NJPW Sakura Genesis - April 1st
 

QUITE THE CARD

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OKADA V ZSJ FOR THE IWGP TITLE SPONSORED BY BODY RECOVERY BECAUSE OKADA WILL NEED IT

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THE GOLDEN LOVERS VS. THE BULLET CLUB IS MINE... I MEAN FINE

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BATTLE OF BRITAIN TO DETERMINE WHO WILL FACE REY REY... AND ALSO THE IWGP JR. TITLE

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3 WAY CLUSTERFUCK FOR THE JR TAG TITLES

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LIJ IS FINE LIKE EVIL'S EYE V SUZUKI-GUN

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WE GOTTA GET THESE FUCKS ON THE CARD #1 FEAT. JUICE ROBINSON GOING FOR THE NEVERWEIGHT BELT AFTER THIS PROBABLY

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WE GOTTA GET THESE FUCKS AND THE SEX OFFENCE COVER UP MAN WE RE-SIGNED ON THE CARD #2 VS. THIS HALF OF THE BULLET CLUB IS ACTUALLY FINE BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE 6 MAN BELT IS ON THE LINE OR NOT

Hell of a card

So what we thinking for the finish - Okada submits the submission master with the Cobra Clutch?

Of course. I feel like this whole thing has been designed to get the cobra clutch over.

Rainmaker hit then the Cobra Clutch

Yujiro and Bushi are definitely winning the Jr Tag belts to leave Naito as the only LIJ member without gold. I'm fairly certain Kanemaru and Desperado only won the belts so that Yoh and Sho wouldn't have to drop them to LIJ directly.

2 other matches were added

* Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi vs. The Young Bucks
* Toru Yano and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi and Takashi Iizuka

THE BULLET CLUB IS FINE

Yujiro has no idea what is going on

How many big shows does NJPW do a year?

It's not really a set schedule like WWE. They do have weekly TV but not a show like Raw or Smackdown. I have a lot of trouble understanding exactly the way NJPW thrives since it's TV is on at like 2am. But basically there are like 8 big shows with branded titles like WrestleKingdom or Dominion etc... and they usually have a few build up shows that are sometimes on New Japan World or PPV. Example, The New Japan Cup shows were a lead in to build Strong Style Evolved which was a lead in build PPV for Sakura Genesis.

I think what would define a major show would be a title defense.

Then you go into G-1 which is a tournament and they have like 16 show and like half of them are considered major shows.

Actually here is some more on the topic, copied from Reddit.

I'm pretty confiden that Zack Sabre and Okada are going to have a match like we've never seen before. There's something about Zack, he's carved out a niche that nobody else can fill. I never once considered him a heavyweight, but he's been gaining some weight. It's going to be worth staying up for.

Also we get to see Cody vs Kenny

I want a music video of Zack and Minoru Suzuki stretching people together set to Father and Son by Cat Stevens

ZSJ has been getting tremendous reviews. I didn't really get on board with what I saw in the CWC, but it sounds like he has had a fire lit under him since then.

He's got something different at heavyweight, his control is awesome. You have to wrestle his style match I guess unless you just bulldoze him and don't get caught with a counter.

His holds and chain-wrestling looks really good. It was his selling that really threw me off during the CWC. But that was as a babyface. I haven't seen any of his earlier stuff before that. I did order an EVOLVE show he was main eventing, but I couldn't get through it, so I'm not sure if he was great and then the CWC just didn't play to his skill-set, or whether he has actually gotten significantly better since going to New Japan and really focusing or whatever. I did really like the fluidity of some of his stuff in the CWC. If he's amplified that and cut out the gasping for air like he's just swam a channel, then I can imagine how he would be a lot more fun. I'm looking forward to this match with Okada.

Would be awesome if Zack wins the title here. I know everyone expects Okada to break that title defense record, but I've gotta feeling New Japan is gonna strike the iron while it's hot here.

As much as Sabre has been killing it of late, I would be absolutely floored if Okada's legendary reign was ended by a gaijin at this point.

Weirder things have happened, but I think Okada is going to keep going.

I want to think that they are going to set up another angle for Jericho and Naito but I can't realistically see Jericho rushing Niato with his boys near him. I hope that match is still on.

Jericho says he's done with NJPW, just money and scheduling issues, but we know how he likes to mislead and bullshit

Owens on Instagram this month said in a photo of him and Jericho that he knows it's happening and that it's a shame Jericho won't be back in the WWE for a while

Naito is Tranquilo

Personally, I think it's still on and that's going to be the main draw for the Cow Palace show. It may have been planned for SSE, but that sold out so quick and there's a lot of seats to fill in their second US date.

I was thinking the same Hansey. Hoping that we get those big three matchs, Naito/Jericho, Golden Lovers/Bucks II, and Rey vs Ospreay. Fingers crossed.

You have to have a somewhat big title match on the Cow Palace show, at least an Okada defense

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There was that weird rumor floating around at the start of the year from several sources that Goldberg was talking to NJPW before the hall of fame announcement, but I can't see him coming in just to job to Okada.

Mysterio should be fit by then, so Mysterio/Liger or Mysterio/Osperay depending on what they decide to do. I think they might do something weird like the Bucks going one on one with each other with the things being teased on BtE, which would be a first time ever deal I think which could sell a couple of tickets.

Okada is the question, he's faced almost everyone of note at this point. The promise of a 60 minute Omega/Okada classic again could be enough for people to want to see that in person, but I think Omega has to go over this time if they pull the trigger, but then you've got the Golden Lovers angle on fire.

NJPW right now has a fuck ton of options for terrific matches, but that marquee Okada opponent is a difficult one now without looking outside of the current roster.

What would happen if Ibushi beat Okada?

My TV would malfunction with all the semen that explodes out of me and into the vents?

They can solve that dilemma by having another Jericho video play on the big screen after the Naito-Suzuki tag match. Use it as the official way to set up their match at the July US show.

Can't really do anything else with him till his current Fozzy commitments ends which is right around the time their US show at the Cow Palace occurs.

Cody said on Twitter the classic Bullet Club logo is being retired and that he will debut a new logo next week.

Whoa whoa... Really? I mean they built up Zaber in one tournament in a really cool legit way. They have Cody, Suzuki, Ibushi and Kenny.

Yeah and they could do that with someone again before then, but everyone you've listed he's beaten. I think it might be Kenny wkth him finally getting the ain, but it sounds like the Golden Lovers are going to be tagging for a little while yet.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‘To be honest, I don’t know what Strong Style is, what it’s meant to be. I know I’m the champion. That means I’m strong. I have Style. So I guess I’m the most Strong Style.’ <a href="https://t.co/mirCd0dfXm">https://t.co/mirCd0dfXm</a></p>&mdash; chris charlton (@reasonjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/reasonjp/status/980038590603251712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Holy shit Ospreay got busted open during the Jr Heavyweight match

Move that busted open Ospreay's head.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ohhhhhhhhh... WOW. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njSG</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/cep6MrzIMC">pic.twitter.com/cep6MrzIMC</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/980377798471798784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Guess Cody wanted to top Ospreay by donning his own Crimson mask tonight.

I woke up late, but at least I've got most ld this championship match. I'll go back and watch the rest in a little bit. Okada been trying to wrestle ZSJ's game has kept the match slow, but Okada is picking things back up.

Oh shit I thought this was gonna be on tonight. Yay now I can watch it now.

Damn that is ugly. Stupid attempt to begin with.

Okada vs ZSJ was different but a good match. Crazy it was about 15 minutes before the first strike was thrown. The Roman Reigns Rain Maker was pretty cool. Also watched Golden Lovers vs Cody and Hangman. Japanese tables are a motherfucker.

Rumour doing the rounds is that Kitamura might be finished. Graves type situation with an unshakeable concussion.

Shame, dude was about to go on excursion and probably come back to be a big deal.

:-\ Feel bad for him since he did show some good potential as a star during the very brief time he was around. Probably didn't help he started his career at a much later age than most.

Wonder if the Shibata situation played some role and NJPW is now more concerned or aware of the dangers associated with it.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

dude was great

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Kitamura not coming back might not have to do with a concussion, but something New Japan are happy for people not to know. Make of that what you will.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njdontaku?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njdontaku</a> <a href="https://t.co/4ULitIni5Z">https://t.co/4ULitIni5Z</a> <a href="https://t.co/gjaQhkaPGV">pic.twitter.com/gjaQhkaPGV</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/984745304913215488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You're welcome <a href="https://t.co/Eu096wi7Y8">https://t.co/Eu096wi7Y8</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/984808522134294528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It may or may not be an entrance theme going forward, but yes, a 30th anniversary version of Kaze ni Nare is in the works, violin solo and all. <a href="https://t.co/8bywErAROL">https://t.co/8bywErAROL</a></p>&mdash; chris charlton (@reasonjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/reasonjp/status/984534120708489216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Shame about Kitamura. :(

Bone Soldier will not make up for this.

What if Bone Soldier just beats the living fuck out of Cody and it's revealed to be Kitamura?

I hope it's a different Bone Soldier but knowing Cody probably not.

Probably Flip

His flight will take too long because he can only go the wrong direction or he worries he'll fly off the edge

Could you imagine Jeff Cobb taking over the Bone Soldier gimmick? Not sure what his Lucha Underground situation is but that would be way better than the original Bone Soldier.

According to Jericho, he's currently done with the company due to talks falling apart between the two sides.

Pretty much killed any chance of a Jericho-Naito match happening for the next US show or any time soon.

So he'll be in Dontaku

Probably one of my favorite Being the Elite moments is when Cody just deadpans Flip: "You'll never perform in the Tokyo Dome, you're not all in, and the earth is fucking round"

Watching NJPW's AXS show for the first time 'watching-watching' ever r/n

1st match was like 2 minutes, edited down from 17 minutes. Interesting.

2nd match also 2 minutes...edited down from 14 minutes.

Guy doing play by play with Jim Ross is 2,000,000,000,000 % less annoying than Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman and Booker T.

The crowd seems much louder than I've heard Japanese fans are -- are the crowd noises edited in or have 'the times changed'?

Sanada has a cool mask

Sanada dude using an 'Oklahoma Roll' -- Jim Ross really excited on commentary, talking about Danny Hodge now....miss Seth82!!!

Ok, so 20 seconds is a count-out instead of 10...I wonder if any other rules are different.

Chairs don't seem to be illegal

Sanada wins. That much was really fun, lots of 'entertainment' spots!

Taka Michonuku accompanying ZSJ to the ring, I didn't know he was his manager!

Ibushi vs ZSJ -- Cool, I know who both these guys are

I love that Taka Michinoku is still in wrestling.

That was a really good match, lots of cool spots! Overall, this was (3x shorter) and more enjoyable than RAW this week if I had to compare the two shows.

ZSJ w/ an F bomb in his promo backstage