Tigerkinney

Scroll down to the grey bar- that has a button that says NJPW World, next to that is a button that says Live with a Lightning Rod and next to that is a button with what looks like a wrestling ring. Click on the button that looks like a wrestling ring..... That takes you into a page that has events in chronological order (newest to oldest). As the newest event New Year's Dash will be at the top of the page.

* Spoilers Ahead* So if you don't want anything spoiled regarding NJPW- skip past my post Won't go full review this time, as there are loads of reviews out there for WK9 but I'll just give my thoughts and observations on each match. In General: I saw the NJPW World version, because as far as I'm aware the GFW version wasn't broadcast in the UK- so I can't really comment on how good or bad J.R and Matt Striker were on commentary. Anyhow I've never had a problem enjoying NJPW listening to Shinpei Nogami, the plump one with the glasses and the other commentators. This years event did miss the pomp and ceremony of previous years Wrestle Kingdom's, due to the time constraints but in all honesty I'd rather have this than an event that is all flash and no substance (i.e great entrances, but matches that last five minutes) Rambo: This was fun for what it was. The strongest guy in the field won, the surprise appearances from some of the old timers was a nice touch (though it has to be said Fujiwara looked about 150 ) and the Young Lion pair of Tanaka and Komatsu had a great moment when they combined to pin Taichi. I really hope that's a sign that NJPW are ready to start moving these two up beyond constantly facing each other or getting beaten up by Suzukigun. Junior Tag Title 4-Way: This delivered exactly what I expected it to be a 1000 mile an hour spotfest. If you don't like this style of wrestling at all then this match wasn't go to convert you, but if you can appreciate what was on offer here, then every team here brought their A-Game. Shame the crowd at the Tokyo Dome weren't more into this, but it should be noted that much of the crowd pulled in for Wrestle Kingdom would be 'casuals', rather than the hardcore fans that would attend Korakuen Hall. Team NJPW vs Bullet Club B Team: This wasn't a great match but it had a great moment, that for those who follow NJPW will have really appreciated. Hopefully the crowds reaction to Honma picking up the win, would have got over just how big of a moment this was for one of NJPW's perpetual losers. Yano and NOAH friends vs Suzukigun: The most throwaway match on the card, as it simply didn't get enough time to leave much of an impression, however it did it's job of putting over the NOAH guys, who I expect will have more involvement going forward. Suzuki vs Sakuraba: 'God Mode' Suzuki all in white, was an awesome sight and though I'm not the biggest fan of the 'worked shoot' style, when done right and in small doses it can bring something different to the card. This was Sakuraba's best NJPW match since he challenged Nakamura for the I.C belt at WK9. Really liked the post match angle with Suzuki showing respect to Sakuraba- came off as really important, given Suzuki's character and brought a fitting closure to their feud. NEVER- Ishii vs Makabe: This was the hard hitting slobberknocker people expected it to be. Much like the spotfest of the Junior Tag match, you either really like this style of wrestling or you don't, and the great thing about NJPW's shows is if this wasn't your cup of tea, you should have been able to find something more to your liking elsewhere. I personally enjoyed this match, but this was the only match where I really had to question the booking because for me a former IWGP Heavyweight champ in Makabe should have no business challenging for the NEVER belt yet alone holding it. Junior- 'Funky Weapon' vs 'The Cleaner' : I've seen mixed opinion on this match, though for me those who hated this match, are just basing their opinions on their now irrational hatred of Ryusuke Taguchi. I'm not Taguchi's biggest fan but he's not the steaming pile of turd some people are making him out to be. This wasn't MOTYC or anything near to that, but it was pretty good (somewhere between 3 and 4 snowflakes). The Young Bucks got involved, but they provided more of a distraction, rather than consistently interfering in the match, and that level of 'interference' I'm fine with. I'm also actually really enjoying Omega as a heel, as I think him getting breaking out silly stuff like the imaginary chainsaw, is more suitable to an irritating douchebag heel than if he came in as a babyface. I know a lot of people were high on fun babyface Omega that was in DDT, but for me that version just wouldn't have worked in NJPW. Tag Titles- Guns & Gallows vs Meiyu Tag: It took them until the end of their tedious year long title reign, but Guns & Gallows have finally started to get pretty good as a team, and I think that Gallows is starting to belong in an NJPW ring now. But I'm pleased their reign has finally been brought to an end. This was really good stuff for the 10 minutes it ran for, and Goto and Shibata winning the titles provided another great feelgood moment, to go alongside Honma's Wrestle Kingdom moment earlier in the show. Styles vs Naito: Some might not agree with the tactic of emphasizing the legitimate peril of the Styles Clash, but it has to be said they did a great job of building around the psychology of that feared move. Really good match, with Styles being a step ahead of his opponent throughout. IC Title- Nakamura vs Ibushi: My favourite match of the entire show, this match just blew me away and was one of those rare moments where someone gets elevated with a clean loss. Early in his career Ibushi was what many people would label a spot monkey, someone who could do flashy moves but had little in the way of psychology in stringing their flashy arsenal together. The Ibushi of 2015, still has plenty of flash but he puts together his incredible move set in a way that makes sense and feels genuinely off the cuff rather than rehearsed. Each time Ibushi steps into the ring, he has that ability to surprise you with something you've never seen before- and that Springboard German Suplex spot he came up with is testament to that. IWGP Heavyweight Title- Okada vs Tanahashi: I personally feel that there have been better matches between these two, but this was still an incredible match and another MOTYC in what has turned into one of the greatest wrestling rivalries of all time. Like many others I was shocked that Okada didn't end up winning the title back, but the post match angle with Okada crying a river of tears after failing to overcome his great rival and Tanahashi smugly gloating on the turnbuckle, was fantastic and I have faith that Gedo and Jado know exactly what they are doing here. ____________________________________________________________ Observations from New Years Dash El Desperado failed in his challenge for Jushin Thunder Ligers NWA Junior Heavyweight title, in a match that was OK but probably went too long-given that the finish a top rope Brainbuster from Liger was sloppily executed. That match mostly revolved around Liger fighting from underneath, with El Desperado working over Liger's arm (very much in the vein of Suzukigun leader Minoru Suzuki)- I thought that was pretty well done, and I feel that fighting in this style is a direction that Desperado should continue with, to help separate himself from all the other Juniors. I love Liger, as most wrestling fans do, but in matches that go longer than 10 minutes, he's really starting to show his age now. A.J Styles pinned Tanahashi in the main event then challenged for Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight belt- which is exactly what I expected to happen. It should be noted that A.J is now very much over with the hardcore NJPW fans that attend Korakuen Hall. The Bullet Club have added yet another new member- well sort of: Cody Hall (son of Scott Hall) was introduced as the Bullet Club's 'Young Boy'- which means he has to earn his way into the group by carrying their bags, and wiping the other members backsides etc Yuji Nagata challenged Shinsuke Nakamura for the IC Title, which the King of Strong Style accepted with his customary 'YEOAH!! ' Okada got pinned by Bad Luck Fale- which is sure to have a good few smarks crying. The booking here made perfect sense, as Okada has come off a gruelling loss to Tanahashi, whilst Fale (who like it or not has been built up as a strong monster heel threat) was relatively fresh. I'm actually really interested to see Okada work a program against someone like a Bad Luck Fale, who needs to be in their with a great worker to have a good match. Some more subtle interaction that others may have missed...... Minoru Suzuki and Satoshi Kojima had some relatively heated exchanges in a Babyfaces vs Suzkigun multi man tag, so I wouldn't be surprised if they start a feud against one another soon. The great news is that Yano and Suzuki didn't face off against each other, so it looks like that feud is finally done! Katsuyori Shibata was non too pleased when Tetsyua Naito tagged himself in during the main event 8 Man Tag, so they could well be sowing the seeds for a feud between those two later down the line. Announced thus far for the two New Beginning shows in Osaka and Sendai. Lots of rematches..... Osaka IWGP Heavyweight: Tanahashi vs Styles IWGP Junior: Omega vs Taguchi IWGP Tag: Goto & Shibata vs Anderson & Gallows IWGP Junior Tag: ReDragon vs Young Bucks vs Time Splitters * It looks like Forever Hooligans have been eliminated from the Junior Tag title picture, after Koslov took the loss at WK9 and then did the same in a non title match against ReDragon at New Years Dash Sendai IWGP IC: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Yuji Nagata NEVER: Togi Makabe vs Tomohiro Ishii NWA Heavyweight: Rob Conway vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan NWA Junior: Jushin Thunder Liger vs Chase Owens * Post match after his victory over El Desperado, Liger declared that Tiger Mask IV should be his next challenger- and I expected that to be the match here but it appears as though Owens will be handed a chance to win back the belt he lost to Liger before that.

Some broad Yujiro picked up whilst cruising soaplands in Kabukicho? That's all I've ever seen her to referred to as elsewhere. Anyway as for the show itself (won't give my full thoughts on each match just yet)- Though it was amazing, as good a 4 hour wrestling as you are ever likely to see. Minor disappointment on the entrances being a bit rushed and not feeling as grand as last year due to having to fit to a tight schedule, but in-ring wise this outstripped last years Wrestle Kingdom. The two main event's were tremendous, and were able to live up to the hype, whilst everything on the undercard met or came slightly above expectations- nothing under delivered.

Nice job taking up the preview mantle, my comments on your comments Nagata's the most logical and obvious winner here, out of everyone left but I'm secretly hoping for Super Strong Machine to come in as the surprise final entrant and win the whole thing You have this one pretty much spot on. Some people are hyping this match as a potential show stealer, but they are forgetting that it's the opener on a card that this year won't be allowed to go over the 4 hour limit, due to be broadcast on PPV in America. It will be a fun sprint, that will be lucky to get as long as 12 minutes. The nearest thing to pointless filler on the card, the only thing that will lift this match is Honma gets his Wrestle Kingdom moment by finally nailing the Kokeshi (Falling Headbutt) on someone and pick up the win, ideally on Slapnuts. From what I understand NJPW is part funding NOAH- It's a bit like if WWE decided to prop up TNA- Oh bad analogy because TNA will never in a million years get to the level NOAH did at the high point in it's history. I guess a better comparison would be if WWE decided to prop up WCW in 2001, instead of buying them out completely. Anyway hopefully TMDK can come in and feud with a few NJPW teams, because the stale Tag Division needs an injection of new talent. This will either be relatively short but really intense and awesome or the drizzling shits- depending on which Sakuraba turns up, but I have faith that Suzuki will be the first opponent to get a really good wrestling match out of Sakuraba since Nakamura performed miracles at Wrestle Kingdom 7. How great this match will be, will be depend on the amount of time it gets (I'm not expecting it to go 20, but anything over 10 would be nice) and not due to the talent and motivations of the performers in the match. Ishii will as always be super motivated and will want to prove that leaving him off last years Wrestle Kingdom was a big mistake, and Makabe though past his prime can really step up when not placed in a throwaway match. Though I'm not the biggest Taguchi fan, he is still a solid wrestler that can have good matches given a quality opponent. Omega could be that opponent but I fear that any potential this match could have for being surprisingly good will be obliterated by Bullet Club interference. The Junior Division does need major rebuilding. Though I really like Time Splitters as a team perhaps the first step in building up the singles junior ranks again would be to split them up for now and let both KUSHIDA and Shelley pursue singles glory. Guns & Gallows forgettable year long reign with these belts, has unfortunately devalued these titles. If Goto and Shibata don't win the belts here, then NJPW may as well have Bullet Club put the titles into a burning trash can, because that's how much their shitty over long title run (with about 1 defence in about forever) has devalued the belts. I think Styles wins here and will be the first challenger for the World Title at one of the New Beginning shows- where he will lose. If he goes up against Tanahashi it makes sense for him to get his rematch, whilst he if goes up against Okada, you get some closure on the Okada vs Styles feud. Naito suffers another big loss here, but I have a feeling that NJPW will put in a strong effort to rebuild him to the point where he's either challenging for the Heavyweight or IC belt by the end of the year. Nakamura doesn't really need enough lengthy run with this belt, but the question is do NJPW pull the trigger on Ibushi's push towards main event status here or do they hold back and make him chase a little longer. Whatever the outcome they could do with building up another star name that can compete with the big 3 on a regular basis, and Ibushi could well be that man. Whatever the outcome this should be a great match- these two have never disappointed in any major singles match they have had against one another. I don't expect that trend to stop here, especially not on New Japan's grandest stage.

I've worked out to be 7 am for me in the U.K, I assume you're referring to 2 am Eastern Time in America. Don't think I can get myself out of bed to watch it live at 7, yet alone at 2 in the morning. I'll watch it as soon as I can though tomorrow, after the live broadcast has been done on NJPW World.

Fantastic looking card in my opinion-Anyone who complains about this years Wrestle Kingdom Card or even says that it is remotely disappointing, is mentally defective in my opinion. Though folks should bear in mind, that more than likely not everything will live up to it's full potential due to time constraints. Here's my expectations 1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship reDRagon vs. Time Splitters vs. Young Bucks vs. Forever Hooligans This will probably end up being a 10 minute spot-fest sprint- it will be a fun opener but won't reach the potential it could have if given five or so more minutes worth of 'slow build' 2. Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale & Jeff Jarrett vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Kojima & Honma Filler six man tag that will probably be under 10 minutes 3. Toru Yano & a Mystery Partner vs A Suzuki-Gun select team (More than likey K.E.S) Another filler match, and basically an excuse to shoe-horn Toru Yano onto the Wrestle Kingdom Card 4. 'UWF Rules' Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Minoru Suzuki I'm not really a big fan of the faux MMA style, but this might be surprisingly really good (e.g something similar to Nakamura vs Sakuraba from WK7 in 2013). Needs to be given enough time to feel special, but not overstay it's welcome either. 5. Never Open-Weight Championship Tomohiro Ishii vs. Togi Makabe Like the Junior Tag title match, this might end up suffering from time constraints. Should be a good physical brawl, just not sure it will end up being as great as Ishii's NEVER title matches against Naito and Goto. 6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Ryusuke Taguchi vs Kenny Omega I will admit that Ryusuke Taguchi is not that inspiring to me a Junior Champion. Do I think this will be a bad match? No, I think it will be fairly decent, provided we don't get too much Bullet Club BS. 7. IWGP Tag Team Championship Doc Gallows/Karl Anderson vs. Hirooki Goto/Katsuyori Shibata For me Guns & Gallows run as tag champs has been uninspired and I'm hoping they drop the belts here. Saying that I though their Tag League Finals match against Goto/Shibata was pretty good and hopefully we can at least get a repeat of that here. 8. AJ Styles vs. Tetsuya Naito If these two get at least 15 minutes to do their thing, this could be a really good match (provided Styles can avoid another Styles Clash mishap:p) and kick off an awesome home stretch for the show. 9. Intercontinental Championship Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi This match has awesome written all over it- The only way this match can end up being disappointing is they book it for a stupidly short amount of time (anything under 10 minutes) or someone ends up injuring themselves early in the match. My expectations are through the roof for this one. 10. IWGP Heavyweight Championship Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada Anyone who complains about this main event, or says that this feud is played out is a complete and utter moron. They hadn't faced each other in a singles match since King of Pro Wrestling in 2013 (well over a year ago!) and who the hell cares when they never have a bad match against one another. Overall I expect the final three matches will get enough time to reach their full potential to be awesome, plus probably one other match on the undercard will get a decent amount of time to also be really good. The rest of the matches will probably range from passable to pretty good. If those final three matches deliver like they should then the show should be considered a success.

Well TEW doesn't really allow the Japanese touring system to be replicated 100% accurately. Japanese promotions do tour, but it tends to be on average 2-3 week tours, before then taking another 2-3 weeks off (Though it varies, there is no set time on how long a promotion decides to be touring for, and then has a rest period). TEW allows for promotions to tour a maximum of 10 months , but a promotion can't tour more than 5 months in a row. I've changed things up to a 10 month calendar- as I will be adding specific shows for the Best of the Super Juniors finals and a G-1 Climax like tournament I've called the Super Grade Cup. Also much of the minor tour shows (which I'll probably just ended up doing little more than just presenting the results) will consist almost entirely of tag matches, which are the staple of many puro promotions.

After my Thunderverse, DIASPORA diary became too much to maintain, I do plan to return to TEW diary writing sometime next year, and have begun to put in place the seeds for a new project..... You must have had too much sake right? http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/cms/binary/9664955.jpg It was December 22nd of 2013, and Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods were holding their annual Christmas party for staff and workers. This years outing was the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku. Which was an 'experience', though most of the Burning Hammer 'family' seemed to enjoy the outing, except for the rookie wrestler Ieyoshi Shimakage who ended up getting knocked out by a man dressed up as a hulked up robot and then ejected from the Robot Restaurant for attempting to cop a feel of one of the show's female performers. Whilst the Robot Restaurant's bizarre entertainment may have been at the very least interesting, the food was terrible- which defeated the object of the place being called a restaurant. So everyone ended up heading for a nearby izakaya to get something proper to eat. As is always the case whenever we visit these kind of places, everyone ended up having far too much to drink..... Tasuku Iesada the man who runs the book for Burning Hammer, blurted out that he had now tired of doing the role and that he wanted to just concentrate on his wrestling. Iesada's friend and the man who insisted Iesada-san take on the role of head booker Tadiyuki Kikkawa commented that this was the first he heard of this and that Iesada-san is only say this because he had a little too much to drink and that he will forget about this the next morning. http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/data:image/jpeg;base64,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http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/data:image/jpeg;base64,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admitted he was a little drunk, but that his current intoxicated state had given him the courage, to speak up about how he really feels. He told Kikkawa-san that he is not ungrateful for the role he had been given and that he enjoyed his time spent as head booker but it was time for him put his wrestling career first and it was time he handed over the reigns to someone else. Iesada-san mentioned that he had been unselfish as a head booker, something many around the table agreed with. Kikkawa-san now accepting the fact that his friend Iesada-san was serious, disappeared for a while before returning from where had been, to ask Iesada-san's suggestion about who he feels could replace him. Iesada-san felt it would be a good decision to give it to someone who had been involved with Burning Hammer for a while, but wasn't one of the 'boys'. That's when he looked over at me, and said: ' In all honesty I think Muro-san could be a good candidate, he's been with us a while now and he from his position at the announce table he see's things from a fans perspective' http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/data:image/jpeg;base64,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-san, agreed that Iesada-san's suggestion was an interesting and slightly brave one, and that their Burning Hammer wasn't about living on past glories but about looking towards the future..... I thought they had to be joking right, I thought they would forget about talking me up as taking over the position of head booker the next morning and that once the effects of the copious amounts of beer and sake everyone consumed had worn off that they would surely consider a more qualified candidate to fill Iesada-san's shoes. As it turns out though, they were being utterly serious, as I got a call the next morning to attend a meeting with Kikkawa-san, Iesada-san and the promotions owner Tetsuzan Kaneko, to discuss what they called an 'opportunity for promotion'. _____________________________________________________________ So as you can see from that I'm going to be returning to an 'old friend'- Burning Hammer. This time round though, I won't be writing up every show in full, as I found that I ended up getting burnt out doing things that way, especially with also maintaining my anime reviews thread I have going on in the Dog Pound. The plan is very much to book in a realistic Puro manner, with only the kind of shows NJPW (Burning Hammer's real life equivalent of sorts) would run as an iPPV event getting the full write up treatment- which would be the PPV supershows and the 'Road To' shows from Korakuen Hall. _____________________________________________________________ One more preview gem before I properly launch the project (most likely in February) next year........ Here's one of the bio's from the roster dossier that I have created....... The Incredible Koyama (High Fly Wonder) Affiliation: P.I.N.K Hometown: Neyagawa, Osaka, Kansai Age: 32/ Height: 5ft9/Weight: 178 Ibs Finishers: Incredible Death Spike (Front Flip Piledriver), Koyama Grip (Kip Up Hurracanrana rolled into a Triangle Choke), Air Koyama (Shooting Star Press) Signature Moves: Standing Shooting Star Press, Moonsault, Corkscrew Moonsault, Feint Moonsault into a standing Moonsault, Standing Corkscew Moonsault, Frankensteiner, Reverse Frankensteiner, Slingshot Hurracanrana, Bridging Evasion followed by a Roundhouse Kick, Missile Drop Kick, Springboard Dropkick, Dragon Suplex, German Suplex, Brainbuster, Ankle Lock. BHOTWG Honours: None Personal Fact: It appears that from as early as kindergarten The Incredible Koyama was destined for either the wrestling ring or a career as a gymnast, because from the Age of 5 he started doing Shooting Star Presses off the top of a jungle gym and into the sandbox. In Their Words: I come here in a blaze of publicity, THEY even hyped me up as being one of the greatest high flyers of my generation- and then what do they do with me, what do they ****ing do with me, jack ****ing shit that's what. You know what they ****ing got me doing right now, kissing that ****ing freak Masuko's pink painted arse , going round being his ****ing lackey. I shouldn't be in that face painted freaks ****ing shadow, he should be in my ****ing shadow, because I have a million more times the ****ing talent than that loser or anyone else on this roster does! Part of me wants to ****ing quit this travesty, but I'm not gonna ****ing do that, because that will show that the ****tards in charge have beaten me the **** down, and I'm sure as hell ain't gonna quit and go begging on my ****ing knees to join that small time ****fest called WLW. Optimus;Notes: There is no question over the fact that Koyama-san has the talent to succeed, he's an inventive high flyer who also carries himself like a star, but I think he came here after a good run with WLW and expect it to be handed to him on a plate, and that he wouldn't have to put the work in to earn his way to the top of the Junior Division. I'm afraid to say that Koyama-san has had a rude awakening in that regard and he's not taken to it well, often sulking over the fact that he's not been getting his way and it has come out in some of his performances, which have at times been uninspired. There was already one incredibly talented but egotistical prick on this roster in the form of Sensational Dragon, and Koyama-san has found that we don't have the time and patience for another.

Just subscribed to NJPW world myself and it's very much a worthwhile purchase, not only will I be able to follow current New Japan easily, it also has a rich catalogue of classic matches, I can just go to one place for. Just watched Naoki Sano vs Jushin Thunder Liger for the IWGP Junior Championship from 1990 - Awesome match with a priceless post match 'celebration'

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Tigerkinney's NJPW World Tag League Preview </strong></span></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> So New Japan's World Tag League kicks off on Saturday 22nd November. It's not a tournament that excites the fans as much as the G-1 Climax, but I'll be following it as close as I can. </p><p> </p><p> The main problem with the Tag League is the time of year that it's held, in my opinion it needs to be moved forward to October/November, rather than November/December (swapping places with Power Struggle) because with so many big names already being booked/penciled in for matches for Wrestle Kingdom on Jan 4 at the Tokyo Dome,it's fairly obvious a large chunk of the teams entering this tournament are highly unlikely to win. </p><p> </p><p> Samurai TV in Japan will be broadcasting the opening show from the legendary Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on 22nd November, the 3rd show from the Kyoto KBS Hall (the really unique looking venue with the big stain glass window) on 24th November and the final round of block matches from the Osaka Central Gymnasium on 5th December. </p><p> </p><p> These shows should find a way on to the internet <em>(Dailymotion is a good place to go- as long as you have an ad-blocker- because without an ad-blocker the non stop interruption of ad breaks is infuriating to the point of wanting to do murderous things to your computer:mad:)</em>. </p><p> </p><p> The Finals are on 7th December from the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, more than likely this will be an iPPV (via Niconico)- if it's not an iPPV or you simply can't be bothered with all of the hassle of trying to order an iPPV from a Japanese provider, then once again it should easily find it's way on to the internet. Whether footage makes it onto the internet from the other events, remains to be seen- but I plan to watch (and share my opinions) on the three shows broadcast on Samurai TV plus the finals. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>A Breakdown of the Blocks and the teams in it: </strong></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Block A </strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>A.J Styles & Yujiro Takahashi</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/395.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/032.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> This could be a pretty decent team to watch. Yujiro's far from anyone's favourite, though personally I think he's settling into his role of a midcard 'dick' heel pretty well. The reason why this team could be a good from an in-ring perspective, is that Yujiro was in a tag team called No Limit for a good number of years- with a partner who works a similar(ish) in ring style to A.J Styles in Tetsuya Naito. </p><p> </p><p> I think they have a good chance of picking up more wins, than they do losses but I very much doubt they will win their Block, yet alone win the tournament because A.J is pretty much pencilled in to face Yujiro's former tag partner Naito at the Tokyo Dome.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/416.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/855.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> The reigning IWGP Tag Team champions (who haven't defended their titles in what feels like an eternity.) For me 'Guns & Gallows' have always come off as a poor man's Bad Intentions since starting their run in NJPW. The main problem is with Gallows, who I'm not convinced has what it really takes to raise his game. </p><p> </p><p> However despite my own personal malaise with this team, they will be booked strongly and have a strong chance of winning the Block, and they also have a chance of winning the tournament (if Jado & Gedo want to re-establish the team's dominance of the tag division).</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshitatsu </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/016.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/906.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Apparently Captain New Japan was heartbroken, when he saw that Tanahashi chose the returning Yoshitatsu, as his tag partner over him. As much as the Captain may be heartbroken, NJPW audiences are spared having to watch the hapless masked man job match after match, whilst Tanahashi takes it easy on the ring apron/the floor. </p><p> </p><p> Yoshitatsu, looked a big rusty in his return match with AJ Styles (highlighted by the fact that he failed to tuck his head in on the Styles Clash- which could have been been more horrific than it actually was) at Power Struggle. But this tag tournament tour, should provide a good chance for Yoshitatsu to work the WWE rust off and reacclimitise to the NJPW style. </p><p> </p><p> They are booked in what looks like could be a potential Block Deciding match against 'Guns & Gallows' on the final show, so they should at least be in with a chance of winning the Block going into the final day. However if they do happen to win their Block, it's still unlikely they will win in the finals.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/018.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/065.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> After losing the NWA Tag titles at King of Pro Wrestling, Tenzan and Kojima got into a shoving match and left separately- many saw this as being the end of their team, but we come to this tournament and their still together. I personally never saw the shoving match as an official break up, and pretty much knew that was just sowing seeds of tension.</p><p> </p><p> What I think will happen is that the longtime best friends/rivals will end up splitting after this tournament is done, leading into a feud against one another. More than likely they'll be in with a chance of making the finals but will screw up the opportunity, leading to them blaming each other for their failure. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Rob Conway & Jax Dane</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/841.jpg</span><img alt="images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRE5OhoyimZ8wY-5powdVwt0JVoo-nXwRyJN4H2jWRoJQiloygqDg" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRE5OhoyimZ8wY-5powdVwt0JVoo-nXwRyJN4H2jWRoJQiloygqDg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> The NWA 'hoss' team make a Tag League appearance for the second year in the row, last year they manage to accumulate a credible 6 pts out of 12, but this year I think they are simply here to make up the numbers and look likely to battle out the 'wooden spoon' spot with the other all gaijin team in the Block (The ROH pair of Bennett & Taven). </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/778.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/780.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> Yoshi-Hashi is still pretty much there to be Okada's 'fall guy' but I expect this team to be a little more competitive (and perhaps even be in with a chance of winning the block) than in recent years, due to Yoshi-Hashi gradually moving up from jobber status to more of a midcard role <em>(Getting a NEVER title shot, being part of the semi main event at Power Struggle- highlight Yoshi-Hashi's growing stature)</em>. </p><p> </p><p> I doubt they will win their Block, but they may well end up with a winning record this year and with Yoshi-Hashi's improvement and the always excellent Okada, they should be a fun team to watch. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Michael Bennett & Matt Taven</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/902.jpg</span><span>http://s17.postimg.org/kwxahz3mn/matt_taven.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Some people may be disappointed that ROH didn't send over a stronger team (some were hoping for the Briscoes) than this, but more than likely ROH didn't want to see their bigger names jobbed out for their most of the tournament- because that is what the ROH pair will be doing here. I see their best case scenario as picking up a couple of upset wins and scoring 4 pts, whilst it's not unfeasible they could lay a goose egg. </p><p> </p><p> At least Maria Kanellis, will be looking hot at ringside, to distract from the probable mediocrity of their matches. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/164.jpg</span><img alt="images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZL68INJMHiWJ7f0Kqjt1P9FNZEcUkzjHej7s6mihL25w7iJhy" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZL68INJMHiWJ7f0Kqjt1P9FNZEcUkzjHej7s6mihL25w7iJhy" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> I was hoping for a Naito/Ibushi team for this tournament, but I guess Ibushi's dual contract and continued commitment to DDT as well as NJPW prevents him from working this tour. However I do also like La Sombra (have always been impressed with him whenever he makes an appearance in NJPW) and this should be one of the most exciting teams to watch from an in-ring perspective. </p><p> </p><p> As for how well they will do, this pairing has 'dark horse' written all over it- it's hard to say how well they will do. I could easily see them being 'surprise' block winners but on the other hand I could easily see them being a middle of the pack team that posts up 3 wins and 4 losses. </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> Block B</strong></span></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/848.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/565.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> Fale's megapush appears to have had the brakes put on it, since losing the Intercontinental title back to Shinsuke Nakamura in September at the Destruction in Kobe show. Going back to being part of throwaway 8 Man Tags on the PPV, and now he's teaming up with the Bullet Club's designated jobber Tama Tonga, instead of being paired up with a strong partner like A.J Styles. </p><p> </p><p> Though I don't think he's as bad as some people make out (with the right opponent Fale is a carriable big man), I can't say I'm disappointed about Fale dropping back into midcard obscurity, because there are plenty more New Japan talents I'd rather see pushed over him. </p><p> </p><p> In ring wise, I don't think this team will be as bad as some people may expect it to be, as I said Fale is not as bad a some people make him out to be, and Tonga is actually pretty decent. I'm not saying Tonga is some fantastic talent who is being seriously held back, but the fact he jobs a lot hurts his perception as a capable wrestler.</p><p> </p><p> As for how well this team will do- I very much doubt given Tonga's current standing that they will be in the mix for making it to the finals, but they should pick up a few wins, all in all they have 3-4 (6 Pts) written all over them. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/819.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/705.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> The current NWA Tag champions (and former IWGP Tag champions) are now one of the most experienced and established teams in NJPW. Unlike most of the teams in this tournament that are part time affairs, K.E.S are a full time pairing and that experience as a team will always make Suzukigun's gaijin big man pairing, more dangerous than the sum of their parts. </p><p> </p><p> K.E.S have yet to win this tournament and they will be hungry to win it, to re-assert themselves as the most dominant tag team in New Japan. This is a pairing I expect will be right in the mix to win the Block and the tournament, however I think they will just be pipped to winning the Block on the final day, by a team that are everyone's overriding favourites to not only win Block B but the whole thing.....</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/008.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/064.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> The hard hitting pair of 'Meiyu Tag' Goto and Shibata are everyone's runaway favourites to win the tag league, as they are the biggest names on the NJPW roster not to have anything booked or be pencilled in for something at Wrestle Kingdom 9, other than challenging 'Guns & Gallows' for the tag titles. To be honest I can only see one of three scenarios....</p><p> </p><p> 1. Goto and Shibata win the Tag League and challenge the Bullet Club pair for the title's at Wrestle Kingdom. <em>(The most likely and logical scenario) </em></p><p> </p><p> 2. Goto and Shibata win their Block but lose to Anderson and Gallows in the final. However they still challenge for the belts at Wrestle Kingdom 9- due to BC shenanigans <em>(The scenario I'd least like to see happen, but not unfortunately not something you can rule out)</em></p><p> </p><p> 3. Goto and Shibata win their Block but lose to the Block A winner that isn't 'Guns and Gallows'. However the Block winner features someone that has another marquee match lined up for Wrestle Kingdom (Tanahashi/Okada/Styles/Naito. As tournament runners up Goto and Shibata still challenge for the tag belts at Wrestle Kingdom 9 and the winner of the tag title match, goes on to defend it against the surprise winners of the tournament (<em>The most unlikely scenario, but one the NJPW bookers might go with- if they feel Shibata/Goto winning is too predictable) </em></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Toru Yano and Kazushi Sakuraba </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/030.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/818.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> It appears we have entered some bizarro world, where Sakuraba is now working whole tours, instead of just PPV events. This oddball pairing, will of course be one of the worst teams in terms of delivering quality in-ring action, and because they are in the same block as rivals Suzuki/Iizuka the audience are forced to suffer another one of their matches from their tediously never ending feud. Thankfully that match up is on one of the minor shows of the tour, that isn't being televised. </p><p> </p><p> I can't see any chance of this team winning or even being in the mix to win the Block but they'll play the part of 'spoiler' and likely pick up a couple of upset wins.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/020.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/021.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> Right now the veteran Yuji Nagata is probably the most under-utilized member on the NJPW roster. Nagata who can still perform to a good level, is reduced to performing in throwaway undercard matches (if he can manage to make his way onto the card) on PPV's for NJPW and enjoys much stronger pushes as an 'outsider' in rival promotions such as NOAH.</p><p> </p><p> This year Nagata finds himself paired up with his generational friend, the slow and broken down big man Manabu Nakanishi. As both are former IWGP Heavyweight champions, they'll pick up a couple of wins out of respect for their past accomplishments but I don't see them being in with any kind of chance of winning the Block. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Iizuka </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/119.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/002.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> As much as Nagata might be lucky to even make it onto an NJPW PPV card these days, at least he's not being wasted in a dross tag team like Minoru Suzuki. MiSu is still fantastic, but his current tag partner of choice fellow veteran Takashi Iizuka sucks. Iizuka's gimmick was fine (even kind of fun) for a while, and it's clearly extended the shelf life of someone that was just a bland/average midcarder before he became a crazed heel, but this whole schtik (the tearing through the crowd/threatening the wimpy looking announcer/the stupid iron finger) has just become really tired and played out. </p><p> </p><p> Much like their rivals Yano/Sakuraba I expect this team will pick up a few wins (likely going 3-4) but won't have any hope of winning the Block. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Shinsuke Nakamura and Tomohiro Ishii </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/022.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/099.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> It's not the first time Nakamura and Ishii have teamed up together, but where as in previous years Ishii was a 'fall guy' for Nakamura, he's now a star name in his own right. Featuring both the current Intercontinental (Nakamura) and NEVER (Ishii) champions, this pairing can now be considered a Superteam!</p><p> </p><p> Because of that, I'll expect them to be booked strongly in this tournament and they should be in the hunt for winning the Block (especially as they are booked to face Block favourites Goto/Shibata on the final day- in a potential Block deciding match). However due to the fact that both Nakamura and Ishii are already booked to defend their respective singles titles at Wrestle Kingdom, I'd be shocked if they end up winning the tournament. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/029.jpg</span><span>http://www.njpw.co.jp/mobile/images/vga/fighter_art/196.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> After failing to win the IWGP Tag titles, as part of the 'Super Team' Ace To King (with Hiroshi Tanahashi) earlier in the year Makabe has gone back to pairing up with long time ally Tomoaki Honma, as the sole remaining flag bearers of the GBH name. </p><p> </p><p> Because Makabe is already booked to challenge for the NEVER belt at Wrestle Kingdom 9, I would be surprised if this team ends up winning the Block, but I think they do have a chance of posting up a winning record and I can see them posting up a respectable 4-3 (8 Pts).</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Samurai TV Cards</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Night 1: Tokyo- Korakuen Hall (November 22nd)</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> 1. Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs. 'Bullet Club' Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga</p><p> </p><p> 2. KUSHIDA & BUSHI vs Matt Taven & Michael Bennett</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>3. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs Rob Conway & Jax Dane</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>4. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs 'Killer Elite Squad' Davey Boy Smith Jr & Lance Archer</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>5. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs 'Meiyu Tag' Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>6. World Tag League Block A</strong></span>: A.J Styles & Yujiro Takahashi vs Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra</p><p> </p><p> <strong>7. Special Six Man Tag:</strong> Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>8. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshitatsu vs Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi</p><p> </p><p> - The first half of the Korakuen card looks nothing to get too excited about, but the second half of the show has the potential to be pretty good- Goto/Shibata vs Nagata/Nakanishi could be surprisingly decent (Nakanishi is broken down but is still good fun in small doses), Styles/Yujiro vs Naito/La Sombra has the potential to be a really good match, the special six man tag is a relatively fresh combination with some great performers and I expect that because it's in the main event slot at Korakuen Tanahashi and Okada will have their working boots on for the main event. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Night 3: Kyoto KBS Hall (24th November) </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> 1. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs Rob Conway & Jax Dane</p><p> </p><p> 2. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan vs Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata & BUSHI</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>3. World Tag League Block B</strong></span>: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga</p><p> </p><p> 4. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo vs. Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Taichi & El Desperado</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>5. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> A.J Styles & Yujiro Takahashi vs Michael Bennett & Matt Taven</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>6. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs 'Guns & Gallows' Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>7. World Tag League Block A</strong></span>: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshitatsu vs Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>8. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> 'GBH' Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii </p><p> </p><p> <em>- A much weaker looking card than the Korakuen show but that is to be expected, with only really the semi-main and the main event significantly piquing my interest in anticipation of a really good match, whilst just before those matches 'TenKoji' vs 'Guns & Gallows' should at the very least be relatively decent, in the vein of TenKoji's matches against fellow gaijin bullies K.E.S. </em></p><p> </p><p> <em>Lower down the card MiSu/Crapizuka vs Fale/Tonga has 'Wrestlecrap' car crash written all over it- whilst I also wonder if will get some kind of simultaneously hot/lame ringside catfight during the Styles/Yujiro vs Bennett/Taven match. We all know that Maria Kanellis will be supporting her man Bennett at ringside, but will Yujiro be cheered on by his main squeeze Mao? </em></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Night 10 (Final Block Stage Matches): Osaka Central Gymnasium (5th December)</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <em>Order of card subject to change......</em></p><p> </p><p> 1. Captain New Japan & BUSHI vs Taichi & El Desperado </p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> 2. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano vs 'K.E.S' Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>3. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> 'Meiyu Tag' Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>4. World Tag League Block B:</strong></span> Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> 5. World Tag League Block B</strong></span>: 'GBH' Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>6. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs A.J Styles & Yujiro Takahashi </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>7. World Tag League Block A:</strong></span> Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs Rob Conway & Jax Dane</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>8. World Tag League Block A</strong></span>: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs Mike Bennett & Michael Taven </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>9. World Tag League Block A: </strong></span>Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshitatsu vs 'Guns & Gallows' Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows</p><p> </p><p> <em>- From an overall standpoint this card doesn't get my juices flowing as much as the opening card at Korakuen Hall. However it does feature what looks to be on the paper the standout match up of the tournament, the showdown between Goto/Shibata and Nakamura/Ishii- which I expect will go a long way to deciding the winners of Block B. Over in Block A Okada/Yoshi-Hashi vs Styles/Yujiro and Tanahashi/Yoshitatsu vs Anderson/Gallows also have the potential to be solid matches that will likely have an effect on the final standings.</em></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kitarzu" data-cite="Kitarzu" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>A Jim Ross - Jeff Jarrett would be a great duo.<p> </p><p> I'll hope someone would say Lariato!, especially with Satoshi Kojima, if he'll be in the card.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> What's the over/under on Jim Ross calling Tomohiro Ishii vs Togi Makabe a 'Slobberknocker' <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Speaking of gaijin, what do you think of Joe Doering?<p> </p><p> For me he's one of the last of a dying breed of old school american heavyweights. </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Can't say I'm a massive fan, though I don't really follow AJPW all that closely (more of a not enough time in the world thing than anything else), but from what I've seen he seems serviceable/carriable as what you said he is an 'old school' American style heavyweight- which as you said is something of a dying breed these days.</p>

Tigerkinney's- NJPW Power Struggle 2014 Review So here's my review for Power Struggle..... Results of the matches, are in spoiler tags, along with any post match happenings. I'm still of the opinion that the traditional star system, with people giving out 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 stars for matches is too finite for my liking, but I have come up with my own grading scale, to show my enjoyment of each match on the show. A- MOTYC...An awesome match that likely stole the show. B- A really good match, not a MOTYC but certainly worth seeking out, if you don't want to watch the whole show. C- A decent match. Not something to go out of your way to see but fine and reasonably entertaining for what it was. D- An OK match, but one that didn't really engage me at all as a viewer. E- A poor match that felt like a waste of time being the show. F- The drizzling shits. 0. Tiger Mask & Fuego vs. BUSHI & Mascara Dorada Exactly as I expected, they did some flippy lucha stuff and all did dives to the floor. It was perfectly fine for what it was, a technically sound but forgettable pre-show match. I must say I do really like the middle turnbuckle ropewalk thing that Mascara Dorada does, and wouldn't mind seeing more of him in NJPW beyond short tag team matches.(Grade D) ~Spoiler~ Result: Mascara Dorada pinned Fuego in 6:42 with a Jumping Cradle. ~Spoiler~ 1. SUPER Jr. 3WAY Tag Match: 'Forever Hooligans' Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. 'Suzukigun' TAKA Michinoku & El Desperado vs.'The Young Bucks' Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson This was a really fun opener, with some inventive (albeit some did feel very choreographed) spots, and the match was a nice mix of high energy Junior Division wrestling and quirky comedic stuff. The match however did finish rather abruptly, given a few more minutes this could have been a great opener, rather than merely a good one © ~Spoiler~ Result: Matt Jackson (Young Bucks) pinned TAKA Michinoku (Suzukigun) in 7:33 after the More Bang For Your Buck (450 Splash, followed by a moonsault) ~Spoiler~ 2. Special Tag Match: Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka Kaze Ni Nare !! - Awesome, This feud- Not Awesome. It saddens me (well not just me, just about every other Puroresu fan too), that Minoru Suzuki- a man still capable of having MOTY caliber matches when put in a more prominent spot - is being wasted in this dross. This was no worse, or no better than all the other endless matches these four have had with each other, which isn't saying a lot. At least it was as I said in my preview, mercifully short. ( E) ~Spoiler~ Result: Who the hell cares but Sakuraba got a flash pin on Suzuki in 4:25 Post match Suzuki gets on the mic and challenges Sakuraba to a one on one match with UWF rules at Wrestle Kingdom 9- Hopefully that truly is the blow off to this feud and Suzuki can move on to better things. ~Spoiler~ 3. NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: Chase Owens vs. Jushin Thunder Liger Bruce Tharpe is always good entertainment as the jerk gaijin manager. This wasn't the most dynamic of matches, but they managed to get me (and the very pro Liger crowd) invested into the story of the veteran legend up against the arrogant up-start. Acceptable midcard fare that was fine for the spot it was in. © ~Spoiler~ Result: Jushin Thunder Liger won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title in 9:27 after drilling Chase Owens with a Brainbuster. ~Spoiler~ 4. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan vs. 'Bullet Club' Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi This could have been any other Bullet Club multi man tag, from any 'Road to' house show- and if this was on one of those 'Road to' Cards I'd be perfectly fine with this, but on a major show like this, these sort of matches just feel like dull filler. This wasn't a bad match by any stretch, but it was just sort of 'there'. (D) ~Spoiler~ Result: Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club) pinned Captain Jobber in 9:47 after the Bad Luck Fall. ~Spoiler~ 5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: 'Time Splitters' KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. 'reDragon' Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish A damn fine match between two excellent Junior Heavyweight tag teams, but that was to be expected. The slow build stuff early on dragged a little, and probably prevented this from reaching MOTYC levels, but once the match got going it became fantastic. Things picked up after an amusing spot where Shelley kept managing to roll away from a double team diving headbutt from ReDragon and then they really kicked it up a notch during the frenetic closing stretch. (B) ~Spoiler~ Result: ReDragon became the new IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions in 17:29, after Kyle O'Reilly pinned KUSHIDA following the Chasing the Dragon (Kick assisted Brainbuster) Post match the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans come down to the confront the new champs but the Time Splitters want a rematch, it leads to the top four teams in the NJPW Junior Tag ranks having a staredown/shoving match with another- So it looks like things are being set up for a 4-way over the IWGP Tag belts at Wrestle Kingdom. ~Spoiler~ 6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taichi With all the (to be expected) interference from Taichi's Suzukigun cronies this match felt really disjointed. They actually did some pretty cool stuff here and there (such as a spot where Taguchi gets cradle piledrived through a table, though Taguchi pretty much no selling the effects of Taichi's piledriver once he's back in the ring, spoils the spot) but the match just had no flow to it and I didn't believe for one second that the belt would change hands here, despite the never ending shenanigans. As expected this was one of the weakest IWGP Junior title matches in recent memory, and hopefully we are done now with this feud between Taguchi (or as tne guys on the Voices of Wrestling podcast call him ' Japanese Matt Hardy' ) and the three super junior stooges of Suzukigun over the belt. (D) ~Spoiler~ Result: Ryusuke Taguchi retained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title in 15:18 by pinfall following a Dodon-The-End ( Argentine Backbreaker Rack transitioned into a Wheelbarrow Facebuster) Post match the Bullet Club come out and reveal their new member- 'The Cleaner' Kenny Omega. The former DDT man had been telling everyone that he was going to be fighting for NJPW but he lied and he's only in NJPW for the money and that he's coming for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. This was a really well done angle, with Kenny Omega having really great presence in the role of a dick heel (personally I'm already enjoying this version of Omega more than the goofy babyface one that competed in the BOSJ) and he could be the fresh injection that the Bullet Club needs to make them a bit more interesting again. ~Spoiler~ 7. Special Singles Match: Yoshitatsu vs. AJ Styles Yoshitatsu had an OK though not great re-debut here, in what ended up being a passable match with AJ Styles, with the crowds support of Yoshitatsu as the incoming babyface helping to make the match a little more engaging than the in-ring action that was being presented. The expected interference from Styles second Jarrett, was to it's defence at least not too over the top and quite subtle. Styles did his best to get the match to a reasonable level but the chemistry was lacking and Yoshitatsu was a bit sloppy here (taking a Styles Clash incorrectly). So it looks like Yoshitatsu will need to get some of the WWE jobber rust off him, if he wants to make a strong impression again in NJPW. © ~Spoiler~ Result: AJ Styles pinned Yoshitatsu in 12:58 following the Styles Clash (Belly to Back Inverted Mat Slam) Post match Jarrett smashes one of his endless supply of Balsa wood guitars over Yoshitatsu's head to add further insult to injury for the self proclaimed 'Bullet Club Hunter', and then a trio of babyfaces (Tanahashi, Honma and Naito- a bit late mind, all things considered) come out to clear the ring of the Bullet Club members. Naito gets in Styles face, sewing the seeds for a likely singles showdown at Wrestle Kingdom 9. ~Spoiler~ 8. NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto If you like seeing two manly men, beat the proverbial out of one another , then this is the match for you. I must say I do rather like these 'Fighting Spirit' matches myself and this got insanely good down the closing stretch. Another thing worth noting is the electric Osaka crowd (on the edge of their seats for every nearfall) who helped raise the match from very good to awesome. (A) ~Spoiler~ Result: Tomohiro Ishii retained the NEVER Openweight title in 17:15 by pinfall after drilling Hirooki Goto with the Brainbuster. Post match Togi Makabe got into the ring, and then got into it with Tomohiro Ishii' setting up a challenge for Ishii's NEVER Openweight Belt, so it looks like we are getting another strong singles match added to the Tokyo Dome card. From what looks like is being set up so far for Wrestle Kingdom 9, that show is going to be stacked (only worry is with such a stacked card, will the matches get all the necessary time they need to reach their full potential?)~Spoiler~ 9. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI This was never going to outshine the last match, but this match was in exactly the right spot, so that the crowd weren't going to be too burned out before the main event. Not that this was some half speed cool down match, they just didn't take it to levels where the crowd wasn't going to completely lose their shit (as in the previous match). Plenty of convincing nearfalls (even for Yoshi-Hashi) and some cool stuff (especially from Ibushi) down the stretch helped to make this an entertaining semi main event. (B) ~Spoiler~ Result: Kota Ibushi pinned Yoshi-Hashi in 15:56 following a Phoenix Splash. ~Spoiler~ As to be expected post match, we got the staredown between Tanahashi and Okada, with Okada holding up his Tokyo Dome title shot Briefcase- just to remind everyone that match will be headlining Wrestle Kingdom 9. 10. IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata The main event showdown between Nakamura and Shibata, sizzled but didn't quite explode. The slow build stuff here, was really good but the finish itself felt a bit rushed. Overall the match met expectations but didn't surpass them, and in the end it was definitely outshined by the Ishii vs Goto match for the NEVER belt and arguably even the Junior Tag title match between the Time Splitters and ReDragon. Not a disappointment by any stretch but not the MOTYC some may have been hoping for. (B) ~Spoiler~ Result: Shinsuke Nakamura retained the IWGP Intercontinental title in 17:05 by pinfall following the Boma Ye (Knee Strike to the Face). Post match Nakamura is doing his celebratory speech, when Kota Ibushi rushes down to the ring and then gives the I.C champ a German Suplex. Ibushi then gets on the mic and declares that he wants a shot at Nakamura's belt, Swagsuke duly accepts and we have yet another potentially awesome match added to an already insanely stacked card for Wrestle Kingdom 9. ~Spoiler~ Overall Verdict : This was another really good PPV from NJPW, that delivered some good to great in ring action, and also did a stellar job of setting up several matches for what looks like could be a phenomenal card for Wrestle Kingdom 9.

Ideally I would like to see the Time Splitters, each aim for singles glory for a bit, without ever officially splitting up. Apollo 55 (Devitt & Taguchi) were able to split their time between the singles and tag ranks for years, before the Devitt heel turn. Talking of Taguchi, he's someone I think should be tagging with someone, rather than being the Junior champ right now. He's a solid enough wrestler, but he's just super dull. Either that or turn him heel, as I think most wrestlers tend to find their inner charisma when they make a heel turn- Taguchi's former tag partner Prince Devitt was a fine example of this- Devitt only found a 'character' when he turned heel, before that he was a generic white meat babyface.

NJPW Power Struggle Preview/Predictions Just for fun, I'd thought I'd preview and give my predictions for the upcoming NJPW show Power Struggle, that is set to take place this Saturday (unfortunately they've still not sorted out an iPPV provider in place of Ustream, but there will be other ways to watch the show). Those highlighted in BLUE are my pick for who I think will win the match. 0. Tiger Mask & Fuego vs. BUSHI & Mascara Dorada So the two CMLL luchadors get to have one last match, in their latest excursion to Japan. Expect this to get about five minutes and have lots of flips and dives. I think BUSHI and Dorada will win this, because I get the impression that of the two imports Dorada is taken a bit more seriously by the NJPW office, whilst Tiger Mask is just a nostalgia act these days. (Anticipation Grade: E) 1. SUPER Jr. 3WAY Tag Match: 'Forever Hooligans' Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. 'Suzukigun' TAKA Michinoku & El Desperado vs.'The Young Bucks' Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson Between this and the 'dark' match, you may want to skip the start of the show, if you don't particularly like lots of flips and dives. I would expect to see lots of shenanigans in this match, with all three teams coming from heel factions (though to be honest CHAOS aren't really heels anymore, at worst their tweeners). Though it's not unfeasible that the Hooligans or the Suzukigun pair could win this, my money would be on the Young Bucks setting themselves up for another shot at the Junior Tag Titles at Wrestle Kingdom. (Anticipation Grade: D) 2. Special Tag Match: Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka What's specials about a match, we've already been forced to endure a zillion times already?! The MiSu vs Sakuraba singles match can't happen soon enough, to put this tedious feud to bed. Yano and Sakuraba will probably win by some crappy DQ, and the match will end with another pull apart brawl between Suzuki and Sakuraba. In their defence, these matches are usually mercifully short. (Anticipation Grade: F) 3. NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: Chase Owens vs. Jushin Thunder Liger This looks like this is being set up to spark one more strong singles run for Liger, before he hangs up the boots (wouldn't surprise me if Liger's retirement match is at Wrestle Kingdom 10), so I expect the legend to successfully challenge for the belt here. (Anticipation Grade: D) 4. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan vs. 'Bullet Club' Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi Oh joy, it's another Bullet Club vs Babyfaces with nothing better to do, 8 Man Tag! Bullet Club had a terrible (in Kayfabe terms) time at King of Pro Wrestling, so I expect them to bounce back a little here, besides the babyfaces have regular jobbers Captain NJ and Tomoaki Honma in their line up, whilst Bullet Club's resident fall guy Tama Tonga is absent from this match. (Anticipation Grade: E) Also when was the last time 'Guns and Gallows' were actually made to defend their tag belts?, seems like an eternity now since they had a tag title defence. 5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: 'Time Splitters' KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. 'reDragon' Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish There are rumours that a new Bullet Club member is going to be unveiled, and I'm just hoping it's not going to be Alex Shelley turning on KUSHIDA, as I really like the Time Splitters as a team. I would like to see Shelley and KUSHIDA both get strong singles runs at some point, but on this occasion, I'm not high on the idea of going down the tired and cliched route of one partner making a 'shock' turn on the other. Possible shock heel turn or not, I think reDragon will win the belts here, and will either defend them against the Young Bucks at Wrestle Kingdom or in a 3-way against the Bucks and the Time Splitters. (Anticipation Grade: C) 6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taichi Whilst Kota Ibushi vs Ricochet from earlier this year, would have been of the most eagerly anticipated Junior Title matches in recent memory, this will surely rank as one of the least anticipated, as the Charisma by pass of a champion Taguchi takes on the fairly entertaining (but very much in a lower midcard heel kind of way) Taichi from Suzukigun. I'd expect this to be a relativelty routine (outside of endless interference from Taichi's buddies) defence for Taguchi, who will then be challenged by the in-coming Kenny Omega. (Anticipation Grade: E) 7. Special Singles Match: Yoshitatsu vs. AJ Styles This one for me is the biggest coinflip of the night, as I'm unsure of just how strongly the former WWE man Yoshitatsu is going to get pushed. Given that Styles has just been dethroned as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, my feeling is that they are going to want to keep him fairly strong and have him bounce back from his defeat, but it wouldn't surprise me too much if Yoshitatsu gets some kind of mega push right out of the gate. (Anticipation Grade: C) 8. NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto Just as his CHAOS stable mate Nakamura, has made the IWGP Intertcontinental belt 'his', the NEVER belt is becoming the Tomohiro Ishii belt. This should be a good hard hitting match, but I'll be shocked if Ishii fails to come through his first title defence of his second reign with the belt. (Anticipation Grade: B) 9. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI YOSHI-HASHI's stock has risen a little this year, but in this company he's there to take the fall- and on this occassion he will be putting over Kota Ibushi (who I expect will go on to challenge Nakamura for the Intercontinental title), whilst Tanahashi and Okada will cancel each other out. (Anticipation Grade: C) 10. IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata With no IWGP Heavyweight title match until Wrestle Kingdom 9, the show needed a strong main event and Nakamura putting his Intercontinental belt on the line against Shibata is indeed a strong main event, a very strong main event. This should be a great match, but I'd be shocked if Shibata dethrones Nakamura for the belt. (Anticipation Grade: A) _______________________________________________________ Tigerkinney's Anticipation Grade Scale: A- A match that should on paper be fantastic, and something that I would go out of my way to watch. This level of match should ideally be the main event of the show. B- A match I'm really looking forward to and expect will be really good. A few of these level of matches on the under card, should lead to a very promising looking show. C- A match I think should be pretty good, but wouldn't sell the show by itself. These level of matches should be expected to make up the bulk of the under card. D- A match of this level is something that neither particularly interests me nor completely disinterests me. It's the kind of match I expect should at the very least be OK but is unlikely to steal the show. One or two of these type of the matches on the lower card is perfectly acceptable. E- A match that disinterests me- more than likely it features performers I'm just not interested in or is match-up I've likely seen too many times already. F- A match that looks dreadful on paper, likely to feature terrible performers and/or a feud that has seriously outstayed it's welcome

Completely random thought regarding NJPW- I wouldn't mind seeing Kota Ibushi & Tetsuya Naito team up together for this years World Tag League. Long term I see both guys as being important singles wrestlers, but for the short term them teaming up together could give them a more focused direction and could lead to some fresh match ups for the IWGP Tag belts. Stylistically they are similar, both are flashy high flyers who graduated from the Junior Division. Both are long haired 'bishonen' who attract lots of fangirls (Though I think that's probably more debatable when it comes to Naito- Infernalmiko would be the best person on here to offer her opinion when it comes to those matters ) And they even have a ready made tag team name, if you just put their nicknames together Golden Stardust

I'm afraid, I have to agree with you- not having your main belt defended for four months is baffling. I really though Naito would have got a title shot on one of the shows here, because of the fact he pinned Styles in the G-1. These shows probably will turn out to be pretty good, because NJPW have a talented roster from top to bottom, but it still cannot excuse the repetitive and lazy booking (Nakamura vs Fale for the IWGP Intercontinental belt again ) Whilst I don't think Jado & Gedo are terrible bookers, they are overrated in some quarters and get cut some slack due to the talent they have to work with delivering in the ring and in all honesty I'm starting to creep into the NJPW is great in-spite of the booking and not because of it camp.

Feeling a bit lazy here, so I won't do my full review of the finals (which is now about a week old anyway), but just summarize what I thought of the show * Though 18'000 isn't a bad crowd to draw, I still think it would have come off better if the finals were still held at Sumo Hall. I guess this shows, that though NJPW are doing OK- the wrestling industry in Japan is nowhere near back to the heights it was at in the 80s and 90s * The opening section of the card, was mediocre at best filler- though the look on the Captain's face, when he was being tempted by a possible striptease from Maria Kanellis, was priceless. * The Time Splitters- ReDragon Junior tag was pretty good and by far the best thing on the show up to that point. Bringing in teams such as ReDragon on a part time basis, to supplement the Junior Tag ranks is what the ROH relationship will be most useful for. * Naito vs Honma was OK...The Honma formula was in my opinion, wearing a bit thin by the end of the tournament. * Anderson vs Ishii, was both good and bad at the same time- The match managed to hold my interest, but Ishii clearly shouldn't have been in there with his screwed up shoulder, and at one point he could have seriously injured Anderson. The interference and save actually worked pretty well here, and YOSHI-HASHI possibly setting up to be Yujiro's next challenger for the NEVER belt is not a bad move- that belt is meant to be a lower midcard belt (similar to the old WWE European belt) anyway. * Did we really need another Shibata vs Goto match?- This was the weakest of the lot, because we've seen this match a zillion times already, and it's not going to have any variation to the formula- which is them beating the shit out of one another and no selling it. * AJ Styles vs Hiroshi Tanahashi of course was overshadowed by the angle that followed it, but it was actually a pretty good match- I liked that they did not 'blow their load' on this match-up and left enough in the tank to produce even better efforts down the line. * The Jeff Jarrett ( & not forgetting Scott D'Amore) joins the Bullet Club angle, was actually pretty well executed if a little bizarre. I'm not bothered by it at the moment, it all depends on the follow up with this one. * The finals between Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura, was an incredible match (definitely in my top three matches of this years G-1) and a fitting way to end an incredible G-1 Climax. * The finals show itself was a little disappointing,and did need a fantastic main event to 'save' it, which thankfully we got. As for the tournament itself, it managed to surpass what was a really great tournament last year. In general the shows were more consistent, and apart from a few minor gripes here and there, the booking was generally better (last year they went overboard with the 'parity booking'.)

So here are the final day of Block matches to decide who wins their blocks and face off with one another at the Seibu Dome. Warning: Spoilers Ahead! Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Eleven (Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium) 1. Tomoaki Honma vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) Honma 0-9 (0 Pts) is desperate to avoid going the whole tournament without recording a single win, on the other hand Shelton X Benjamin 4-5 (8 Pts) will be equally desperate to finish the tournament with a win himself, after starting the tournament ultra hot win 4 wins on the bounce, the wheels completely came off for Benjamin who has since lost 5 on the bounce. This was a solid opener, but lacked the molten heat of Honma's previous matches. In all honesty the formula began to wear a bit thin by the end of the tournament- the main problem I have my Honma's matches is why would he keep going for a finisher (the top rope falling headbutt) that repeatedly fails. There would be no happy ending for Honma either, as he ended up being planted with a Paydirt and thus once again failed and ended up (despite all his valiant effort) with a record of zero wins, and ten losses. Benjamin manages to restore some pride, by halting his losing streak that took him out of contention and finish with an even record. 2. Toru Yano vs Yujiro Takahashi (B-Block) Yano 4-5 (8 Pts) managed to spoil the chances of Makabe on the previous day (not that it would have mattered with the leaders Okada and Styles both winning again) and he will be looking to finish the tournament with a respectable even record. Yujiro 3-6 (6 Pts) has never looked anywhere near being in contention during this years G-1, but he will want to finish the tournament with a victory to at least give himself a chance of not finishing with the wooden spoon of Block B. This was perfectly fine for what it was, if you were expecting great wrestling out of this contest, then more fool you. This was the goofball that uses dick heel tactics to give himself a winning chance (Yano) against the guy that is a total dick (Yujiro). Yujiro ended up picking up the win here to finish on the same record as Yano, after (what else) a low blow. The neat twist here is that Yano got a low blow in earlier, but Yujiro was smart enough to wear a protective cup. 3. Hirooki Goto vs Lance Archer (B-Block) Archer like Yujiro from the previous match finds himself on 3-6 (6 Pts) and in serious danger of finishing at the very bottom of Block B, Goto 4-5 (8 Pts) will be disappointed that he did not manage to stay in contention but will be keen to at least finish the tournament with a even record. Not a classic or anything, but this was a decent first half of the show match, with Goto using his spirited and varied offence to try and take down the big man down, but Archer continously proving to be too much of an immovable object. Archer picked up the win here with a Blackout, following a Chokeslam for a two count after managing to counter a top-rope sunset bomb attempt from Goto with a huge back body drop,to finish the tournament level on points with Goto and also Yujiro and Yano from the previous match. Goto usually in the mix during tournaments, will be disappointed to finish this years campaign with a losing record. 4. Tetsuya Naito vs Karl Anderson (B-Block) Naito 5-4 (10 Pts) managed to pick up a win in his last match against Tenzan to give himself a chance of repeating as G-1 Champion, but unfortunately for him both Styles and Okada won again to give themselves an unassailable lead in B Block. In 2012 Karl Anderson 4-5 (8 Pts) made the G-1 finals, and last year he was contention (mind you everyone and their mother was in contention to make last years finals), but this year he has been unable to recover from a poor start, at the very least he will look to match his opponent and finish this years G-1 with an even record. Another good match, that began with some solid aggressive heel work from Anderson before settling into an energetic back and forth contest with Anderson trying to contain Naito and his high energy offence. Anderson picked up the win here , catching Naito with a Gun-Stun just as the latter came flying off the ropes. Both competitors end up with an even stevens .500 record, something that would have had them in contention to make the finals last year. 5. Yuji Nagata vs Tomohiro Ishii (A-Block) This one is merely for pride, as both Ishii and Nagata find themselves on the same record 4-5 (8 Pts), the winner here simply avoids finishing this years G-1 with a losing record. Ishii is becoming one of those guys, no matter where his match is on the card, he always delivers. This match was all about Ishii (with his shoulder still heavily strapped up) toughing it out and surviving whatever Nagata dished at him. Nagata was great here too, showing his aggressive side, as he targeted Ishii's weak point throughout the match and continuously looked pissed at Ishii's sheer stubbornness of not giving up, despite having a separated shoulder. Another must see match, in what has been a ridiculously great G-1. In the end Ishii's never say die attitude, saw him through to the win, drilling Nagata with a Brainbuster. Ishii finishes with an even record, a step forward from last year, where despite picking up some big wins he still ended up with a losing record. Nagata on the other hand did end up finishing below .500 for this year, confirmation perhaps that he is no longer the force he once was. 6. Katsuyori Shibata vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) Gallows 3-6 (6 Pts) has never looked like being in the running, but he will be keen to finish his first G-1 as strong as possible. Despite holding head to head wins over Tanahashi and Nakamura. Shibata 6-3 (12 Pts), has a very slim chance of making it to the finals- first he needs to win this match here, and hope that Tanahashi loses and that Nakamura and Fale go to a no contest. This was one of those matches, where it looked like Shibata was going to squash some midcard chump with his super stiff offence, but like Shelton Benjamin in the New Japan Cup earlier this year, Gallows managed to survive the onslaught staying in the match, and then stringing together his big man offence, before shockingly picking up the win with a Chokebomb. Shibata has any hope of making the finals extinguished completely, whilst Gallows finishes the tournament with a more respectable record. Sorry but this left a bad taste in my mouth- BS stuff from NJPW I'm afraid here, this achieves absolutely nothing- they were building Shibata up strong and they have them lose to a nobody like Gallows- who isn't over and isn't all that great IMO (OK he's not terrible, but he's not up to the standard of near enough everyone else in the tournament). I know that with Shibata, backstage politics holds him back but New Japan's booking of him really baffles me at times. Nonsensical booking aside, the match was solid enough for what it was- it's just that the wrong guy won. 7. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bad Luck Fale (A-Block) Both Fale 6-3 (12 Pts) and Nakamura 7-2 (14 Pts) must win the match, and then hope that Tanahashi slips up against DBS Jr. That's because Fale can win the group if he ends up on the same points as Nakamura and Tanahahsi and manages to end up recording head to head wins over both. This started out pretty slow, with Fale in control (the broadcast even cut away to the commentary team for about half a minute, which goes to show that even they thought Fale's plodding hoss offence was boring). However once Nakamura got into the match, it quickly got really good- Nakamura does such a great job of ramping up the drama in his matches and he continued to make Fale look like a monster. Fale is still green and needs improvement, but NJPW's booking of him (in particular the protection of his finisher the Bad Luck Fall) and regularly working with great talents like Nakamura, has benefited him during his push. In the end Nakamura managed to avoid falling victim to the Bad Luck Fall and managed to string together a series of Boma Ye's to finally wear the monster down and keep his hopes of making it to the finals alive. 8. Togi Makabe vs A.J Styles (B-Block) Makabe 4-5 (8 Pts) finds himself reduced to one of many amongst B Block, whose aim is simply to avoid finishing the G-1 with a losing record. A.J Styles 7-2 (14 Pts) has kept pace with Okada but must win this match and hope that Okada loses (due to losing his head to head over Okada way back on the first day of the tournament)- at the very least he is guaranteed a spot in the consolation prize match. Not as great as some of AJ's other matches in the tournament, but mostly that was because the result was never in doubt, if AJ lost here, Okada (who is in the main event) would win Block B without even having to beat Suzuki. This was still pretty good though, with Makabe with his strength and power continually giving Styles a difficult time throughout the match. In the end Styles did pull out the expected win, with the Styles Clash to keep the pressure on Okada- Makabe meanwhile ends up with a whole bunch of people in Block B with disappointing 4-6 records. 9. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. (A-Block) It's just about pride for DBS Jr. 4-5 (8 Pts) but like so many others he will be keen to at least finish the tournament without a losing record. If Fale is defeated by Nakamura and then Tanahashi 7-2 (14 Pts) avoids defeat here, he wins the Block and goes to the finals. The fact that DBS Jr. winning here can deny Tanahashi making it to the finals- added some much needed drama to the match, without that in mind this would have been a good but not great contest, but ever nearfall meant something here. In the end Tanahashi wasn't able to overcome a barrage of strong offence from Smith, who pulled off the upset win with the Bulldog Bomb. Unlike Gallows over Shibata earlier, this was an upset that made sense, rather than being an upset for the sake of one. DBS Jr. finishes the tournament with a not too shabby even record, and Nakamura benefits from the upset to pip Tanahashi and win Block A. 10. Kazuchika Okada vs Minoru Suzuki (B-Block) MiSu 5-4 (10 Pts) had his hopes of making it to the finals ruined by defeat to Karl Anderson on Day 9, however he will be keen to finish the tournament as strong as possible and finish with a winning record. Okada 7-2 (14 Pts) with a head to head win over his only possible challenger Styles, has one foot in the finals- if he wins this match, he wins the Block. Great match with Suzuki targetting the arm in order to try and nullify the Rainmaker of Okada- in fact MiSu controlled much of the match and it looked as though he might pull off the upset or force Okada to simply survive and scrape into the finals with a draw. In the end though Okada dug down deep and found enough fighting spirit to become impervious to having his arm worked over the whole match and level MiSu with the Rainmaker to book his place in the finals and set up the long anticipated showdown with his CHAOS stable mate Shinsuke Nakamura. Overall Thoughts This show was a great end to the Block matches in the G-1, and we have two great matches to look forward to at the finals, with the long anticipated showdown between Okada and Nakamura to decide this years champion, and an intriguing match up that see's the icon of NJPW in it's current era Hiroshi Tanahashi take on the current IWGP Champion A.J Styles in the runners up match.

Before NJPW head back to civilization, they are visiting the backwater that is Shikoku. To UK fans, this would be like a wrestling promotion deciding to do a show in Cornwall, or to US fans WWE deciding to rock up somewhere like Idaho. Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Ten (Takamatsu City Gymnasium) 1. Satoshi Kojima vs Tomoaki Honma (A-Block) With Kojima at 4-5 (8 Pts) and Honma at 0-7 (0 Pts), this match is merely for pride. Honma is desperate for his first victory in the G-1, but Kojima will be keen to avoid being the one to fall to the upset and will want to finish this years G-1 with a .500 record at the very least. This wasn't bad, but it for a Honma match, this felt a bit flat- either this is going to be one of the less lively New Japan crowds or they just knew that by this stage the booking was setting things up for Honma to either get a win his final match or go the whole tournament winless. Also as great as he is at the whole scrappy underdog thing, Honma's matches have begun to look a bit one dimensional over the course of the entire tournament. 2. Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Bad Luck Fale (A-Block) DBS at 4-4 (8 Pts) still has slim hopes of making the finals, but needs to win this match to give himself any hope of being in contention in the final round of Block matches, the same could be said for Fale 5-3 (10 Pts) as if results do not go his way elsewhere a slip up here could prove costly. Fale has improved, but not enough that he can have good matches against big opponents who won't be bumping around for his 'monster' offence, I'm afraid to say when he's in there against other big men- he becomes Bad Match Fale. If you like boring hoss fights with uninterested crowds, then this match might be right up your alley. A strong contender for worst match of the tournament. 3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Tetsuya Naito (B-Block) It's make or break for the reigning G-1 champion, Naito who at 4-4 (8 Pts) needs to win this match and hope that results go his way elsewhere. Tenzan is on the same number of points, but with a 4-5 record, has only one match left and cannot make the finals. He's a proud man though, so he will not make things for easy for Naito and will want to finish the tournament strongly. Notable Naito chants from the Shikoku crowd (so they clearly don't share the same sentiments from Osaka). It's probably a good thing that this is the end of Tenzan's tournament, as I felt that 2013 Tenzan was starting to creep back here, as he looked to be a bit off the pace and some sections of the match felt clunky. The crowd were fairly into both guys however and helped to lift the match, which did start to click down the closing stretch. 4. Karl Anderson vs Minoru Suzuki (B-Block) After defeat to his fellow Bullet Club member A.J Styles on the previous day, Anderson 3-5 (6 Pts) finds himself out of contention this years G-1 and reduced to the role of playing spoiler. Suzuki 5-3 (10 Pts) is right in the mix, but needs to win this match, in order not to rely on slip up's from the Block leaders- A.J Styles and Kazuchika Okada. Solid match, though probably not given quite enough time to grow into something really good. They had a great closing stretch with Anderson (as always) looking for the Gun Stun but MiSu trying to counter that into a sleeper. 5. Togi Makabe vs Toru Yano (B-Block) Makabe 4-4 (8 Pts) needs to win this match and hope that results go his way elsewhere to have any hope of making it to the finals. Toru Yano 3-5 (6 Pts) hopes of going all the way are over, but he's just the sort of opponent who relishes ruining others chances of going all the way. These two have history together, being former tag partners until Yano turned on Makabe back in 2009, dissolving GBH and helping for from CHAOS with Shinsuke Nakamura. This wasn't a great match by any means (too short to get anything going), but the outcome showed that no match in the G-1 can be a foregone conclusion. 6. A.J Styles vs Yujiro Takahashi (B-Block) At 3-5 (6 Pts) Yujiro cannot make the finals, but question is just how much is he prepared to play spoiler against his fellow Bullet Club member A.J Styles 6-2 (12 Pts) who with victory here would give himself a strong chance of reaching the finals. Decent back and forth style match, but probably the weakest of the G-1 thus far for A.J, but given that his opponent here was Yujiro that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The relatively quiet crowd didn't help here either- Styles is starting to get over in New Japan, but it's going to take a bit longer for him to catch fire outside of puroresu hotbeds like Tokyo or Osaka. 7. Kazuchika Okada vs Lance Archer (B-Block) Archer 3-5 (6 Pts) also has no hope of making the finals, but there will be no question about his motivation to earn a victory here and finish the tournament as strongly as possible, victory for Okada 6-2 (12 Pts) would put him a step closer to making the finals. Pretty good match, Archer with his size and aggression looked a threat throughout the match and you felt that though Archer has nothing to play for (other than pride) that he had a chance of pulling off the upset against Okada. A little disappointed that Okada did not look to work over the legs of Archer (which have been built up as a weak point in previous matches) but then again his offence is rarely built around targetting an opponents possible weak point and more about wearing them down enough before dealing the final blow with the Rainmaker. 8. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yuji Nagata (A-Block) Tanahashi 6-2 (12 Pts) would move himself one step closer to making the finals with victory here, Nagata 4-4 (8 Pts) needs to win here and hope results go his way elsewhere in order to keep his slim hopes alive. This was a good match that had a nice mix of technical stuff and fighting spirit striking exchanges- it lacked that little bit of extra spice to take it to the next level , but overall this was enjoyable stuff with Nagata pushing Tanahashi hard throughout the match. 9. Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii (A-Block) Shibata 5-3 (10 Pts) will be keen to return to winning ways, after losing the lead in the Block with defeat to Bad Luck Fale, victory here will ensure that he is not reliant on results elsewhere in order to stay in contention, Ishii 4-4 (8 Pts) needs to win here and hope results go his way. Ishii's shoulder was heavily taped up, after injuring it on Day 7- still that didn't stop him taking all of Shibata's hard hitting offense like a REAL MAN. Just as anyone should have expected, this was ultra tough S.O.B's ditching out ultra stiff offence and taking it back from the other, to prove how hard they are. If you're a fan of this kind of match, it was pretty awesome, because they really did beat the proverbial crap put of one another. 10. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) Gallows 3-5 (6 Pts) cannot make the finals, but will be keen to finish his first G-1 as strongly as possible, and pick up a huge upset victory over a main event mainstay in Nakamura. At 6-2 (12 Pts), the King of Strong Style will want to remain amongst the front runners going into the final round of Block matches. It goes without saying that this years G-1 has been awesome, but how the hell did Doc Gallows (one of the least impressive and least over performers in the tournament) manage to stumble into being part of two main events (this one and Night 2 against Tanahashi). Saying all that, this wasn't at all bad , Nakamura sold well for Gallows big man offence, making the half hearted power and paint gaijin hoss look a threat throughout the match. Overall Thoughts By far and away this was the weakest show of this years G-1, but even an average New Japan show can outstrip most efforts from other promotions. The relatively quiet crowd did not help here, the complete opposite to night two's crowd in Aomori, whose liveliness helped to lift what was a weak looking card.

As with the previous Day I am now mentioning competitors records coming into the match- so if you've not seen the previous days and don't want anything spoiled, skip past this review..... Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Nine (Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium) 1. Tomoaki Honma vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. (A-Block) At 0-7 (0 Pts) Honma is merely looking to get that elusive first victory in the G-1, just winning one match will feel like winning the whole tournament to him. At 3-4 (6 Pts) Davey Boy Smith Jr.'s hopes of making it to the finals hang by a thread- he needs to win this match to have any hope what so ever of being in the G-1 finals. Probably the weakest of Honma's matches so far for me, it didn't quite seem to have the same intensity as his previous matches, and I couldn't quite buy into his nearfalls in this one, because I feel that they are either going to wait until the last match to give him his win, or put him over a bigger name than DBS. This probably sounds like I disliked the match- the match was still pretty good, it just doesn't hold up to the rest of Honma's matches thus far in the G-1. 2. Lance Archer vs Yujiro Takahashi (B-Block) At 2-5 (4 Pts) Yujiro's chances of making the finals are (barring a miracle) pretty much over and he's just here to play spoiler , Archer like his KES tag partner is on 3-4 (6 Pts) and needs the win to keep his own hopes of making it to the finals alive. This played into the recent history of Archer's previous matches against MiSu and AJ Styles, with Yujiro immediately going after Archer's injured leg. This was a solid match, with logical storytelling- Archer's selling of his growing weakness (his gammy right leg) has been excellent and whilst I'm not Yujiro's biggest fan his performances have been pretty good in his last few matches, with him keeping things simple and playing to his strengths as an obnoxious opportunistic heel. 3. Yuji Nagata vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) At 2-5 (4 Pts) Gallows has pretty much no chance what so ever of making it to the finals, but he will be keen to get back to winning ways and finish his first G-1 with as strong a record as possible, Yuji Nagata 4-3 (8 Pts) is still right in convention, however a loss here would just about ruin his chances of making it to the finals. Similar story to the last match, with the smaller man (Nagata) looking to chop down the big tree trunk (Gallows)- this was OK (and Gallows selling was actually pretty good here), but the structure of the match was too similar to the last one, and it worked better in the Archer/Yujiro match, because of the fact that Archer's legs have been played up as a weak point throughout the tournament. 4. Togi Makabe vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan (B-Block) Tenzan at 4-4 (8 Pts) only has two matches left, so he needs to win his final two matches to give himself a chance of making the finals and hope that results go his way on the final two nights, for Makabe 3-4 (6 Pts) this is a must win match for him to have any chance what so ever of being in contention on the final day of Block matches. This was a solid back and forth brawling type of match, between two fan favourites- nothing special, but not at all bad either- it was serviceable stuff for it's position on the show. The fact that Tenzan can put together solid performances in this years G-1 is no longer a surprise and barely worth talking about anymore. 5. Tetsuya Naito vs Minoru Suzuki (B-Block) Both Naito and Suzuki come into this match on identical 4-3 (8 Pts) records, the winner here strengthens their chances of making it to the finals, whilst the loser would be forced to win their final two matches, to give themselves any chance of advancing. Excellent match that saw Naito desperately trying to withstand Suzuki's sadistic submission based attack, whilst also trying to pick up the pace and switch the match in his favour with his more high octane style. Suzuki continues to remind everyone just how good he still is, with yet another superb performance in this years G-1 and that being wasted in an endless and extremely stale midcard feud with Toru Yano is an absolute travesty. 6. Katsuyori Shibata vs Bad Luck Fale (A-Block) Shibata 5-2 (10 Pts) currently leads the A-Block standings due to his head to head wins over Nakamura and Tanahashi (who are on the same points) and victory here would put him one step closer to making it to the finals. A win for Bad Luck Fale 4-3 (8 Pts) would put him level on points with Shibata and put him right back in contention, defeat however would pretty much ruin his chances of making it to the finals. The story of the match saw Shibata continuously find ways to slip out of the Bad Luck Fall, but not quite being able to gather up enough momentum and swing things in his favour. This was a solid contest, until a countout based finish that came off a little flat and came off as an obvious attempt to protect the loser as much as possible. 7. Satoshi Kojima vs Shinsuke Nakamura (A-Block) Kojima like his tag partner Tenzan is on 4-4 (8 Pts) and needs to win his final two matches, to give himself any hope of making it to the finals, Shinsuke Nakamura 5-2 (10 Pts) will be looking to get back on track after losing to Tanahashi in Osaka, whilst defeat here wouldn't be a disaster, Nakamura will still want to avoid being on a losing streak as the tournament heads towards it's conclusion. Fantastic fighting spirit match, this was two warriors throwing everything they had at one another and desperately trying to withstand what their opponent was going to dish out to them- not because of some deep seated personal feud, but because both were desperate for the victory, Kojima to keep alive any realistic hopes of making it to the finals, and Nakamura to return to winning ways and keep up with the front runners. 8. A.J Styles vs Karl Anderson (B-Block) Bullet Club members face off, but as we know in the G-1, there are no friends. Styles is at 5-2 (10 Pts) and a win here over his stable mate would seriously strengthen his chances of making the finals in his first G-1. Anderson 3-4 (6 Pts) made a poor start to the tournament only winning one of his first five matches, a win here however would give him hope that he can continue to turn things around and make a late charge towards making the finals (providing results go his way elsewhere). They teased Anderson laying down for A.J (sending up the infamous fingerpoke of doom spot from WCW), thankfully the match didn't end like that, and after some comedy spots where the two Bullet Club members tried to out-dick one another, things quickly got more serious with both Styles and Anderson throwing proverbial 'bombs' at one another. This was a little spottier than Styles previous matches in the G-1 and more like mid 2000's TNA X-Division AJ Styles, but he's always been very good at those kind of matches, and whilst not a classic this was still very entertaining. 9. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) Victory for Tanahashi 5-2 (10 Pts) would give him a seriously strong chance of making the finals, heading into his final two matches. Benjamin 4-4 (8 Pts) started out the tournament super hot winning his first 4 matches, but he has since gone on a 4 match losing streak, a win here would not only halt the slide but keep his now slim hopes of making it to the finals alive. This match saw the aggressive heel Benjamin take control early, and from then on it was a case of the valiant heroic babyface Tanahashi, trying to fight his way back into the match. This match had more of a measured old school feel (especially with the early heel control segment) compared to the previous match, but the contrast to what had come before, served this match well, and highlighted one of NJPW's biggest strengths- variety. 10. Hirooki Goto vs Kazuchika Okada (B-Block) Okada at 5-2 (10 Pts) and a head to head victory over A.J Styles leads his block and victory here would put him one step closer to making the finals. With only two more matches left this is pretty much a must win match for Goto 4-4 (8 Pts). This one followed your classic 'slow build' main event formula, as one would expect this got super good towards the end, with a fantastic closing stretch, where it really looked like it good could either way. If anyone thinks Japanese crowds are always quiet, they need to hear the end of this match- the Nagoya crowd were literally losing their minds at the end of this match. Overall Thoughts It says a lot , about how great this years G-1 Climax has been, when this can be considered one of the weaker shows, but that's just how consistently awesome this tournament has been.

Only G-1 entrants I haven't particularly enjoyed (and I'm sure you've picked this up in my opinions on the tournament thus far) have been Doc Gallows and Yujiro- but even then they haven't been in any bad matches. Whilst nearly everyone's performance has ranged from good to excellent, the two standouts have been A.J Styles and Tomoaki Honma. Styles is pulling out consistently good (sometimes great) matches with a variety of different opponents and reminding everyone just how good he really is, when not held back by TNA's shitty booking and Honma has been perfect in his role as the ultimate underdog.

As we are getting to the business end of the tournament, I'm going to start mentioning people's records now- so if you've not seen Day's 1-7 already a, you may not want to read this review yet, in case it might spoil things for you. Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Eight (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) 1. Tomohiro Ishii vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. (A-Block) Ishii is 3-4 (6 Pts) coming into this match, so he really needs to win this to keep his hopes of winning alive (as going to 5 losses should pretty much end anyone's hopes of winning), DBS Jr. is 3-3 (6 Pts), whilst a loss here wouldn't ruin his chances- it would make things harder for him to progress. Formula Ishii match, with the cult hero reaching down to his endless reserves of fighting spirit to try and overcome a more physically powerful opponent. You know exactly what you are going to get with Ishii, but he's so good at his kind of match, that he doesn't seem to have a bad match in him. Post Match: Worryingly it looks like Tomohiro Ishii might have strained or separated his shoulder- hopefully this is something he can work through and won't put him out of the tournament- as it's never good to see someone forced to pull out through injury. 2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Toru Yano (B-Block) Both competitors are on 3-4 (6 Pts) records- whoever loses here will be pretty much reduced to playing spoiler for the rest of the tournament, because having 5 losses at this stage will make it virtually impossible to win the block* * Unless J&G are going to troll us all and go for ultimate parity booking and having everyone finish at 5-5 Apart from Yano's opening match against MiSu this was probably the weakest match either of these two have had in this tournament. That's because Yano isn't exactly the kind of opponent to drag a good performance out of the ageing Tenzan and Yano's antics are more enjoyable when he's trying to out dick heels. 3. Yuji Nagata vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) Nagata 3-3 (6 Pts) finds himself in the same position as DBS Jr. from the opener, a win strengthens his chances, whilst a loss wouldn't be a disaster but a set-back that he would want to avoid. Benjamin 4-3 (8 Pts), was the surprise package at the start of the tournament with 4 straight wins, but he has since loss 3 on the trot. Whilst another loss wouldn't put him out of contention, he will want to put the brakes on his sudden loss of form, and a victory would put him back in contention to win the block. They did some solid stuff in this match, but it didn't fully engage me until near the end, where the began to trade/counter submission holds. I finding that I'm like that with some of Nagata's matches, he's always a solid performer but I can't always get fully invested in his work. 4. Satoshi Kojima vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) With Gallows at 2-4 (4 Pts) and Kojima at 3-4 (6 Pts), this is a must win match for both competitors, whoever loses here can probably wave goodbye to advancing to the finals. The only thing missing from this match was an appearance from Bruce Tharpe-Desu because this was pretty much the match Kojima kept having against Tharpe's parade of duffers, when Kojima was NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Like the majority of those matches, it was fine for what it was, with Kojima dragging his limited gaijin opponent to a reasonable, if not exactly great match. 5. Hirooki Goto vs Tetsuya Naito (B-Block) A win for Naito 4-2 (8 Pts) would put him in a commanding position heading into his final three matches of the tournament, Hirooki Goto 3-4 (6 Pts) needs to win to give himself a realistic hope of advancing to the finals. For some reason a good proportion of the Osaka crowd really don't like Naito*, and it's always like that when NJPW run Osaka. Whilst this won't be seen as one of the very best matches in this years G-1, it was a good back and forth battle, lifted by the unsurprisingly lively Osaka crowd. * Does anyone have any idea, why Naito is disliked so much in Osaka- did he piss in the beer of an Osaka based comedian or something? 6. Lance Archer vs A.J Styles (B-Block) A.J Styles like Naito from the previous match, has a 4-2 (8 Pts) record going to this match, and a win here would be put him in a strong position heading into the tournament's final stretch- Lance Archer 3-3 (6 Pts) could do win a win to keep pace with the leaders, whilst a loss would be a set-back to his chances. AJ Styles is having a phenomenal G-1, and once again re-affirming himself as one of the very best in-ring talents in all of wrestling. Of course his opponent needs to hold up their end of the dance as-well to put together a great match, and Lance Hoyt also raised his game here to keep up with Styles performance. Great psychology here, as Hoyt tried to use his power to overwhelm Styles, whilst Styles looked to take the 'wheels' of the big man, not only is that wrestling logic 101, but it also played into Suzuki working over Archer's leg a few shows back earlier in the tournament. 7. Togi Makabe vs Minoru Suzuki (B-Block) Both Makabe and Misu are on identical 3-3 (6 Pts) records, a win here would strengthen the winners chances of advancing to the finals, whilst doing damage to their opponents chances. This match wouldn't have looked out of place on an old 1980's NWA show- and I mean that in a good way and not a derogatory one at all. This was a really good old school match, with the rough and ready babyface brawler Makabe enduring all the crap, the sadistic heel Suzuki could throw at him and trying to dish it right back. 8. Tomoaki Honma vs Katsuyori Shibata (A-Block) At 0-6 (0 Pts) Honma has absolutely no chance of advancing to the finals, but that was never going to be his target, the story with Honma is that he is simply looking to earn a victory to show that he (in Kayfabe terms) truly belongs in the G-1 ). Shibata 4-2 (8Pts) will be looking to avoid being the first to fall to the huge upset, whilst giving himself a very strong chance heading into his final three matches. This match was exactly what you would have expected , Honma- the huge underdog fighting desperately with everything he had to give in order to get their elusive first victory, and Shibata fighting with equal desperation (because he does not want to be embarrassed by losing to someone who has let to register a win in the tournament). Every near fall or momentum shift in Honma's favour had the Osaka crowd on the edge of their seats- desperate to see the plucky outsider finally put one in the win column. 9. Kazuchika Okada vs Yujiro Takahashi (B-Block) Yujiro 2-4 (4 Pts) really needs a win here to keep alive any realistic chance of advancing to the finals, whilst Okada 4-2 (8 Pts) will be looking to keep up with the front runners. This was probably Yujiro's best match in this years G-1, but when Okada is his opponent that shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise. Thing is Okada was actually on auto-pilot here (Okada on autopilot is still pretty awesome, but it was pretty much him cycling through his signature stuff), and it was Yujiro admittedly being good value as an obnoxious heel, throwing everything he had at the superior babyface in order to get the win and keep his hopes of advancing to the G-1 finals alive, that added more value to the match. 10. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura (A-Block) With a 5-1 (10 Pts) record a victory for Nakamura would put him in the position of out-right favourite to make the finals from A-Block and deal a blow to one of his nearest rivals. Hiroshi Tanahashi 4-2 (8 Pts) can put himself level on points with his eternal rival with a victory here. Really good main event, I wouldn't say that it was a MOTYC, but at the level you would expect out of these two. They match featured some great counters and was built around the fact that these two have faced off against one another so many times, that they knew their opponent inside out. The finish was somewhat abrupt but it's surprising nature was rather cool, and there was a great spot where Nakamura managed to block a Dragon Screw from Tanahashi. Overall Thoughts Just another great show in this years G-1- was anyone expecting anything else?

Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Seven (Korakuen Hall) 1. Satoshi Kojima vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) This was a decent back and forth opening contest- not a classic or anything but just a solid way to kick off the show. I still think Shelton's one of the most disposable members of the NJPW roster but he's actually been pretty decent in this G-1. I also feel that Kojima is quite underrated- no matter where he is on the card, he always brings a decent level of performance. 2. Toru Yano vs Lance Archer (B-Block) Another entertaining if relatively short Yano match, with him up to his usual tricks as he tried to overcome the monster Archer, with his unique ring craft. I'm loving Toru Yano in this years G-1, his unconventional tactics and attitude, make him stand out from everyone else. I honestly believe he's one of the best 'comedy' wrestlers in the world right now, and this tournament shows NJPW could be doing a lot more with him, than having him stuck in an endless feud with Minoru Suzuki. 3. Yujiro Takahashi vs Karl Anderson (B-Block) This was an OK match, the all Bullet Club dynamic, with them being all pally but then trying to out-dick one another was mildly interesting at the start, until it became clear that the crowd were going to get behind Anderson as the de-facto babyface. Just can't into Yujiro at all in this tournament (his entrances aren't even entertaining anymore) and I find him to be pretty much the New Japan equivalent of The Miz. 4. Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) A few people just brought it up in this thread, but Doc Gallows ring gear is really crap. It's a major reason why I can't get into him (along with the generic hoss ring work). It's like he's a heel and he's working a half hearted Power and Paint gimmick- Power and Paint only works if you're a face and you're fully committed to it. This match benefited a little by being in Korakuen Hall (where the crowd is into pretty much everyone), because anywhere else it would have been met with the sound of tumble-weed. It still couldn't hide the fact that for the most part this was a fairly uninteresting hoss-fight. There were some fairly impressive power spots from DBS, but not much else to get particularly excited about. 5. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Hirooki Goto (B-Block) This was another match that got a lift from being in Korakuen, because the crowd were absolutely rabid for Tenzan. Tenzan's best days may be behind him, but he has obviously reached Legend status amongst the New Japan fan base. The match itself was pretty average, and with a less receptive crowd wouldn't have been anything special but the crowd's collective will towards wishing Tenzan towards victory, took the match up a level and probably took it from two star territory to three star territory. 6. Tomoaki Honma vs Bad Luck Fale (A-Block) Anyone could have guessed the formula for this match- the determined underdog Honma doing everything in his power to not only survive against the big bad bully Bad Luck Fale, but to bring him down...... However why do something else, when a formula like this was clearly always going to work - the crowd were rabidly into this, and the positives of both competitors were accentuated throughout the match. 7. Togi Makabe vs Tetsuya Naito (B-Block) Naito is still getting X-Pac?/heel heat in Korakuen- which is a bit unfair, as he's actually been really good this year- sure he got over pushed to last years G-1 victory, but he's raised his game this year and is putting in some excellent performances.... That being said the crowd almost being fully behind Makabe and against Naito, added extra heat to what was already a very good back and forth contest. Great finish too, with the winner determined to hit their finishing sequence and the loser trying their up most best to hold off the invetitable end. 8. Minoru Suzuki vs A.J Styles (B-Block) This match was simply amazing, a surefire match of the year candidate. If anyone is still under the impression that AJ Styles is just an athletic high flyer who relies on flashy spots, needs to see this match because they will have their eyes opened. MiSu was great here too, as he looked to wear down AJ with body part focused submissions....AJ's selling was superb here and the storytelling from both competitors here was great, not even a ref bump and some outside interference (which ultimately had no effect on the outcome what so ever) from Suzuki-Gun and Bullet Club members could put a blot on this match. 9. Yuji Nagata vs Katsuyori Shibata (A-Block) This was exactly the match you would have expected out of these two- a stiff and violent 'fighting spirit' contest. Whilst the prospect of that was always going to be very enjoyable (and indeed it was), they didn't do anything particularly surprising here either and because of that this ended up being a very good four star level match, rather than ever looking like a MOTY contender. 10. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Tomohiro Ishii (A-Block) This match was all about Ishii looking to prove that he was the equal of his stable leader Nakamura. This ended up being a great match, chock full of emotion and great 'strong style' wrestling- what also made it great was that they heavily worked in the fact, that by often teaming together they knew each other's move-set pretty much inside out. A worthy main event, and a fitting end to what ended up being another fantastic G-1 climax show. Overall Thoughts This Korakuen Hall leg of this years G-1 Climax, saw two of NJPW's biggest stars (Okada and Tanahashi) have their rest day- whilst that seemed a little surprising, it probably wasn't a bad idea, as the Korakuen crowd tend to be responsive to pretty much anything put in front of them. The first half of the show wasn't bad, but it was hardly on track to be a show of the year candidate, however the second half was fantastic, with two MOTYC's in Suzuki/Styles and the Nakamura/Ishii main event, two very good (4 star level) matches in Nagata/Shibata and Makabe/Naito and a decent David vs Goliath contest in Honma/Fale

Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Six (Act City Hanamatsu ) 1. Bad Luck Fale vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) Surely this was the match, that everyone had ear-marked as a must see match and a sure fire lock for Match Of The Year, when then fixtures for the G-1 came out? This was pretty much the plodding hoss fight you would have expected it to be, but to be fair wasn't actually as bad as it could have been. 2. Yuji Nagata vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. (A-Block) This was passable. As I've said before DBS Jr. is a capable wrestler but sometimes I just can't get invested in him as a performer and often his heel control segments can be a bit, to put it bluntly- kind of boring. Crowd who have been pretty dead so far didn't help, but the prospect of the first two matches featuring three gaijin heels was hardly going to get them on their edge of their seats. 3. Yujiro Takahashi vs Togi Makabe (B-Block) I'm afraid to say that Day Six did not get off to a particularly good start, as this was another flat match (just as the match before this was passable but not great and suffered a bit from a crowd that still hadn't woken up yet). Yujiro continues to show that he's as mediocre as they come as a wrestler, and we got midcard Makabe here, rather than motivated main event Makabe. 4. Satoshi Kojima vs Katsuyori Shibata (A-Block) After a flat opening three matches, Day Six finally came to life with this very good match between the ever reliable Kojima and Shibata. I always like it in matches, when the competitors have their opponents move-set well scouted, and they built the story of the match around that formula here. The foundation's they set for the match, lead to a hot closing stretch and a brutal (in a good way) finish. 5. Hirooki Goto vs Karl Anderson (B-Block) The recovery continues with another good match- this was solid stuff all the way with a hot finish. Only problem is that due to the records of the two competitors going into the match, and Jado and Gedo's fondness for parity booking during tournaments, it was pretty obvious to me who was going to be picking up the win here. 6. Minoru Suzuki vs Lance Archer (B-Block) Really engaging match, that showed that you don't need intense strike battles or head-drop finishing exchanges to have a match packed full of drama and intensity. The story here was that though they are both in the same stable, neither guy was going to hold back in order to better their position in the tournament. The intriguing clash of styles saw Archer try to use his height and power to overcome the veteran savvy and technical expertise of Minoru Suzuki, who used a a variety of submissions throughout to try and wear down the big man. 7. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) These two fought over the Intercontinental belt a few times last year, and that played into Shelton's aggressiveness right out of the gate, as Nakamura ultimately won that feud. This was the best I've seen Benjamin embrace the fact that he's supposed to be an aggressive dick heel and this certainly ended up being one of his better matches in New Japan. 8. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs AJ Styles (B-Block) This was similar to the matches AJ Styles would have against past their best legends in TNA (such as Sting)....only better. Not only has Styles become a more well rounded performer over the past year), Tenzan really has looked revitalized during this years G-1 (the format with the days off, clearly doing him a world of good). This ended up being pretty awesome, as Styles worked to Tenzan's pace but still managed to drag a great match out of him, that really engaged the crowd. 9. Kazuchika Okada vs Toru Yano (B-Block) Another entertaining Yano match during this tournament, as he did not hold back from delving into his box of dirty tricks in order to try and topple Okada (despite being in the same stable together). The theme throughout this show, which has had several matches matching up stable mates against one another, is that all that goes out of the window when it comes to the G-1. 10. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii (A-Block) The main event saw a re-match from last years tournament, that saw Ishii (the biggest underdog in last years tournament) overcome Tanahashi in a huge upset and a MOTYC. Whilst this sequel didn't necessarily better last years match, it came pretty damn close- as Ishii once again took Tanahashi right to the limit. Whilst the crowd weren't necessarily the most rabid of crowds all night, they were well and truly alive for the main event. Overall Thoughts After the first three matches, this show looked on course to being this years dud event of the G-1, but it picked it up after that concluded with a sequel worthy of following last years MOTYC between Tanahashi and Ishii. Because of the iffy start, I probably would still have this down as the weakest show of this years G-1 thus far, but it still ended up being another good show.

Thoughts on NJPW G1 Climax 24 Day Five (Sendai Sunplaza Hall) 1. Tomohiro Ishii vs Doc Gallows (A-Block) Though he's no longer the total 'underdog' that he was a year ago, Ishii is still really good in that role, especially when he gives up a lot of size to monster heels such as Gallows. This was an entertaining match with the determined Ishii trying to take down the monster. I'm still not at all sold on Gallows, but this was his best match yet in NJPW (yet alone the G-1)and though most of the heavy lifting was done by Ishii, he did play his part pretty well here. 2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Lance Archer (B-Block) Both of these two have had pretty decent tournaments thus far (Tenzan surprisingly so, given how bad he was last year), but whilst this match wasn't bad, it was just mediocre and forgettable. Quite simply this was a match where you had two carriable talents put in the same match, and neither one able to carry the other beyond something other than average. 3. Satoshi Kojima vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. (A-Block) I know I've been critical of DBS Jr. in previous reviews, but he's actually a decent in-ring talent, who can combine Power moves with some technical prowess. The reason I don't see him as anything more than a midcard tag guy, is not his wrestling ability, but the other stuff around it, such as charisma (his heel mannerisms always seem forced to me)...... The point I'm getting to here, is that he actually had another decent match here in the G-1, with a fine back and forth battle with the consistent veteran Kojima. Though he's often in there with talent that came carry him to good matches, DBS is good enough to hang with them. 4. Minoru Suzuki vs Yujiro Takahashi (B-Block) Yujiro hasn't exactly been doing anything to change people's perception of him as one of NJPWs weaker in-ring performers in this G-1, whilst Suzuki hasn't exactly been bringing his A-Game either (though much of that is down to him no longer being booked as a top level threat, I think 2014 has definitely been the year where Suzuki has been de-pushed to the midcard). So if you were expecting this match to be average and fairly forgettable, then that's exactly what this match ended up being. Just like Tenzan/Archer earlier this wasn't bad, it just wasn't all that good either. 5. Toru Yano vs Karl Anderson (B-Block) This one might well take the crown as funniest match of the G-1. Karl Anderson was superb as an asshole heel , as he mocked Yano's signature gestures/taunts throughout the match. This was just two wrestlers, trying to out-dick one another and it was absolutely fantastic. Not the best match of the G-1, but probably my favourite thus far, as it was just so damn entertaining for what it was. 6. Katsuyori Shibata vs Shelton X Benjamin (A-Block) In the New Japan Cup earlier this year Shelton X Benjamin, got a shock win over Katsuyori Shibata, in an average match, where no one was ready to buy into his shock win, simply because Shelty B hadn't had anything resembling a sustained push since coming to New Japan. The format of this match, was similar to their New Japan one with Shelton dominating the early going , before Shibata came back into the match- however this match benefitted from both competitors making a strong start to the tournament, and Shibata obviously looking to avenge his loss to Shelton earlier in the year. Overall this was decent stuff, but a lot of that was down to the booking surrounding the match. 7. Hirooki Goto vs AJ Styles (B-Block) This one worked to the slow-build formula, starting off relatively low key with both guys trying to control the other with mat-wrestling, before gradually building in intensity towards a hot finish. Whilst I wouldn't say that the match was special, it was still very good (if I was going to hand out snowflakes, I would say that this was a low end four star match). Whilst I still think putting the belt on AJ was a mistake (booking that Gedo and Jado were determined to see through), there has never been any doubt over Styles in-ring ability- and he's proving that right here with consistently good matches in the G-1. 8. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Bad Luck Fale (A-Block) Tanahashi got to default back to being the heroic babyface in this match, as the crowd urged him on to try and take down the unstoppable monster. They worked the formula very well here, and whilst it could be said that Tanahashi carried Fale to a good match here, Fale has already proven that he has beginning to grow into an effective monster heel- so it did not come as too much as a surprise that this turned out to be pretty decent. 9. Tomoaki Honma vs Shinsuke Nakamura (A-Block) Another brave performance, from Honma as he once again tries to prove that he can hang with the big guns of NJPW. As always with Honma's matches, this was packed full of fighting spirit and had the fans in a frenzy during the closing stretch. Whilst I was disappointed to see Kota Ibushi pull out of this years G-1, Honma has proven himself to be a more than worthy replacement. 10. Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada (B-Block) After his de-push for much of this year, following his failed main event push (that started with last year's G-1 climax victory), New Japan appear to be rebuilding him as a threat in this years G-1, so even if he does not repeat what would be an unlikely victory as G-1 champion, I think he is in line for a decent push during the second half of the year. Despite being de-pushed for much of the year, Naito's in-ring work has been consistently good and he looks to be back to his best, and given that Okada has grown into one of the very best workers in the wrestling business, yet alone NJPW itself, this main event had a lot of promise to be something great. Whilst I wouldnt say it was worthy of full boat praise, this did end up being an excellent main event and closed out what was a consistently good show with a suitably strong end. Overall Thoughts The Tohoku leg of the G-1, ends with another consistently strong show. Whilst I don't think we've had anything yet that has quite matched up to the very best matches from last year's G-1, the shows themselves from top to bottom, have been consistently better. Many felt that last years G-1 couldn't be bettered, but I honestly feel this years tournament is on track to do just that.