The NJPW Discussion Thread

[Big Roguey]

Fixed that for you. Nobody throws shade at the Loose Explosion on my watch.

 

Or Taichi on mine!

[The Final Countdown]

<p>Taichi is awful. But that's practically part of his gimmick, so I guess it's okay.</p><p> </p><p>

I wouldn't call Chase or Fale the worst in the Bullet Club. I think that award goes to Yujiro. Obviously it would be Bone Soldier if he were still around, but I guess he's been buried in the same desert Goldberg took Vince Russo to.</p>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Fixed that for you. Nobody throws shade at the Loose Explosion on my watch. <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> Loose Explosion just sounds like a violently explosive bowel movement.</p><p> </p><p> I really think Yujiro is a pretty underrated talent. He knows his place and does a good job at his role.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Finally caught up on New Beginning. Skipped most of the matches.</p><p> </p><p>

Tanahashi vs Suzuki - **** 3/4</p><p>

Young Bucks vs Roppongi 3K - **** 1/2</p><p>

Omega vs Switchblade - **** 1/4</p><p>

Elite segment - *****</p>

[Jaysin]

Only really bringing up matches I feel are worth watching or at least worth a mention.

 

NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2-5-18

Hikuleo(Leo Tonga) and Yujiro Takahashi vs Nakanishi & Oka- Huge fan of all four. Not a great or even really a good one, but it was fun. I imagine Oka is going to be a fun heavyweight after his Young Lion and Excursion are over.

 

Tenzan vs Kitamura- The first time I saw Kitamura was his match last March teaming with Oka against Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa and the second I saw him I was in awe It has been an absolute treat watching him grow as a worker. He needs to learn to slow down, but I'm a huge Kinniku Monster supporter. As the previous match, wasn't a great match, but it was fun.

 

Ishii & Yano vs Juice & Toa Henare- Fun tag match and Yano has grown on me exponentially.

 

Jay White vs David Finlay- Every time I see David Finlay I hope he gets new gear and it never happens. Solid hand and from the neck up as a good look He's obviously athletic, but the pale skin and doughy physique really do not help. I'm not sure what sort of gear would benefit him, but if/when he gets a serious push I hope it's not with the trunks. Fun match though with Jay really growing into the Switchblade character.

 

LIJ vs Chaos- LIJ is my favorite stable in pro wrestling. Period. I still can't stand EVIL's name or his Wal-Mart entrance gear, but holy cow he's turned into quite the worker and it showed in this match. Fun ten man tag match with the added over the top elimination making for some fun moments.

 

NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2-6-18

Nakanishi vs Kitamura- I was hoping Kitamura would pick up the win here, but it seems like he may just lose all his trial matches.

 

Jay White, Ishii, & Yano vs Finlay, Juice, and Toa Henare- Henare has some of the coolest boots ever. I've never seen anyone use feathers for tassels and I love it. Fun match with a cool finish.

 

Gedo, Will Ospreay, and Yoshi Hashi vs Bushi, Hiromu, and Naito- Lame ass Yoshi Hashi is continuing to get pushed. Going to be real upset if Naito loses to Okada and then goes onto lose to that chump. Naito and Hiromu are so much fun together though.

 

IWGP Tag title match

Evil & Sanada vs Goto & Okada- Great tag match that made Sanada and Evil look like stars going into their big singles matches against Okada and Goto. I know Sanada's chances of dethroning Okada are slimmer than Naito's, but I am looking forward to that match big time. Also, Goto's new black gear is amazing.

 

Also, Makabe challenging Suzuki for the IC belt and Suzuki replying with "Your short legs aren't enough to get you up the mountain." drives home how much of a BAMF Minoru is. Tired of the Suzuki-gun interference and cheating, but I love Minoru more every time I see him.

[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><p> Gedo, Will Ospreay, and Yoshi Hashi vs Bushi, Hiromu, and Naito- Lame ass Yoshi Hashi is continuing to get pushed. Going to be real upset if Naito loses to Okada and then goes onto lose to that chump. Naito and Hiromu are so much fun together though. </p></div></blockquote><p> I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about there. He's firmly entrenched as a midcarder, and I don't see that ever changing. Naito losing to YOSHI-HASHI in a non-G1 setting would surprise me more than SANADA winning the title from Okada.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Also, Makabe challenging Suzuki for the IC belt and Suzuki replying with "Your short legs aren't enough to get you up the mountain." drives home how much of a BAMF Minoru is. Tired of the Suzuki-gun interference and cheating, but I love Minoru more every time I see him.</div></blockquote><p> They seem to have toned down the Suzuki-gun shenanigans in Minoru's big matches, which is good. Just let him be a merciless wrecking machine who stretches people because he enjoys it.</p>

[Jaysin]

<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>I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about there. He's firmly entrenched as a midcarder, and I don't see that ever changing. Naito losing to YOSHI-HASHI in a non-G1 setting would surprise me more than SANADA winning the title from Okada.<p> </p><p> </p><p> They seem to have toned down the Suzuki-gun shenanigans in Minoru's big matches, which is good. Just let him be a merciless wrecking machine who stretches people because he enjoys it.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Hey when you've been conditioned by American pro wrestling to think the worst scenario might happen, it's hard to get out of that mindset sometimes <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> The Suzuki-gun shenanigans still happen too much. Seems like every match they're in has some sort of chaos. Just exhausting.</p>

[Jaysin]

At Strong Style Evolved we get Rey Mysterio vs Jushin Thunder Liger.

[Derek B]

The New Beginning show was a lot of fun, though somewhat predictable. I don't mind the predictability when it's great though.

 

Ospreay vs Takahashi was fantastic again, those guys are totally insane. I'm not the biggest fan of flippy stuff for the most part, but this was just ridiculous. I have no idea how they can keep doing this when they are wrecking their bodies so often... they might not have the longest careers as a result but they might have some of the most exciting.

 

Sanada vs Okada was great too. I've enjoyed Sanada since I saw some of his TNA run years back... when I heard he made it to NJPW I was pretty excited because I knew they could make the most of him and his star continues to rise. Los ingobernables de Japon are the most ridiculously cool stable around just now, they seem to have the ability to do no wrong in the eye of the fans now and I look forward to seeing another Okada vs Naito match at some point in the future.

 

The G1 should be awesome again this year too. I am growing to love Minoru Suzuki more and more every time I see him too. The IC title is in insane hands with him and I hope he is in the G1 again this year too so that I get to see more of him. I love the NJPW booking as they don't overexpose matches... the G1 is going to give me so many exciting matches and I can't wait!!!

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Derek B" data-cite="Derek B" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Ospreay vs Takahashi was fantastic again, those guys are totally insane. I'm not the biggest fan of flippy stuff for the most part, but this was just ridiculous. I have no idea how they can keep doing this when they are wrecking their bodies so often... they might not have the longest careers as a result but they might have some of the most exciting.</p><p> </p><p> Sanada vs Okada was great too. I've enjoyed Sanada since I saw some of his TNA run years back... when I heard he made it to NJPW I was pretty excited because I knew they could make the most of him and his star continues to rise. Los ingobernables de Japon are the most ridiculously cool stable around just now, they seem to have the ability to do no wrong in the eye of the fans now and I look forward to seeing another Okada vs Naito match at some point in the future.</p><p> </p><p> The G1 should be awesome again this year too. I am growing to love Minoru Suzuki more and more every time I see him too. The IC title is in insane hands with him and I hope he is in the G1 again this year too so that I get to see more of him. I love the NJPW booking as they don't overexpose matches... the G1 is going to give me so many exciting matches and I can't wait!!! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> Ospreay vs. Hiromu was great, but I enjoyed Okada vs. SANADA more. The jrs do so much reckless stuff in their matches that I worried they were about to seriously injure themselves, and it took me out of the match a bit. With the main event I was just able to enjoy the story. The closing minutes of that match were so great, but that's no surprise with Okada. No one in wrestling puts together finishes like Okada.</p><p> </p><p> I've been subscribing to NJPW World since summer 2015, so I've experienced the last 3 G1s. They've all been incredible, and I see no reason to think it won't be the same this year. Minoru is a lock to be back in the G1 unless he gets hurt. I think the field will be pretty much the same as last year. Obviously Nagata is out and Jay White is in for sure, but I struggle to think of anyone else that might be excluded from last year's field. Maybe Kojima and/or Tanahashi depending on their health? I guess Tama Tonga could be dropped too since no other tag specialists really get in anymore.</p><p> </p><p> Now that the lineups have been announced, I'm now looking forward to the joint Honor Rising shows with ROH far more than I was before. Omega and Ibushi are teaming up against Cody teams on both nights, including a main event tag against Cody and Marty Scurll on night two that I think should be really fun.</p>

[Mootinie]

<p>I've just seen that Flip Gordon is in a Three Way with KUSHIDA and Hiromu Takahashi on the first night of Honor Rising... if given time that will be phenomenal. My hope is that this is Flip Gordon's audition for the Best of the Super Juniors this year. He worked a CMLL tour last year so he's worked two of the three in this little alliance, it only feels right that he does a Japan tour in the near future.</p><p> </p><p>

Golden Lovers reuniting is cool as well, but I wish they'd run that in Japan. They tagged in DDT, not ROH, won't the history be lost on the large majority of that audience?</p>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've just seen that Flip Gordon is in a Three Way with KUSHIDA and Hiromu Takahashi on the first night of Honor Rising... if given time that will be phenomenal. My hope is that this is Flip Gordon's audition for the Best of the Super Juniors this year. He worked a CMLL tour last year so he's worked two of the three in this little alliance, it only feels right that he does a Japan tour in the near future.<p> </p><p> Golden Lovers reuniting is cool as well, but I wish they'd run that in Japan. They tagged in DDT, not ROH, won't the history be lost on the large majority of that audience?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Of course not, it’s ROH fans. They’ll <strong>act</strong> like they know the whole story and get flabbergasted when an evil “outsider” doesn’t know.</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Golden Lovers reuniting is cool as well, but I wish they'd run that in Japan. They tagged in DDT, not ROH, won't the history be lost on the large majority of that audience?</p></div></blockquote><p> Not sure what you mean here? The Honor Rising shows are at Korakuen Hall.</p>

[Mootinie]

<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>Not sure what you mean here? The Honor Rising shows are at Korakuen Hall.</div></blockquote><p> Oh dear, I've had a right mare, sorry. I thought the shows were in the U.S. for some reason! Ignore that last bit haha.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Golden Lovers Reunited documentary on NJPW World. First 15 minutes on Youtube.</p><p> </p><p>

 

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/sF59IZ3YvL8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="The Golden Comeback - Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi [English / Japanese subs]"></iframe></div></div><p>

<a href="https://njpwworld.com/p/o_original_0002_63" rel="external nofollow">https://njpwworld.com/p/o_original_0002_63</a></p>

[milamber]

<p>Good crowds for New Japan in Australia.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="DWO7z8xVoAAKkkf.jpg:small" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWO7z8xVoAAKkkf.jpg:small" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7mk9DzIvA4In0RKMZHUOFEzFoguS_ZN8PyGL5dcgL9o.jpg?w=1024&" data-src="https://i.redditmedia.com/7mk9DzIvA4In0RKMZHUOFEzFoguS_ZN8PyGL5dcgL9o.jpg?w=1024&" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<img alt="DWTR0_6V4AAlJCt.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWTR0_6V4AAlJCt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[milamber]

<p>Good crowds for New Japan in Australia.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="DWO7z8xVoAAKkkf.jpg:small" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWO7z8xVoAAKkkf.jpg:small" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<img alt="DWTR0_6V4AAlJCt.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWTR0_6V4AAlJCt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[BurningHamster]

What city were those pics taken Milamber?

 

I was at the Perth show, good night, only weird thing was that Okada was probably the least impressive guy on the show. Ospreay and Cody made up for that though, those guys were absolutely amazing.

[milamber]

Melbourne and Sydney. The venues were small but they were pretty much sold out. I heard one of the shows made $200,000 in tickets sales and merch.

[milamber]

Caught up on a few more matches:

 

Takahashi vs Ospreay © - **** 1/2

EVIL vs Goto© - *** 1/2

SANADA vs Okada © - **** 1/2

[Jaysin]

Enjoyed both Honor Rising: Japan shows.

 

First time really experiencing Flip Gordon and enjoyed him. I shouldn't have researched him though. He thinks the earth is flat and doesn't believe what scientists say about anything because he's not a scientist.

[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>Enjoyed both Honor Rising: Japan shows.<p> </p><p> First time really experiencing Flip Gordon and enjoyed him. I shouldn't have researched him though. He thinks the earth is flat and doesn't believe what scientists say about anything because he's not a scientist. <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> On the newest Being the Elite, Flip's talking to the Young Bucks about wanting to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome some day. Cody walks into the shot and tells him he's never going to wrestle in the Dome, he's not going to be booked for the All In show they're running later this year...and the Earth is ROUND, Flip!</p><p> </p><p> Honor Rising was a fun diversion, but I'm really looking forward to that Okada/Ospreay match at the Anniversary show, and then the New Japan Cup.</p>

[mrwhippy]

Being the Elite is really some excellent stuff. To be able to keep a storyline exciting and cohesive across several platforms and promotions is next level.

[Derek B]

The Tale Of The Golden Lovers

 

I've been following NJPW for less than 2 years so I know a decent amount about the company, but for stories that have run for longer than that and beyond the company, I don't know a lot. This video is awesome and highlights just how great the story of Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega has been. I highly recommend watching it.

[LigerLiger]

How was today's Cup show? Heard Taichi pulled some new moves.