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

[Evil Vito]

I thought Okada starting 0-2 had an outside shot of happening simply because I could see him now ripping off 6 or 7 in a row to get to the finals anyway, that's got Gedo's fingerprints all over it.

Suzuki starting 0-2 on the other hand kinda shocks me. Definitely figured he'd go over Makabe who's done a whole lot of nothing this year.

[Malfeitor]

ZSJ is quickly becoming my favorite wrestler. He's so unique, odd, comes off so effeminate but always a serious threat to put
anyone down for a pin or submission. He is one of a kind for sure.

I can watch his matches all damn day. He always busts something out that I’ve never seen before.

[Evil Vito]

I'm actually batting 1.000 on watching the full show so far. Having said that, I'm probably gonna be skipping the opening tags fairly soon since I'm not going to have three hours to burn every night.

They're an asset because they build the story for the next set of Block matches, but at the same time they're also pretty formulaic.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm about to watch Omega vs. Naito. Kenny not looking like an asshole with his facial expressions.

[Emperor Smeat]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p2H5iEupGX0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

My thoughts. If you don't want to read them don't read them. They're not positive:


* Kevin Kelly doing his best to add to the conflict. Good stuff. Then he goes into the Meltzer scale. These guys are equally matched -- there's a good point there. Don't need to hear "5 and 3/4 stars" being uttered seriously though.

* Who is the third person on commentary? They fucking suck.

* Callis bringing up "7 stars." Fuck off. The goal of wrestling is not to have a good match. Your goal is to hype the product, sure, but hyperbole can make things inaccessible too. "The greatest match of all-time." It wasn't. Get people expecting that and they will be disappointed.

* "Is Kenny Omega the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time?" Fucking hell, Callis is awful.

* Naito charismatic as hell, by the way.

* "You can't escape." That's lame.

* Fuck, he did it twice. Hahahaha.

* Omega's doing the faces now.

* This has been very WWE style so far. Lots of spots that happen for the sake of doing the spots. Naito spat in Omega's face and then turned away. Omega holds up the mats so Naito can jump into him. It's lacking that fight psychology that I'm a huge fan of.

* Kenny with a springboard crossbody into the crowd. It feels like they've done this so many times before though. And indeed commentary points that out. Is there a secret to emotionally investing in this?

* I saw a move I really liked. Omega hit this delayed gutwrench powerbomb. Then that third dick on commentary has to make sure he inserts it's called "The Dr. Wily Bomb" and Callis is such an ass-crawler that he adjusts his call.

* I just can't understand how these string of moves doesn't feel repetitive to people in 2018. This is my exact problem with WWE.

* My thoughts keep going to Ziggler/Rollins. If that match happened in New Japan, it would probably be better. Or if Omega/Naito happened in WWE, it would be considered about on par with that.

* Callis finally makes a good call when he sees Naito's foot hooking the turnbuckle.

* You mean one finisher didn't do it?! No way! Destino is a silly move, by the way. Looks more effort to hit than a normal Reverse DDT.

* Why keep going for a move where you put yourself on the guy's shoulders for his move?

* Hahaha, Naito tried his silly finisher again and got dropped on his head. Maybe he's learnt a lesson?

* I think what bothers me about this spotty style is that when you know the moves are safe, as presumably the audience secretly does, then just doing a move and getting a two count is arbitrary. Anyone can do it. The artistry in a false finish is in knowing when and how to do a move that would normally get a three count yet doesn't. I don't think Kenny Omega has ever won a match with the Jay Driller. Maybe he has, but I don't expect that to be the finish of an Omega/Naito match. This would be like The Rock beating Austin with his Samoan drop.

* If I had to rank the match, and I use a cinematic 1-4 scale, with 4 being great, 3 being good, 2 being average, 1 being bad, and 0 being awful, I'd probably give it **. It really did feel like an "average match" by today's standards. The execution was good, and it did get the crowd into it, but the psychology and the story were just not there, despite Kelly trying to introduce it at the start. There was nothing from Naito or Omega that really added to that.

* I don't think modern wrestling is for me. It feels like TNA's X-Division has taken over the main event and is presented like serious drama instead of popcorn filler. I've watched a bit of 90's Japan recently, and the emotion and the drama hooked me instantly. It felt like there were great stakes. You hear that Japanese crowds are quiet. Not so when watching the stuff they really care about. None of that drama was mined here. This was a WWE-style match with WWE-style commentary. The presentation was great. It felt like they wanted it to have a sporting environment, but the sporting psychology was just not there. Most of the things (not everything) they did was crisp, but I just can't get into guys hitting obscure drivers and then being surprised when they don't get the win when there hasn't been at least two finishers in 2018. I really want New Japan to succeed, but it feels like more of the same. I don't think it's for me.

[Innovator]

Callis’s whole gimmick is being an Omega fanboy Noid

[Innovator]

I want Fale to win everything

[Vastardikai]

My thing with Naito is that he is what Omega thinks he is: a cool heel.

That said I want to set Jackyl on fire, figuratively. Or be meaner and lock him in a cage with Suzuki.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Callis’s whole gimmick is being an Omega fanboy Noid

Oh, I can get that with the horrible backstories he gave him. It doesn't make it bearable.

[Evil Vito]

Noid - just do yourself a favor and watch Minoru Suzuki’s matches before throwing in the towel on the company over one match

[Mr. Nerfect]

I LOVE everything I’ve seen from Suzuki. And I think Tanahashi is one of the best babyfaces I have ever seen. I may have been hasty earlier. I like a lot of stuff I’ve seen from New Japan. I’m just worried the compass is set and the trends in WWE and New Japan are going to mirror each other.

I might give ZSJ and Ibushi a go. I feel it might have more of a story I can bite into.

[Evil Vito]

Well worth checking that match out. While I'm not a fan of Kevin Kelly, one thing I do appreciate is that he tends to bring up past match history between guys when they have singles matches and quite often the matches build on each other. You get a real sense that the wrestlers actually learn and improve from mistakes in previous matches.

As opposed to WWE, where the same two guys can wrestle several weeks in a row and have the same exact match every time.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Noid, let's not act like you aren't looking to nitpick Omega matches before you even watch them. It's compulsive.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well worth checking that match out. While I'm not a fan of Kevin Kelly, one thing I do appreciate is that he tends to bring up past match history between guys when they have singles matches and quite often the matches build on each other. You get a real sense that the wrestlers actually learn and improve from mistakes in previous matches.

As opposed to WWE, where the same two guys can wrestle several weeks in a row and have the same exact match every time.

Kevin Kelly seems like he tries to bring in some history. I don’t like him as a play-by-play guy, but he tries in that “Professor” role. Michael Cole does a similar thing when left to his own devices.

That’s true about them building off their previous work. I haven’t seen any other Baito/Omega match so I don’t have context for that. I don’t think it would help me enjoy the style any more, but it might give me something to appreciate. I loved it when Styles, Nakamura and Bryan did that earlier this year. It does happen I’m WWE sometimes, but as a general rule I think you’re right.

[Jordan]

My thoughts. If you don't want to read them don't read them. They're not positive:


* Kevin Kelly doing his best to add to the conflict. Good stuff. Then he goes into the Meltzer scale. These guys are equally matched -- there's a good point there. Don't need to hear "5 and 3/4 stars" being uttered seriously though.

* Who is the third person on commentary? They fucking suck.

* Callis bringing up "7 stars." Fuck off. The goal of wrestling is not to have a good match. Your goal is to hype the product, sure, but hyperbole can make things inaccessible too. "The greatest match of all-time." It wasn't. Get people expecting that and they will be disappointed.

* "Is Kenny Omega the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time?" Fucking hell, Callis is awful.

* Naito charismatic as hell, by the way.

* "You can't escape." That's lame.

* Fuck, he did it twice. Hahahaha.

* Omega's doing the faces now.

* This has been very WWE style so far. Lots of spots that happen for the sake of doing the spots. Naito spat in Omega's face and then turned away. Omega holds up the mats so Naito can jump into him. It's lacking that fight psychology that I'm a huge fan of.

* Kenny with a springboard crossbody into the crowd. It feels like they've done this so many times before though. And indeed commentary points that out. Is there a secret to emotionally investing in this?

* I saw a move I really liked. Omega hit this delayed gutwrench powerbomb. Then that third dick on commentary has to make sure he inserts it's called "The Dr. Wily Bomb" and Callis is such an ass-crawler that he adjusts his call.

* I just can't understand how these string of moves doesn't feel repetitive to people in 2018. This is my exact problem with WWE.

* My thoughts keep going to Ziggler/Rollins. If that match happened in New Japan, it would probably be better. Or if Omega/Naito happened in WWE, it would be considered about on par with that.

* Callis finally makes a good call when he sees Naito's foot hooking the turnbuckle.

* You mean one finisher didn't do it?! No way! Destino is a silly move, by the way. Looks more effort to hit than a normal Reverse DDT.

* Why keep going for a move where you put yourself on the guy's shoulders for his move?

* Hahaha, Naito tried his silly finisher again and got dropped on his head. Maybe he's learnt a lesson?

* I think what bothers me about this spotty style is that when you know the moves are safe, as presumably the audience secretly does, then just doing a move and getting a two count is arbitrary. Anyone can do it. The artistry in a false finish is in knowing when and how to do a move that would normally get a three count yet doesn't. I don't think Kenny Omega has ever won a match with the Jay Driller. Maybe he has, but I don't expect that to be the finish of an Omega/Naito match. This would be like The Rock beating Austin with his Samoan drop.

* If I had to rank the match, and I use a cinematic 1-4 scale, with 4 being great, 3 being good, 2 being average, 1 being bad, and 0 being awful, I'd probably give it **. It really did feel like an "average match" by today's standards. The execution was good, and it did get the crowd into it, but the psychology and the story were just not there, despite Kelly trying to introduce it at the start. There was nothing from Naito or Omega that really added to that.

* I don't think modern wrestling is for me. It feels like TNA's X-Division has taken over the main event and is presented like serious drama instead of popcorn filler. I've watched a bit of 90's Japan recently, and the emotion and the drama hooked me instantly. It felt like there were great stakes. You hear that Japanese crowds are quiet. Not so when watching the stuff they really care about. None of that drama was mined here. This was a WWE-style match with WWE-style commentary. The presentation was great. It felt like they wanted it to have a sporting environment, but the sporting psychology was just not there. Most of the things (not everything) they did was crisp, but I just can't get into guys hitting obscure drivers and then being surprised when they don't get the win when there hasn't been at least two finishers in 2018. I really want New Japan to succeed, but it feels like more of the same. I don't think it's for me.

I can totally understand why that match and other NJPW big matches lately remind you of WWE style. I like to call it American Crash style because they are still doing a much more edgy match than WWE does. I don't agree with all your opinions but they are valid and I appreciate you actually sitting down and watching to try it out.

There certainly is a new style creeping into NJPW that wouldn't jive with the traditional strong style NJPW built its foundation on. Strong Style Evolved? Sure that title works.

I could critique NJPW on pushing so many on-Japanese Stars right now, it doesn't bother me but it's noticeable.

Omega says it all the time, he's not a great wrestler, that there are many better than him. He is a phenomenal talent that has enough wherewithal to understand what he needs to do to have the best match possible. His matches stand out and when he is working with a guy who is a great wrestler (Okada, Natio) he's having phenomenal matches, the best in the world, he's evolving wrestling to something bigger.

On commentary... I used to really be harsh on Kevin Kelly but the more I get into the product the more I have to attribute that to him. His knowledge and education during commentary is fantastic. It is odd to hear wrestlers and announcers talk about match ratings, but that is a part of NJPW... Kenny's gimmick is "Best Bout Machine", and it draws big time for them. It works, and it's legit, a lot of people tune in to NJPW to see the best matches and they don't hide the fact that amazing matches is what sets them apart from WWE.

The commentator you don't like is Rocky Romero and I can totally understand why, he has no finesse. But for myself I do enjoy having him there to educate me on the characters and product.

The only concern I have for NJPW right now (and for the past 3 years) is that I don't see the next great Japanese superstar. They have to hang onto Tanahashi, and rightfully so, he's the legit ace of NJPW. They have Okada, Suzuki and Naito but beyond that I don't see the next guy, which is why there are so many non-Japanese stars filling the roster right now. I do agree that they should push the best talent they have regardless of nationality but I want to see the next great Japanese star. Any of you guys see that star on the horizon?

[Fignuts]

Look to the young lions. The current crop of top stars has more than enough years left in them for the young guys to develop and reach their potential.

[Simple Fan]

Seems the Japanese talent have a slower progression than the foreign talent. I'm a big fan of Taichi and he seems ready to make that next step but alot of the gaijins seem to be ahead of him. Sho and Yoh spring to mind as far as the most successful Japanese youngboys to have success but both are juniors and are probably 3-5 years from moving up I'd say. Of course you've got Ibushi who has moved up and maybe Kushida might move up eventually. I don't think Okada is going away for a while though so as far as a new Japanese Ace goes he's probably the best bet.

[Simple Fan]

Look to the young lions. The current crop of top stars has more than enough years left in them for the young guys to develop and reach their potential.

That's another thing, the past few years most the young loins have been gaijins. This group looks to have mostly Japanese guys, or atleast I haven't seen any non Japanese ones.

[Fignuts]

Progression is slower, but its also extremely effective.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've heard that buzz about Sanada and possibly Ibushi if he signs exclusively with them. I don't think they'll be willing to slow down with Okada anytime soon. He's taking a break from the belt at the moment, but it's still his promotion.

Thanks for your reasoned response that doesn't just tear into me because I'm not on the dick right away. When they treat it like a real sport, New Japan tickles my jollies just fine. But I'm afraid of commiting to a product that is going to hurt me by shifting more and more towards that "American Crash" style (I like that descriptor).

Omega rubs me the wrong way, because I think he sounds like an idiot in interviews and his facials and promos are horrible. He's clearly crisp in the ring, but I just think his work is overall overrated. He'd make a fine addition to any roster, but there's this talk of him being the best wrestler in the world. He's a good enough worker that to the audience that watches wrestling he's endeared himself enough to warrant a run with the IWGP Heavyweight Title. I don't get the psychology of being "The Best Bout Machine." I think it's a great talking point for announcers when trying to hype a fight between two guys that push each other to their limits, but the psychology of a wrestling match should be to win as effectively as possible. I'd take his "Terminator" vibes over the BBM stuff any day, even though I don't think he fits the Terminator thing at all.

He's done really well in New Japan. He's helping them get back up there. They've been doing bigger gates at the Tokyo Dome. They're yet to sell it out, to my understanding, but I do hope they get there. Sincerely. I want the gap closed between WWE and New Japan, which is why I am considering supporting them financially even if I don't watch the product. The gaijin stars help with that. Giving Omega focus, bringing in Jericho, Mysterio, etc. certainly gives more casual viewers that hook. It's not an entirely unfamiliar world with guys whose names you can't pronounce -- it's some of the biggest stars wrestling has ever seen.

I do appreciate the effort Kelly puts in around his performances. I think he'd grow on me. There are just some awkward pauses and he needs to compromise for Callis. With a different partner, maybe he would be excellent. I wouldn't mind seeing him do it with Jim Ross, actually. Kelly can keep the facts straight and JR can bring the emotion to things and make sure that there is no dead air when Kelly is thinking about what to do next.

I'm actually surprised to hear it was Rocky Romero. I thought it was a Young Buck or someone. Thanks for that.

I'm worried that the New Japan love is a fad. Not to call everyone flippant or frivilous -- I know there are people who have followed it for a long time and will continue to regardless of what happens. I can just see something changing tone in WWE, or with another Japanese promotion, or domestically, that kind of leaves New Japan in a compromised position of "What have you done for me lately?" I wonder how much of its current goodwill comes from a "Not WWE" mentality? I know that helps me want to root for them. Gedo has also been booking for a while now, and while he's quite brilliant, I wouldn't want him to get burnt out or stuck in his own tropes either. I've already seen "Typical New Japan" comments in passing around places.

[Fignuts]

Some of Omegas stuff does come off as cheesy, but I've wondered if its just cultural. People in Japan obviously eat it up, so what looks and sounds silly to us may be interpreted differently to them. Or maybe its just as silly and they just love that shit.

Either way, while I don't blame anyone for being off put by it, I don't blame him for doing it since he's just playing to his audience.

[Fignuts]

Part of me hopes it doesn't close the gap with WWE because then you run the risk of it becoming what WWE is now. In fact, it would almost have to.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I get what you're saying, but I think he could get away with not doing it and be completely fine. I hope that they get enough success to boost their audience with the product that brought them to the dance, and have enough success that Vince pays enough attention to start trying. I think there is a market for wrestling that isn't the sideshow circus Vince runs.

[Emperor Smeat]

Some of Omegas stuff does come off as cheesy, but I've wondered if its just cultural. People in Japan obviously eat it up, so what looks and sounds silly to us may be interpreted differently to them. Or maybe its just as silly and they just love that shit.

Either way, while I don't blame anyone for being off put by it, I don't blame him for doing it since he's just playing to his audience.

He did used to be mainly a comedic wrestler there considering his long stint in DDT and kept some of that persona when he made the transition into becoming more of a serious wrestler in recent years.

He's probably more Taguchi-lite than someone like Yano in terms of comedic wrestling now.

[Evil Vito]

Jesus, New Japan keep kayfabe even during 10 bell salutes. Only the New Japan Seikigun/Home Army/Non-Stable guys were allowed to go to the ring to honor Saito.

[Malfeitor]

Naito/Ishii was awesome.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Red Shoes! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/SKebz7UzSE">pic.twitter.com/SKebz7UzSE</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1020275942604894214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Jordan]

My favorite match so far was Goto/Omega followed by ZSJ/Suzuki.

Almost want to complain that there is too much to keep up with!

[Evil Vito]

Nothing like Ishii and Goto slugging the shit out of each other.

[Malfeitor]

There’s so much to keep up with but it’s so damn worth it.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two of my favorites from New Japan <a href="https://twitter.com/zacksabrejr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zacksabrejr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/seiyasanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seiyasanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://t.co/tNCORVH3wx">pic.twitter.com/tNCORVH3wx</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1020844086843015169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Innovator]

Poor knife pervert

[Fignuts]

Love that tana vs tale finish

[Emperor Smeat]

Just finished watching White-Suzuki from earlier today and White pretty much had a death wish going on with the constant pissing off of Suzuki. Guess Suzuki's limit is a low blow attempt since he KOed White with right hook afterwards.

[Evil Vito]

Man this tourney has been fun.

Shame Hasney has quit TPWW so he can't discuss it with us.

[Fignuts]

Why did he quit?

[Emperor Smeat]

Probably a mix of attrition from watching WWE, lack of big interest here for non-WWE stuff, and likely some similar reasons why others got tired of TPWW.

He's on another wrestling board/thread that I lurk at and its a lot more diverse for wrestling related stuff.

[Fignuts]

Zsj vs sanada was short but damn that was fun

[Fignuts]

God damn that juice vs naito match

[Fignuts]

Think the only thing more reliable than the sun coming up is the Goto vs Ishii match up always delivering.

Every fucking time, my god.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've got a soft spot for Ishii.

[Jordan]

Agh... life is getting between me and G1... too many shows to keep up and watch everything right now. I'll have to check back in on this possibly at the end of this week.

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fuck a G1 <a href="https://t.co/ZImw7W7Unc">pic.twitter.com/ZImw7W7Unc</a></p>&mdash; 'Bad Boy' Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tama_Tonga/status/1021411442468122624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Fignuts]

Been impressed with yoshi hashi in this g-1. Typically, few people on the roster get me nonplussed like hashi, but he's stepped up his game more than ever and I'm enjoying all his matches in this tournament.

[Evil Vito]

Genuinely popped for Yoshi going over Elgin. Fuck Elgin.

[Emperor Smeat]

Besides Omega and the Young Bucks, looks like the WWE also has their eyes on Juice Robinson according to the Observer's Dave Meltzer.

The company also has great interest in Juice Robinson. Robinson has started to appear the last few weeks as a cast member in Being the Elite, which seems to be the best avenue to raise the American profile for an independent wrestler. It didn’t work out for Robinson the first time he was there, but even then, in Dusty Rhodes’ interview classes he was considered the best. His current profile is the biggest it’s ever been by far based off the reaction to his interviews and his recent matches, particularly the Cow Palace match with Jay White and the reaction it got. A number of New Japan regulars actually aren’t under contract, similar to A.J. Styles when he was there, so legally WWE can approach them without it being tampering. Others it has to be more nuanced, but they are making plays right now.


Meltzer also reported NJPW is likely going to make a strong push to get Shinsuke Nakamura back when his current WWE contract expires in a few months from now.

[Ultra Mantis]

Hope nobody goes to WWE. Ever. Except KES, wouldn't miss them.

[Fignuts]

I could see Juice going back. Hope he doesn't. Really enjoying his work as of late.

[Fignuts]

Conversely, I don't want to see Nakamura's go back quite yet. There are things Id like to see from him in wwe before he goes back. The match with Bryan being at the forefront. A title run would be nice. Finally, I've noticed that he and Orton really click well together, whether as a team or against each other. Now that they're both heels it could be a good time to revisit that team and create a new power duo akin to edge and Jericho.

[Ultra Mantis]

I'd love to see Nakamura having great matches again, but yeah, he'd be in a Tana / Suzuki role and I'm not sure he'd be happy with that. Then again, how happy can a man be putting over Jinder Mahal? He still has things to do in WWE I'm sure.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a> &quot;Foot Stamp&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWWorld</a> Watch now▶︎<a href="https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP">https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP</a> <br>7.26 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a>【B Block】 <a href="https://t.co/giSBSabETc">pic.twitter.com/giSBSabETc</a></p>&mdash; njpwworld (@njpwworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/1022464163564535808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a> &quot;Frankensteiner&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWWorld</a> Watch now▶︎<a href="https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP">https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP</a> <br>7.26 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a>【B Block】 <a href="https://t.co/B7A4Axr3LJ">pic.twitter.com/B7A4Axr3LJ</a></p>&mdash; njpwworld (@njpwworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/1022461007547879427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EVIL should be in the new <a href="https://twitter.com/soulcalibur?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@soulcalibur</a>, as he's clearly taken possession of the Soul Edge irl <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a> <a href="https://t.co/4ULitIni5Z">https://t.co/4ULitIni5Z</a> <a href="https://t.co/WlrS8Xjktm">pic.twitter.com/WlrS8Xjktm</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1022606941959475200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Robinson is probably going to go back eventually, but I'm not sure it's time yet.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/YTR_CHAOS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YTR_CHAOS</a> proving that there is no honor amongst sublime master thieves. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/gPbwYMiEZK">pic.twitter.com/gPbwYMiEZK</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1022607437403238400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

Ishii/Ibushi and Omega/SANADA. God damn.

[Emperor Smeat]

Karl Anderson currently rumored to want to go back to NJPW once his WWE contract expires in a few months. Doesn't seem Gallows is going to follow him since the same rumor stated he likes being in the WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I imagine they got paid a pretty penny to come in, and yet three years later and they barely mean anything. Anderson is pretty good, but Gallows is still really clunky in the ring. He's got good presence when he stands around and does nothing, but bell-to-bell you can give him a miss.

They're apparently good to have in the locker-room, but can you imagine what Vince thought he was getting versus what he got? Imagine if you had spent Road Warrior money and got Biscuits & Gravy? I thought that there was a possibility that Anderson would be moved into a trainer job and Gallows would just keep on going as Gallows, getting random pushes because he's big and you can delude yourself into thinking he has charisma until he talks. I guess Anderson is looking to leverage some offers off each other.

[Fignuts]

Kinda happy that Gallows wants to stay. Anderson has to much potential as a singles star to see him back in the tag division if he returns.

Gallows seems genuinely entertaining in Cabanas road diaries and southpaw. Feel like he's just not good at reading other peoples awful material.

[Simple Fan]

If Gallows and Anderson had somthing on WWE Network similar to Talkin Shop it'd be the best thing on there. I know it wouldn't be PG but neither is Bruce Pritchard's podcast and they allow it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm surprised the WWE hasn't launched a podcast network, to be honest.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our guy Juice Robinson with some powerful words about himself, his title, and the standard being set by <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyOmegamanX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a> <a href="https://t.co/LDNIDS6tIx">pic.twitter.com/LDNIDS6tIx</a></p>&mdash; JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWilliamsWON/status/1022704614641225730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ultra Mantis]

Okada's promos are becoming more and more bizarre as the G1 goes on. He's lost it.

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

Literally loses it right at the end.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Omega lands a V-Trigger, but leaves the door open for a great counter by <a href="https://twitter.com/seiyasanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seiyasanada</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/0oo5QiLLAN">pic.twitter.com/0oo5QiLLAN</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1023230760638193666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hello <a href="https://twitter.com/seiyasanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seiyasanada</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/JTD6prjchM">pic.twitter.com/JTD6prjchM</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1023227984617111555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Malfeitor]

Really looking forward to Okada/Elgin.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm reading a transcript from an amazing Suzuki interview. Fuck I love him.

[Innovator]

You're goddamn right you do

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Suzuki-gun...ICHIBAN!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a> <a href="https://t.co/0CZEoKQGLL">pic.twitter.com/0CZEoKQGLL</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1024211940661444608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

The Tongan schtick has already gotten old :(

I get that "the point" is that they don't give a fuck about the G1 this year but every Fale and Tonga match in this tourney has been the same. 10 minutes of sloppy brawling followed by a clusterfuck finish with a million run ins.

I'm still a fan of them as characters and am interested in seeing where the Bullet Club civil war goes after the G1, but for the time being their matches in this tourney are skippable. Seen one seen 'em all.

[Innovator]

They've done the job of turning the crowd on them.

[Evil Vito]

That they have. It's just a slog to watch.

I'd be booing too if I was there, but from the comfort of my own home I can just zip past their match.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/stIGockik6">pic.twitter.com/stIGockik6</a></p>&mdash; Okada As Ice Cream (@OkadaAsIceCream) <a href="https://twitter.com/OkadaAsIceCream/status/874260457347043328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/qTb3wP7FUw">pic.twitter.com/qTb3wP7FUw</a></p>&mdash; Okada As Ice Cream (@OkadaAsIceCream) <a href="https://twitter.com/OkadaAsIceCream/status/1017929186990751745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I am very glad that Twitter exists.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Tongan schtick has already gotten old :(

I get that "the point" is that they don't give a fuck about the G1 this year but every Fale and Tonga match in this tourney has been the same. 10 minutes of sloppy brawling followed by a clusterfuck finish with a million run ins.

I'm still a fan of them as characters and am interested in seeing where the Bullet Club civil war goes after the G1, but for the time being their matches in this tourney are skippable. Seen one seen 'em all.

Is it just every match from the tourney, or is that sort of their limit anyway?

[Malfeitor]

Omega vs Zack Sabre Jr? Yes, please.

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love this Tama Tonga vs. Roman Reigns stuff<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g128</a> <a href="https://t.co/coKQH8cWgS">pic.twitter.com/coKQH8cWgS</a></p>&mdash; GIF Skull (@GIFSkull) <a href="https://twitter.com/GIFSkull/status/1024610458450284545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

I am watching Omega/ZSJ now. So far I've been feeling like I'm over G1. Too much of the same. I love a filet mignon but if I ate it everyday it wouldn't be special to me. That is how I currently feel about G1 and NJPW.

[Jordan]

But this match is awesome. 3 Minutes after I posted that I'm like glue to the screen.

[slik]

New Japan has a mobile gaming app now:

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/08/03/new-japan-pro-wrestling-releases-their-own-mobile-game/

[Jordan]

I may give that a go.

[Ultra Mantis]

Tanahashi keeps hinting that he's going to start his own faction to save "lost souls" and the first two guys he wants are Hangman Page and uh, Yoshi-Hashi. A revamp could actually be just what Yoshi needs.

[Evil Vito]

Is it just every match from the tourney, or is that sort of their limit anyway?

Tama’s had decent matches before, but the story of this tourney is that he and Fale don’t care about winning. Given that is such a prestigious tourney...the idea is that everyone from fans to the announcers to other wrestlers resent them for taking up two spots just to waste them.

[Evil Vito]

Omega/Ishii is a must-watch. God damn.

[Evil Vito]

Night 14 slightly nudges out Night 2 for best night of the tourney so far I think. What a show.

[Emperor Smeat]

Omega/Ishii is a must-watch. God damn.

Feel a bit bad for Ibushi and Naito having to go after that match. Their match was really good but had a tough time trying to match Omega-Ishii for greatness and getting the crowd back.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ishii is another of my favorites from New Japan.

[Ultra Mantis]

SANADA has been my personal favourite this tournament, but Ishii and Ibushi have both been incredible. Goto also putting in work.

[Innovator]

STONE PITBULL

[Innovator]

https://i.redd.it/nx5qdy651ie11.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Night 2 of Budokan with Omega Vs Ibushi as the main event is apparently sold out. <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@voiceswrestling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davemeltzerWON</a> <a href="https://t.co/ocSFUXsHOG">pic.twitter.com/ocSFUXsHOG</a></p>&mdash; Marvell2k (@Marvell2k) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marvell2k/status/1026502457751416833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Depending on how NJPW plays their cards with the G1, this event and Omega-Ibushi match are likely
what determines if NJPW sees Omega-Ibushi II worthy of Wrestle Kingdom status. This show being sold out is already a great sign for the rematch.

If Ibushi wins the G1, NJPW can easily save the rematch till WK 13 and give Omega's 2nd G1 loss title challenge to someone else.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tama Tonga managed to recently piss off NJPW with his Twitter antics to the point he got hit with a punishment as a result.

Announcement concerning Tama Tonga

NJPW takes actions taken by our wrestlers seriously. In light of recent inappropriate conduct by Tama Tonga including SNS usage, the company has decided to take disciplinary actions against said wrestlers, and will issue updated guidelines to all wrestlers.

[Ultra Mantis]

He posted an instagram video where he was purposefully littering, which is actually more of a big deal in Japan than anything he said on twitter.

[Innovator]

Well that and going into the crowd and putting hands on a fan

[Ultra Mantis]

That'll be the non social media part of the deal yeah, would not be surprised if littering got him in more trouble with the office than grabbing that fan though.

[Emperor Smeat]

Supposedly the fan he grabbed is one of those hated superfans that people were congratulating or siding with Tama online.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ja" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%82%AA%E3%82%AB%E3%83%80%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BA%E3%83%81%E3%82%AB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etf w">#オカダ・カズチカ</a> （ <a href="https://twitter.com/rainmakerXokada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rainmakerXokada</a> ）がアルマーニでオーダーしたスーツが完成。「オレのスーツはレベルが違うんだよ！」<a href="https://twitter.com/ARMANI_JAPAN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARMANI_JAPAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GiorgioArmani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GiorgioArmani</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gqaxp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gqaxp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kazuchika_okada_gqaxp_2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kazuchika_okada_gqaxp_2</a> 記事と写真→ <a href="https://t.co/fKfDx47ptc">https://t.co/fKfDx47ptc</a> <a href="https://t.co/L1aKwpseIE">pic.twitter.com/L1aKwpseIE</a></p>&mdash; GQ JAPAN (@GQJAPAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/GQJAPAN/status/1026283310975254528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

NJPW to go "TV-PG"


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a> Today Meij-san posted article on NJPW’s Japanese website addressing recent events. Perhaps official English version coming shortly, but can’t see it as yet. One of my bestest NJPW buddies who wishes to remain anon (she knows who she is) kindly summarized in English! <a href="https://t.co/tnfaINmISs">pic.twitter.com/tnfaINmISs</a></p>&mdash; Fraser Marriott (@fraserjapan) <a href="https://twitter.com/fraserjapan/status/1027110583089299457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

can someone give me a list of what Tama Tonga has actually done? Or is it just a gimmick?

[Ultra Mantis]

Responded to a fan on twitter who was sending him tweets saying "u suck at wrestling fuk u!" by calling him a pedo. Fan then claims he is a veteran and demanded to be treated with respect, to which Tama said he was also a veteran and deployed so if he wanted his respect he should have died in combat.

Called a bunch of marks "bitch ass hoes" and "flaming doritos", to which a ginger man got hilariously offended. Cut a promo on them after a G1 match telling twitter to fuck off because they don't matter. This baiting eventually got him suspended from twitter for a few days. He "blamed" the suspension on Roman Reigns, who he is joke twitter feuding with.

Posted a kayfabe Instagram video of him purposefully littering in a Japanese train station (They take littering very seriously in Japan).

Went into the crowd and threatened to hit an obnoxious fan with a chair, grabbed the fan by the chin and then a young lion "made the save" so he beat the young lion with a chair and went back to beating up Yoshi Hashi. Nothing terrible but of course this is the internet so some people are all OMG HE SHOULD BE THROWN IN JAIL FOR ASSAULTING THAT POOR MAN.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hahahaha

[Evil Vito]

Okada/Tanahashi was fantastic as usual

[Mr. Nerfect]

How has Tanahashi been holding up? You hear bits and pieces about him being hurt, and it seems like he's been de-emphasized slightly, but then he also doesn't seem to miss a date and still seems to kick ass.

[Emperor Smeat]

He's been good health wise but don't think he ever took enough time off to heal or get his arm injury fixed. Observer mentioned a while ago he likely has permanent damage there.

[Evil Vito]

Naito/ZSJ and Kenny/Kota

Fucking hell. Just amazing. I need a towel.

[Emperor Smeat]

Omega vs Ibushi was amazing.

[Malfeitor]

I need a cigarette and I don’t even smoke.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a great shot of tonight's crowd for Ibushi vs Omega at Budokan Hall <a href="https://t.co/oFUpDUg2K6">pic.twitter.com/oFUpDUg2K6</a></p>&mdash; Rob Naylor (@NINaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NINaylor/status/1028225597133205509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at an actual trophy being made for the C Block running gag from this year's G1 tournament.

https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/g1-c-block-thumb-trophy.jpg

[slik]

woah

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sliding German by <a href="https://twitter.com/taiji_ishimori?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taiji_ishimori</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/LBK6OzpKPQ">pic.twitter.com/LBK6OzpKPQ</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028539831352213504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/seiyasanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seiyasanada</a> locks in with Skull End! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/epGfh8KBET">pic.twitter.com/epGfh8KBET</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028546417239973889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Wow

https://streamable.com/t5o1m

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This close, Okada! <a href="https://twitter.com/reymysterio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reymysterio</a> has a 619 with your name written all over it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/6gBizP8I5Z">pic.twitter.com/6gBizP8I5Z</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028554299750670336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

This hype video for the G1 Climax Finals match is really great.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking: Kazuchika Okada announces his split from manager Gedo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g128</a> <a href="https://t.co/wO0n3d5TLp">pic.twitter.com/wO0n3d5TLp</a></p>&mdash; Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinBarrasso/status/1028560766897545217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a>!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/WNBjoy7D87">pic.twitter.com/WNBjoy7D87</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028567218651623426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BY ANY MEANS. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/e7LMjjb8J3">pic.twitter.com/e7LMjjb8J3</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028567540279197696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Ibushi vs Tanahashi was fantastic. Easily up there among the best matches of 2018.

[Bad News Gertner]

I'm so glad there are other NJPW fans around here. I've been glued to the G1 Tournament.

[Innovator]

Go Ace!

And huge surprise having Shibata second Tanahashi

[Evil Vito]

That final was astounding.

[Evil Vito]

Tanahashi vs. Omega at WK, assuming Tana doesn't lose the briefcase and Kenny doesn't lose the belt before then, will rule.

But it also adds a lot of intrigue as to what everyone else will be doing.

Okada/Jericho for the IC Title is something I could definitely see happening, but it would then leave Naito to go for the US or NEVER belts which, quite frankly, seem beneath him. Possible exception could be if ZSJ wins one of them. I'd still think Naito doesn't give a shit about those belts, but I'd be down to see that grudge match again.

If they go with Naito/Jericho again, Okada has more feasible non-title matches he could have, specifically with Jay White. But god help us if Bryan comes in - Bryan vs. Okada might just headline the show on their own.

[Jordan]

Currently watching the G1 Climax - CLIMAX... I loved Cody and Juice in the tag, Cody is the man right now and those two have great chemistry. Hoping they go on on one at the next Pyramid Show.

[Jordan]

These damn Tongan's are getting lot of heat from me. I guess I have to give them props for getting a real negative reaction from a guy who doesn't buy most heat that heels try and draw. I really f'n hate these guys.

[Jordan]

Wow the Bucks are gaining a lot of good muscle, they look great. And Matt Jackson is a great promo, feeling they are WWE bound for sure.

[Jordan]

Nick Jackson's hot tag with the combo spinning elbows and kicks was awesome.

[Jordan]

The Bucks are truly a combo of The Rock 'n Roll Express, Midnight Rockers and The Hardy Boyz. Amazing.

[Jordan]

Ishimori shouldn't have kicked out of the 3 Headed Monster that is a finish.

[Jordan]

Damn Gun Stun!!!!!!

[Jordan]

Tama throwing the titles, what a prick. My god I hate him.

[Simple Fan]

Would love to see the Tongans come to Impact. Feel like they're teasing going somewhere else for a biy with NJPW trying to censor them. Also Ishimori being in Impact gives me hope.

[Simple Fan]

Also G1 has been amazing and I don't think there is another tournament in wrestling that can touch it. Hste to the one booking it though because that seems like alot of work.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a>!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G128</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/WNBjoy7D87">pic.twitter.com/WNBjoy7D87</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1028567218651623426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm genuinely surprised by the outcome.

[Jordan]

I loved the final. So emotional, I've seen so many amazing matches this year and at this tournament... it's hard to categorize, it's like every great match is the best match ever because they are always topping each other in various ways. I loved the final. The test of spirit strike fest back and forth was probably my favorite I've ever seen in pro wrestling. Amazing. Every move save a few high flying moves from Ibushi (springboard moonsault to the outside) came off so legit. Tanahashi is back where he belongs.

[Malfeitor]

I don’t know what to do with myself now that it’s over.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In his post <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g128</a> press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 <a href="https://t.co/YlhVyI3cV5">pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5</a></p>&mdash; STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/STRIGGA/status/1028893255063298050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[KIRA]

Dean Ambrose looks great he also looks huge now it's time to send him to the A-show

[Jordan]

Please list your top 3 matches from G1. There are some I haven't seen yet but...

1. The Finals - Tanahashi/Ibushi
2. Omega/Ibushi
3. ZSJ/Suzuki

Still have to watch Tana/Okada, Ishii/Omega.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Boy do I have a treat for you guys.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974701611/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1974701611&linkCode=as2&tag=help50-20&linkId=6ba38051931d2ea1aa3a92c25586fa0c"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1974701611&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=help50-20" ></a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=help50-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1974701611" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP3M1TT/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07CP3M1TT&linkCode=as2&tag=help50-20&linkId=3de3ed8ab2381114fe41ae74715eb2ea"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07CP3M1TT&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=help50-20" ></a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=help50-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07CP3M1TT" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKKSWKC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07BKKSWKC&linkCode=as2&tag=help50-20&linkId=abbcbb308bb0ffd3ce23810af6f6c000"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07BKKSWKC&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=help50-20" ></a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=help50-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07BKKSWKC" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

AND FOR FREE WE HAVE

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071GYXVRM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B071GYXVRM&linkCode=as2&tag=help50-20&linkId=de3d14d941fbba3adc327331e9ad531a"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B071GYXVRM&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=help50-20" ></a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=help50-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B071GYXVRM" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

[slik]

Did u buy those things @ DTTS?

[Swiss Ultimate]

YES AND ALL OF THEM ARE RATED 5 STARS!

[Swiss Ultimate]

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=help50-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0010S6ERO&asins=B0010S6ERO&linkId=e52b4dad23887dbacb12ee6390caf0e6&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>

[Innovator]

Please list your top 3 matches from G1. There are some I haven't seen yet but...

1. The Finals - Tanahashi/Ibushi
2. Omega/Ibushi
3. ZSJ/Suzuki

Still have to watch Tana/Okada, Ishii/Omega.

Ishii/Omega is my #1

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In his post <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g128?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g128</a> press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 <a href="https://t.co/YlhVyI3cV5">pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5</a></p>&mdash; STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/STRIGGA/status/1028893255063298050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This seems to imply that Okada will be the guy Tanahashi defends his spot against, yeah? Maybe Omega against either Ibushi or Naito? Curious to see what Wrestle Kingdom ends up looking like.

[Emperor Smeat]

Also against Jay White since he issued two challenges during the same press conference.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Even though he considers his G1 victory a &quot;complete resurrection&quot; (kanzen fukkatsu/完全復活) he thinks it's impossible to avoid Okada. When he was asked about Jay White Tanahashi also added that he would like to defend his certificate against him.</p>&mdash; STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/STRIGGA/status/1028893259190476800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Omega pretty much has Ishii, Ibushi, and Yano (if they actually go through with it) for his post-G1 opponents. Naito more likely is going after the IC belt at Wrestle Kingdom.

[Ultra Mantis]

Ishii already challenged Omega after their six man tag at the final. Doubt Yano is going to get a title shot ever and Kenny already beat Naito so he's out of the picture. An Ibushi / Omega rematch doesn't seem like something they would give away again so soon.

[Jordan]

I've seen Tanahashi/Ibushi 3 times now, I keep thinking about it. I think it's my favorite match ever.

[slik]

The "7 Star" match for anyone who wants to see it

Really good!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nd-wOwN0xU?start=345" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Innovator]

Destruction Cards Announced:

Road to Destruction (9/7, Korakuen Hall)

Golden Lovers vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Will Ospreay
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA and BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
Hirooki Goto and Gedo vs. Taichi and Taka Michinoku
Beretta vs. Toa Henare
Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin, David Finlay and Ayato Yoshida vs. Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori
Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi vs. Ren Narita and Shota Umino

Road to Destruction (9/8, Korakuen Hall)

Hiroshi Tanahashi and Juice Robinson vs. Kazuchika Okada and Beretta
Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano and Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi and Yujiro Takahashi
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, BUSHI and SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, El Desperado and TAKA Michinoku
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI vs. Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin, David Finlay and Toa Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori
Ayato Yoshida vs. Chase Owens
Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura vs. Ren Narita and Yota Tsuji

Road to Destruction (9/9, Chiba)

Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata and Satoshi Kojima v. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Juice Robinson and David Finlay
Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, Beretta and Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Toa Henare vs. Kazuchika Okada and YOSHI-HASHI
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA and BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taka Michinoku
Hirooki Goto and Gedo vs. Taichi and El Desperado
Michael Elgin, Ayato Yoshida, Shota Umino and Ren Narita vs. Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura

Destruction in Hiroshima (9/15)

Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the IWGP title
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI and Jay White
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA and BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., TAKA Michinoku and El Desperado
Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano and Gedo vs. Taichi, Takashi Iizuka and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Gorillas of Destiny and Taiji Ishimori vs. Juice Robinson, David Finlay and Ryusuke Taguchi for the NEVER six man tag team titles
Will Ospreay, Chuckie T and Beretta vs. Kota Ibushi, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens
Michael Elgin and Ayato Yoshida vs. Killer Elite Squad
Bad Luck Fale vs. Toa Henare
Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and KUSHIDA vs. Rocky Romero, SHO and YOH

Destruction in Beppu (9/17)

Tetsuya Naito vs. Minoru Suzuki
Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi for the NEVER Openweight title
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma and Juice Robinson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI and Jay White
EVIL, SANADA and BUSHI vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
Beretta and Chuckie T vs. Killer Elite Squad
Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Will Ospreay, Rocky Romero, SHO and YOH
Ayato Yoshida vs. Takashi Iizuka
David Finlay and Ren Narita vs. Toa Henare and Shota Umino
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima and Yota Tsuji vs. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and Yuya Uemura

Destruction in Kobe (9/23)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP title shot at the Tokyo Dome
KUSHIDA vs. BUSHI in a IWGP Jr. title tournament semi-final match
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL and SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku
Juice Robinson, David Finlay and Toa Henare vs. Jay White, YOSHI-HASHI and Will Ospreay
Chuckie T and Beretta vs. Killer Elite Squad
Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ayato Yoshida vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi
Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask vs. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Roppongi 3K vs. Shota Umino and Ren Narita
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura

Fighting Spirit Unleashed (9/30, Long Beach)

Juice Robinson vs. Cody for the IWGP United States title
The Young Bucks vs. Guerillas of Destiny for the IWGP tag team titles
Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll in a IWGP Jr. title tournament semi-final match

[Innovator]

Hiromu was also stripped of the Jr. Heavyweight Championship, 4 man tournament to be held

KUSHIDA vs. BUSHI

Ospreay vs. Marty

[Jordan]

I'm not impressed with the Long Beach card at all, no big singles match with Japanese stars is a big disappointment. I am happy that Juice and Cody will get the main, they deserve a spot like that but still, we want to see Tanahashi, Omega, Naito, Ishii get a good go for us here on US soil.

[slik]

Definitely

SANADA is my favorite dude in NJPW and whenever I get to catch them on U.S. soil I'd be very disappointed if he wasn't there (I'm not going to Long Beach, just saying 'in general')

[Innovator]

Japanese stars will be there but they won't reveal anything until after the big matches from Destruction shows are done

[Ultra Mantis]

Both BONE(R) SOLDIER and Bushi have been teasing about getting a partner for the upcoming Jr Tag League. There is word (maybe just wishful thinking) going around that Pac / Neville is coming in to join BCOG. Dunno who they would put with Bushi, he's been talking like he might have to sit it out but I guess it would make sense to bring in one of the Ingos from CMLL who isn't Rush? I don't know much about them.

I'm expecting / hoping Sabin & KUSHIDA come into play too as "Alex Shelley's Friends".
Or "Time Machine".
Whatever.

[Emperor Smeat]

I'm not impressed with the Long Beach card at all, no big singles match with Japanese stars is a big disappointment. I am happy that Juice and Cody will get the main, they deserve a spot like that but still, we want to see Tanahashi, Omega, Naito, Ishii get a good go for us here on US soil.

NJPW's main problem is outside of the first G1 Special, doesn't seem like they really care about these US shows and their schedule or booking isn't flexible enough to add extra big events.

This year's set of US shows being right after big events ended up hurting more than it helped. NJPW was way too preoccupied with those major events and had little to no time left to build up the US shows.

[Ultra Mantis]

I think the problem lies in the way New Japan approach booking singles matches and the conditioning of western audiences who are exposed to cards full of marquee singles matches. The result is a lot of singles matches that aren't really massive deals. It was the same with SSE UK, but we still got two or three killer singles matches and a solid card with only Okada there of the big four.

I'd expect Tana / White (assuming Tana retains) and EVIL / Jericho (EVIL keeps talking about Jericho in every single post match interview) to be added after Destruction. Broken Okada probably in a CHAOS six man with Dustin and Greg. Omega will be there in some capacity, even if he's just defending against Yano or something lighter.

[Ultra Mantis]

Of course this is Gedo booking so he could easily NOPE every single one of those assumptions.

[Destor]

If they americanize the product they will ruin it completely. The matches that matter do so because of how rare they are.

We used to hace job matches here that served that purpose. To stretch important matches out and to maximize the mileage of a few workers.

Bischoff ruined that and its been consistently more difficult to make money since.

What NJPW is doing is in the best interest of sustainable long term money and hot shotting for quick pay days is the absolute worst thing they can do

[Ultra Mantis]

Yeah absolutely, honestly would much rather see SANADA or someone do two moves in a six man than just have WALTER squash Yujiro for the sake of a singles match too. They gave us Sabre / Okada and Ishii / Suzuki, two really strong matches. That was more than enough to make the show worth it.

The cost of flying everyone out from Japan as opposed to using gaijin talent as much as possible also seems like a big factor. It's obvs not as much of a big travel hit to have so many guys on a tour if it's mainly natives driving around Japan for two or three weeks. Could be another reason why they're doing so many singles abroad.

Feels like part of the reason they don't reveal much on the US side of things early on is because if they're not giving away Omega / Ibushi, Naito / Jericho and Tana / Okada plus Suzuki, Ishii, all of Bullet Club and LIJ then the internet will be disappointed. Kind of want them to just take it by the balls and be like "You're getting Okada vs Taichi and Naito vs Yujiro No Limit grudge match and you will LOVE IT".

[Mr. Nerfect]

New Japan is pretty good at pacing its shit out and milking what they can out of it. A big risk with putting all of these things on television or a streaming service is that people see it, and once you've seen it, you've often seen it. They're very good at making sure they can keep in real time, but also like they've got things in the back pocket you know you are going to see, and evolving the things you have already seen.

[slik]

Sanada

(just wanted to post his name)

[Ultra Mantis]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZidZAeV4AIgWx8.jpg

[Evil Vito]

SANADA rules

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

If they americanize the product they will ruin it completely. The matches that matter do so because of how rare they are.

We used to hace job matches here that served that purpose. To stretch important matches out and to maximize the mileage of a few workers.

Bischoff ruined that and its been consistently more difficult to make money since.

What NJPW is doing is in the best interest of sustainable long term money and hot shotting for quick pay days is the absolute worst thing they can do

:y::y::y::y::y::y:

[mike adamle]

Finally got around to watching the IWGP Title match from last weekend. Sad to see Ishii didn't win the gold. Not only do they need to get the belt off of Omega ASAP, but Ishii would be a perfect champion.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tanahashi vs Okada at Destruction in Kobe was amazing.

:lol: at another decision this year by Okada coming back to bite him in the end.

Also :lol: at YOSHI pulling a Titus when he came out. Ouch at the gash on his head though.

[Fignuts]

Finally got around to watching the IWGP Title match from last weekend. Sad to see Ishii didn't win the gold. Not only do they need to get the belt off of Omega ASAP, but Ishii would be a perfect champion.

Why do they need to get the belt off omega?

Also, I love Ishii but he's more of an upper midcard act. I just don't see him as anything more than a transitional champ if anything.

[Ultra Mantis]

I actually like YOSHI-HASHI a lot more than I did before this tour. Felt like accidentally fucking himself up on the rescue attempt actually strengthened his role in this angle. Hope he's okay.

Naito's fuckery with Suzuki seemed to be hinting at dissention from Taichi in the post match promos. Taichi has been trashing the NEVER title and all its previous owners, which obviously includes his boss, he also tried to take the main event spot from Suzuki at Naito's insistence. Bushi was pissed at EVIL for not believing he could lead the Jrs in Hiromu's place, while Naito cryptically hinted that LiJ isn't going to stay the same going forward and they can't just sit and wait for Hiromu to come back. It's low key turbulent times for all the factions.

[Volare]

At least subtitles have been added. Makes you understand things alot better!

<iframe width="1583" height="589" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aan0e74d4Lk?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[slik]

SANADA #1

[Innovator]

Stupid sexy Sanada

[Ultra Mantis]

SANADA is clearly TPWW's #1 New Japan hunk.

[Innovator]

I'm not impressed with the Long Beach card at all, no big singles match with Japanese stars is a big disappointment. I am happy that Juice and Cody will get the main, they deserve a spot like that but still, we want to see Tanahashi, Omega, Naito, Ishii get a good go for us here on US soil.

Full card:

ACH, Ryusuke Taguchi and Liger vs Roppongi 3k (Sho, Yoh and Rocky Romero)

Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian vs Hangman Page and Chase Owens

Jeff Cobb, Chris Sabin and Flip Gordon vs Goto and Best Friends (Chuckie T and Berretta)

Naito, Evil and Sanada vs ZSJ and Killer Elite Squad

Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kushida vs Gedo and Jay White

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight tournament semifinal bout: Will Ospreay vs Marty Scurll

IWGP Tag Team Championship: (c)Young Bucks vs Guerrillas of Destiny

IWGP US Championship: (c) Juice Robinson vs Cody

Main event: Okada and Ishii vs Omega and Ibushi

[Ultra Mantis]

All representatives of CHAOS seem to be with Okada, for now at least.

[Innovator]

I can see Sho and Yoh going with White and Gedo

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/zacksabrejr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zacksabrejr</a> is a hoot and a half. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpwusa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpwusa</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/8XN8UpB1L8">pic.twitter.com/8XN8UpB1L8</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1046567902890139648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/WillOspreay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillOspreay</a> with about as good a start as he could ask for! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpwusa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpwusa</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/mRkuoA7GmC">pic.twitter.com/mRkuoA7GmC</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1046578301924503552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ultra Mantis]

Next two cards are out:

NEW JAPAN ROAD - Ganbaro! UONUMA 2018 - SAT. OCTOBER. 6. 2018

Henare vs Tsuji
Nagata vs Narita
Umino / Tiger / Liger vs Despy / Kanemaru / Taichi
Taguchi / GBH vs Nakanishi / Tencozy
Uncle Goto / Uncle Ishii vs Suzuki / Iizuka
KUSHIDA / Tanahashi vs The Knife Perverts
CHAOS (SHO / YOH / Yano / Okada) vs LiJ (Naito / BUSHI / EVIL / SANADA)

KING OF PRO-WRESTLING - MON. OCTOBER. 8. 2018

IWGP Jr. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Tiger Liger vs Despy & Kanemaru
GBH vs Juice / Henare
Young Bucks / Hangman Page / WWE presents "Crown Jewel" Chase Owens vs Tama Tonga / Tango Loa / BONER Soldier / Bad Luck Fale
Ospreay & The Uncles vs Suzuki / Iizuka / Taichi
CHAOS (SHO / YOH / Yano / Okada) vs LiJ (Naito / SANADA / BUSHI / Mystery Partner)
EVIL vs Zack Sabre Jr
IWGP Jr. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP KUSHIDA vs Marty Scurll
BREIFCASE WANKER MATCH Tanahashi vs Switchblade
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT TRIPLE THREAT CHAMPIONSHIP Omega vs Ibushi vs Cody (Rhodes)


Bullet Club OG never going to lose (until BONER gets pinned in the Jr Tag League)

CHAOS still standing with Okada, though they have been losing every single match and this looks like it's going to be the case here too.

Holy Emperor Taichi has apparently been scrubbing Suzuki-Gun references off all of his social media, is he about to get killed by the King for his insubordination?

Interested to see who is joining LiJ, 100% sure they will not be as handsome as SANADA though.

[Ultra Mantis]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wn2-q_cRcVs" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ja" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KAIRISANE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KAIRISANE</a> 選手と。頑張っている方と会うとエネルギーもらえる。 <a href="https://t.co/soNrkrBOvq">pic.twitter.com/soNrkrBOvq</a></p>&mdash; 棚橋弘至 (@tanahashi1_100) <a href="https://twitter.com/tanahashi1_100/status/1046682131257155584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kairi Sane is really "kawaii" (not to sound like Guru Dave). I know Vince doesn't watch other promotions, but someone should really show Vince some Japanese porn so he can "get it" with her.

[Evil Vito]

Spoilered even though spoilers are to be expected in an NJPW thread.

Shingo Takagi is the newest member of LIJ.

Jericho attacks EVIL, formally setting up the next IC TItle match.

Tanahashi retains the briefcase.

Jay White, Gedo, and Jado have joined the Bullet Club OGs.

You knew Jado was turning on Okada but I didn't see them going with the OGs. Suppose if they had to join a group it's the only one that makes sense.

[slik]

Dome Show already sounds good!

[Emperor Smeat]

Last Falconry looks pretty sweet as a finisher.

[Emperor Smeat]

Forgot to mention it earlier but White vs Tanahashi from today's King of Pro Wrestling show was way better than their bout at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Have they dialed back on the Switchblade stuff? I remember it didn't feel authentic for the guy, but I've heard he's been more "comfortable" since.

Lol, Shingo Takagi. Good for him. I remember he was a thing when NOAH was hot in the mid-2000's.

[Ultra Mantis]

They transitioned him into a whiny teenager who plays with knives rather than the scary psychopath type they were originally going for. White is a lot more comfortable being a sneaky shitheel, the first iteration never felt genuine. His match against Suzuki in the G1 where he came up against an actual scary psychopath who absolutely crushed him was a cathartic moment.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, that does sound great. I love Suzuki so much.

[Innovator]

They transitioned him into a whiny teenager who plays with knives rather than the scary psychopath type they were originally going for. White is a lot more comfortable being a sneaky shitheel, the first iteration never felt genuine. His match against Suzuki in the G1 where he came up against an actual scary psychopath who absolutely crushed him was a cathartic moment.

That fucking forearm

[Swiss Ultimate]

Are there any Japenese wrestlers that wear a maid costume?

<a href="https://www.shareasale.com/m-pr.cfm?merchantID=48089&userID=1849683&productID=689780430" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://www.trendyhalloween.com/Assets/ProductImages/392552-rappongi-japanese-maid-womens-costume_t.jpg" border="0"><br>Roppongi Japanese Maid Adult Womens Costume</a>

[Vastardikai]

That fucking forearm

When you get hit so hard, it fixes mental issues rather than causes them.

[Innovator]

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[Mr. Nerfect]

I really like the angle coming out of their latest show, provided I've got the history right:

* Okada joined with Gedo when he challenged Tanahashi and surprisingly won the IWGP Heavyweight Title from Tanahashi, right? If that's the case, then Gedo has been with Okada through his entire run as The Rainmaker.

* Okada and Tanahashi had a classic series of matches, that I believed ended in respect with Tanahashi claiming a final stake at the title and he would not bother Okada if Okada won.

* This is about the time Jay White was offered to train at the New Japan Dojo.

* Okada managed to continue as the ace, eventually having the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Title reign of all-time (in terms of stats).

* Okada lost the belt and then underwent a change. The loss really affected him.

* Okada failed to win the G1 and failed to beat Tanahashi, the man he now respects, to win the Tokyo Dome title shot.

* I'm not sure if this is overtly the story they are going to tell, but I like the idea of Gedo, the evil genius behind Chaos, beginning to lose a bit of faith in Okada the moment he began to "soften" on Tanahashi. But of course you stick with him while he's winning. But in the meantime, he found a guy that he will train to be Okada's kryptonite, if you will. Jay White has been a Gedo project in secret since 2013.

* Gedo attacked both Tanahashi and Okada. Tanahashi is the guy Gedo wanted to destroy, Okada is the "failed weapon" against him. Now he needs his Switchblade to enact revenge on both of them.

* Jay White obviously has the backing of New Japan, and he has been impressing fans more and more, but he is lacking that "oomph" that a lot of other rising stars have. Yet there is danger in him being paired with Gedo, because the last time Gedo did this, Okada won the IWGP Title out of nowhere. You can sell Gedo as a "starmaker" who takes guys from the middle to the top very quickly. He did it with Okada, he's going to do it with White.

* I like White as the choice, because he is quite unassuming in many ways, and he doesn't come with the "American cred." He's not dipping his toes in as many pools and seems mainly focused on New Japan. I also like that he's not a guy that people have "pegged," so his rise is both surprising and something a bit foreign or bitter. It's not simply a guy people love getting a push, it's this outlier of people's imaginations getting the push. It kind of reminds me how people thought Vince McMahon could turn people into stars during the Attitude era. You never knew where the next one could come from.

* I'm actually completely down for Okada vs. White at the Tokyo Dome. People might see it as a "waste" of Okada, but I really like the potential story here. And I like how it is a "schism" in how you would expect the top matches to turn out.

With a single angle and a couple of chair shots, New Japan have launched an angle with six years of history. You don't get to see that in WWE these days. And to be honest, I'm completely down with White beating Okada at the Dome. I feel that would be "shocking" and be a huge boost to this White/Gedo pairing. I think Tanahashi has beaten Okada twice at Wrestle Kingdom, but outside of that, I think Okada has won all his WK matches.

[Fignuts]

Have they dialed back on the Switchblade stuff? I remember it didn't feel authentic for the guy, but I've heard he's been more "comfortable" since.

Lol, Shingo Takagi. Good for him. I remember he was a thing when NOAH was hot in the mid-2000's.

Noah? Shingo Takagi has always been a Dragon Gate guy, up until his recent AJPW run.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh yeah, they were working with both around that time. Because I thought of him as bigger, I assumed it was a NOAH thing. I may have also been confusing his promotion with Go Shiazaki's.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SANADA with his dog.<br>Amazing. <a href="https://t.co/BQhOrd5Nvs">pic.twitter.com/BQhOrd5Nvs</a></p>&mdash; Jude Kilgour (@judekilgour) <a href="https://twitter.com/judekilgour/status/1054420161212620802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Meltzer will be attending Wrestling Kingdom live, so get ready for the first 8 star rating.

[slik]

<blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1543845062"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/a2oio2/shout_out_to_one_of_my_favourite_wrestling/">Shout out to one of my favourite wrestling related Instagram accounts, @purowave. This guy literally makes some of the best aesthetic wrestling videos on the internet. Check out his work on Instagram.</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle">r/SquaredCircle</a></blockquote>
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[Ultra Mantis]

Young Bucks are facing a lot of negative fan reaction after they refused to work World Tag League but then got put in the title match at the Tokyo Dome anyway. Cody was already somewhat of an unpopular figure due to only working the one off US shows and seemingly always being in a title match, while even Omega has caught some negativity for skipping most of the tours this year. If you look at the actual stats of actual tours worked by The Elite, it looks like this:

Omega: 2
Young Bucks: 0
Cody: 0
Scurll: 1
Hangman Page: 2

Compare that to some of the other foreign talent:

Beretta: 3 (was out injured for 6 months, came back in late July, while the G1 was well underway)
Chuck Taylor: 4
Juice Robinson: 8
Tama Tonga: 4
Elgin: 7
Killer Elite Squad: 4
ZSJ: 4
Chris Sabin: 2 (not even on the New Japan roster)

They're pretty much doing the Brock schedule :lol: Probably doesn't help that their current schtick is that they are leaving for WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It certainly adds fuel to the fire that they aren't going to be sticking with New Japan.

[Droford]

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“Kenny Omega-thon” Schedule (subject to change) – Friday, Dec. 28 at 2pE/11aP:

· 2pE – G1 Climax 26 Final – Kenny Omega vs. Hirooki Goto
· 3pE – Wrestle Kingdom 11 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada
· 4pE – Dominion 2017 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Okada
· 5pE – G1 Special in USA – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final –Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
· 6pE – Wrestle Kingdom 12 – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Chris Jericho
· 7pE – New Beginning in Sapporo 2018 – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Jay White
· 8pE – Dominion 2018 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Okada (2 hr)
· 10pE – G1 Special in San Francisco – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Cody
· 11pE – King of Pro-Wrestling 2018 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Cody vs. Kota Ibushi

[Evil Vito]

Aside from the participants in the pre-show, the Wrestle Kingdom card appears to have been finalized

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega [Elite] (C)

IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Tetusya Naito [LIJ] vs. Chris Jericho (C)

Kazuchika Okada [Chaos] vs. Jay White

[B]IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Taiji Ishimori vs. KUSHIDA (C)

[B]IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
Juice Robinson vs. Cody [Elite] (C)

IWGP Tag Team Championship
The Young Bucks [Elite] vs. EVIL and SANADA [LIJ] vs. Guerrilas of Destiny (C)

[B]British Heavyweight Championship
Zack Sabre Jr. [Suzuki-gun] vs. Tomohiro Ishii [Chaos] (C)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
BUSHI and Shingo Takagi [LIJ] vs. Roppongi 3K [Chaos] vs. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru [Suzuki-gun]

NEVER Openweight Championship
Will Ospreay [Chaos] vs. Kota Ibushi (C)

Pre-Show - Gauntlet for #1 Contendership for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship

I would assume there will be at least five teams for the gauntlet. If I were to guess:

Chaos (Hirooki Goto, Beretta, Chuckie T)
Elite (Hangman Page, Marty Scurll, Yujiro Takahashi)
Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi, David Finlay, Toa Henare)
GBH (Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano...they've just had Yano and Makabe get on good terms again presumably for this)
Suzuki-gun (Taichi, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr)...alternatively could be Taichi, Takashi Iizuka, and Minoru Suzuki...Suzuki on the pre-show feels weird and they might just have him do something at New Year's Dash instead)

Then again the gauntlet is replacing the New Japan Rumble, which was always like a 25-30 minute match so there might be more teams to get the New Japan Dads onto the show.

[Vastardikai]

Only thing I can see is Tana winning IWGP title and Suzuki coming in as the first challenger.

[Mr. Nerfect]

How has Will Ospreay been going? I'm kind of intrigued by the idea of him and Ibushi. It's certainly a different style of NEVER Title match. I've also got an interest in Tanahashi vs. Omega and how Okada vs. White goes down. A lot of these matches are going to be effected by contract situations, I imagine, which is going to make things interesting.

[Vastardikai]

I dislike the idea of Kota as NEVER champ. I kinda took it as the tough guy belt.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's where they've taken the belt, but from what I have seen of Ibushi, they seem to want to tease him being able to snap and hold his own in that realm. But I don't mind a different style of champ getting it for a while. Ibushi with gold is good, and you can't put too much on him because of his free agent status.

[Fignuts]

Fucking hate osprey with that belt. Wouldn’t mind Ibushi. He can throw down and have a slugfest if it calls for it.

Also, hoping Omega retains. His reign has been completely uneventful so far. Needs a big defense against a made guy like Tanahashi for it to be successful. As it is it’s just a defense against Ishii and another against Cody. Beating midcarders isn’t the best follow up to the Okada run.

[Ultra Mantis]

Ospreay doesn't have it, at least not yet, and I wouldn't expect him to win it now as the plan was clearly Taichi > Ospreay > Ibushi. I'm interested to see what happens with it now that Goto has moved out of the picture and none of the other big boys seem to be after it. I'd imagine Ibushi gets a lengthy run as somewhat of a trial to see how committed he is before he gets a bigger belt.

[Evil Vito]

Omega's reign has underwhelmed, but I don't really blame him for it. Dominion is a pretty terrible time to win the belt as G1 is only like a month away which means the champ will straight away need to eat a pin or two to set up title matches, but you already pretty well know they aren't dropping the belt until the Dome.

[Jordan]

I wonder if perhaps Omega's reign has been booked "less strong" than we'd want because they knew he was leaving at the end of his current deal. Possible. Also possible they haven't had him in a Okada like spotlight because he's not Japanese.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think it's helping Okada's reign stand out as special. If Omega continues to work with New Japan, I can see him winning it back from Tanahashi down the line.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whoaaaaaaa<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njwk13?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njwk13</a> <a href="https://t.co/YHlNlmDkzq">pic.twitter.com/YHlNlmDkzq</a></p>&mdash; GIF Skull [6-1] (@GIFSkull) <a href="https://twitter.com/GIFSkull/status/1073912145476108288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Vastardikai]

I am not an Ospreay fan by any stretch, but I will admit that is cool. Mostly the reaction.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not surprising, but Tanahashi has signed a new deal with New Japan.

[Volare]

That tag team match was insane!!

[XL]

Feels like NJPW isn’t carrying the same buzz into this Wrestle Kingdom as they did last year.

[Evil Vito]

I'd agree with that, and I can understand why it happened. I think Jericho vs. Omega was a complete dream match in the eyes of many within the IWC. Couple that with Naito becoming popular and everyone thinking he'd go over Okada and those two matches alone generated a huge buzz.

Now a year later, Jericho's still there, no longer a new face in the picture. Can't call Jericho/Naito a dream match when it already happened in June, and Naito himself has been cooled a bit by still never getting his crowning moment.

And in the main, Omega/Tana should be a great match but it just doesn't have the steam Okada/Naito had. They've also kinda booked themselves into a corner. If Tana wins, it means Omega's title run will have ended having lacked any real big moment, he peaked upon winning the title. If Omega wins, that means that yet again the G1 winner has failed to win the title.

Also in consideration - is Kenny leaving or not? I don't think we'll know until the end of January. Also, would Gedo even be willing to have a gaijin win in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom?

[Ultra Mantis]

I think most of it is down to repetition, the three big matches feature the same six guys, (the big four + Jericho and Jay White) but this time the pairings are less exciting. Omega only just showing up to start building the main event in the last few shows leading Tanahashi to help build up Okada's match instead of his own. Jericho is also never there so can't really have hot feuds, it's all surprise factor with him but he's been doing the same schtick all year when he shows up once and attacks somebody and that's it.

Then there's Cody taking up a singles title match spot again despite never being around and wont be going forward, Young Bucks in the tag title match but they are never around and wont be going forward, SANADA and EVIL still stuck in the tag scene wrestling GOD again, Jr Tag being a rematch from Power Struggle.

Ibushi / Ospreay suffered from the injury and the plan B to get there isn't as compelling as the Plan A was going to be. That pretty much leaves Okada / White as the only match that's got a hot build, so it's unfortunate White is not quite there yet to make the most of it. Also, no Hiromu.

Still really looking forward to it though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Eh, I think the overall vibe is generally better. It feels like the company is always gaining steam, albeit slowly. I think ticket sales and business projections are generally higher too. It'll be interesting to see if that continues or whether they are due for a drop-off.

[Evil Vito]

Then there's Cody taking up a singles title match spot again despite never being around and wont be going forward, Young Bucks in the tag title match but they are never around and wont be going forward, SANADA and EVIL still stuck in the tag scene wrestling GOD again, Jr Tag being a rematch from Power Struggle.

In general, while I trust Gedo with booking long-term story arcs with the top singles stars - I feel like it becomes his sole focus and he subsequently goes into autopilot with the rest of the divisions.

The Junior Tag League wound up being completely pointless. The World Tag League didn't have much intrigue because EVIL and SANADA were obviously winning as they weren't going to be left off of WK. And the singles junior division, while hampered by the Hirmou injury, just feels like it's "there".

[Mr. Nerfect]

In general, while I trust Gedo with booking long-term story arcs with the top singles stars - I feel like it becomes his sole focus and he subsequently goes into autopilot with the rest of the divisions.

The Junior Tag League wound up being completely pointless. The World Tag League didn't have much intrigue because EVIL and SANADA were obviously winning as they weren't going to be left off of WK. And the singles junior division, while hampered by the Hirmou injury, just feels like it's "there".

In theory, I don't mind this. Your main drawing cards should feel more like an arc, whereas the others can be more frivolous for emphasis. From my understanding, the Junior Tag League was won by Sho and Yoh to give them a babyface push, but Shingo and whoever his partner is have just kind of edged in? It's a decent heel tactic to create champions for the babyfaces to eventually beat. It's a neat trick, so I wouldn't say it's "meaningless." Putting EVIL and Sanada in position to challenge for the main tag belts makes sense.

I guess I agree with the gist of what you're saying, but I don't think it's a bad thing. It's kind of foundational pro-wrestling.

[Ultra Mantis]

Shingo and Bushi are also babyface and objectively more popular than SHO and YOH. The WK Jr Tag match is actually the exact same match they had as the Jr World Tag League final, making SHO and YOH's win there seem kind of pointless.

EVIL and SANADA won Tag League and won the titles at WK last year too, then they got fed to the Young Bucks and were given a slight push as singles guys, EVIL had a much higher profile sustained push feuding with Jericho and Zack Sabre Jr, while SANADA got a world title shot early in the year, tweaked his gimmick so he now actually talks occasionally (meaning he can win a singles main event and do the end of show promo) and then remained super over despite not really being given anything else to do.

Business is very much still in a growth period though and shows are drawing more than ever, certain pockets of the internet might claim it's a "worse product" but it's definitely not. The matches themselves will be solid, worst match on the card is Cody vs Juice Robinson and that wont necessarily be bad.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's only so many spaces at the tippy-top. You've got Tanahashi, Okada, Omega, Naito and Jericho. After that you've got Goto and Suzuki while you're trying to put some focus on Ibushi, Ishii, ZSJ and Ospreay. It's hard to give someone like EVIL or Sanada something more important to do than they actually are.

[Fignuts]

They need to make Sanada important. Dude is money.

[Ultra Mantis]

Seriously, SANADA is so over with the audience he should definitely be ahead of Goto, Suzuki, Ishii and ZSJ, while Ospreay is still a Jr. That's not a slight on any of those guys either.

[mike adamle]

He absolutely should not be ahead of Suzuki and Ishii...

[Evil Vito]

I love both of those guys, but Suzuki is 50 and Ishii is 43. SANADA is only 30.

I realize that age isn’t a huge deal in puro, but still. SANADA has a really long career still ahead of him.

[mike adamle]

But he's still behind those guys in the pecking order. ZSJ is ahead of him too.

[Ultra Mantis]

Suzuki and Ishii are both brilliant but they aren't going to go any higher up the card at this point in their careers. Same with Goto. Loads more potential in SANADA.

[Innovator]

Ishii is only 25 in Stone Pitbull years

[Evil Vito]

When Suzuki was murdering Tanahashi and winning the IC Title last year, I never expected that by Wrestle Kingdom he'd end up in the pre-show gauntlet. But I really think it's all by design to have Sabre usurp him.

[Vastardikai]

When Suzuki was murdering Tanahashi and winning the IC Title last year, I never expected that by Wrestle Kingdom he'd end up in the pre-show gauntlet. But I really think it's all by design to have Sabre usurp him.

I was honestly hoping he'd get the Main Title for the farewell run.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Suzuki and KES are going to win the gauntlet and the six-man belts.

[Evil Vito]

Very possible, although admittedly the 6-Man belts are completely useless.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh yeah, no doubt.

[Evil Vito]

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"Tanahashi wrapped his knee a used a cortisone shot!" :lol:

[mike adamle]

The more I think about it the more I don't understand why they have Cody vs. Juice Robinson on the main show and Minoru Suzuki is on the pre-show. Could easily do Cody vs. Suzuki or a 3 way with them. Suzuki-gun has more than enough people to replace Minoru in the gauntlet. I mean there's only so many spots on the card, but with the reactions this guy gets I don't understand how he doesn't have one of those spots.

[Ultra Mantis]

Anyone could win the gauntlet really, but supposing the 6 man tag is happening at New Years Dash I could see Makabe / Yano / Taguchi or CHAOS taking it and something happening there. The Elite guys are possible but their future is up in the air. Suzuki's team (along with Cobb / Finlay / formerly Elgin) are all going in pissed at Chuck Taylor for his chair shot antics and that seems to be leading somewhere. They were specifically teasing Suzuki wanting to murder Chuck.

[Ultra Mantis]

The Cody / Juice singles seems to be a redemption thing since Cody debuted at WK and easily beat Juice. It makes sense, but meh.

Suzuki's fall down the card could be totally by design, Taichi has shown insubordination ever since he moved up to Heavy, He's especially pissed off that he keeps getting left off the big shows.

After the Taichi / ZSJ vs Suzuki / Iizuka match in Tag League, ZSJ said that he has his eyes on the throne and Suzuki's time is nearly up. This time next year we could be seeing Zack vs Suzuki as a marquee WK match,

[Fignuts]

That Kenny’s Quest thing is amazing.

[Evil Vito]

I knew he was in his 50s but didn't realize that Takashi Iizuka was a lifer who has been with the company for 33 years. That's insane. And he still looks absolutely terrifying.

Having said that, he's been Suzuki-gun's designated fall guy for the two years I've been watching New Japan so I can see why he's ready to call it a career. Will miss seeing him run around the arena.

[Ultra Mantis]

I was sat right next to the aisle where Iizuka walked past in SSE:UK, he looked like he was having the time of his life doing that gimmick. Dude is also in much better shape than he looks on TV.

Hilarious spot too where he bit Gedo and everyone boo'd, Yano made the save and got bit, everyone boo'd, YOSHI-HASHI then makes the save and gets bit and the crowd popped huge. Iizuka was laughing his ass off.

[Evil Vito]

Iizuka reinvented himself so many times, too - he was a great technical, even shoot style worker, and even had a match in WCW teaming with Tatsumi Fujinami against the Steiners in '92, reinvented himself as a hardcore worker in the mid-00s, and then more recently as a kind of pastiche of that gimmick as part of Suzuki-Gun. One of those wonderful midcard mainstay type careers; never set the world alight, but a real reliable hand.

That he's held the tag titles with Riki Choshu and with Toru Yano is wonderful.

[Emperor Smeat]

Kota Ibushi just announced he's staying in NJPW for the foreseeable future and will compete in this year's New Japan Cup. Made the announcement during today's New Beginning event.

There were some rumors he might jump to AEW once his concussion cleared up but now its not going to happen any time soon.

[Emperor Smeat]

White vs Tanahashi for the IWGP belt at New Beginning was amazing.

BREATH WITH THE SWITCHBLADE. NEW CHAMP.

Era of the Knife Pervert begins

[Jordan]

Wow! Didn't see that coming. I really wanted to see Okada/Tana for IWGP at MSG. :(

[Innovator]

Gotta get that next gajin ready now that Kenny is gone

[Volare]

I was kinda shocked to wake up to this news. I mean hell since Jay beat Kenny before (US Title) why not do it again? Making Jay the only man in NJPW to never lose a singles vs Kenny, and he would've had "leverage" against Okada and Tana later.

[Ultra Mantis]

I didn't like this decision at first, Jay White doesn't really click for me as a main event talent, when I saw him live (Strong Style Evolved vs Kyle Fletcher) everything he did looked good but at the same time I was incredibly bored watching his match.

However, that was a fantastic match and the pervert has had a rocket strapped to him for 12 months, its so Gedo to go all the way and put the belt on him. I'm not so interested in Jay White being champion, but I am very interested in what happens now he is. Especially with Ibushi reportedly ACTUALLY signing a full time contract. Naito is also simmering in the background. Suzuki could make a believable challenger again. They could go somewhere fresh with Goto / Ishii.

Also of interest, EVIL planted the seeds for Okada and Tana challenging for the tag team titles and there's a very good possibility that match is going to happen at MSG. That could be a hell of a rub for EVIL and SANADA, while it could also take us down a (albeit long and winding) path to the Aces vs Golden Lovers for the tag titles later in the year. Tanahashi not being world champion is actually a clearer path, especially if he's next in line to be working a Jericho program.

[Jordan]

Goost post Mantis.