The NJPW Discussion Thread

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>According to Wikipedia, Jericho and Lance Hoyt/Archer are in as well. Couldn’t care less about Lance, but Jericho should provide some decent match ups. <p> </p><p> I really want to see Moxley vs Minoru Suzuki real bad. Hope that happens in G1.</p></div></blockquote><p> Jericho teased the idea of being in, but I'm skeptical about it actually happening. If he was going to be in I think they would've plugged him as appearing on Night 1 in Dallas, like they've done with most of the major stars already.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Jericho teased the idea of being in, but I'm skeptical about it actually happening. If he was going to be in I think they would've plugged him as appearing on Night 1 in Dallas, like they've done with most of the major stars already.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think Jericho is trying to get in because he wants to cross the G-1 off his bucket list, because this will likely be the last time he'll have the schedule room. I don't think NJPW want him in because they have a lot of mouths to feed already in this G-1 and protecting Jericho to a satisfactory level would be a nightmare. That's just my read though.</p>

[milamber]

<p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Block:</span></p><p> </p><p>

Okada</p><p>

ZSJ</p><p>

Tana</p><p>

Ibushi</p><p>

Evil</p><p>

SANADA</p><p>

Fale</p><p>

Archer</p><p>

Ospreay</p><p>

KENTA</p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">B Block:</span></p><p> </p><p>

Naito</p><p>

Ishii</p><p>

Juice</p><p>

Yano</p><p>

Goto</p><p>

Switchblade</p><p>

Cobb</p><p>

Shingo</p><p>

Taichi</p><p>

MOX</p>

[KeyserSoze]

Pretty stocked imo...

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Block:</span><p> </p><p> Okada</p><p> ZSJ</p><p> Tana</p><p> Ibushi</p><p> Evil</p><p> SANADA</p><p> Fale</p><p> Archer</p><p> Ospreay</p><p> KENTA</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">B Block:</span></p><p> </p><p> Naito</p><p> Ishii</p><p> Juice</p><p> Yano</p><p> Goto</p><p> Switchblade</p><p> Cobb</p><p> Shingo</p><p> Taichi</p><p> MOX</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Replace Taichi with Suzuki and B Block would be awesome. Fale and Archer drag A Block down pretty bad, but other than those three G1 should be a blast this year.</p>

[TheGhost]

<p>Extremely upset there is no Suzuki.</p><p> </p><p>

Lots of fun matches lined up, I am a big fan of Jeff Cobb and I hope they let him have a decent showing. </p><p> </p><p>

Yano and Archer look to be the eaters of pins in their respective blocks, unless they actually give Archer a decent showing then the eater of pins will go to Fale.</p><p> </p><p>

I will throw my eggs into the Ibushi basket this year. He seems like the most logical choice to go against Okada at Wrestle Kingdom. It's time for Kota to shine in my opinion.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Replace Taichi with Suzuki and B Block would be awesome. Fale and Archer drag A Block down pretty bad, but other than those three G1 should be a blast this year.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Tama and Suzuki might be tied up with the ROH/NJPW/NWA/CMLL Summer Supercard. You need guys like Fale, Archer and Yano for short matches and to absorb losses.</p>

[TakerNGN74]

Give me Okada vs. Kenta all damn day!

[milamber]

 

<div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/7Vkuw-_JE4w?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Suzuki promises hell to pay for not being in the G1!"></iframe></div></div>

[Derek B]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Block:</span><p> </p><p> Okada</p><p> ZSJ</p><p> Tana</p><p> Ibushi</p><p> Evil</p><p> SANADA</p><p> Fale</p><p> Archer</p><p> Ospreay</p><p> KENTA</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">B Block:</span></p><p> </p><p> Naito</p><p> Ishii</p><p> Juice</p><p> Yano</p><p> Goto</p><p> Switchblade</p><p> Cobb</p><p> Shingo</p><p> Taichi</p><p> MOX</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Tournament definitely looks stacked this year, they've been bringing in some talented guys to fill in the gaps that have been made and they've even managed to switch things up.</p><p> </p><p> It's great to see YOSHI-HASHI and Yujiro Takahashi NOT in the tournament this year, they've been deadweight the last couple of years and I argued vociferously about YOSHI-HASHI's inclusion last year. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I'm glad they are rebuliding him by keeping him out of the tournament to see if he has what it takes to really belong there.</p><p> </p><p> The loss of Kenny Omega to AEW was inevitable, but the non inclusion of Minoru Suzuki surprised me as he just never stops being awesome. I am guessing he's feeling his age a little and will be resting up a little during the tournament, which is probably for the best. In kayfabe, they still have Archer, ZSJ and Taichi in to represent Suzuki-Gun at least.</p><p> </p><p> There are some potentially AMAZING matches set up with these blocks too, which excites me a lot.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Block A</span></p><p> </p><p> Ibushi vs anyone <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> Tana vs Okada</p><p> Ospreay vs Ibushi in particular</p><p> KENTA vs Okada</p><p> </p><p> Those all stand out to me and I feel like Ibushi is being groomed here to win the block, probably dropping matche to the likes of Tana (who beat him in the final last year), KENTA and maybe ZSJ for rematches before he heads on to Wrestle Kingdom</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Block B</span></p><p> </p><p> Naito vs Shingo, immediately I can't wait to see how this match goes. Could have huge long term LIJ implications if Naito were to lose and Shingo is awesome.</p><p> MOX vs Ishii, if this is less than stellar, I'd be ery disappointed in MOX <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> Taichi vs Yano, because it will be one of the most fun matches of the tournament <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> Juice vs Switchblade, due to their history against each other</p><p> Ishii vs Goto, cos they are amazing</p><p> Goto vs Cobb, which should be an amazzing hossfight</p><p> Ishii vs Cobb, boss hosses!</p><p> </p><p> I find it really hard to predict a winner here. In the one hand, I feel like Naito is the obviously choice for the block and he will tear it up as he always does for sure. But Goto is one of my favourites, and with CHAOS mixing back into the home team ranks I feel like Goto could step up and step out here as a top guy who has been overlooked for too long. That said... with NJPW so clearly building a new star in Switchblade, I find it hard to not pick him as one of the favourites.</p><p> </p><p> I'm looking for Taichi and Yano in particular to make this group amazingly unpredictably by losing matches they should win and winning matches they should lose. That chaos will make this block close and I could see 5 or 6 people still in with a shot at winning with a couple of matches to go. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> In order to avoid another match between Ibushi and Naito in the finals after their series of hellacious matches so far this year, I think I'm going to predict blocks to be won by Ibushi and Switchblade... with Ibushi picking up the win overall. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> I'm probably going to be very, very wrong. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Jaysin]

Apparently AEW blocked Moxley from competing at the Dallas show.

[SanX]

I am just happy that we don't have a favourite or an ongoing narrative for WK this year. Other than Moxley and Tana, all the other top guys have a chance. Hell, even someone like Sanada/EVIL could win this year, I'm excited.

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Apparently AEW blocked Moxley from competing at the Dallas show.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't see this as a huge deal but does affirm that there is no working agreement. And we won't be seeing AEW guys on any of the NJ American shows.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="SanX" data-cite="SanX" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I am just happy that we don't have a favourite or an ongoing narrative for WK this year. Other than Moxley and Tana, all the other top guys have a chance. Hell, even someone like Sanada/EVIL could win this year, I'm excited.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm pretty sure Ibushi is the narrative. This has gotta be his year right? If the neck is good enough to go he's gotta win this thing right? Okada vs. Ibushi in the dome, you could do Omega vs. Jay White or something the first night of WK. The story writes itself.</p>

[The Final Countdown]

I'm pretty sure Ibushi is the narrative. This has gotta be his year right? If the neck is good enough to go he's gotta win this thing right? Okada vs. Ibushi in the dome, you could do Omega vs. Jay White or something the first night of WK. The story writes itself.

I consider Naito the heavy favorite. They've been teasing the idea of him attempting to hold both belts at once all year. I think he's talked about that too much to not at least get a title match and have an opportunity to do it. And since he isn't in the same block as Okada, the most logical path is by winning the tournament.

[Jaysin]

I'd prefer Naito winning over everyone else.

[Jaysin]

ZSJ is putting his G1 spot on the line against Yoshi-Hashi. Gonna be super salty if ZSJ loses.

[The Final Countdown]

ZSJ is putting his G1 spot on the line against Yoshi-Hashi. Gonna be super salty if ZSJ loses.

I can't imagine that happening unless he's hurt or there was a scheduling/personal issue. Adding the G1 stipulation did make me wonder about that though. Why tack that on unless there's a reason for it?

[Jaysin]

<p>New Japan is coming to Hammerstein Ballroom and the ECW Arena in September. Might actually try and go if tickets aren't outrageous. Tiger Hottori is also retiring and the way the video package made it seem is that NYC is his last show.</p><p> </p><p>

G1 is off to a nice start. Fale vs EVIL was the only weak match on tonight's show. Archer and Ospreay was fun as heck. Sanada vs ZSJ is probably my favorite match of the night though. Stoked for Ishii vs Cobb next week!</p>

[milamber]

<p>This twitter thread is the best G1 Climax guide ever.</p><p> </p><p>

 

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[Derek B]

This twitter thread is the best G1 Climax guide ever.

 

 

That was awesome

 

Also, the first night of the G1 was good. Archer brought it in ways I didn't know he could against Ospreay who just seems like he can't have a bad match this year. Was really good.. Fale vs EVIL as what it was, at least it's out the way now and even while it was pretty good, it's probably about the worst match we're likely to see this G1. Which is awesome.

 

Sanada vs ZSJ was fantastic, two masters of their craft there and they stole the show with what I thought was match of the night. Okada vs Tanahashi was what I expected, with a result out of the ordinary for them. I still have Ibushi winning the entire tournament this year, and I predicted a loss for him against KENTA to set up some fun stuff for them later in the year. Their match was great and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the both. Great to see KENTA getting back into his groove now too.

 

Also super psyched for Ishii vs Cobb, I had that pencilled in before the tournament as a guaranteed killer match and the teaser set it up even more.

[milamber]

Trying to catch up on a few G1 matches. Moxley vs Ishii was great.

[milamber]

Don't have time or motivation to watch all the G1 so I cherry-picked a few recommendations and was happy with the quality of the matches.

 

ZSJ vs Sanada (Night 1)

Juice vs Shingo, Ishii vs Cobb (Night 2)

Ospreay vs Ibushi (Night 5)

Moxley vs Ishii (Night 6)

Okada vs Ospreay (Night 7)

Shingo vs Moxley (Night 8)

Archer vs Ibushi, KENTA vs Okada (Night 9)

 

Didn't bother watching much KENTA. It's good to see him in Japan but I think he needed another month or 2 of training and recuperation first. He just doesn't look as fired up to prove himself as Moxley does.

[RingRider]

I'm a few nights behind but I've been enjoying any match with Ishii, Archer or Sanada in it. Ishii in particular is having such an entertaining tournament. His matches with Mox and and Cobb were been so good!

 

I love Juice but he's been boring me to tears this tournament. Outside of Ishi, Cobb has been ice cold too. It's like a wasted spot in the tourney (looking at Minuru Suzuki on the sidelines...) Goto is another wasted spot. Too many false starts in his career and the fan base just doesn't buy him.

 

 

Surprised at the slow starts for Jay White, ZSJ and Naito... and equally surprised at the early showing for KENTA (another guy who isn't doing it for me...).

 

I still see Ibushi coming out of the A Block and Naito coming out of the B Block.

 

Okada will need to drop some matches soon too to set up some challengers... I assume Archer will grab a win (that EBD Claw is over) and either EVIL or Sanada will sneak a win over Okada.

[Sco xY2Jx]

<p>The most stacked block in G1 history comes to a tremendous end. Those last 2 matches were on another level of excellence. Like, Tanahashi at this stage of his career is just 80% hairspray & 20% tape and he's still banging out 5* matches like it's nothing.</p><p> </p><p>

Guy has gotta be in firm contention as a contender for GOAT.</p><p> </p><p>

Expecting Naito to win tomorrow now. My neck twinges now at what could happen in the final if it ends up as Naito vs Ibushi.</p><p> </p><p>

When wrestling is good, there's nothing else like it.</p>