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The Puroresu Thread


Bigpapa42

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I will bump this because I'm getting into older puroresu and found a channel on YouTube that uploads entire events, such as the 94 Super J cup.

 

Mind sharing the channel?

 

Been watching a ton of 80s New Japan of late. Some good stuff. Still don't really "get" Inoki, but some fun stuff otherwise.

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  • 5 weeks later...
I would like to get into some NJPW heavyweight action, any recommendations?

 

I have always went New Japan for Juniors but AJPW for heavyweight matches.

 

I'm about to have a ton of free time over the next few months.

 

Are you looking for current stuff or older?

 

Current IWGP champion Kazuchika Okada has had some good matches, including a recent really good one against Tetuya Naito. He has also since defended against Hirooki Goto but have yet to see that one. I also enjoy the work of Hiroshi Tanahashi, who had the belt before Okada.

 

If you want some older stuff, I would look at the mid-90s work of Hashimoto, Sasaki, Mutoh...

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Are you looking for current stuff or older?

 

Current IWGP champion Kazuchika Okada has had some good matches, including a recent really good one against Tetuya Naito. He has also since defended against Hirooki Goto but have yet to see that one. I also enjoy the work of Hiroshi Tanahashi, who had the belt before Okada.

 

If you want some older stuff, I would look at the mid-90s work of Hashimoto, Sasaki, Mutoh...

 

Is this the same guy who was Samoa Joe's sidekick/Kato rip off?

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Is this the same guy who was Samoa Joe's sidekick/Kato rip off?

 

Yep same guy, it was a bit of a shocker to see him get an instant mega push and then win the IWGP title, when he came back to NJPW...because before his fruitless TNA excursion, he was nothing more than a young lion.

 

He actually does have the talent and charisma to deserve his push and it was a case of TNA booking him poorly- then again that goes for most of the talent on TNA's roster :rolleyes:

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I don't know if anyone thought Okada had the outright talent or was "ready". He seemed a bit iffy to challenge Tanahashi, and it was a shock when he won. Most people I saw reacted like it was a mistake. That match was good, but Tanahashi is more than solid. But the match with Naito is probably the best of either man's career thus far and I have at least okay things about Goto. So far, Okada is delivering. Meltzer was all over the Naito-Okada match from what I read, calling it a new era for New Japan and such.
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  • 10 months later...

<p>Great thread! I knew I remembered seeing it in here, had to look it up.</p><p> </p><p>

Sorry if this has been answered already, (I didn't see it if so), or if it's just a common sense thing that I should know, but why do wrestlers in Puro promotions seem to be separated into groups? Is it stables like we see in the US, or is there something more to it? </p><p> </p><p>

Just feels like it might be something more than regular stables, is all. Figured I needed to know more about it before I tried to make my own version of it in TEW, ya know.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

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I figured that most of those stables had more of a mentor/student relationship dynamic going on in them, like The Burning in AJPW with Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, and their rising young gun Kentaro Shiga.

 

At least that's what it felt like to me.

 

That makes sense. I can work a few interesting ideas around that, for sure.

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Teams can vary. The Misawa/Kawada, TenKoji, and Manami Toyota/Toshiyo Yamada teams were rising stars being teamed together. Otherwise times, like Dump Matsumoto/Bull Nakako it's clearly put a bright younger wrestler with a star to get experience. Factions tend to be more equal. Nagata's is very much the sensei of his faction in New Japan, while CHAOS is more just a grouping of like minded bad guys.:)
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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Infernalmiko" data-cite="Infernalmiko" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">Teams can vary. The Misawa/Kawada, TenKoji, and Manami Toyota/Toshiyo Yamada teams were rising stars being teamed together. Otherwise times, like Dump Matsumoto/Bull Nakako it's clearly put a bright younger wrestler with a star to get experience. Factions tend to be more equal. Nagata's is very much the sensei of his faction in New Japan, while CHAOS is more just a grouping of like minded bad guys.</span></span><img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Definitely information I can use. This is already taking effect in my own private little TEW universe.</p>
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  • 3 months later...

Just finished watching NJPW Dontaku 2013 (I know, I know... I'm a few months behind.) And I must say, that Nakamura vs. Shelton Benjamin match was a fantastic match and I was right on the edge of my seat... and then they botched the finish. And all I could think about was Mickey James vs. Trish Stratus at Wrestlemania 22. It always sucks when a good match gets ruined by a botched finish.

 

I was also a bit disappointed in the main event. I had been really excited about Okada vs. Suzuki, but it seemed the match was telling the exact same story from Okada vs. Tanahashi at the last PPV... Okada overcoming the constant assault on his arm and pulling off the Rainmaker.

 

Regardless of this, I know people are always talking about how awesome the Junior Heavyweights are in NJPW, but I have to say, I enjoy the Heavyweight division way more!

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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Luchador Canadiense" data-cite="Luchador Canadiense" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Regardless of this, I know people are always talking about how awesome the Junior Heavyweights are in NJPW, but I have to say, I enjoy the Heavyweight division way more!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree and this is coming from someone who is a fan of Junior Heavyweight wrestling, but the Heavyweight division in NJPW really is awesome. It probably doesn't help NJPW's Junior Division when a number of the Heavyweights (Tanahashi, Okada, Naito) are just as athletic, if not more so than many of the Juniors....thus the Junior Division loses one of it's unique selling points.</p><p> </p><p> A few more points as to why the Junior Division in NJPW isn't all that interesting right now.....</p><p> </p><p> 1. When you look at the core division, it's really not all that big....sure they'll bring in some outside talent to boost it a bit throughout the year (notably Best of the Super Juniors). But they do cycle through the same old matches a lot..... Time Splitters vs Forever Hooligans over the Junior tag titles a zillion times being the prime example as of late. Though that being said their latest match at Dominion was pretty awesome. </p><p> </p><p> 2. Prince Devitt has been booked so dominant, that the rest of the division has in effect been buried.</p><p> </p><p> 3. Whenever someone gets really strong in the Junior Division- they step up to the Heavyweight Division, which is pretty much happening now with Devitt. </p><p> </p><p> 4. Actually the get really strong bit doesn't always apply....sometimes Juniors just step up to Heavyweight regardless. In recent years No Limit! (Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro Takahashi) comes to mind.</p>
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<p>New Japan historically has a good Junior Heavy division, but as of right now, it's a one man show... and the show is currently challeging for the heavyweight title. I like Devitt, but if he goes heavyweight full time, there is really no one to take his place. The division is pretty awful compared to what it once was. </p><p> </p><p>

On the plus side, the heavyweight division is fantastic.</p>

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<p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">I will chime in and agree. For decades NJ:PW has had a hot juniors division. Wild Pegasus, Sasuke, Liger, El Samurai, Tiger Mask, Kanemoto, Otani, etc etc. In the 80's they were not so hot and that's what we are back to now. Fujinami was popular but he moved up to heavy as soon as possible. In the present day Wataru Inoue moved up to heavy and I expect Devitt will do the same. Definitely with more success than Inoue. Devitt has alot of charisma, a great body, and turning him heel at the same time he starts challenging the heavies gives more of a story to it.</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">

While the heavies are the strongest they have been in 15 years. Okada, Nakamura, Naito, Takahashi, Tanihashi (and more) are all great talents and very over. This is very important because the heavies have always driven the business for New Japan. When the heavies are strong they have more attendence and make much more money. When the heavies are weak, business is down.</span></span></p>

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<p>So here are my thoughts on the NJPW Kizuna Road PPV- Scroll over if you know the results or don't mind knowing them. Otherwise...skip this post, if you don't want things to be spoiled.</p><p> </p><p>

<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 0: Manabu Nakanishi, Tomoaki Honma, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA beat Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo (8:53) when Nakanishi used the Ue kara Don on Jado.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>This was your typical lets give people something to do, who have sod all to do this month match. It wasn't terrible, it wasn't all that good either. YOSHI-HASHI sucks ass and Nakanishi's new finisher is just ridiculous</em></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">. </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>*1/2 </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

Match 1: IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov © beat TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (17:27) when Koslov pinned Taichi after the Contract Killer (2nd defense).</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>TAKA and Taichi douchebag heel schtik is entertaining, though the match probably dragged on a little too long for it's own good and it was always going to struggle to follow up on Forever Hooligans vs Time Splitters version #3067 </em></span><img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>*** 1/4</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 2: Minoru Suzuki beat Tomohiro Ishii (11:51) with a Gotch-style piledriver.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

These two had a decent hard hitting contest, but it never looked like going to the next level and reaching it's full potential. Given a few more minutes, perhaps they could have got there. In all honesty the could have shaved three minutes off the opener and given it here. </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>*** 1/4</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 3:IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima © beat Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (10:19) when Tenzan used a moonsault press on Iizuka (2nd defense).</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>Looked like the match was going to end up as some BS double DQ but it got restarted and in the end we got a decisive result. This was the typical messy brawl between these two teams, because Tenzan & Kojima are past their best and Yano & Iizuka don't really do much else but brawl and cheat. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

Whilst the Heavyweight singles division is as good as it has ever been, the tag division is getting really stale. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

And if you really want to know, the scrawny announcer guy got his shirt ripped off him again </em></span><img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

** 1/2</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 4: NEVER Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka © beat Tetsuya Naito (11:50) with the Sliding D (4th defense).</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>Message to Masato Tanaka ECW died in 2001 (that's more than a decade ago/ WWE BS revival version doesn't count), let it go already.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

You could do a drinking game for his matches....kendo stick spot (drink!), table spot (drink!). Tanaka's tired-ass schtik aside, this wasn't a bad match and perhaps those less jaded on Tanaka could have feasibly enjoyed this one more. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

In all honesty Naito should be above this belt, but he can blame the loss on being a bit 'rusty' and despite my personal dislike, Tanaka is a respected veteran. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

</em></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>** 3/4 </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 5: IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura beat La Sombra © (13:59) with the Boma Ye to become the 6th champion</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

This was a pretty exciting match (La Sombra's moonsault press off the lighting rig was really cool), though unfortunately the crowd was a little bit dead for this match, a shame really as apart from Nakamura botching a springboard spot (again!) it was actually pretty good. </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

Seriously, Nakamura needs to stop trying to do springboard moves...maybe he's been taking inspiration from Xtinction from my </span><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1902412&postcount=162" rel="external nofollow"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">TEW diary</span></a><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">. </span><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><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>*** 1/2 </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 6: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Jushin Thunder Liger & Captain New Japan beat Karl Anderson, El Terrible, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale (12:07) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on Terrible.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

It's a shame to see Tanahashi 'slumming it' in this utterly forgettable filler 8 man tag, though apparently he is nursing some niggling injuries so perhaps it's best he took a 'month off'. The idea of the Bullet Club is better than the execution to be honest, Bad Luck Fale is as bad as those bodyguard hosses (e.g Luther Reigns) that polluted the WWE (looks intimidating, can't wrestle for shit) and Anderson is being wasted as Devitt's ass-kisser. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

In all honesty this wasn't much better than the pre-show 8 man. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

** </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 7:Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata went to a double KO (14:52)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">These two obviously have great chemistry as opponents, though this wasn't anywhere near as good as their MOTYC from Dominion (but that was always going to be the case). I'm also pretty positive now, that Goto will finally get his win back against Shibata, when they face off again during the G1 Climax. </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

Still a very good match, and I'd put this above their first encounter, but someway behind their second from Dominion. </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

*** 3/4</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Match 8: Kazushi Sakuraba beat Yuji Nagata (10:12) with a cross armbreaker.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>Ugh this match, was...well it just wasn't for me. There's a fine line where the faux-MMA can actually add to a match and it can actually work (Sakuraba's match with Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom comes to mind)- but this crossed over too much into faux MMA 'sweaty hugging' and I just found it really tedious.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

I'm sure plenty will enjoy this match a lot more than I did, but in my honest opinion, to be polite...it was just not good. </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>* </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>

Match 9: IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada © beat Prince Devitt (19:14) with the Rainmaker (3rd defense).</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>Whilst the Bullet Club's interference is great for building heat, it does prevent any matches that involve Devitt these days from reaching MOTYC levels.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

That being said, there was still enough good quality wrestling, for the match not to be completely ruined by the interference (though purist's might still complain). With a few extra minutes added, and perhaps a few more near-falls to build up the tension and excitement then maybe despite the interference they could have reached MOTYC levels regardless, as the match was getting really good down the closing stretch.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

**** 1/4</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Overall: 6.5./10</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><em>

This was another solid PPV from NJPW, though in all honesty it's probably the first time this year , I've been slightly disappointed in one of their PPV's. Where as last month Dominion exceeded expectations. </em></span></p>

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  • 4 months later...

<p>Any opinions on this challenge from Atsushi Onita?</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/70485076887/onita-news-atsushi-onita-is-making-the-press" rel="external nofollow">http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/70485076887/onita-news-atsushi-onita-is-making-the-press</a></p><p> </p><p>

I mean, he and Akebono have had couple deathwatches already, and while they weren't awful they were far from spectacular.</p><p> </p><p>

But as Onita admits...the Triple Crown has never been put on the line in a deathmatch.</p><p> </p><p>

Now...Akebono hasn't accepted and AJPW officials haven't responded, so who knows if such a match would even happen.</p><p> </p><p>

But if it did, how do AJPW fans feel about it?</p><p> </p><p>

For me, it's an interesting concept. A first of it's kind event. And I enjoy a good deathmatch. But that's it, and that's not enough. Onita is beyond relevant as of this point, and I've never cared for Akebono as a pro wrestler and don't feel that he's worthy of even this diminished version of the Triple Crown. And to put the Triple Crown into a match like that? I can't say why, but I feel like that's disrespectful to the title.</p>

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  • 3 weeks later...

<p>So Wrestle-Kingdom 8 happened yesterday, anyone else see it?</p><p> </p><p>

Very good show. Wrestling wise a notch down from last year but the whole spectacle was even more impressive (Wrestlemania levels of production) and for me it further sealed it's spot as the second biggest wrestling event of the year.</p><p> </p><p>

NJPW are in such a good place right now, that they're confident enough to be running the 30'000 capacity Seibu Dome for the G1 Climax finals this year! </p><p> </p><p>

I'm not that aware of how big AAA or CMLL are in Mexico, in comparison to how well NJPW are doing in Japan; but anyone who argues the case for TNA be a more viable No.2 promotion across the world <em>(WWE are and probably always will be a distant No.1 to everyone else) </em>than NJPW are deluding themselves.</p>

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