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

Seems like NJPW should probably just have its own thread at this point.

Also...Wow, Zach Sabre Jr vs Sanada from NJPW on AXSTV was incredible this week.

I really wouldn't mind it if it had its own sub-board. Is that the term? I wouldn't be the one putting the work in though.

I've been hearing lots of good things about Zack Sabre, Jr. I've never seen his outside WWE work, but will probably give it a go. His technical work in the CWC was brilliant. I can see the criticisms he got though. He does make it look quite like he's just swimming laps, as opposed to being in an actual match. And he's built like a swimmer too. Handsome guy, but he doesn't look "tough." I hope he can convey it in his matches. He's one of the guys I am most nervous about checking out, because I'm afraid that if I don't like him, I'll just feel like I'm on a different wavelength to everyone else, because he seems to be the golden boy. Even of Daniel Bryan. I already feel like I hate WWE more than most people, haha.

I recently watched Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii from the G1 Climax many moons ago. It was odd, because Tanahashi actually somewhat worked as I imagine a heel would, and he got booed for it. He came out playing air guitar and didn't want to clean break. They told a really great story in it.

Also watched Shibata vs. Honma from the G1 a few years ago. That match was fucking disgustingly brutal.

Like a few others things here, its likely too niche in terms of overall interest on TPWW to make it worthwhile.

Maybe something like a board just for modern WWE (post-Attitude Era) and a board for everything else could actually work.

Yeah, maybe. But I think there are lots of people more interested in good wrestling than bad wrestling, and would probably be less turned off by all the discussion of bad wrestling which wouldn't be in the good wrestling forum, haha.

I would end my fictional gay marriage w/ Finn Balor to begin a fictional gay marriage with Zack Sabre Jr.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/WillOspreay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillOspreay</a> gets the better of KUSHIDA this time around! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njHINOKUNI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njHINOKUNI</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk">https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/AwWj9oueuk">pic.twitter.com/AwWj9oueuk</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/990491725947981824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I do not approve of this super thread. Promotion is too large to be left in one thread.

Yeah dude, this isn't TNA or the other backyards.

Well, there's been a development of some sort:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">25 years ago today: WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, in Japan for NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '93, cuts a promo saying that the IWGP title is the real title and that the WWF belt is a stepping stone. Twice. Then, when it got back to America, he falsely claimed that he was misquoted. <a href="https://t.co/5orUHIGb3A">pic.twitter.com/5orUHIGb3A</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/992091397397229568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Classic stuff.

Tanahashi vs Okada was great.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Silence of the Lambs remake is terrifying. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njdontaku?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njdontaku</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/R5dji1b6QX">pic.twitter.com/R5dji1b6QX</a></p>&mdash; Will Mahoney (@HeelWillMahoney) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeelWillMahoney/status/992377087418884096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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My body is ready for Dominion

Bullet Club is fine

<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/WLgTtdIYVJ">pic.twitter.com/WLgTtdIYVJ</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/992343330758561793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Watching my 3rd episode of #NJPW on @AXSTV

ZSJ, led by his his version of Paul Heyman, Taka Michinoku, taking on Tanahashi in the finals of this tournament.

I equally respect the always sharp looking haircut and always sharply painful looking submissions of ZSJ

This match is so good

That match was amazing, it went on for almost the entire episode and I was never bored once.

The simplicity of this amazing spot blows my mind that I haven't seen it done before.

Never would have guessed Ishimori would be Bone Soldier but I like it. I was thinking a big dude. Ishimori has been o e of my favorite parts of Impact but its a great addition to Bullet Club.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bone Soldier revealed as... TAIJI ISHIMORI! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWWorld</a> Watch now▶︎<a href="https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP">https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njDONTAKU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njDONTAKU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/taiji_ishimori?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taiji_ishimori</a> <a href="https://t.co/pWfTAzNI17">pic.twitter.com/pWfTAzNI17</a></p>&mdash; njpwworld (@njpwworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/992357048904921088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Slick move, right there.

Chase Owens needs to hit the gym and lay off the dumplings.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">47 years old and <a href="https://twitter.com/IAmJericho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAmJericho</a> continues to amaze me. Thankful to even watch him. Truly a pro wrestling GOAT. <a href="https://t.co/A3MfWsNAVh">pic.twitter.com/A3MfWsNAVh</a></p>&mdash; Rachereen Dream. (@WWERDream) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWERDream/status/993149754279366656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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NJPW is not for kids.

Kids would probably enjoy it more than cheesy WWE. Believe it or not, children have taste.

Dominion is shaping up to be a pretty stacked card. Keen to see Okada/Omega, Naito/Jericho and Rey Mysterio wrestle.

Chris (FUCKING) Sabin is a guest in BotSJ this year, haven't seen him work in years and he's probably a shadow of his former self but I'm happy for the guy. Once Shelley is finished with his studies, MCMG could be a nice addition to the Jr Tags, providing they can still go.

I was never bothered by Chris Sabin, but I never loved him as much as Skippord. He was not the right choice for a TNA "World Champion" though. Still better than Eli Drake, however. Glad The Motor City Machine Guns are still wrestling. I honestly thought Sabin would have retired by now, because I remember him having a few injuries. Alex Shelley was hot shit for a couple of years there with his ROH and TNA work.

TNA's World Title is a midcard belt (or maybe was, it's value is even lower now) and Sabin is a solid midcarder so it's whatever. It was pretty much another case of putting a belt on a cold guy with no build, which doesn't even work with people infinitely more talented than Jinder Mahal. Actually really looking forward to him mixing it up with KUSHIDA and Hiromu.

【A Block】

Tiger Mask
ACH
Flip Gordon
Will Ospreay
YOH
Taiji Ishimori
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
BUSHI

【B Block】

KUSHIDA
Ryusuke Taguchi
Chris Sabin
Dragon Lee
Marty Scurll
El Desperado
Hiromu Takahashi
SHO

B Block is stacked, A Block seems kinda meh.

It's ok he's Tongan

A Block being kinda meh is probably by design because they wanna give Ishimori a nice run.

I forgot about Chris Sabin

What happened to him/did he retire?

Nah he's been in ROH the last few years with Shelly doing MCMG.

I'm the opposite, Block A looks better to me but its a great field all the way around. I'll take Ishimori to win the whole thing.

Sabin greatly diminished the belt from memory. Yeah, TNA has been a joke for a long, long time, but it was an attempt to follow-up what they had done with Austin Aries. Prior to Aries, Roode was champion; prior to Roode, Storm; prior to Storm, Angle. There was some interest being drummed up and the guys holding it did feel like they were at the top of the company. I'm down for the KUSHIDA/Hiromu matches though.

Excited to see how YOH and SHO do. They both seem like future singles stars.

I haven't really been following the juniors, so this tournament is hard for me to compartmentalize. Ishimori seems like a good choice to win it, but KUSHIDA, Takahashi, Scurll or even a win by Dragon Lee or El Desperado don't seem like out of this world possibilities to me. They don't really seem to be invested in "a guy" in the division as much as they are others.

NJPW definitely needs to invest in better tables. That Cody vs Ibushi spot. Christ almighty.

He won it cold by using a gimmick cash in, hitting Bubba Ray Dudley with a hammer then held it for a month, had no successful defences. Storm was champ for what, a day? Equally no build, was more over but not main event over, and he wasn't exactly more credible or a better champion. They only gave him the belt for the shock value and an excuse to turn Roode before they strapped him up after six months of build. They shouldn't have put the belt on Sabin sure, but it didn't damage that belt's rep in any meaningful way considering all the shit they'd already put it through. RVD and Jeff Hardy probably did the most damage to it.

Owwwww


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Please guys....don’t do this in your next match <a href="https://t.co/cAbRhXyPdu">pic.twitter.com/cAbRhXyPdu</a></p>&mdash; Occasional Idea Havin Paul (@y2stump) <a href="https://twitter.com/y2stump/status/994589245921726465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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That it was cheap is no defense for it being cheap. "It sucked because it sucked" still means it sucked. Storm was champ for a day, but he definitely felt more like a player than Sabin did. Everyone was on Storm's dick as a rising star for a long time.

The RVD and Jeff Hardy sagas were pretty awful, but I don't think they themselves hurt the belt as much as Sabin did by winning it as a mid-carder. Ken Anderson, on the other hand...

Eh, it's TNA, it doesn't matter.

Exactly.

I missed this week's ep on AXS...supposed to show matches from 'Genesis'....will definitely have to watch it, looking forward to Okada vs Sabre Jr.

Catching up on NJPW on AXS tv now

Marty Scurll has good entrance music

What exactly is Marty Scurll's gimmick -- is he a steampunk raven?

Whatever it is, I like it.

Does Will Ospreay always 'punch the ground' like CM Punk?

Love Will Osprey's work, but he seems like such a fucking nerd.

Is Will Ospreay really good at selling or does he almost 'kill himself' like every 4 minutes?

Just read it's based on UK 'Plague Doctors' from the 1600's.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor_costume

Ospreay might have the best superkicks of anybody out there today.

Ospreay busted open really bad from hitting his head on the apron when he and Scurll went over the top rope to the floor.

OMG the replay makes it worse...(this is from Sakura Genesis, the U.S. 1 hr show is finally at that point)

He is really, really lucky he didn't have a severe neck injury from that (Ospreay)

That was a really great match, lasted the whole hour almost of the show but flew by. A little bit of 'too many finishers' towards the end but really great overall.

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Yes

New Kushida shirt. Need to figure out how to order off njpw shop

https://i.imgur.com/U0TrSfK.jpg

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

That shirt is fantastic.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi0Et64AV7A/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GP T6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAA AElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; ██████████relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi0Et64AV7A/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Wondered what it’s like to train at the dojo? WELL NOW YOU KNOW! See you soon #Investinyourself #trainingchampions #trainingathletes @toksfale @henarenz @jaywhitenz @hiku_leo @mrginogambino @alii_mareko @afamcgregor10 @michaelrichards_nz @cwalternz @ethanhd312 @j.stevenson96 @joshuastevenson94 @daniel_puru3 @notoriousmulu @jordane_aw @shankyvik @thesamoanwrestlingdiva @jackbonza @robbieeagleshsft @fullrapscallion</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/faledojo/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Fale Dojo</a> (@faledojo) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-05-15T21:48:43+00:00">May 15, 2018 at 2:48pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

lol

The new New Japan President seems like a driven guy. Harold Meij has some very clear goals about where they are heading. He wants to get $90 million per year for New Japan, and he wants to eventually trouble Vince. He's identifying language and culture barriers an obstacle New Japan has to face, but said something like "I am not limited by language or culture -- I'll do business wherever I want." He used to be the President of Coca-Cola Japan, or something, and is one of their first foreign CEOs.

He apparently tripled Takara Tomy's stock price.

Amazing! He's on the move already.

In the past, I should specify. I'm not sure when, haha.

Yeah, can't see them ever troubling Vince, but between Meiji's business acumen, and Gedos booking, I could see njpw's us fanbase growing quite a bit.

It will grow no doubt. Thing is having that financial backing and spot to challenge WWE.

Minoru Suzuki as a child

https://i.redd.it/trvj5r2cfgy01.jpg

i feel really motivated all of a sudden

"Troubling Vince" is a stretch, but if he manages to apply some of that acumen to get New Japan into the visible sphere somehow, then I can see them growing far more than a lot of people might expect, to the point where they are "known," whatever that means today.

I can see international television deals, tours, video games, cartoons, toys and merchandise.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi6Mgfyg8-6/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GP T6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAA AElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; ██████████relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi6Mgfyg8-6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">ICHIBAAAAN !!! @hikita_t #thank_you #わざわざ #ありがとう</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suzuki.d.minoru/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> MINORU SUZUKI</a> (@suzuki.d.minoru) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-05-18T06:48:53+00:00">May 17, 2018 at 11:48pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

I'm guessing you mean in a mainstream sense but I can definitely see those merchandise and resources becoming available.

God dammit, Suzuki is terrifying inside the ring but so warm and fluffy outside of it

People say his Instagram ruins in his mystique but I love watching him do old Japanese man things, as well as picking up his manga for the week.

I guess toy shops are closing down now, haha, but I was thinking a line of New Japan toys next to the WWE ones in Toys 'R' Us or something. That's probably an antiquated idea. Or a New Japan anime that gets dubbed and put on US television so that kids growing up here are familiar with them. Try and turn Hiroshi Tanahashi into Goku and then when kids work out he's a real person, maybe they'll be more into him than Roman Reigns?

I'm speaking very broadly and without precision here -- I mean, Tanahashi is coming out of his prime and Reigns is heading into his -- but that sort of thing. I still think that a New Japan video game with a free trial to New Japan World would be a great thing for them to implement. There's the Fire Pro Wrestling World game coming out, but yeah, something to just burst them into the imaginations of people in the United States.

That can definitely works. Gives people an alternative to the WWE 2K games.

That's what I'm thinking. Especially if they create an overall better game. The 2K games get good reviews, but they are basically updated versions of themselves and they are what they are. They're the McDonald's of the wrestling game. But if New Japan could put out something a bit more sophisticated, with rewarding gameplay, etc. they could get a lot of coverage from gaming websites, etc. Reviews for video games seem a lot more trusted, because reviewers seem to be more in-line with what the gaming community wants. So producing a game that gets a 9.0 or above on IGN is going to get attention.

New Japan having fun with the Fire Pro Sponsorship at BOTSJ. Decorating the turnbuckle pads with "View Japan" which has been Spike's fake name for NJPW throughout the decades.

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

As long as WWE holds a monopoly on wrestling in america, they hold a monopoly on wrestling games in america. No company is going to be signifigantly boosted by a videogame. It would in fact be the other way around. A company would have to get near WWE's level to make a game that puts pressure on the 2k series.

Fire Pro has a tremendous pedigree and for decades now, has been seen as one of, if not the greatest wrestling game series of all time by hardcore fans. Even then, the New Japan deal does WAY more for Firepro than it does for New Japan.

Also, wretling games themselves are a niche genre.

Maybe if NJPW made a really good Battle Royale game lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hanging out with a couple Real Superstars the “Young Bucks”,much respect for these brothers,cutting edge,main event talent,doing things outside the box,and yes I know my way around Japan,if you need any guidance just call HollyWood my brothers. HH <a href="https://t.co/XmRdWpfEQJ">pic.twitter.com/XmRdWpfEQJ</a></p>&mdash; Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/HulkHogan/status/997581770051727360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I disagree, in the sense that I am not talking about selling as many units as 2K, but simply getting a game out there that increases visibility and gets more people into New Japan World. The idea would be to boost up to another tier and hope that you stay steady at a level above where you are. Not to sell one million copies or anything like that.

Incremental fame

That's it. Creep into the minds of people and plant seeds. You're not going to be able to become amazingly huge overnight.

Watching day 1 of BOTSJ. First time seeing ACH or Flip Gordan in action. Initially agreed with others that block A looked a little weak, but I'm feeling a lot better about it after that match. Very impressed with both guys.

I would like New Japan to make a play for Danielson in September.

How likely do you think it is they will?

He'd be stupid to leave WWE. He's not going to get any better medical attention and the pay will be better. He's got a family to think about now and NJPWs style would probably do him in for good.

If WWE had not let him begin wrestling again I'd say chances were high -- since they have I'm not certain DBry has reason to leave WWE w/ potential big feuds with Miz, Shinsuke, AJ, Samoa Joe and so on in his future at some point.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's the intro that I had to cut out because of Twitter. <a href="https://t.co/hD9ERep8Zd">pic.twitter.com/hD9ERep8Zd</a></p>&mdash; Dramatic Dreamer (@chinlocked) <a href="https://twitter.com/chinlocked/status/998561485851799553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="cs" dir="ltr">Minoru Suzuki's entrance with a live acoustic performance of &quot;Kaze ni Nare&quot; by Ayumi Nakamura. <a href="https://t.co/aiziJDAj5C">pic.twitter.com/aiziJDAj5C</a></p>&mdash; Dramatic Dreamer (@chinlocked) <a href="https://twitter.com/chinlocked/status/998557655294664705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He would be working a lot less dates, including a lot of multi man tags and outside of the G1 there would be a lot more recovery time. He won't leave though, they're clearly saving the feuds he actually wants until after he signs a new deal, he has the reality TV gig and they just moved a bunch of his best buds over to Smackdown.

He's mentioned several times before that he wants one last run in Mexico and Japan before he retires.

Agree on his WWE pay being better overall but he just came back from a lengthy battle with WWE over their invalid medical reasons to not clear him. Didn't help their stance by clearing Angle to wrestle and then clearing Bryan shortly after the big concussion lawsuit was no longer an issue.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’ve come a long way. Mission Accomplished. <a href="https://t.co/QbkYEhXPcJ">pic.twitter.com/QbkYEhXPcJ</a></p>&mdash; i cant think of a good name help (@kayfaybeisdead) <a href="https://twitter.com/kayfaybeisdead/status/998537234541350912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Everyone needs to get on the Hironmu Takahashi hype train

Never got off it. Would be very surprised if he doesn't win the block and I'm hoping he beats Bone Soldier (who could potentially go in with full points) in the final.

I think it's very likely they will contact him. I think it's less likely that he will actually go. I think the biggest factor is probably the safety net that is the WWE, who will probably pay him out the ass and offer him what would essentially be a lifetime deal at this point.

It depends what the "artist" in Bryan is feeling, to be honest. WWE sucks right now. Does he want to wrestle Styles and Joe in matches that don't matter, or does he want to try and breathe more life into an emerging promotion that takes its content a bit more seriously? I mean, like a lot of wrestling fans would rather watch New Japan than WWE, I'm sure that a lot of wrestlers would rather work there too, providing that it was viable.

Danielson has the advantage in that he's worth investing in. He's probably saved his money, Brie is probably well-to-do too. I have no doubt that he could wrangle a lot of money from New Japan. Karl Anderson was reportedly making $750,000 a year with them, if you believe that. I think Bryan could get paid within the realm of Okada and Tanahashi, and be paid above Naito and Omega. And I'm sure the WWE can offer him whatever New Japan is and just say "double it." But there are sponsorships, merchandising, other promotions he can sign big deals with for limited work (he could possibly convince Sinclair to break the bank on him) and appearances and such.

A big thing to think about for him would be where that leaves Brie's career. It obviously throws the WWE reality shows into question, and I don't know if the WWE wants to promote Danielson working in New Japan while Brie decides what outfit she wants to wear. But if Brie is looking to get out of Total Divas/Bellas and take some time off to be a mom or whatever, it may not be the biggest deal in the world to her if she and the WWE part ways too. Also, Cody is kind of setting up the template for how to use a hot wife in wrestling, to the point where Brie's value on the indies probably goes quite high being the supportive husband to Bryan and letting wrestling fans have their wrestler back.

To be perfectly honest, Bryan kind of has Vince over a barrel a little bit, because he's realistically got the option of making over $1 million a year working a few dates in Japan. If he holds out, he can try and get some concrete direction for the product he is involved in and a lot of money.

I don't think his health is as big a factor as some would suggest. Bryan is cleared. His brain is fine. Sometimes you get a brutal injury in Japan, but you also have lots of guys working into their 40's too. Plus, I'm suspicious of the WWE's medical testing of him. I don't want to cry conspiracy, but I think it was convenient that Bryan had a history of concussions for a period of time for them there. He's probably been ready to go for quite a long while and the downtime has probably allowed him to heal a bit of other wear and tear.

Honestly not sure it's "unlikely" at this point. Harold Meij seems like an ambitious guy. I'd be very surprised if he hasn't or doesn't reach out to Bryan at some point and advises him to just string Vince a long for a bit and work out where he really stands in their current plans. Bryan's reluctance to go would probably be the big lifestyle change for Brie and challenging that relationship with WWE and Vince McMahon. Buuuuuuut, he's in a position to possibly change the industry right now. Not in a "cripple Vince" sort of way, but make the declarative statement that New Japan Pro-Wrestling is good wrestling and he would rather be a part of that than the WWE circus, which has been the end-game for 20 years now.