his name was familiar. The other guy I’d never met.</p>&mdash; Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/1013076436134047744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Destor]

IWC can be really dumb at times but this situation was also completely avoidable had someone either in CEO or Omega himself just done a quick check on the non-NJPW & DDT guys.


Ridiculous statement. "Assume everyone is a pedophile" is stupid. Stop being stupid.

[Emperor Smeat]

The guy is an actual registered sex offender and apparently owns or helps run the wrestling school that was associated with this event. This was the same school that Bayley's superfan Izzy trained at before leaving due to some issues there.

The other guy only got outed as a woman abuser because some people online knew him from the Florida indies and/or did a quick check to find out more about him as a wrestler.

[Fignuts]

Supposedly he's also catching heat for having a woman abuser also get booked on the show. He was the sex offender's opponent.

Even if he didn't book or know about their pasts, he's still taking a pretty bad hit PR wise.

He's taking a PR hit from a few morons on the internet. I doubt most people care if they ever even hear about it

[Ultra Mantis]

Went to SSE today, Bone Soldier and Tiger Mask are mad short in person. Insanely short. Ishimori looked like a child in a Halloween mask. An incredibly buff child.

Heard these shows are going up on World, so gonna tag it just in case

Okada has red and black pants now and lost to ZSJ via flash pin. Looked like he left his new robe back in Japan with his Okada dollars, tied some balloons to his ass instead. Poor little Kazu. Watching Sabre monkey around on someone's back up close is pretty funny. Kinda frustrating to watch because he reverses EVERYTHING FOREVER. Good match though, Okada was the most over guy on the show by far, as he should be. Sabre probably second, though Suzuki, Ishii and Ospreay were all up there.

Jay White is a really good wrestler but he has really average matches, it's weird. Everything he does looks great, but there's something lost in the way his matches play out. Dunno, hope he can work it out. He also has a serious case of Bret Hart face.

Fun spot where Iizuka bites Gedo and gets booed, then he bites Yano and gets booed much louder, goes over and bites Yoshi-Hashi on the apron to a small smattering of boos and mild cheers.

Ishii lost his Rev Pro title to Suzuki, CHAOS lost every match apart from Switchblade actually. Awesome match, obviously these two beat the shit out of each other. Some absolutely sickening elbows and chops from both guys. Ishii's selling is top notch.

Ospreay lost to Taichi. What a fucking loser.

Would have obviously liked Tanahashi and especially LiJ to have bee there, but still had a blast.

Got to see Nagata murder Shota too, so that was cool.

[Fignuts]

I'm all in on Taichi. Enjoyed all of his matches since the heavyweight transition. Great gimmick as well. So obnoxious.

[Fignuts]

Watched Mutoh and Chono vs Saito and Hashimoto from 90'.

I love the current nj product but they could learn from this match on how to throw in some straight emotional FIRE into the matches.

Not that the current product doesn't have that, but Jesus Christ, the whole early 90's main event crew was on another fucking level. Watching Mutoh and Hase go at it and the crowd is going INSANE.

[Ultra Mantis]

Taichi is amazing because you really want to like him but then he acts like Taichi, then he starts doing some cool shit and whips his pants off but goes back to doing Taichi things again so you don't want him to actually win. He refused to wrestle for ages because everyone was chanting Ospreay instead of Taichi :lol:

[Fignuts]

Like you watch that tag match and the pure HATE they're portraying towards one another is so convincing that you might think it was a shoot.

[Simple Fan]

Big fan of Taichi's move to heaveyweight as well.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just announced! Get ready for more NJPW action coming Stateside!<br><br>Sep 30 in Long Beach - Fighting Spirit Unleashed!<br><br>Nov 10 &amp; 11 @ the Anaheim Convention Center - Lion's Break: Project 1!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g1usa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g1usa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://t.co/BMk7DqRquF">pic.twitter.com/BMk7DqRquF</a></p>&mdash; njpw_global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1015340769232617473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Meij the force be with them.

[Jordan]

Just watched Omega/Okada from Dominion on AXS with Barnett and Ross on commentary. Kevin Kelly and Don Callis were much better, they had the advantage of being live but still, much better.

[Jordan]

Was thinking we could make a new topic for tonight's show but I don't think we will have a lot of viewers. :(

Anyone know where sales are at for the gate?

[Jordan]

Wow JR and Barnett really sell the Golden Lovers as a romantic pair. I never really gave it any thought and I searched google and found that Kenny has outed himself as bisexual. Really funny to hear JR say "Well Cody stole a kiss" ... "Why do you think he did that JR?" "I don't know, to make Kenny jealous?" LOL...

[Evil Vito]

The Golden Lovers were always obviously a gay love story. I found it both amusing and gross that there are loads of NJPW fans on reddit trying to act like it wasn't.

[Jordan]

It is certainly unique. Really gotta be a hater to hate on it.

[Evil Vito]

Boy I wish I had a show to watch tonight.

Fuck AXS with a rusty spoon.

[slik]

I might miss the beginning hour but will be tuning in

How long will it last?

[Dark One]

Gonna be watching LIVE.

How bad will the riot be if Cody steals the title? California finally secedes from the union and flies off into space?

[Jordan]

Haku kicking off the show with his boys in the 10 man.

[Jordan]

LOL they announced him as THE OG King Haku.

[Dark One]

I hope King Haku rips YOSHI-HASHI's face off and throws it into the crowd.

Sound mixing is pretty brutal so far. Barnett and Ross talking during entrances is turning into a garbled mess with the ring announcing and themes all at the same volume with them.

[Jordan]

Jesus Haku's arms are huge.

[Jordan]

Crowd boo's Haku taking an early bump lol.

[Jordan]

Wow I didn't know that Haku had THREE sons in NJPW. That is crazy.

[Dark One]

Pretty sure Tama Tonga stinger splashed Rocky Romero with his balls.

[Jordan]

What the fuck just happened there? The ref totally stalled on that count for the piledriver.

[Dark One]

Wow I didn't know that Haku had THREE sons in NJPW. That is crazy.

Hikuleo only made a handful of appearances before being out with an injury, so he's easily forgotten.

But yeah, King Haku slowly gonna fill out the whole G1

[Jordan]

I want Tama Tonga to go far.

[Jordan]

I hate that no sell for the back stabber there.

[Jordan]

Haha! Good finish for the Haku Fam.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at JR calling Gedo "Ghetto"

Opener was good overall.

[Jordan]

Always wanted the Tongan's to go to WWE to feud with the Uso's but why bother, they should be making good money, they have good spots and seem to be getting bigger. I like it a lot. Love Haku getting that sick piledriver offense as well as the Death Grip on the booker lol. awesome.

[Jordan]

I wonder if Haku didn't knock Rocky a little loopy with that piledriver, that was such an impact. Also Rocky was moving very slow on that dive I thought.

[Emperor Smeat]

First time hearing Suzuki's anniversary theme and it doesn't sound as great as his regular one.

[Dark One]

"How many concussions you think these guys have wrestled through in their lifetime?"

https://media1.tenor.com/images/5a77a38f05546da59092a9650c08bef5/tenor.gif?itemid=4946897

[Dark One]

First time hearing Suzuki's anniversary theme and it doesn't sound as great as his regular one.

The sound mixing and acoustics make every theme sound like Big Cass's theme right now. I wouldn't judge anything on tonight.

[Jordan]

Suzuki is in really great shape.

[Dark One]

Slapping Suzuku? Ishii's balls must be the size of his head.

[Emperor Smeat]

Ishii must have some sort of death wish going on with him actually wanting Suzkui to be pissed off.

[Jordan]

WOW What a sequence after the test your might strike challenge.

[Jordan]

Haha! Wow Yano with the cover on Sabre!

[Jordan]

Fun match for sure.

[Jordan]

Tanahashi up next! Looking forward to a Tanahashi resurgence to the main event.

[Jordan]

I'm not a big Marty Scurl fan but I'm opening up to him.

[Dark One]

"The Villain Maaaartttyyy Scuuuurrrlll. And the guy who DEFINITELY did not murder Noted Dick Wrestler Joey Ryan, Haaaangman Paaagee."

[Jordan]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXSBnWH8HS/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GP T6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAA AElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; ██████████relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXSBnWH8HS/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#SUZUKI vs #OKADA!! 雨の中の決闘…!! 鈴木みのる“デビュー30周年試合”はオカダ・カズチカと壮絶すぎる30分フルタイムドロー決着!! 【6.23 大海賊祭結果】 http://sp.njpw.jp #大海賊祭 #njpw</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/njpw1972/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> NJPW【official】</a> (@njpw1972) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-06-23T10:26:28+00:00">Jun 23, 2018 at 3:26am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

[Jordan]

Okada/Suzuki 30 minute draw at Suzuki's 30th anniversary... in the rain!

[Dark One]

2/10, doesn't have the best picture

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgXnT81U8AAHX54.jpg:large

[Jordan]

Awesome. Reporte 18,000 people were there... I dunno about that but if it's in that ballpark that is pretty awesome.

[Dark One]

If you had told me 20 years ago I would prefer Kevin Kelly to Jim Ross I would have punched you in the throat.

Also RIP Kushida

[Jordan]

Wow that reverse tombstone was sick.

[Jordan]

If you had told me 20 years ago I would prefer Kevin Kelly to Jim Ross I would have punched you in the throat.

Also RIP Kushida

I agree. We need screamo 1988 Jr. for this. This laid back approach doesn't help the mood.

[Jordan]

I wish they'd have given Tanahashi the heat after that and beat their ass a little bit.

[Jordan]

Well I think this would be an appropriate time for JR to drop "This one's gonna be a barn burner" on this one.

[Jordan]

Anyone herd of the attendance number? I can't find anything.

[Emperor Smeat]

Anyone herd of the attendance number? I can't find anything.

Last I read, NJPW sold around 7,700 tickets for this show.

[Jordan]

Wow that is really good.

[Jordan]

OMG wow.... Cobb with a standing moonsault that was insane.

[Jordan]

Wow I thought Cobb had it won with the moonsault

[Jordan]

Cobb reminds me of ECW. Taz mixed with Super Crazy.

[Dark One]

Damn, Cobb is apparently 35

[Emperor Smeat]

NEVER title match was pretty good. Cobb would have stood a better chance if he channeled his inner Monster persona.

Wow that is really good.
Yeah this ended up being the 2nd highest sold non-WWE event in years but well short of the 10k mark NJPW thought they'd easily get.

Didn't help that All In stole a lot of the thunder for a big indie event and NJPW coasted way too much building this event.

[Jordan]

You know if there was one star from WWE that I think would be mega in NJPW... Randy Orton. He gets to keep his name, he can work at a high level when inspired, and he would come off so legit in this environment.

[slik]

Saw the 1st match, watching the current match

will have to catch the rest later

[Jordan]

Young Bucks looking like men now!

[slik]

As always...the darkened arena look is so good

[Jordan]

Saw the 1st match, watching the current match

will have to catch the rest later

It's been solid all around nothing amazing but all fun.

[Dark One]

Is that the Human Centipede Sharpshooter?

[Jordan]

LOL JR "That move was made famous at Alcatraz"

[slik]

I have a dudecrush on Sanada

[Jordan]

Sanada's physique is really good.

[Dark One]

I have a dudecrush on Sanada

Finn vs SANADA who you got

[Jordan]

This match is awesome

[Jordan]

SWINGING DRAGON SLEEPER!!!!

[Jordan]

Legit did an organic Joel Styles OH MY GOD on that DDT to the apron.

[slik]

Good looking Scorpion Death Lock from Young Buck rassler

[Jordan]

This is the best. My god, these spots are so on point.

[Jordan]

Usually Nick is my favorite Buck but Matt is showing me in this match that he should get a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

[slik]

Finn vs SANADA who you got

Turns heel on both for ZSJ

[Emperor Smeat]

If there is one thing I really love about NJPW is how well they handle submission moves unlike the WWE. They don't treat it as a useless spot unless its someone's finisher and build them up during matches that even a simple hold feels like a legit match ender.

[slik]

Jim Ross is hysterical, I have missed him on live shows.

"They learned that move in Alcatraz"
"The referee was not invited to the Superkick Party"

[slik]

Great tag match

[Emperor Smeat]

IWGP Tag match was amazing.

[Jordan]

I loved that match. I think I liked it more than the main event of the last AXS show. Really good.

[Dark One]

15 minute Yakuza 0 intermission. Back in a bit

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at the mix of boos and cheers for the next NJPW event not being in San Fran.

[Jordan]

Looking forward to The Lions Break in November. I don't really know what kind of quality to expect.

[Jordan]

I never watched Cody and Kenny from ROH so I am pretty pumped for this.

[Jordan]

Also the Juice broken hand motherfucker promo indeed was the best promo in ages.

[Dark One]

I never watched Cody and Kenny from ROH so I am pretty pumped for this.

It was kind of underwhelming, but that may also be that it's a victim of following NXT Takeover and ROH doing pretty much everything they possibly could to shit the bed between the end of Takeover and Kenny vs Cody's start.

[Emperor Smeat]

Okada must be running out of money if he has to resort to making it rain with a few balloons.

Or got mentally broken after losing his best pal, Mr. IWGP Heavyweight Belt.

[Dark One]

Okada must be running out of money if he has to resort to making it rain with a few balloons.

Brutal pay cut without the championship.

[Jordan]

Love Okada's new look.

[Dark One]

Love Okada's new look.

Call me when he has a post-title depression hobo beard.

[Jordan]

TranQWEELOW oh man, he's always having trouble on these shows but who cares, it's still cool to hear JR on commentary, he's older it is what it is. Still cool still cool.