I can see Okada/Naito happening, but I can also imagine Okada/White with Okada looking for redemption from last year. They could do that with either Okada beating Ibushi or not. I can imagine White beating Naito so that Okada and Naito can both win their matches.

World Tag League teams and schedule were announced yesterday. Competing this year (In order of importance):

DEATH PIRATE [EVIL / SANADA]
Guerillas of Destiny [Tama Tonga / Tanga Loa]
CHAOS [YOSHI-HASHI / Tomohiro Ishii]
Fin Juice [David Finlay / Juice Robinson]
Dangerous Tekkers [Taichi / Zack Sabre Jr]
Boom Thief [Colt Cabana / Toru Yano]
Suzuki-gun [Minoru Suzuki / Lance Archer]
Los Ingobernables [Shingo Takagi / Terrible]
Bullet Club [KENTA / Yujiro]
The Mighty Don't Elgin [Mikey Nicholls / Jeff Cobb]
The Area 51 Experience [Bad Luck Fale / Chase Owens]
Great Bash Heel [Togi Makabe / Tomoaki Honma]
TenCozy [Hiroyoshi Tenzan / Satoshi Kojima
Team DAD [Manabu Nakanishi / Yuji Nagata]
A Spade for The Ace [Hiroshi Tanahashi / Toa Henare]
LA Dojo [Hirooki Goto / Karl Fredericks]

Only the top four teams listed there really have a chance and I'm actually hoping EVIL and SANADA don't win. Instead, I want them to face each other at WK. Ishii has the most beef with Bullet Club right now and YOSHI desperately needs to win something so I'm pulling for CHAOS. Or GBH or Tencozy to help me out in Survivor. Look to Cabana and Yano for the upsets.

No Goto / Ishii super team could mean we're getting Goto vs KENTA at WK, unless Shibata manages to get cleared. It's not like Goto is a priority though, sadly.

Suzuki vs Shingo is also rumoured, we could see that develop here.

Cabana's presence was set up back in January, but he's a ROH guy never the less. Partnership isn't quite dead yet, and that could partly be because they don't want to lose Cobb. CMLL still in the mix with Terrible too.

As much as I enjoy EVIL and SANADA, them winning their tournament for a third year in a row right after R3K also won their tournament for a third year in a row won't exactly do much to dispel the opinion that Gedo totally phones it in with tag division booking.

According to this week's Observer Newsletter, NJPW is rumored to have been trying to get Kenny Omega banned from working in Japan for the next 10 years.

3rd time he's traveled to Japan since leaving the company and each time he was initially stopped from entering the country.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;When Kenny Omega went to Japan for the DDT show, he was stopped going into the country. It’s the third time this has happened since he left New Japan. Something happened where there was an attempt to get him banned from going to Japan for ten years.&quot;</p>&mdash; Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorDame/status/1192617957299372032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That sounds a bit far fetched, isnt he a Japanese citizen? He had a big press conference about it last year.

Some of the speculation online is that he might not actually be a full citizen yet due to some of the rules Japan has for the process and might still be using his work visa that was sponsored by NJPW.

Ah, if that's the case then it's probably more down to Kenny trying to get in to work for DDT using a New Japan employment Visa and it's his own fault for not arranging a new one. I've seen people saying that the source on New Japan being behind it is Nick Jackson, so yeah.

Yeah its been a very odd situation overall.

Ya know, I've heard of people/companies holding a grudge, blackballing, starting a smear campaign, etc.

But going so far as to have someone blocked from entering a country for years is just nuts. That's if this rumor/story is true.

Now here's the thing. We know Kenny has a clause in his AEW contract in which he can continue to do some work for New Japan. They haven't called him, and I don't think Kenny's made an effort to call them. Why neither hasn't done anything is beyond me.

Based on what he's said in interviews, Omega wanted to be courted and seems like he was hoping New Japan would chase after him and offer him big money to come back and do marque matches with Ibushi or Okada once or twice a year. I'd say both sides feel slighted and neither will make the first move to repair the damaged relationship.

I wouldn't have thought 2019 New Japan would have anywhere near enough political pull to ban people from entering the country.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One day I’m gonna have a lot of wild stories to tell about my 2019 that a lot of people won’t want to believe. But the truth is actually way worse than what’s been rumored and/or reported. Until then, one day until <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWFullGear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWFullGear</a></p>&mdash; Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/1192928959694024705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Stumbled upon this earlier and need to share it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pU_ZgiZ95l4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wtf Makabe :rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">����������There's a good chance you know that Satoshi Kojima enjoys bread. But just how much? We spoke to him to find out. ����������<br><br>Spoiler: It is a lot. He likes bread a lot. <a href="https://t.co/mYQNvkmuHQ">https://t.co/mYQNvkmuHQ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREADCLUB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREADCLUB</a> <a href="https://t.co/n4fOiHS6Tz">pic.twitter.com/n4fOiHS6Tz</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1199961976048214017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No Honor Rising next year! <a href="https://t.co/6mE0g0nPJ7">pic.twitter.com/6mE0g0nPJ7</a></p>&mdash; Super J-Cast (@thesuperjcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesuperjcast/status/1199990878636367873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Observer held a recent interview with Kenny Omega and one of the topics discussed was the recent attempts to have him banned from entering Japan.

Turns out it wasn't anyone from NJPW who was trying to have him banned and instead just some random businessmen and possibly from NJPW's parent company.

According to NJPW president Harold Meij, the company hasn't closed the door on an AEW & NJPW partnership happening in the future.

He hinted NJPW will start considering the idea after AEW has had more time to establish a solid foothold and identity as a company. Once that happens, NJPW will have a better idea on how AEW could fit or complement their own style of wrestling for a potential partnership.

Link: https://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sp...6e368b44a36dc9

Looks like World Tag League is down to EVIL / SANADA and Juice / Finlay already. Gedo's booking of tag teams is truly baffling.

I haven't watched any due to them not having English streams. Will watch the shows coming up.

That could just be Meij doublespeak for "fuck those guys" though.

Bunch of cool moments at the finals.

Ibushi finally snapping and bludeoning dickhead Okada.
New Japan Moxley somehow being much cooler than AEW Moxley.
Dragon Lee is back.
Yano / Cabana making a Fale match fun.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We've been told Ryu (ex-Dragon) Lee signed a 1-year deal with New Japan</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/1203764037634396162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wrestle Kingdom 14 card
 

Night 1


IWGP Heavyweight Championship -- Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kota Ibushi
IWGP Intercontinental Championship -- Jay White (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship -- Will Ospreay (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi
IWGP United States Championship -- Lance Archer (c) vs. Jon Moxley [Texas Death Match]
IWGP Tag Team Championship -- Guerrillas of Destiny (c) vs. FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson)
Chaos (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi) vs. Bullet Club (Kenta, Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens)
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Sanada, Evil, Shingo Takagi & Bushi) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr., Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & El Desperado)
Jyushin Thunder Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami, The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask vs. Naoki Sano, Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Ryusuke Taguchi


Night 2

IWGP Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Intercontinental Championship -- Winner of Okada-Ibushi (c) vs. Winner of White-Naito (c)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Jericho
Loser of Okada-Ibushi vs. Loser of White-Naito
NEVER Openweight Championship -- Kenta (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
IWGP Heavyweight Championship -- Winner of Archer-Moxley (c) vs. Juice Robinson
British Heavyweight Championship -- Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Sanada
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship -- Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo (c) vs. Roppongi 3K
Jyushin Thunder Liger & Naoki Sano vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Ryu Lee

Trying to think ahead with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship booking for the new year...

Meltzer predicted that Naito ends up double champion with Okada eventually taking the titles and becoming double champ himself. When I think about it I think that is probably the best course for a great weekend of events and for the championship as well as the fan base who have been clamoring for a solid Naito run.

Moxley did say that he would be wrestling in Japan for as long as he is wrestling. Does that mean his loyalties lie there? I'm not sure. But I can say that I don't see him touring to the US with NJPW of America, because of AEW of course. So if that is the case then he should probably loose to Juice on Night 2. But is Juice a better draw for NJPW of America or Archer? Also if Juice wins the tag titles with Finlay then, is it a good idea to put the US Championship back on him?

I really feel like Jericho is due a big win in NJPW and this would be the time. He would be a great contender for Okada, Naito or Ibushi should they win the double titles.

I was a little disappointed with Liger's final match being a tag but at the same time, I'm sure it will be a fantastic opener and mean a lot, it will be a great moment.

Welp... I had no idea I would be led to believe I would want to see Dean Ambrose vs. Lance Hoyt in 2020, but here we are.

Would be funny if a Delta Airlines flight attendant makes a run-in.

Sooooooo, all that teasing with Shibata and KENTA, and it ain't happening.

Don't know if Shibata isn't cleared or doesn't want to fight. Or if they are keeping it super quiet and springing it at the last minute. But boy, I wanted to see that match.

If Shibata is actually cleared to wrestle again then I'd assume KENTA to retain against Goto and then they run a hot angle at New Years Dash or maybe even in the post match. I really hope so.

According to Stardom, Wrestle Kingdom 14 will feature a women's match from the promotion.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!<br>Stardom will have a match at Wrestle Kingdom 14!</p>&mdash; We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) <a href="https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1209453909594345475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Only catch is that it won't air live on New Japan World or FITE and instead is just for the live audience.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STARDOM will have a match at Wrestle Kingdom 14.<br>But it was announced that NO TV SHOW and we can see it only at TOKYO DOME.</p>&mdash; ゆか (@senayuka1011) <a href="https://twitter.com/senayuka1011/status/1209459365167583233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<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>

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.

If Shota came to AEW...

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.

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>

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

Well well well....

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisJerich...2662402592852/

Jericho will win

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

More reason to hope for Tanahashi.

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

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.

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.