The NJPW Discussion Thread

[Big Roguey]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Liger!Liger!" data-cite="Liger!Liger!" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>How was today's Cup show? Heard Taichi pulled some new moves.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Popped off a rad Ganso Bomb because he's remembered he's Kawada trained.</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Liger!Liger!" data-cite="Liger!Liger!" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>How was today's Cup show? Heard Taichi pulled some new moves.</div></blockquote><p> It was okay but I liked the first night more, insanely scary Elgin botch aside. When it first happened I was sure Ishii's neck was broken.</p>

[Rainmaker]

<p><img alt="mddWyDL.gif" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mddWyDL.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

He's only bloody gone and done it!</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<p>Gedo has his faults like any other booker, but say this for him: when he wants to make a star, he commits. In the span of, what, 10 days or so, ZSJ cleanly tapped out two of the big four in singles matches, plus one of the most popular guys in the company in Ibushi. The "least" credible of his four victims was SANADA, who is in the most over faction in the company and just took Okada to the limit in his most recent defense. </p><p> </p><p>

Part of me wanted to see Okada vs. Tanahashi for the title. That was the rivalry that turned me from someone casually aware of NJPW into an avid fan. It would've been cool to see them fight for the title one final time, with Tana trying to maintain sole possession of his title defense record. But hey, you won't hear me complain about Okada vs. ZSJ.</p><p> </p><p>

Adding TAKA as the Gedo to ZSJ's Okada was a great move right from the start of the tournament, and even moreso now that he's actually challenging Okada.</p>

[Derek B]

I've not had the time to watch the undercard matches of any of the shows but I've been watching the tournament matches and DAYUM!! Those was the best in-ring tournament I've probably ever seen and ZSJ was made to look like a megastar with a series of unbelievable submission exhibitions. Taka has been a great addition as ZSJ's Gedo and ZSJ vs Okada should be an awesome match when we get there.

 

But to give everyone credit, there wasn't a bad match in the tournament. Even Yujiro brought his fair share to his match with Juice, who has no doubt seen his stock rise as a result of his own performances on the way to the semi finals too. I'm also still shocked that Tanahashi made his return from some healing up so quickly.... he and Cena are so similar in so many ways.

 

I see a couple of things int he future of NJPW... first, Okada retains over ZSJ to tie Tanahashi's record.... and after that, Tanahashi has to challenge him to try and stop him from taking another piece of history from Tana. Obviously the number of title reigns is one that Okada doesn't need to worry about as he's planning to be champioin forever, but a Tana vs Okada match will be amazing. Second, I think we're going to see Ibushi vs Omega in the finals of the G1. It's the only tournament that would make sense for them to clash and it's a big enough match to have them both make it all the way as they raise another star to the top. Okada vs Omega as the main event of Wrestle Kingdom (again) after their trilogy last year would be awesome, especially since we know Omega can definitely beat him following their G1 clash last year.

 

There are some big things coming.... including Jericho vs Naito some time in the year too. Let's not forget about that.

[milamber]

<p>Mysterio replaced by Ospreay due to injury.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="DY3yAlHV4AAULnh.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY3yAlHV4AAULnh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DY3yA3SV4AACrG4.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY3yA3SV4AACrG4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<img alt="DY3yBKmVwAA7iJN.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY3yBKmVwAA7iJN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DY3yBdzVQAIo_K6.jpg" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY3yBdzVQAIo_K6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Kingster]

<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>There are some big things coming.... including Jericho vs Naito some time in the year too. Let's not forget about that. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm afraid I've got some bad news...</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedOther"> <iframe data-embedid="a09b69e76a2c48d2242ff14c207ac8dd" allowfullscreen="" data-embed-src="<___base_url___>/index.php?app=core&module=system&controller=embed&url=https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/970638313978847233"></iframe> </div><p> </p><p> Then again, this might be work, who knows.</p>

[milamber]

Golden Lovers vs Young Bucks vs *****.

 

I wonder if we might get Nick vs Matt at All In if they take different sides in the Elite/BC breakup.

[The Final Countdown]

<p>I'm not sure how Will Ospreay avoided a broken neck at Sakura Genesis. Good lord.</p><p> </p><p> </p><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>Golden Lovers vs Young Bucks vs *****.<p> </p><p> I wonder if we might get Nick vs Matt at All In if they take different sides in the Elite/BC breakup.</p></div></blockquote><p> Kind of feels that way to me. They'll want to do something special on that show, and since Bucks vs. Lovers just happened, that seems like the biggest match the Jacksons could have.</p>

[Rayelek]

Trying out NJPW World for a month. Anything I should make sure to check out while I'm evaluating?

[The Final Countdown]

Trying out NJPW World for a month. Anything I should make sure to check out while I'm evaluating?

I guess that depends on what you're looking for, but any Wrestle Kingdom over the last several years is probably a good bet. Some NJPW fans would suggest diving into the G1 Climax, but I feel like that'd be pretty overwhelming if you aren't already following the product.

[Dr_Avalanche]

Trying out NJPW World for a month. Anything I should make sure to check out while I'm evaluating?

 

Depends on what style of wrestling you're most into, really. For the hard hitting strong style stuff, dive into just about any Shibata match. His matches against Ishii are the stuff of legends. For the fast paced junior heavyweights, do the same with Takahashi and you can't go wrong. Takahashi/Dragon Lee, Takahashi/Ospreay, Takahashi/KUSHIDA are top stuff.

 

The user interface on the website is a bit s--- to be honest.

 

This spreadsheet is a goldmine of good matches. If it's on there, it's worth a watch. Light yellow = recommended, darker yellow = must watch.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZsZCBTpKjHzdbCpKZ1No1KAdpmOd2OcgSMfC1-oa7pI/htmlview

[Derek B]

Just popping in to say that the Dontaku shows were great. The Okada vs Tanahashi main event was fantastic, and Ospreay vs Kushida title matches were really, really good. Plus a special guest appearance too, so that was pretty cool. The big June show (is it Sakura Genesis?) is shaping up to be spectacular.

 

Oh... and then it's time for Best Of Super Juniors.

[The Final Countdown]

Just popping in to say that the Dontaku shows were great. The Okada vs Tanahashi main event was fantastic, and Ospreay vs Kushida title matches were really, really good. Plus a special guest appearance too, so that was pretty cool. The big June show (is it Sakura Genesis?) is shaping up to be spectacular.

 

Oh... and then it's time for Best Of Super Juniors.

I thought the first Dontaku show was somewhere between okay and pretty good. There was some good stuff in there, but nothing great, at least IMO.

 

The second show was fantastic though. Okada-Tanahashi is not only what truly got me hooked on NJPW, it's also my favorite wrestling rivalry of all time. I was off my couch and on my feet by the end of that one. That was emotional storytelling at its finest. Probably not the "best" match of the year as far as moves or whatever, but it might be my favorite of 2018 so far.

 

I loved Ospreay vs. KUSHIDA too. I know Meltzer and other people raved about Will's match against Scurll at Sakura Genesis, but Will narrowly avoiding a broken neck on that Spanish Fly on the apron took me completely out of that match. I was able to watch the KUSHIDA match without legitimately worrying for Will Ospreay's health (or not TOO much at least), which puts it above the crazy matches he had with Marty and Hiromu. Personally, I think KUSHIDA is his best opponent.

 

The guest appearance was great, as was the reveal of the new Bone Soldier. This show had both great wrestling and newsworthy angles, which made it maybe the most complete show NJPW has put on so far this year.

 

Sakura Genesis was the show on April 1st. BOSJ is next; I think that starts in less than two weeks. Then after that ends we've got June's big show, Dominion, which is usually their second biggest show of the year behind WK. They usually go all out to stack that show instead of splitting the big matches across multiple different events, so you can probably expect every title to be defended there.

[Derek B]

I'm always bad with names, Dominion is such a weak name for what will definitely be an amazing show. I've not been sold on KUSHIDA as a top guy int eh Junior division in the 18 or so months I've been watching... I think that match with Ospreay is the best singles match I've seen him have as he brought everything he had to keep up with Ospreay's general insanity.

 

And yeah... Tanahashi vs Okada was great and had me wondering who was going to win all the way to the end. Everyone says Tana isn't as good as he used to be, but with him being so legit awesome now it just makes me wonder how much of his best I have missed and how good he was at his peak. I can only imagine he's basically HBK, but Japanese, and without the bad attitude problems.

[Jaysin]

<p>It's nice seeing such a huge fire lit under Jericho's ass. That was one of the coolest beat downs from a "fan" I've ever seen. I'm even more excited for Jericho vs Naito than I was for Jericho vs Omega.</p><p> </p><p>

Everytime I watch Naito he just cements his position as my favorite wrestler working today. He's just so naturally cool and moves in the ring so naturally.</p><p> </p><p>

I just wish he'd ditch the shirts while wrestling. Why do so many workers in Japan wear t-shirts while wrestling on smaller shows?</p>

[K-Nection]

<p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/BQCPj-bGYro?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Professional Wrestling is Stupid and Beautiful and I Love it"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p>

If you have plenty of time on your hands I suggest you give this video a watch. Honestly this video has convinced me I need to give New Japan a serious look. I never knew the storytelling was this in depth.</p>

[Sco xY2Jx]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/BQCPj-bGYro?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Professional Wrestling is Stupid and Beautiful and I Love it"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p> If you have plenty of time on your hands I suggest you give this video a watch. Honestly this video has convinced me I need to give New Japan a serious look. I never knew the storytelling was this in depth.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You and I both, sir. I recently found Sbowbuckles New Japan videos on vimeo. (I believe he was on YouTube but was shut down for copyright stuff?). He's got several videos on New Japan that have got me starting to get hooked on the product, more so after watching WK12 this year. I entered a fan of Jericho and left a fan of the product. </p><p> When I first watched the video of The Golden Lovers story, I was in shock at how in-depth and engrossing the story was. WWE had numbed me but, for the moment, New Japan had reignited a love for wrestling.</p>

[Jaysin]

I wish Chase would stop getting booked.

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/BQCPj-bGYro?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Professional Wrestling is Stupid and Beautiful and I Love it"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p> If you have plenty of time on your hands I suggest you give this video a watch. Honestly this video has convinced me I need to give New Japan a serious look. I never knew the storytelling was this in depth.</p></div></blockquote><p> Yeah, I didn't really either. It's hard to appreciate the depth of their storytelling if you only watch a show here or a match there, but it's tremendous once you get into it.</p><p> </p><p> They've also seriously increased their English language output over the last year and a half or so. NJPW World started with no English commentary, then they started doing it for the biggest events a handful of times a year. Right around the time Don Callis replaced Steve Corino last February they've started having English commentary for basically every major event, which usually means at least 2-3 shows a month if not more.</p>

[AriasDenver]

Aside from that, there are a lot more to check out. Besides, their storylines makes more sense than WWE's abominations. *cough*Lashley's Sisters*cough*

[milamber]

<p>Dominion was great. All of the undercard matches were good but I was disappointed with Bullet Club vs Tanahashi/Liger/Mysterio because it never clicked into high gear. I enjoyed the English commentary.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Ospreay vs Takahashi</strong> - Better than the BOSJ final because this match didn't rely so much on no-selling **** 3/4</p><p>

<strong>Naito vs Jericho</strong> - Better than Jericho vs Omega **** 3/4</p><p>

<strong>Okada vs Omega</strong> - I wasn't looking forward to watching a super long match between these 2 but I was engrossed from start to finish. Just an incredible performance from both men. It should go down as one of the greatest matches of all time. I would give it 6 stars but I'm not Meltzer LOL *****</p>

[Derek B]

<p>Yeah, Dominion was great. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I loved all three of the matches you listed too, each of them was as good as I had hoped it would be, with Okada vs Omega once again tearing down the house with an amazing match.</p><p> </p><p>

I'd also recommend people check out some of the Best Of Super Juniors matches, there were a lot of great matches though someone else would have to pick out some of the specific examples for some of the shows in the middle that I missed.</p>

[milamber]

<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>Yeah, Dominion was great. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I loved all three of the matches you listed too, each of them was as good as I had hoped it would be, with Okada vs Omega once again tearing down the house with an amazing match.<p> </p><p> I'd also recommend people check out some of the Best Of Super Juniors matches, there were a lot of great matches though someone else would have to pick out some of the specific examples for some of the shows in the middle that I missed.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I've only seen a few BOTJ matches but the final and basically any combination of Dragon Lee, Takahashi, Ospreay and Ishimori are must-watch. Also these matches are supposed to be solid-to-good:</p><p> </p><p> ACH vs Flip Gordon (5.18)</p><p> Dragon Lee vs SHO (5.19)</p><p> Hiromu Takahashi vs Marty Scurll (5.19)</p><p> KUSHIDA vs Marty Scurll (5.22)</p><p> Hiromu Takahashi vs El Desperado (5.22)</p><p> KUSHIDA vs SHO (5.27)</p><p> Hiromu Takahashi vs Ryusuke Taguchi (5.27)</p><p> Hiromu Takahashi vs SHO (6.2)</p><p> Will Ospreay vs Flip Gordon (6.3)</p>

[Derek B]

<p>I think you listed at least 6 out of Hiromu's 8 matches... definitely a good sign that he's a ridiculously talented performer. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I think I caught both of those Flip Gordon matches too... of all the people I didn't know much/anything about he impressed me the most from what I have see so far. Though seeing Sho's name show up there so much is encouraging too. I still can't remember which member of RPG3K is which by default, but I'm assuming he's the one who wears more gold... he always seems to stand out more for me. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

Also, I asked these questions of another NJPW viewer recently. What are your thoughts on Shota Umino? And do you think we're heading towards a new Tiger Mask being created one day soon? Tiger Mask IV is well into veteran territory (though he had a good tournament) and it feels like it would be weird to not have the lineage continue... which brings me back to Shota Umino, who I think has insane potential. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>