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

[Emperor Smeat]

I assume they can’t air the Stardom match since a different network has their streaming rights.

That seems to be the speculation from Meltzer and others.

Meltzer even mentioned in last week's Observer Newsletter that if NJPW were to ever leave their current tv network, they'd lose the rights to most of the footage on New Japan World since the current tv network owns it due to how the laws work over there.

[Volare]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy Merry Christmas����<br><br>I received a &quot;DEATH RIDERS&quot; jacket as a gift from my master.(<a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonMoxley</a> )<br>Someday I will wear this again and be together.<br><br>I always climb the top of the harshest mountain with this jacket.<br>And there will be something at the end of the dream.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MOX?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MOX</a>×<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shooter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shooter</a> <a href="https://t.co/GrjByURXeQ">pic.twitter.com/GrjByURXeQ</a></p>&mdash; 海野 翔太〈Shota Umino〉 (@njpw_shota) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpw_shota/status/1209624962417512448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If Shota came to AEW...

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer Newsletter, the backlash from NJPW's female fanbase in regards to the Stardom match announcement at Wrestle Kingdom 14 was soo great that the company is reconsidering all their plans with the Stardom.

As soon as the announcement was made, New Japan fans, particularly women fans, were very vocal in their opinions negatively toward this. The negativity was so strong that it may be difficult for this to happen again. Right now the word is that this will happen, but don’t expect to see Stardom matches on New Japan shows much going forward.

Guess the female fanbase didn't want their ogling time with NJPW stars being cut back because of Stardom.

Speaking of ogling, NJPW recently released their Top 10 Best Bodies in NJPW list.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The results of the first ever NJPW Concurso are in!<br><br>Have plenty to drink for the holidays, but still thirsty? ��<br><br>We reveal the top ten best bodies in NJPW below!<a href="https://t.co/bp12VTewLL">https://t.co/bp12VTewLL</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njwk14?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njwk14</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqaWGph1RD">pic.twitter.com/jqaWGph1RD</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1210112052607344641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ultra Mantis]

Lucky for SHO that his bowl haircut didnt factor in to the judging.

[Volare]

Well well well....

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisJericho/videos/712662402592852/

[Droford]

Jericho will win

[Droford]

Also I'm pissed shitty impact buying AXStv to air their shitty wrestling is basically costing me being able to watch njpw (for free)

[Volare]

Jericho will win

More reason to hope for Tanahashi.

[Tom Guycott]

I'd love to see him open a package with a note saying "Give em hell, Shooter", and the box contains a leather jacket with Shota spray painted on the back in orange kanji.

*posted 3 months ago in response to Shota's excursion announcement.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy Merry Christmas����<br><br>I received a &quot;DEATH RIDERS&quot; jacket as a gift from my master.(<a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonMoxley</a> )<br>Someday I will wear this again and be together.<br><br>I always climb the top of the harshest mountain with this jacket.<br>And there will be something at the end of the dream.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MOX?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MOX</a>×<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shooter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shooter</a> <a href="https://t.co/GrjByURXeQ">pic.twitter.com/GrjByURXeQ</a></p>&mdash; 海野 翔太〈Shota Umino〉 (@njpw_shota) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpw_shota/status/1209624962417512448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Not exactly my dream, but close enough, I'll take it!!!

And I love the fact that he's at the bar. Presumably carving an hourglass into the countertop with knuckledusters.

Also, still would love to see the "unlikely" alliance of Mox, Shooter, and The Revival all rocking these jackets and taking over Japan.

[Tom Guycott]

Jericho will win

More reason to hope for Tanahashi.

I actually hope Tanahashi wins, just for the "unthinkable" nature of it. The man doesn't need to win the subsequent shot, but it would make for an unbelievable "what if" scenario that would get all the positive buzz if the match doesn't uncharactisically suck.

Even if they move all the mountains they would need to and the ultimate unthinkable scenario goes down, where Tana becomes the second AEW champion, would it be a legit recognized title reign? Or would Jericho pull a HHH and have the decision reversed and then *he* also has a championship match that "never happened"? It would make for a moment.

Or, in full conspiracy theory speculation mode, what if the whole thing is a swerve, and New Japan starts a working relationship with AEW, and Mox brings the US Championship here and Tanahashi takes the World Championship to Japan... and both are recognized as "outer promotional champions" instead of having to pretend the other place doesn't exist? New Japan's US contingent becomes an expanded roster of sorts for AEW, and some of them get the exposure and experience they otherwise wouldn't get in Japan.

[Jordan]

I hope Tana wins now. I would really love to see Tanahashi and Jericho one on one on Dynamite or AEW PPV.

[Jordan]

https://www.njpw1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/DSC_8441.jpg

[Jordan]

I am re-watching some of Dave's matches rated over 5 stars this year. I wanted to say Ospreay is amazing.

[Jordan]

But with that said Takagi/Ospreay Super Junior Finals is the MOTY. It's like everything all in one match.

[Jordan]

One thing that would make NJPW so much better to me would be if they would just subtitle everything for me that is spoken or written in Japanese so I can know everything.

Ospreay easily wrestler of the year. A similar year to Kenny in '18 but maybe even better.

[Jordan]

My wrestling dream is that AEW and NJPW to end up working together. That they end up doing an invasion angle that actually works. They can invade both ways and they can do it for like a year or more. All leading up to a giant PPV at Jaguars Stadium, AEW vs NJPW.

[Evil Vito]

I've yet to decide my plan for Wrestle Kingdom. I've watched live two years in a row now and those were on work nights, but I wanted to watch live because I didn't trust being able to stay spoiler-free all day.

With it being a weekend there's no reason I can't just fire up the show once I wake up...but I'll miss out on discussing the show live which has been a blast.

[ClockShot]

Been thinking the same thing. Either set the alarm clock at 2:30 and wake up. Or, just wake up, have a nice breakfast, and watch late and make a morning of it.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, the reason for NJPW's removal from AXS TV is due to them refusing an ultimatum from Anthem.

Anthem demanded them to start a working partnership with Impact Wrestling in order to keep their show on AXS TV or be punished.

NJPW refused and Anthem kicked them off the network as punishment.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On the new Observer Radio, Dave outright says that Anthem told NJPW they could stay on AXS if they started a working relationship with Impact. NJPW said no and so they got the boot.</p>&mdash; Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorDame/status/1212849386113228801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Think something weird and big is coming at Wrestle Kingdom. I don’t know why. Just got a feeling in my bones, I guess. And I’m not talking about a partnership with AEW. Think it’s more surreal.

[Ultra Mantis]

New Japan really losing out double on that blackmail deal because now they wont be able to bring in hot fresh acts like.... uh... Disco Inferno? Rob Van Dam? Johnny Swinger?

Even if you discount the whole past relationship disaster, Impact has absolutely nothing to offer New Japan. Well, aside from a shitty TV deal apparently.

[Tom Guycott]

Think something weird and big is coming at Wrestle Kingdom. I don’t know why. Just got a feeling in my bones, I guess. And I’m not talking about a partnership with AEW. Think it’s more surreal.

Breaking: Shinsuke Nakamura appears in wring at Wrestle Kingdom? Signals start of NXT Japan?! Also, Alexa Bliss in a thong! HAWT!!!11!

[Tom Guycott]

New Japan really losing out double on that blackmail deal because now they wont be able to bring in hot fresh acts like.... uh... Disco Inferno? Rob Van Dam? Johnny Swinger?

Even if you discount the whole past relationship disaster, Impact has absolutely nothing to offer New Japan. Well, aside from a shitty TV deal apparently.

"What the hell are these Japanese fans doing in the Impact Zone?!"

[Ultra Mantis]

"What the hell are these Japanese fans doing in the Impact Zone?!"

"Is that... oh my God, it's Okato! The former X division competitor has returned to challenge Tessa Blanchard!"

[Evil Vito]

Night 1 starts at 2 AM Eastern, Night 2 at 12 AM.

Damn. I have a bunch to do on Saturday so if I want to watch both shows live I'm basically gonna have to be up for a day and a half straight. MAYBE I can sneak a 2-3 hour nap in before night 2 if I'm lucky lol.

[Jordan]

I really want to try and watch it live.

[Emperor Smeat]

Night 1 starts at 2 AM Eastern, Night 2 at 12 AM.

Damn. I have a bunch to do on Saturday so if I want to watch both shows live I'm basically gonna have to be up for a day and a half straight. MAYBE I can sneak a 2-3 hour nap in before night 2 if I'm lucky lol.

Assuming both shows are around 5 hours, Night 2 starting at midnight is great for me personally.

Wonder if NJPW did the different hours because they didn't want to burn out their US audience with three major early morning shows in a row.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This means a chance for (legit) over 40,000 <a href="https://t.co/GJez3JbOtU">https://t.co/GJez3JbOtU</a></p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/1213168412685414407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

When does it start, what time

[Jordan]

2am Jack!

[DaveWadding]

As discussed in other posts, Goto/Ishii vs Shingo/EVIL at New Years Dash was dope.

[Volare]

<iframe width="1019" height="573" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EX8VuXU5-Dg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Evil Vito]

NJPW is going to lose another Dad :(

Manabu Nakanishi retiring February 22nd

[Mike the Metal Ed]

I didn't mind KENTA ruining Naito's crowning moment but leaving him laying on the mat at both WK and New Year Dash has me worried that only Gedo's boys get to be booked strong as champion. I get that the idea will be that Naito is gonna slap the piss out of him at New Beginning at least so it should be okay.

So unbelievably hyped for Suzuki vs Moxley. I'd like to see Ospreay going for the US title at some point too.

[Emperor Smeat]

NJPW is going to lose another Dad :(

Manabu Nakanishi retiring February 22nd

Nagata better be conducting interviews with others to quickly find a new fall guy for him for my TPWW NJPW Survivor's sake.

[Ultra Mantis]

Nagata has already dumped Nakanishi and is teaming with Kojima on the New Beginning USA tour.

Nakanishi is teaming with Tenzan back in Japan... against Makabe and his numerous partners.

Also Nagata must have taken the news very badly because hes challenging Lance Archer in a singles match on the 26th.

I am going to cry when Nakanishi pins Makabe on the 25th.

[Ultra Mantis]

Goto & Ishii NEED to win World Tag League this year :rant:

[Evil Vito]

New Beginning cards announced, here are the matches of import:

The New Beginning in Sapporo, Night 1 (2/1/20):

NEVER Openweight Title: Hirooki Goto [CHAOS] (V1 defense) vs. Shingo Takagi [LIJ]
Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL
Kazuchika Okada/Jon Moxley [CHAOS/AEW] vs. Minoru Suzuki/Taichi [Suzuki-gun]
Tetsuya Naito/SANADA [LIJ] vs. Jay White/KENTA
Ryu Lee/Ryusuke Taguchi [Main Unit] vs. Hiromu Takahashi/BUSHI [LIJ]

[b]The New Beginning in Sapporo, Night 2 (2/2/20):

Kazuchika Okada [CHAOS] vs. Taichi [Suzuki-gun]
British Heavyweight Title: Zack Sabre Jr. [Suzuki-gun] (V? defense) vs. Will Ospreay [CHAOS]
Tetsuya Naito/SANADA/Hiromu Takahashi [LIJ] vs. Jay White/KENTA/Taiji Ishimori
Jon Moxley/SHO/YOH/Ryusuke Taguchi [AEW/CHAOS/Main Unit] vs. Minoru Suzuki/El Desperado/Yoshinobu Kanemaru/DOUKI [Suzuki-gun]

[b]Road to the New Beginning (2/4/20):

Elimination Match: Kazuchika Okada/Will Ospreay/SHO/YOH [CHAOS] vs. Zack Sabre Jr./Taichi/El Desperado/Yoshinobu Kanemaru [Suzuki-gun]

Road to the New Beginning (2/5/20):

Elimination Match: Tetsuya Naito/SANADA/Hiromu Takahashi/BUSHI [LIJ] vs. Jay White/KENTA/Taiji Ishimori/El Phantasmo

[b]Road to the New Beginning (2/6/20):

NEVER Openweight 6-Man Titles: EVIL/Shingo Takagi/BUSHI [LIJ] (V1 defense) vs. Hirooki Goto/Tomohiro Ishii/Robbie Eagles [CHAOS]

The New Beginning in Osaka (2/9/20):

IWGP Heavyweight/IWGP Intercontinental Titles: Tetsuya Naito [LIJ] (V1 & V2 defenses, respectively) vs. KENTA [Bullet Club]
IWGP US Heavyweight Title: Jon Moxley [AEW] (V2 defense) vs. Minoru Suzuki [Suzuki-gun]
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Hiromu Takahashi [LIJ] (V1 defense) vs. Ryu Lee [Main Unit]
SANADA [LIJ] vs. Jay White [Bullet Club]
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Titles: Roppongi 3K (SHO/YOH) [CHAOS] (V1 defense) vs. El Desperado/Yoshinobu Kanemaru [Suzuki-gun]
Manabu Nakanishi Final in Osaka-Jo Hall: Manabu Nakanishi/Yuji Nagata/Satoshi Kojima/Hiroyoshi Tenzan [Main Unit] vs. Togi Makabe/Tomoaki Honma/Toa Henare/Ryusuke Taguchi [Main Unit]

[Jordan]

Tampa (January 24) --
Elimination match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay & Rocky Romero vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens & Jado
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Lance Archer
Jeff Cobb vs. Alex Zayne
TJP & Karl Fredericks vs. Colt Cabana & Toru Yano
Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Ren Narita & Alex Coughlin
Clark Connors vs. Misterioso

Nashville (January 26) --
Kota Ibushi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay & Rocky Romero vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Chase Owens & Jado
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Yuji Nagata vs. Lance Archer
Satoshi Kojima vs. Jeff Cobb
TJP & Clark Connors vs. Colt Cabana & Toru Yano
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Karl Fredericks
Ren Narita & Alex Coughlin vs. Alex Zayne & Misterioso

Durham (January 27) --
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens & Jado
Ren Narita vs. Lance Archer
Jeff Cobb vs. Karl Fredericks
The Rock 'n' Roll Express & Alex Zayne vs. Colt Cabana, Toru Yano & Rocky Romero
Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Clark Connors & Alex Coughlin
TJP vs. Misterioso

Miami (January 30) --
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Juice Robinson, David Finlay & Rocky Romero vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens & Jado
Alex Zayne vs. Lance Archer
Jeff Cobb vs. Ren Narita
The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. Colt Cabana & Toru Yano
Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin
YOSHI-HASHI & Misterioso vs. TJP & Clark Connors

Atlanta (February 1) --
IWGP Tag Team Champions Juice Robinson & David Finlay defending against Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Kota Ibushi vs. Chase Owens
Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Archer
Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. TJP, Alex Zayne & Clark Connors
Colt Cabana & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Jado
YOSHI-HASHI & Rocky Romero vs. Alex Coughlin & Misterioso
Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Karl Fredericks & Ren Narita

[Jordan]

Any of y'all rednecks goin to see that Japanese rasslin?

[Jordan]

The NJPW of America tour isn't as bad as I thought. You can't really complain about not enough Japanese stars with Tanahashi, Ibushi, Nagata and Kojima... Rock 'n Roll Express vs Yano & Cabana is going to be a must see! I wonder how NJPW will do with the multi-man and tag main events in the US. We here have been conditioned that a draw main event is a singles match for a championship or a big gimmick match so ... we shall see. I hope they can sell out or come close to each venue.

[Jordan]

Also I just want to nut a little bit over the young lions group right now. Each and every one of them can be stars. Alex Coughlin sticks out to me because he is the new Dynamite/Benoit body type and he knows it. But literally all of them are amazing. NJPW will have even more amazing cards in 2-3 years as these young lions start rising against the old guard.

[Emperor Smeat]

Nagata has already dumped Nakanishi and is teaming with Kojima on the New Beginning USA tour.

Nakanishi is teaming with Tenzan back in Japan... against Makabe and his numerous partners.

Also Nagata must have taken the news very badly because hes challenging Lance Archer in a singles match on the 26th.

I am going to cry when Nakanishi pins Makabe on the 25th.

Kojima is a good fit for now since its only against Young Lions but he needs to find a different guy afterwards since Kojima might be higher on the pecking order than him.

Fully confident Nagata will dish out some Blue Justice to the Everybody Dies guy in case Nakanishi fails to take out Makabe.

[Mr. Nerfect]

New Japan has done a really good job fostering its own talent. They've almost got too much. We're at the point where guys like Ishii, Goto and Suzuki are almost afterthoughts, and they've got all these young lions coming up. Sanada and Ibushi are both trying to really find their spot in the established guard too.

I wouldn't be opposed to New Japan trying to do two Dome shows a year, or like another giant venue type thing. The Osaka Dome or something. I mean, I don't really know how that frees up the log-jam.

[Ultra Mantis]

Kojima is a good fit for now since its only against Young Lions but he needs to find a different guy afterwards since Kojima might be higher on the pecking order than him.

Fully confident Nagata will dish out some Blue Justice to the Everybody Dies guy in case Nakanishi fails to take out Makabe.

If it were any other dad I'd be skeptical but yeah Nagata would absolutely no sell death and put it in an armbar.

[Ultra Mantis]

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/PlaintiveFormalArabianoryx' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='404'></iframe>

I love how socially awkward all three of these guys are.

[ClockShot]

What the occasion?

[Ultra Mantis]

Tokyo Sports awards ceremony, only the winners from each promotion attend which is why they have sat them on the same table but it exists in kayfabe so none of them are acting like theyre friends.

[Emperor Smeat]

Ibushi's influenza illness reportedly is a lot worse than originally stated by NJPW.

https://i.imgur.com/7CpROIz.jpg

[ClockShot]

Guy can't catch a break.

[Evil Vito]

Marty Scurll showed up at tonight's show in North Carolina and challenged Jay White to a match at Supercard of Honor.

[Emperor Smeat]

So either NJPW got hit with some bad luck or someone put a Papa Shango curse on their USA tour.

Fourth time this past week something has gone terribly wrong for the tour.

Ibushi got very ill right before the tour started, Fredericks got hurt on Sunday, Monday's show had a concessions issue, and Nagata revealed today that he recently suffered a neck injury.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh man, a neck injury at Nagata's age is not good.

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently NJPW had been in talks with MSG regarding them holding an event there this year but those talks seem to have ended after NJPW lost their tv deal in the US and WWE pulling a power play in order to lock out other promotions from the venue.

We do know that MSG and New Japan were at one point talking about a summer date but that appears to have fallen through as noted by NJPW not announcing any major arena U.S. shows on 1/5 at the Dome when they did the underwhelming schedule announcement. There is a lot of talk that WWE has managed to lock up the building by promising more and better dates. Vince has a thing, because of his father where MSG was the big arena historically for the company, that he’s more adamant about nobody else ever getting in.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sinclair could probably help them open it back up.

[Emperor Smeat]

Doubt Sinclair would care since the relationship between ROH and NJPW is still pretty shaky even with Scurll's attempts to improve the relationship partially due to personal reasons.

Only reason Sinclair got involved with the G1 Supercard show was due to WWE's attempts to wreck the show which would have damaged ROH finances. They still holdg a grudge against WWE for trying to raid ROH talent via illegal means and using the NXT brand as their attack dog to hurt ROH.

Based on past sheets and interviews from ROH's COO, seems ROH isn't that fond of NJPW running shows in the US, especially since some of those shows are in ROH hotbed areas and competing against ROH shows. Also despite the demise of their tv deal in the US, NJPW still is in no rush to use ROH talent for their shows and have been loaning out talent for Mania weekend shows mostly just to maintain their presence in the US.

This year's Best of the Super Jrs tournament will be a good indication if that ROH-NJPW relationship improved or not depending if or who from ROH gets invited.

[Ultra Mantis]

Was looking over the upcoming schedule and barring any surprising results from the New Beginning tour Naito could be set for an interesting year. He will face Hiromu at the anniversary show then his next challenger will be the winner of the New Japan Cup. If SANADA follows his pattern of getting one step further each year, he should win the Cup this year. I'm sure that would then "rile up" EVIL enough to challenge and then Shingo won't be left out either. Clearly building to Naito vs BUSHI in the dome.

Also if you haven't joined Survivor yet and that's something you'd do, sign ups are open until the start of the Saturday morning show

https://www.tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=136837

[Jordan]

Just going to be honest, I cancel my my New Japan Sub every year at this time.

[ClockShot]

Apparently NJPW had been in talks with MSG regarding them holding an event there this year but those talks seem to have ended after NJPW lost their tv deal in the US and WWE pulling a power play in order to lock out other promotions from the venue.

Would have been cool if NJPW got the Garden to themselves. But figures that WWE would muscle in and shut them down since they're back at MSG at a regular basis. The no TV deal also hurts, but not so much.

Which makes me wonder if they'll go somewhere else. Perhaps try Boston. Or go halfway and go to Connecticut and pull both markets :D. Philly too is a possibility.

If their run through New England back at the end of Summer was any indicator, they'll sell out up here. Anywhere else might be tricky. Speaking of which, how'd the New Beginning tour in the South do for attendance?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would have been cool if NJPW got the Garden to themselves. But figures that WWE would muscle in and shut them down since they're back at MSG at a regular basis. The no TV deal also hurts, but not so much.

Which makes me wonder if they'll go somewhere else. Perhaps try Boston. Or go halfway and go to Connecticut and pull both markets :D. Philly too is a possibility.

If their run through New England back at the end of Summer was any indicator, they'll sell out up here. Anywhere else might be tricky. Speaking of which, how'd the New Beginning tour in the South do for attendance?

https://www.njpw1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/EPVVHfWWoAEuQPq.png

There's no way New Japan sell out MSG without the help of ROH and some big stars and big hype at the right time of year. WrestleMania weekend had wrestling fans everywhere and the novelty of being other promotions in Vince's venue.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems Chase Owens is leaving NJPW since he mentioned his contract expires after today but won't potentially be leaving till after tomorrow since that is when NJPW's current US tour ends.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today is the final day of my njpw contract. Hope to see everyone tomorrow at the Coca Cola Roxy theatre in Atlanta Georgia!!</p>&mdash; chase owens (@realchaseowens) <a href="https://twitter.com/realchaseowens/status/1223245478906802177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ultra Mantis]

He's working the Osaka show on the 9th too and was working a little angle with Ibushi (before Ibushi got sick) based on them teaming up together during the Elite split from Bullet Club. If he is actually leaving I think they will be giving him a send off there.

Note sure why he would leave though unless hes received a big money offer from somewhere. The question then is: why would anybody offer Chase Owens big money? Dude could probably have a steady job for life with New Japan, maybe he wants to spend more time with his family but then why not stay on for the US tours? They need bodies there. Maybe he thinks he could go higher? I dont see it but I do like him in his role as an overconfident lower card mook.

[Evil Vito]

Chase Owens is the Crown Jewel

Saudi Arabia main event confirmed

[Emperor Smeat]

He's working the Osaka show on the 9th too and was working a little angle with Ibushi (before Ibushi got sick) based on them teaming up together during the Elite split from Bullet Club. If he is actually leaving I think they will be giving him a send off there.

Note sure why he would leave though unless hes received a big money offer from somewhere. The question then is: why would anybody offer Chase Owens big money? Dude could probably have a steady job for life with New Japan, maybe he wants to spend more time with his family but then why not stay on for the US tours? They need bodies there. Maybe he thinks he could go higher? I dont see it but I do like him in his role as an overconfident lower card mook.

Probably simply feels like Lance Archer where he just wants to go in a new direction for his career.

After Trent Beretta left, think NJPW gave Trent's planned push to Chase but that didn't really work out or materialize the way both sides expected by now.

[Emperor Smeat]

Owens ended up revealing he recently signed a new multi-year contract with NJPW so last night's stuff was just him playing things up for the drama.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well it’s February 1st and I’m proud to say that today starts my new multi year contract with NJPW. See everyone soon ��</p>&mdash; chase owens (@realchaseowens) <a href="https://twitter.com/realchaseowens/status/1223477422412259333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Moxley & Okada vs. Suzuki & Taichi match at New Beginning Sapporo Night 1 was great. Next weekend's Moxley vs. Suzuki match is going to be amazing based on what those two did tonight.

The post-match stuff was just pure brutality from the other 2 in the match.
Taichi pretty much utterly destroyed Okada albeit with some help from Zack Sabre Jr.

Taichi even started doing Suzuki style laughs near the end of it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Add El Desperado to the ever growing list of people who can do a spear better than Edge.

Just busted one out against YOH during the IGWP Jr Tag title match at tonight's New Beginning show in Osaka.

[Jordan]

I'm hear with you brother.

[Emperor Smeat]

Taguchi convincing Rocky to team up and go after Roppongi 3K's jr tag belts was pretty cool.

:lol: at the team name being the Mega Coaches.

Only 2 matches into the card and New Beginning in Osaka is already shaping up into being upper tier quality for NJPW shows this year.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tanahashi visits the US for like 2 weeks and somehow came back with 80s metal/rock band style hair.

[Jordan]

Back to the GARDEN BABY 8-22

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: NJPW confirmed they are returning to MSG.

Wrestling Dynasty event on August 22nd.

[Jordan]

I will be there certainly.

[Jordan]

I really hope they keep ROH out of it. But I doubt that will happen.

[Emperor Smeat]

I really hope they keep ROH out of it. But I doubt that will happen.

Meltzer mentioned in this week's Newsletter that they want to run the show by themselves but could see Marty Scurll potentially be there as a ROH rep since he wants to keep the door open to NJPW for himself.

[Jordan]

Meltzer mentioned in this week's Newsletter that they want to run the show by themselves but could see Marty Scurll potentially be there as a ROH rep since he wants to keep the door open to NJPW for himself.

I'm okay with 1-2 matches featuring ROH talent.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This January, the Tokyo Dome experienced Wrestle Kingdom.<br><br>This summer, Madison Square Garden will experience Wrestle Dynasty!<br><br>We'll see you August 22 <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thegarden</a>!<br><br>Details:<a href="https://t.co/aqrlS5ItOa">https://t.co/aqrlS5ItOa</a><br><br>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/NJPWofAmerica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NJPWofAmerica</a> for more info!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJoA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJoA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestledynasty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wrestledynasty</a> <a href="https://t.co/8MsQGlU16u">pic.twitter.com/8MsQGlU16u</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1226419246852272128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">*boink* <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njnbg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njnbg</a><a href="https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw">https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw</a> <a href="https://t.co/yu4IozZlRs">pic.twitter.com/yu4IozZlRs</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1226431975260639234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SANADA's lucky he didn't suffer a serious neck injury.

Was bad enough that right after he took a snap suplex that also boinked his head.

[Emperor Smeat]

Holy shit at the chests of Hiromu and Ryu Lee. Both starting to turn a shade of purple after like over 5 minutes of just chest massacring chops.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOLY SHIT!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njnbg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njnbg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dragonlee95?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dragonlee95</a><a href="https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw">https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw</a> <a href="https://t.co/VRAo7cySP1">pic.twitter.com/VRAo7cySP1</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1226437284884615169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yeup this might be the craziest match I've seen since Moxley vs Omega at AEW Full Gear and its only been around 10 minutes soo far.

[Emperor Smeat]

Lee vs. Takahashi is right up there with this year's Wrestle Kingdom's IWGP Heavyweight and IC matches in terms of greatness.

[Emperor Smeat]

Suzuki might have officially snapped.

Moxley vs. Suzuki has been great soo far. Expected a nice brutal brawl and its delivered big time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Next US Heavyweight title match is going to be weird based on the pairing.

Zack Sabre Jr who specializes in chain wrestling and submissions
vs.
Moxley who specializes as a brawler in NJPW

[Emperor Smeat]

Holy shit, Naito got busted open badly.

[Emperor Smeat]

KENTA vs. Naito was great. Started off slow but the latter half of the match was amazing.

Last 3 matches were amazing and must watch tier quality.

[Jordan]

I wonder if Mox or Jericho will be on the WRESTLING DYNASTY at MSG?

[Evil Vito]

I’m definitely going to that. With G1 having to be later in the year I think this might be their big event for the summer and I’d expect it to be the whole crew or close to it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

New Japan probably had help to get into the Garden from Sinclair. Reading between the lines, this is a further sign of the New Japan/ROH relationship being strong, and Sinclair being willing to break bank.

Could see Wrestle Dynasty being a permanent edition to their calendar. I hope they treat it like a Wrestle Kingdom-sized event.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I wonder if Mox or Jericho will be on the WRESTLING DYNASTY at MSG?

My first thought was “no,” since AEW retain NA rights to them, but I could see Tony Khan being pushed over into letting them work it to try and “build the bridge,” even if it ultimately goes nowhere.

[Ultra Mantis]

Glad we have experts like Noid here to show Meltzer how to dish out the cold hard facts.

Absolutely no way this is going to be a permanent addition, it takes place during what would be the regular G1 schedule, which has been pushed back this year due to the Olympics. Nothing suggests ROH has any involvement in this show and that's a good thing since general consensus is that ROH shit the bed last time. As a card I'd guess it would be on the level of King of Pro Wrestling since that's what its effectively replacing (same as MSG Super Card replacing Sakura Genesis last year), meaning we can expect a lot of title defences but nothing is going to have any huge ramifications on WK since the G1 hasn't happened yet.

Can't see Mox or Jericho being involved, but that relationship could always change between now and then.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">i cant BREATHE zsj called him jonathan moxley and mox called zsj an udon noodle i love this feud already <a href="https://t.co/vWJ4nutWxH">pic.twitter.com/vWJ4nutWxH</a></p>&mdash; ceo of orange cassidy (@jonmoxIeys) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmoxIeys/status/1226463488257732608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ja" dir="ltr">盛り橋☆ <a href="https://t.co/nuOGJ1Y8ZV">pic.twitter.com/nuOGJ1Y8ZV</a></p>&mdash; 棚橋 弘至 (@tanahashi1_100) <a href="https://twitter.com/tanahashi1_100/status/1226502103570378756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tanahashi's hair is probably going to be the best draw they've got going in. And that's a compliment to the hair, not a knock on New Japan.

[Droford]

I think it's going to be a hard sell for the MSG show on the same weekend as SummerSlam. Technically you could hop on an Amtrak or drive up 95 and get to Boston and see both shows but that also means you skip Takeover. The MSG show benefited from everyone being in NYC. I don't think it will sell out might be close though.

If they could get AEW on board, I could see it doing better even with just getting Jericho and Moxley. They have basically 6 months to work something out which is actually a long time in the current wrestling climate.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to this week's Observer Newsletter, NJPW is planning for this year's MSG event to be Wrestle Kingdom worthy in terms of card status. Baring any sudden changes, neither Jericho nor Moxley would be available for the show due to both guys deals with NJPW only allows them to work shows in Japan.

Also reported that NJPW wanted to make this announcement during Wrestle Kingdom 14 week but couldn't due to WWE's attempts at blocking them from MSG.

New Japan will promote its biggest event for the remainder of 2020, Wrestle Dynasty, on 8/22 in Madison Square Garden. The show will take place on the same weekend as SummerSlam, which will take place the next day in Boston. But it will go head-to-head with the NXT Takeover show in Boston. It also comes two weeks before All Out 2 in Chicago.

The idea is that New Japan will present a card equivalent to a WrestleKingdom. That would seem to mean an IWGP title match involving Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jay White or Will Ospreay would be put on top. Because G-1 is being moved to the fall due to the Olympics, it would be the last major event before G-1, and follow Dominion, which takes place 6/16 in Osaka.

As things stand right now, neither Jon Moxley or Chris Jericho would be allowed to appear on the show as their AEW deal only allows for them to work for New Japan in Japan.

It’s notable that after all the pressure coming from the WWE side, that in the end, Madison Square Garden gave them this date. New Japan had planned on announcing this show on 1/5 at the Tokyo Dome, but it wasn’t finalized until recently for the obvious issues.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not surprising at all. If you're going to go into MSG, you really need a card that is going to be worthy of it. This lends itself to being a huge show, and if it's half-way successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see them make it an annual thing and have their local Wrestle Kingdom and international Wrestle Dynasty show as two big marquee events throughout the year.

I've got a feeling Okada will walk out the IWGP Champion. Can see the top two matches being Naito vs. Okada and White vs. Tanahashi.

[Emperor Smeat]

Would be tough to make it an annual show without NJPW making major changes to their schedule setup.

Main reason they could do it this year was due to the Olympics being in Tokyo and the G1 Climax tournament being pushed back till the Fall. That left August open for a major event in the US to be possible and also not have it conflict with other shows or be put together at the last minute.

Plus even with MSG becoming friendly towards non-WWE promotions, its still a very expensive place to run events which is why even WWE bolted when they had the chance after the Barclays Center opened for big events in NY.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You don't have to do it in August or at MSG every year, lol. Just one big US show to try and fertilize that ground.

[Emperor Smeat]

They would still need to do some big tweaks to their schedule to fit a major US show that doesn't get thrown together at the last minute and also gets treated the same as a major Japan event if the idea is to hold it annually.

Right now their schedule is pretty much ideal for how the company runs things which is why almost all the US shows have been just crammed in and given low priority for focus.

Ideally if they were to run a major US show every year, September likely makes the most sense but the window to do it is pretty small. Would be sandwiched between wrestlers just coming out of their post-G1 rest break and the important post-G1 shows that tie up loose ends.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So you do it in September.

[Emperor Smeat]

Problem is you'd have to cram it within a 1-2 week window. Last year's gap from the G1 rest break ending to the Destruction tour was like a week.

NJPW pretty much would have to drop one of their usual major events or tournaments to make a major US event happen as an annual thing without running into any real issues.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Can't they start G1 a little earlier and move the rest break one week? Does that interfere with any major Japanese holidays or anything like that?

[Emperor Smeat]

Might run into some potential schedule issues if they did since the only other way is to shrink down the field back to 18 but doubt they'd want to do that after all these years of doing a 20 man tournament.

Easiest solution to their whole US problem is to just announce major matches earlier like US promotions do but then you run into another problem of spoiling important matches for big Japan events beforehand.

[Ultra Mantis]

New Japan Cup brackets are going to be revealed tomorrow according to Chris Charlton and it's going to be another big one with 32 entrants.

R.I.P Everyone in Survivor.

I'm feeling a SANADA win, it fits the pattern, would work with the current champion and probably improve his dismal record over Okada. Maybe SANADA takes the IC off Naito. Lots of people are calling for Opsreay but I think it's too soon for that. Of course, it's Gedo so you never know.

[Evil Vito]

New Japan just cancelled all shows from March 1 - March 15 due to coronavirus concerns.

So that's the anniversary show and a big chunk of the New Japan Cup gone.

[Ultra Mantis]

Yikes. That sucks, better safe than sorry though. I wonder if they reschedule Hiromu / Naito to the finals and just rush the tournament by skipping the under card. How many dates are they left with?

[Emperor Smeat]

5 dates left but probably could still get the tournament done in time if they got rid of the 10 day rest break after the tournament ends.

[ClockShot]

Welp, rest of the New Japan Cup just got wiped out.

Now laid off until the 21st.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, NJPW events for the remainder of the New Japan Cup between March 16 and 21 have been cancelled.<a href="https://t.co/FKfzPR2tPh">https://t.co/FKfzPR2tPh</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/VtTgSArg8E">pic.twitter.com/VtTgSArg8E</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1237288925745446913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ultra Mantis]

Coronavirus stepping in to prevent Naito winning a season of Survivor is such a Gedo move.

[ClockShot]

Ticket details for Wrestle Dynasty as MSG in August:

Sign up for the pre-sale mailing list, you can get in on the pre-sale April 8th, 10 am eastern time.

General sale goes April 10th, 10 am eastern.

Ticket prices:
Balcony C: $20
Balcony B: $40
Balcony A: $60
Stand C: $80
Stand B: $100
Stand A: $150
Floor B: $150
Floor A: $200
Ringside B: $300
Ringside A: $500

[Evil Vito]

At the rate things are going I’m not sure any event is going to be happening all year.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Our dumb-ass Environmental Minister isn’t someone to trust, but this thing has seemingly sobered some of them up. He’s saying they’re expecting it to last for six months. He’s not a good communicator, so he didn’t really explain what that means, and that doesn’t mean the crowd ban, but there have been varying expectations on how this thing will go. I guess you’ve got to get tickets out there if the event is happening and just offer refunds later.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Voices of Wrestling, NJPW is currently planning to potentially resume holding events starting on March 31st.

NJPW also considering plans of holding closed door events when they resume for the foreseeable future.

[Evil Vito]

No real surprise at this point but Sakura Genesis has now been cancelled.

[Evil Vito]

Wrestle Dynasty has almost zero chance of happening.

While I hope things are in a better spot come August, NYC currently has a third of all confirmed cases in the US and the governor has essentially said to expect NY to be under various degrees of lockdown for the remainder of the year.

There's just no way major public events like this are going to be happening in the city this year.

[Jordan]

Dude I can't be on fucking lockdown for a year. Holy shite. Should I move back home to TN!?

[Evil Vito]

Doesn’t mean everything will be closed all year...people are going to need money and the priority is reopening jobs. But bigass public events like sporting events at MSG and Barclays are low on the priority list.

[Emperor Smeat]

No real surprise at this point but Sakura Genesis has now been cancelled.

Unless that show was in one of the three not allowed areas, guess NJPW didn't want to run an empty arena or limited capacity show since that would have gone over limit for gatherings as a normal show.

[Evil Vito]

Events from April 12-18 now cancelled. Nippon Professional Baseball tried doing empty stadium games and even without a crowd three players ended up testing positive which means they might've spread it to the teams.

I find it very unlikely there's an event before the summer, if that.

[ClockShot]

Well, they're still set on Wrestle Dynasty happening.

Tickets were supposed to go on sale next week. But, NJPW has now pushed that into May.

Pre-sale is Wednesday, May 13th.

General public starts Friday May 15th.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hands off the merchandise <br><br>(Wondering if I’ll regret posting this)<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestlingTwitterAfterDark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestlingTwitterAfterDark</a> <a href="https://t.co/sFvA1mdSTf">pic.twitter.com/sFvA1mdSTf</a></p>&mdash; ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1249981290553790466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ClockShot]

The U.S. based NJPW shop recently opened.

Slim pickings for the time being. Nothing that says "buy now".

Hopefully when the next boat comes in with merchandise from the main site, I'll throw grab something.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miho Abe announced that she is Taguchi’s new manager.....2020 is fucking nuts. <a href="https://t.co/BBkXDYuMKE">https://t.co/BBkXDYuMKE</a></p>&mdash; Matthew Acosta (@MatthewAcosta) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewAcosta/status/1251274451515330568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Probably going to end the same way the last time those two were together ... Taguchi's nuts getting pulverized.

https://i.imgur.com/NIfdBdi.gif

[ClockShot]

:eek:

She and Taichi have a falling out?!

Or did he trade up and get Pieter away from Yujiro?

[Evil Vito]

Best of Super Junior tour completely cancelled.

They’ve basically said they won’t even think about returning until there’s readily available testing kits available for everyone every show......which means they might just be done for the year.

[Emperor Smeat]

Wrestle Dynasty is officially postponed till 2021.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the interests of running the best and safest possible event for fans, NJPW has arrived at the decision to postpone Wrestle Dynasty in Madison Square Garden. <br><br>Sorry for the delay, but we'll be back stronger in 2021! <br><br>Details:<a href="https://t.co/gbNFgDN9Do">https://t.co/gbNFgDN9Do</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestledynasty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wrestledynasty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njmsg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njmsg</a> <a href="https://t.co/GUphNx3Lwd">pic.twitter.com/GUphNx3Lwd</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1258200169285333000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ClockShot]

Well, make sure MSG holds on to the deposit.

Logic dictates put it next to whatever PPV WWE has at Barclays at 2021 and make a weekend out of it. However, I can also see it as a kind of a kickoff to the G1 now depending on how the Olympics go for next year.

In the meantime, please get some new merchandise on the U.S. store.

[Jordan]

I'm glad it's postponed. I was going to go but I know it was likely not goin to be a full sell out this year, then once the plauge came I knew they had to call it off.

[ClockShot]

P.M. Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency in Tokyo and the surrounding areas today.

With Howard Meij announcing the comeback plan not long ago, I hope there's some new info on NJPW starting back up soon.

[Emperor Smeat]

NJPW might have filed one of the oddest trademarks for something wrestling related since I started following these things.

The recent trademark for Wrestle Dynasty includes the usual wording for merch-related purposes but then has one of the most wordy and all over the place stuff for something meant to be wrestling-related.

G & S: Consulting services about education; arranging, conducting and organization of seminars in the field of martial arts; production of radio or television programs; production of videotape film in the field of education, culture, entertainment or sports, except for movies or television programs and not for advertising or publicity; organization of martial arts and wrestling sporting events; organization of live martial arts tournaments; booking of seats for shows; presentation of live show performances; direction or presentation of plays; presentation of musical performances; organization of social entertainment events, excluding movies, shows, plays, musical performances, sports, horse races, bicycle races, boat races and auto races, namely, wrestling competitions and martial arts competitions; planning arrangement of movies, shows, plays or musical performances; movie theaters; movie film presentations, production and distribution; providing on-line videos featuring martial arts, not downloadable; providing on-line videos, namely, video presentations about wrestling and martial arts; rental of sports equipment except vehicles

[Evil Vito]

-NJPW will starting putting on shows again on 6/15, doing three shows a week for the next three weeks. All of these shows will take place in empty arenas. The first show is being presented New Year Dash style, with the matches getting announced at the top of the show and not a moment before.

- The remaining shows will be part of a rescheduled New Japan Cup, featuring both heavyweights and junior heavyweights. These shows will run all the way up to the semifinals. The first round matches are:

On 6/16:

Togi Makabe vs. Yota Tsuji

Tomohiro Ishii vs. El Desperado

Toru Yano vs. Jado

Tomoaki Honma vs. Hiromu Takahashi



On 6/17:

Kazuchika Okada vs. Gedo

Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki

Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Gabriel Kidd vs. Taiji Ishimori



On 6/22:

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi

Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SANADA

SHO vs. Shingo Takagi



On 6/23:

Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. YOSHI-HASHI

YOH vs. BUSHI

Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL

Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi

The second round matches will take place on 6/24 and 7/1, with the quarterfinals taking place on 7/2 and the semifinals on 7/3. The NJPW Cup final will take place on 7/11 in Osaka-jo Hall, and the winner will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles on 7/12 in the same venue. Both shows will have live fans, but seating will be limited to 1/3 of venue capacity.

[Evil Vito]

https://www.njpw1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/en600400.png

[Emperor Smeat]

SANADA vs. Shingo in Round 2 would be great if it happens.

[slik]

welcome back njpw

[ClockShot]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-cbOl96RFM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ClockShot]

Pretty much a given Okada will steamroll through his bracket. Suzuki the only bump in the road. But ending with a light heavyweight of either Kanemaru or Ishimori is just strange.

Obvious that Hiromu and Stone Pitbull will be at the end of theirs. Unless they got something planned for El Desperado that I don't know about.

That top right bracket is stacked. Minus Taguchi, anyone can win that.

Bottom right, It's EVIL's to lose. Goto might give him trouble.

[Jordan]

I am predicting Okada vs Takagi in the final. It would be cool if Okada won and then Takagi wins G1 and we go to the Dome, brother.

[Emperor Smeat]

For those interested in English commentary for NJPW's return of live shows, Chris Charlton confirmed reports of Japanese commentary being the only option for live shows and English commentary with only Kevin Kelly will get released some time afterwards on NJPW World.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Live broadcast woth japanese commentary, Kevin will handle English solo to turn it around as fast as possible in post. <a href="https://t.co/ovTPQjsAvN">https://t.co/ovTPQjsAvN</a></p>&mdash; chris charlton (@reasonjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/reasonjp/status/1271759543739940865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

I thought Chris lived in Japan, weird.

[ClockShot]

I think he does. But, Chris is more of a translator and go-to for quick knowledge and anything Japanese wrestling. Not so much a commentator.

I'm wondering if Kevin Kelly got on a plane and is in Japan. Can't be that difficult to stick him next to Milano and Shinpei. Unless he's going to watch from his house. Which would just be weird, but understandable.

[Emperor Smeat]

Very likely doing it straight from his house since there would be no reason to not have English commentary as a live option if he was actually in Japan.

Japan still has a travel ban in place despite them easing restrictions for the coronavirus.

[slik]

I will miss Gino Gambino baybay!

[Droford]

I noticed a RT flight from Philly to Tokyo is only $450 into early next year.

[ClockShot]

I think I'll wait a day or two and see how long turn around is for the English commentary. Checked earlier today and so far only the Japanese commentary is up for Together Project.

[Evil Vito]

Since he's been booked for the shows anyway, feel like they should've had DOUKI in the tournament instead of Jado because my god, Jado looks like he can barely move.

[Emperor Smeat]

Just got around to watching the first night of the New Japan Cup.

Put Yota Tsuji on the list of people who can do a spear better than Edge. Managed to hit Makabe with a sweet looking one to start their match.

[Evil Vito]

https://i.imgur.com/yZqx3IT.gif

Savage.

[Emperor Smeat]

NJPW is debuting a new weekly wrestling show starting July 3rd on New Japan World called "Lion's Break Collision"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming to Friday nights on <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwworld?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@njpwworld</a>!<br><br>Future meets present on Lion's Break Collision, a brand new weekly show on NJPW World Friday nights at 10e/9c! <a href="https://t.co/mjcA31Hgb7">https://t.co/mjcA31Hgb7</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJoA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJoA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njcollision?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njcollision</a> <a href="https://t.co/XVaEpaiVGg">pic.twitter.com/XVaEpaiVGg</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1274160165604876288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

Sho's eternal quest to beat Shingo Takagi has been my favorite angle in New Japan for a while now. Mainly because it leads to some incredible matches. So I was so hyped for their NJcup match.

...until that piece of shit Toa Henare tweeted out an image from the match showing the winner graphic. I don't even follow the fucker. It just showed up on my page.

Fuck Toa Henare. I hope he languishes in the young lion division for the rest of his fucking life.

[Fignuts]

Like of all the still frames from the match you could use, why would you use one that states the winner mere hours after the match took place? Did any logical thought cross this guy's mind before posting it.

[Fignuts]

Asshole piece of shit Toa fucking Henare

[Mr. Nerfect]

MLW and New Japan seem to be teasing some sort of working relationship. Tom Lawlor will be "representing MLW" on their Lion's Break: Collision show.

[Fignuts]

Would be cool to see Jacob Fatu in NJPW

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jesus Christ, that would be absolutely insane. It'd also be pretty amazing to see an Okada vs. Tanahashi match on US soil.

[Evil Vito]

It'd also be pretty amazing to see an Okada vs. Tanahashi match on US soil.

Happened last year in Dallas on the first night of the G1.

[Jordan]

Would be cool to see Jacob Fatu in NJPW

Oh yessss! /Paul Bearer

[Evil Vito]

Interview NJPW did with Bad Luck Fale:

–We did this with Tama as well. I have a list of some BULLET CLUB members here, and I’d like us to play word association with every name.

Fale: Haha! Oh, s**t, OK.

–So, in chronological order, Prince Devitt.

Fale: Devitt? A**hole.

–Seriously? (laughs)

Fale: What? Who’s next?

–Tama Tonga.

Fale: A**hole!

–Karl Anderson.

Fale: A**. Hole. I’m enjoying this. I’ve got a good one for the next one. Who is it?

–El Terrible.

Fale: Big a**hole.

–Rey Bucanaero and La Commandante.

Fale: Who? They’re A**holes too.

–The Young Bucks.

Fale: Two a**holes.

–Doc Gallows.

Fale: Oh… Giant a**hole.

–AJ Styles.

Fale: Little a**hole.

–Yujiro Takahashi.

Fale: Japanese a**hole. Are you going to publish this?

–If the company lets us.

Fale: Make sure they do. Who’s next?

–Kenny Omega.

Fale: Canadian a**hole.

–Cody Hall.

Fale: Hmm… Yeah, he’s an a**hole.

–Chase Owens.

Fale: (long pause) what can I say about Chase? A**hole.

–Tanga Loa.

Fale: A**hole.

–Adam Cole.

Fale: A**hole, bay bay!

–Hangman Page.

Fale: Hanging a**hole.

–Cody.

Fale: The American A**hole.

–King Haku.

Fale: Ooh.

–You’re a bit more careful about Haku.

Fale: Yeah, you have to be. He’s the man. Respect for Haku.

[ClockShot]

Pieter missing from that list.

:shifty:

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You too can also be a golden star with these Kota Ibushi boxer pants!��<br><br>(Ability to do a Phoenix Splash not guaranteed)<br><br>Gold:<a href="https://t.co/9RfVP7NLuh">https://t.co/9RfVP7NLuh</a><br>Silver:<a href="https://t.co/Cm2d14IKgb">https://t.co/Cm2d14IKgb</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpwshop?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpwshop</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Zdxge9hha">pic.twitter.com/4Zdxge9hha</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1276470264679677952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I always thought the WWE missed the boat by not customizing John Cena's shorts and selling them as boxers/board shorts for kids. He had everything else imaginable marketed but the most obvious thing about him while wrestling.

[slik]

Orton has been so anti-pants his entire career they really should have marketed RKO briefs a long time ago.


"The viper stripes for a limited time on WWEShop.com, only $9.99"

[XL]

Surely that’s an untapped goldmine? Are Pro Wrestling Tees not all over this?

Imagine briefs/boxer-briefs in some of the most iconic wrestling attire designs; Macho Man/King with the 3 stars, Punk’s MITB/Chicago, The Rock, Orton, Warrior, Austin (:shifty:).

[Mr. Nerfect]

I would very comfortable sleep in Kazuchika Okada designs. Or Shawn Michaels inspired motifs.

[Tom Guycott]

I would very comfortable sleep in Kazuchika Okada designs. Or Shawn Michaels inspired motifs.*

*entrance chaps not included

[Emperor Smeat]

Karl Fredericks got promoted from Young Lions status. First to do so from the LA Dojo I think.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Young Lion no longer! <br><br>Karl Fredericks takes on a new look and a new attitude starting Friday night on Lion's Break Collision! <br><br>Check out his interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/realkevinkelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realkevinkelly</a>!<a href="https://t.co/LmceYqWJvU">https://t.co/LmceYqWJvU</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJoA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJoA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njcollision?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njcollision</a> <a href="https://t.co/ugYI8xkmju">pic.twitter.com/ugYI8xkmju</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1277783915890081794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Vastardikai]

Interview NJPW did with Bad Luck Fale:

Everyone is afraid of Haku. Everyone. Except maybe Harley Race, but everyone was afraid of him, too.

[slik]

Karl Fredericks has a lot of potential,I look forward to seeing what he will do

[ClockShot]

Watched Hiromu vs. Toru Yano in their cup match. Funny as hell.

The GrandMaster videos are interesting. I'm wondering who NJPW signed during the layoff or who's coming back that's getting all the hype.

[Emperor Smeat]

Current rumor going around the net for who is going to be the Grand Master:

Hirai Kawato since he finished up his excursion phase as a Young Lion

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've heard good things about the next wave of New Japan talent.

[Fignuts]

They've all impressed me when I watched Lion's gate stuff. Shame about Kitamura though.

[Evil Vito]

Ugh Kitamura. Very unfortunate circumstances. I think they were going to skip the excursion period for him given his advanced age as a Young Lion, and he was gonna be pushed as a big deal fairly quickly.

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah him doing a "Best Of" Challenge series prior to his accident felt like that was meant to be his excursion phase without having to leave NJPW due to his age.

[Emperor Smeat]

Identity of the Grand Master character got revealed at today's New Japan Cup Semi-finals event.

Rumors of Hirai Kawato being the person ended up being true.

Will be using the ring name of Master Wato going forward.

Also he got beaten up by DOUKI shortly after making his debut.

[Emperor Smeat]

Maybe its just the arena setup or camera placements used but the ring for the first Lion's Break Collision show looks tiny.

Like training ring or lower indies running in Bingo halls tier in terms of smallness.

[Emperor Smeat]

Debut episode was pretty enjoyable overall.

Nothing that was really "must watch" status if you missed it but if the debut is any indication, the series is going to be a nice and enjoyable sub-hour show for some late night wrestling and getting rid of the taste of a bad Smackdown episode for weeks where that happens.

[slik]

Good new gear for Karl Fredericks

[ClockShot]

Probably zip through the remaining Cup matches over the weekend then watch Dominion sometime next week.

EVIL & Okada for the Cup final. I know there's a rumor early in the year that EVIL was getting a push. I wonder if this is it. Could see him beating Okada but going down to Naito. Really can't see Okada winning and facing Naito again only for him to lose again.

[Evil Vito]

G1 gonna be a fuckin mess this year if they can’t get the foreigners back. Bullet Club would basically be a non-factor with Jay White and KENTA being stuck in Florida.

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently there is a wrestler named The DKC and just like Gino Gambino mentioned when he first heard it, Donkey Kong Country was the first thing to come to my mind over those initials. Turns out that's not his name.

Also the ref during this match is sporting a pretty decent looking mustache.

[Emperor Smeat]

Danny Limelight vs. TJP was pretty good.

So far 2 episodes in and NJPW's Lion's Break Collision show has been enjoyable overall. Nothing really worth going out of your way to watch but for a 40 minute or so show, it has some quality action and also flows well. The post-match promos could use a ton of work though.

Filthy Tom Lawlor vs. Rocky Romero on next week's show should be very good.

[Emperor Smeat]

Minoru Suzuki got pulled from both of NJPW's big shows this weekend due to coronavirus concerns.

According to NJPW, he developed a fever earlier today and based on recent testing results, he might not have caught the coronavirus but they are taking no chances with him.

On July 10, Minoru Suzuki developed a fever, and as a cautionary measure, will not be present for the New Japan Cup or Dominion events on July 11 & 12.

Since wrestling on July 3, where Coronavirus antibody and antigen testing all showed negative, Suzuki has had no contact with any other wrestlers.

As a result of Suzuki’s absence, the following change has been made on tonight’s New Japan Cup final card:

5th Match

Ryusuke Taguchi, Yuji Nagata, Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Taichi & Zack Sabre Junior –>

Ryusuke Taguchi, Yuji Nagata, Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado, Taichi & Zack Sabre Junior

https://www.njpw1972.com/76934

[Emperor Smeat]

Think DOUKI managed to get a bigger reaction for his entrance than Master Wato did.

Not sure if Wato's theme simply just drowned out whatever reaction he got or the crowd didn't really care that much for his entrance.

Crowd's been very receptive of him during this match though which is a good sign.

[Emperor Smeat]

Not sure Yujiro biting SANADA's hand and SANADA doing the same to Yujiro counts as following NJPW's coronavirus health safety rules.

[Emperor Smeat]

Either Nagata has some weird looking bruising on his back or he might have gone overboard with the hot cupping massage since his back looks like a Connect 4 board game.

[Fignuts]

Holy shit, it doesn't get much more embarrassing than making your big return in a goofy outfit and getting beaten up by Douki of all people.

[Emperor Smeat]

Ouch at Okada's back crashing right through a pile of chairs.

Also ouch at his nuts moments earlier from EVIL's vicious attack in his quest for Okada to not have any kids in the future.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: at that twist during the Okada vs EVIL match.

Gedo and Yujiro cumming out to help EVIL and throwing that tease of him potentially joining Bullet Club in the future.

[Emperor Smeat]

Poor Okada's nuts. Got pulverized again by EVIL.

:eek:

EVIL beat Okada to win this year's Cup.

Also EVIL ended up turning on Naito and joined Bullet Club during the post-match festivities.

Okada vs. EVIL was amazing.

New Japan Cup 2020 Finals was very good overall. Only real weak point was the DOUKI vs. Master Wato match.

[Evil Vito]

Welp

That solves the issue of no Bullet Club presence this year with White and KENTA unavailable

[slik]

Wow @ shocking turn!

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Wato getting beaten up again after a match.

Sort of hope that becomes a running gag for him for a while.

[Emperor Smeat]

Wow at the result for the Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada vs. Taiji Ishimori & Yujiro Takahashi.

Ishimori & Yujiro beat Goto & Okada.

Sure there were some shenanigans by Gedo near the end but didn't think they'd actually pull it off.

Also might be teasing a potential Okada & Naito friendship to take down Bullet Club

[Emperor Smeat]

NEVER Openweight title match was amazingly and best match since NJPW came back from their coronavirus break.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tag title match was great.

Tanahashi got utterly destroyed by Sabre Jr and Taichi during the last few minutes of that match.

[Emperor Smeat]

EVIL's new entrance theme and look is pretty cool.

Went from being a spooky horror guy to now being a rock/metal band guy.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: at EVIL beating up his #1 fan Milano

[Emperor Smeat]

Yikes at Naito's knee after that table spot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GODDAMN!! Kneecrusher through a table from EVIL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njdominion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njdominion</a> <a href="https://t.co/KQXMsaKIPy">https://t.co/KQXMsaKIPy</a> <a href="https://t.co/0vQdHdJdhW">pic.twitter.com/0vQdHdJdhW</a></p>&mdash; SirLARIATO (@SirLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirLARIATO/status/1282239731456249856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

HOLY SHIT!!!

EVIL beat Naito to win the Double gold.

Last couple minutes involved some brutal looking hits to the head by both guys, LIJ and BC shennigans, Naito's nuts getting smooshed, and a fake BUSHI to top it all

Wait what ...
BC just got another new member who was the masked fake BUSHI ... Dick Togo

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So that’s why Evil has been hitting people in the dick. The signs were there. Solid storytelling. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJDominion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJDominion</a></p>&mdash; GRAPPLgareth (@GRAPPLgareth) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAPPLgareth/status/1282245861981016064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:lol:

Also the next potential IWGP double title match sounds amazing if it actually happens.

Hiromu challenged EVIL for the belts.

Dominion was great overall. Last 3-4 matches were fantastic.

[Emperor Smeat]

Considering how crazy 2020 has been so far, that IWGP Double title match might be the perfect representation of it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The decision to go with EVIL is pretty exciting. It's a good time to do some interesting stuff while other promotions are sitting pretty. EVIL's only 33 years old. It's a big push up the card and I'm sure people will remember it, even if he doesn't become a permanent player like Okada, Tanahashi, Naito, etc. But it feels interesting, and he might just stick. Now he's actually a triple champion, isn't he? That makes him seem even more special, even if just for a fleeting moment in time.

And it makes sense to put him over to make the New Japan Cup consequential in later years, and to really sell EVIL's turn. Gedo is pretty good at making wrestlers who go into business for themselves stand out for a while to make their turns more effective. He's made stars out of Okada and White by joining up with them, and now EVIL's turned heel and joined the BC and it's worked out for him too.

[Fignuts]

poor Sanada

[ClockShot]

EVIL's on the phone with Io Shirai right now doing his best Rocky Balboa impersonation.

"YO IO! I DID IT!"

[Ultra Mantis]

Wow, what the fuck. Not sure how I feel about this. Other than BETRAYAL.

[slik]

Sanada going to win the title at Wrestle Kingdom

[Mr. Nerfect]

Maybe. I can see them wrestling, but it doesn't even need to be for the belt.

[Evil Vito]

My main guess as to why EVIL was chosen for this ahead of SANADA or Shingo is that A) EVIL is, well, evil, so it makes sense for him to turn....but moreover, B) EVIL is the only Dojo trueborn of those three. It's not a hard and fast rule that you have to be a trueborn to get a massive push but I do think there's a longstanding sense of loyalty there.

The company rarely ever releases trueborns, usually they either leave on their own or retire to injury. Captain New Japan/original Bone Solider being the one exception because of legendary awfulness.

Even guys like YOSHI-HASHI and Yujiro Takahashi have jobs for life even when they're not really doing anything, and Yujiro's now getting elevated out of necessity since Bullet Club has so many members out of the country.

[Evil Vito]

If there's any real concern I have...it's that I've enjoyed EVIL the best when he's working shorter, smashmouth NEVER title style matches. When he has to work longer matches in the G1 and stuff his style seems kinda slow and ponderous. But in this role he's gonna be expected to work 25-30 minute NJPW main event style.

Would love to see them change the pace with him and let him work a NEVER-style match with Ishii as a main event title defense.

[Fignuts]

Yeah their loyalty to trueborns is my biggest gripe with NJPW. Like, it's understandable to a point, but they pass on too many oppurtunities imo.

Case in point: Sanada

I honestly don't really buy EVIL as champ. He's always been solid, but his really good singles matches are few and far between. IWGP champion to me, is someone who consistently puts on barn burners with everyone. I don't see EVIL as that guy.

[Emperor Smeat]

Even guys like YOSHI-HASHI and Yujiro Takahashi have jobs for life even when they're not really doing anything, and Yujiro's now getting elevated out of necessity since Bullet Club has so many members out of the country.

Wonder if they are going to redo the Bullet Club Civil War storyline once their foreign wrestlers come back since with EVIL and Dick Togo now joining, they have enough Japanese BC guys to be their own separate stable.

Depending on which side you believe, the original storyline's demise was either due to NJPW being completely off guard by the Elite leaving or they knew well beforehand but were unwilling to speed up the storyline for the big payoff and just dropped it instead.

[Jordan]

Holy shit I didn't realize that Evil won the double gold!

[Nark Order]

Holy fucking what. This is insanity.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sanada and Shingo are obvious contenders to EVIL. You don’t need to quickly launch them. People are already talking about Sanada winning the G1. It may or may not happen, but that is more exciting than EVIL winning the G1 and going against Sanada. Or the predictable conveyor belt logic where Sanada wins and goes against Okada and loses.

This is the most interesting booking going on during the pandemic. Good for New Japan.

[Ultra Mantis]

EVIL was consistently the least interesting member of LIJ for me (Other than BUSHI, but nobody expects great things from BUSHI) so it's really bizarre that he made it to the top of the card like this. Still liked his run as darkness boi but I never had him down as being the same level as Naito, Hiromu, Shingo or SANADA. And that's just the guys he was in a faction with.

That said, I'm really liking this angle and it has me very interested in what's going to happen in a title scene now that somebody unexpected has broke through. Hiromu following that main event was so good, sad that hes going to lose and get the Naito treatment but his work is stellar. Sucks to be Naito and SANADA though.

[Jordan]

The mind fuck continues when you realize that this was likely to be KENTA and not EVIL. If you look at the back booking then this was likely the direction, and with KENTA not available (anyone know why btw?) they put EVIL in that big spot.

I could be wrong but seems like this is the case.

[Evil Vito]

and with KENTA not available (anyone know why btw?)

KENTA still lives in Florida from his NXT/WWE days.

[Evil Vito]

One thing I do like is that LIJ are clearly now a proper babyface stable, no blurring the tweener lines anymore.

Moreover, they're a babyface stable that actually acts like a stable. Notice how the rest of the group ran out to try to save Naito. That's been a running joke of CHAOS for years, they rarely help each other during beatdowns. CHAOS is practically irrelevant now since they've been essentially merged with the NJPW Main Unit.

[Emperor Smeat]

The mind fuck continues when you realize that this was likely to be KENTA and not EVIL. If you look at the back booking then this was likely the direction, and with KENTA not available (anyone know why btw?) they put EVIL in that big spot.

I could be wrong but seems like this is the case.

I doubt KENTA would have won the titles even if the coronavirus hadn't screwed up NJPW's plans for the year.

Supposedly EVIL had been planned for a big push and breakaway from LIJ this year. Assuming it was always planned to happen at this point, Gedo simply decided to not sidetrack from it when NJPW returned from their break, especially considering all of his other plans this year got messed up. It did come at a huge cost of Naito's title reign losing months worth of build and same for EVIL's big rise feeling rushed in the end.

[Fignuts]

Fucking least interesting member of the group gets the big push because TRUEBORN.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sanada and Shingo are not the sort of acts you need to flash into the main event right now. They will get their time and they now have someone they want to chase. This sets up lots of crazy shit for the G1. I'm thinking that Naito ends up in the same block as EVIL and another member of LIJ -- either Sanada or Shingo. I think they do a rock, paper, scissors thing between them. Whoever is not featured in that block of the G1 -- Sanada or Shingo -- would likely be EVIL's Wrestle Kingdom opponent.

It's just a way of making all that more interesting.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Block A:

* EVIL
* Jay White
* Jeff Cobb
* Juice Robinson
* Kazuchika Okada
* Minoru Suzuki
* Sanada
* Sho
* Tetsuya Naito
* Will Ospreay

Block B:

* KENTA
* Kota Ibushi
* Hirooki Goto
* Hiromu Takahashi
* Hiroshi Tanahashi
* Shingo Takagi
* Taichi
* Tomohiro Ishii
* Toru Yano
* Zack Sabre, Jr.

A tournament set-up like that would be pretty fucking sick.

[Fignuts]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wrestling is a special art-form where a man called 'EVIL' can turn evil and nobody will have seen it coming</p>&mdash; Komm Süsser Todd Pettengill (@veidtlemania) <a href="https://twitter.com/veidtlemania/status/1283348605932376066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">*EVIL betrays LIJ and merks Naito*<br><br>*Hiromu is having a mental breakdown*<br><br>*Shingo is being harassed by junior heavyweights*<br><br>*Dick Togo stole Bushi’s clothes*<br><br>SANADA: noodle machine go vrrrr <a href="https://t.co/ucTJ3CIYv8">pic.twitter.com/ucTJ3CIYv8</a></p>&mdash; professional hoe scarer (@bigcreamsoda) <a href="https://twitter.com/bigcreamsoda/status/1282668866171285507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Filthy Tom Lawlor's choice of attire for his match on tonight's Lion's Break Collision episode opens up a bunch of questions.

Think he's legit wearing jeans-style hot pants as his gear. Also its gradually scrunching upwards as this match progresses.

[Emperor Smeat]

Lawlor vs. Rocky Romero was pretty good overall. Wouldn't be surprised if Lawlor ended up signing a side deal with NJPW since that match was a nice showcase for him.

These Lion's Break Collision shows have been pretty enjoyable overall. Also have been a nice replacement for 205 Live on Fridays after I stopped watching that show months ago.

[Ultra Mantis]

Still a couple of days to sign up for Survivor JAPAN (https://www.tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=137279). Would love to see you there.

[Emperor Smeat]

Put Clark Connors on the list of people who can do a spear better than Edge.

After years of making this same joke, think like only 2-3 people have pulled off a spear just as bad or worse as Edge.

[Emperor Smeat]

Fredericks vs. Cobb match was good.

Another enjoyable show overall from NJPW's weekly Young Lions series. An extra stuffed episode with 4 matches and three of them being entertaining to watch.

Guess this past month was just pilot episodes based on Kevin Kelly's show closing statement and the real weekly series doesn't actually debut until 2 weeks from now.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems NJPW and Championship Wrestling from Hollywood recently formed a partnership for NJPW's US branch.

CHFW revealed that they are helping NJPW on the production of NJPW's upcoming new NJPW Strong series and previously had helped with NJPW's Lion's Break Collision mini-series.

David Marquez noted on Twitter that he and the Championship Wrestling from Hollywood crew will be involved in the new NJPW Strong series. The show is being produced by the C.W.F.H. production team and Marquez along with Logan Chegg and co-directing the series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming soon and produced by the <a href="https://twitter.com/CWFHollywood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CWFHollywood</a> TV crew with Logan Chegg and myself sharing directing duties. BE THERE! <a href="https://t.co/J0MEEwMnUw">https://t.co/J0MEEwMnUw</a></p>&mdash; David Marquez (@CWFHMarquez) <a href="https://twitter.com/CWFHMarquez/status/1287107707422404608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I heard someone talking about who the smartest guy in wrestling is, and they threw David Marquez out there as a name. Probably good to get him involved.

[Fignuts]

EVIL vs Hiromu wasn't great. Not terrible, but didn't do a damn thing to convince me that EVIL is IWGP title material.

[Evil Vito]

Similarly, despite all the Gedo fuckery, at no point did I ever think Yujiro was actually going to beat Okada. Yujiro's done nothing for years on end, Bullet Club having most of its members unavailable doesn't mean Yujiro is suddenly a credible threat in a major singles match.

[Emperor Smeat]

EVIL vs Hiromu wasn't great. Not terrible, but didn't do a damn thing to convince me that EVIL is IWGP title material.

Even if it would have messed up plans later in the year, Gedo really should have let EVIL's big push simmer for a couple more months before the trigger got pulled.

Missing out on several months worth of shows has hurt NJPW a lot and EVIL isn't the type to do long drawn out style IWGP title matches, especially with BC shenanigans included.

[Emperor Smeat]

During a press conference held earlier today, NJPW introduced a new championship title called the KOPW Championship which won't be a physical belt and instead will be something that is a lot more gimmicky and seasonal in nature than NJPW's other traditional belts.

On top of the two title matches that were announced during the press conference for NJPW’s ‘Summer Struggle’ show at Jingu Stadium, another announcement was made in the form of a new championship being introduced in the company. This title is being called the “KOPW Championship” but there will not be a physical title belt for said champion to hold. This title will also reset at the end of every year as far as who the champion is.

The inaugural KOPW Champion will be decided after matches are held on August 26th at Korakuen Hall and the finals take place at Jingu Stadium. Eight wrestlers are going to compete in four singles matches on 8/26. For the first round, each wrestler will get to decide their own match rules which can be two-out-of-three falls, ladder, steel cage etc.

Fans will be the deciding factor on which wrestler’s stipulation[s] stand. The winners of those respective four matches are going to advance to a four-way match at Jingu Stadium under traditional four-way match rules and a first-ever champion will be crowned.

The KOPW Title can be defended until the end of the year and match stipulations will be voted on by fans. The individual who is the KOPW Champion at the end of the year is going to receive a trophy and the entire process will restart in 2021.

[Fignuts]

That sounds TNA as fuck. Awful.

[Evil Vito]

Because NJPW clearly needed more titles and tournaments.

[Ultra Mantis]

This all seems like a big meta troll job from Okada because hes not champion, right down to whole fan vote aspect. He's going to keep asking for submissions matches and keep using his shitty cobra clutch. Preparing for Okada vs Taichi in a loser must wear pants match.

Also it's pretty frustrating how theres a limited roster, a huge faction betrayal angle and SANADA is still just there doing absolutely nothing. Even Gabriel Kidd has an angle going right now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I did a better write-up on a better wrestling forum, but this could be one of the most brilliant concepts introduced into wrestling in some time. Gedo is a fucking genius and I trust him with this. It allows completely fresh takes for old rivalries and allows the psychology of the wrestlers to extend into the strategy for their matches -- provided they get to choose which matches get voted on in their defenses.

Ex. 1: Okada vs. Tanahashi could be Iron Man (Okada) or Submission (Tanahashi). Okada wants to beat Tanahashi as many falls as he can in one showing. Tanahashi wants to make Okada submit as well as get more submission training for his rivalry with ZSJ or whatever. Tanahashi can win and then Okada has a submission loss he desperately wants to avenge and the idea of an Iron Man Match has been introduced to the New Japan audience. At some point, their rivalry can come full circle to the point Okada wants a Submission Match with Tanahashi and Tanahashi wants to prove he can do the Iron Man with Okada.

Ex. 2: Tanahashi and Ibushi can have a match lined up for the title at WK. Tanahashi can choose Traditional Rules -- because it's WK and its sanctity is important. Ibushi chooses a Ladder Match, because he's the reckless younger guy who watched VHS tapes of Shawn Michaels growing up. You can either have a classic Ladder Match that has some sort of purpose behind it, or you can at least introduce it as a concept that is stirring around in people's brains.

Ex. 3: You can build up a wrestler's speciality match through this concept. Suzuki can constantly win matches where there are No Holds Barred, for example. This allows you to eventually knock him off in that stipulation.

It's potentially a fresh coat of paint for a lot of guys and a lot of programs that have been done to death. It also gives top guys something to do when they can't be the champion because you've got to see this Naito story through or whatever. Allows you to tell some pretty clear and dramatic stories, which would have this unique feel to them.

Look, I love gimmicks coming out of the feuds themselves. Suzuki beats the piss out of Tanahashi so you get a No DQ Match between the two. But in New Japan that leads to a regular match anyway. Which isn't a bad thing, but these guys exist in a world where all these ideas exist, but there is just not that justification to grabbing them and bringing them into the New Japan realm. This appropriates them in a way that it almost feels like a comic series or RPG game, where each wrestler comes equipped with a speciality match type that trumps another guy or his speciality match type.

Seriously, you could make a New Japan trading card game out of this stuff. You have the base wrestlers and their values or whatever, but then you have a King of Pro-Wrestling "power" you activate. Great for engaging kids and hardcore wrestling nerds.

This could actually be an "evolution" of pro-wrestling psychology. Not that fucking bullshit Orange Cassidy stuff where the whole genre of what wrestling is supposed to be is subverted. This takes existing ideas and places them in a context which is, at least potentially, somewhat innovative.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's also a history of fan involvement being consequential in New Japan. Naito's whole run is based on the fans voting him out of a WK main event. This is a way to take that potential influence and weave it into the fabric of your storytelling. You can have the fans boost babyfaces, hinder heels, and even provide authentic reasons for turns and/or evolution of character. Over time you can develop patterns. The fan vote could skewer one way most of the time (preferably favorable, of course), which means that fans have got the power to basically "vote" on a champion, without completing blowing kayfabe. And it doesn't completely box you in anyway. But those losses where the fans can't help the babyface or whatever can really stand out this way.

I feel this could have a lot of appeal to western audiences too. The sheer potential and intricacy of this division has me kind of wanting to spend my money on New Japan World. I'm not saying that the idea is going to be a huge draw or anything, but New Japan's booking recently has been a huge appealing factor to me -- a hardcore fan but someone that wasn't really willing to plug myself into New Japan for whatever reason. This has got me feeling stories for years.

[Fignuts]

Okada talking about the first stipulation and it’s a 3 vs 1 handicap match. Which just confirms my thoughts of this title being a stupid idea. If Okada loses, he looks like a fucking idiot for picking it. If he wins, the other guys look like garbage, and Okada gets nothing out of it because he’s already seen as the top wrestler in all of Japan

[Mr. Nerfect]

That is a bad stipulation.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I think the whole thing is stupid.

I mean in fairness two of the participants will be Jado and Gedo and who gives a fuck if they look like shit, Gedo is always meant to get his ass kicked and Jado can barely move.

But it also reinforces Yujiro being a disappointment and unless they are confident they can get some of the missing Bullet Club members back fairly soon it seems kinda silly to remind everyone that he's been a huge bitch.

[Emperor Smeat]

Not sure if Chase Owens managed to get fatter during his time off or its been that long since I last saw him in an actual match that I forgot how chunky he was.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tama Tonga looks a bit weird as a clean shaven guy.

[Emperor Smeat]

Debut episode of NJPW Strong was pretty decent. Just like with Impact, the lack of an audience and reactions for matches really hurts these weekly shows.

Semi-finals matchups for New Japan Cup USA tournament:
KENTA vs. Jeff Cobb
David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga

[Fignuts]

I like NJPW because it’s different. I enjoy that it’s more grounded in reality, as well as the sports style presentation. This whole KOPW is the complete antithesis of that. It’s modern gimmicky western wrestling schlock that doesn’t really have any place in a company with the style of NJPW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The KOPW is potentially brilliant.

[Evil Vito]

https://i.redd.it/z75sbz38arf51.jpg

[Evil Vito]

Well, Japan's still requiring a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone coming into the country - so when you take that out it still gives them about a month to sort out who might be able to travel in for the G1. It's also very possible nobody will be allowed in, or if people are allowed in they'll be leery about doing it because they might not be able to go back after.

If they just have to roll with what they have, the G1 field looks something like:

EVIL
Hiromu Takahashi
Hirooki Goto
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Kazuchika Okada
Kota Ibushi
Minoru Suzuki
SANADA
Satoshi Kojima
Shingo Takagi
SHO
Taichi
Taiji Ishimori
Tetsuya Naito
Togi Makabe
Tomohiro Ishii
Toru Yano
YOSHI-HASHI
Yujiro Takahashi
Zack Sabre Jr

They'll invariably need to add some juniors into it again this year or else you're gonna be making someone like Honma work a brutal G1 schedule, or have Nagata walk back his previous retirement from G1 competition. Both points would apply to Tenzan as well. I don't think Kojima ever retired from G1, though throwing Desperardo into his spot is possible too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Jay White should be able to get in. New Zealand has been very good with their virus protocols.

[Evil Vito]

Unfortunately, Jay White moved to Florida sometime before this all happened so it would really depend on if Bushiroad can get some sort of exemption for international travelers.

The US has been a COVID-19 hell hole so I don't know if Japan would make an exemptions even though they could be immediately quarantined and tested, etc.