AJ Styles wins IWGP Title at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku iPPV

[Gimmick]

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Was going to link this news to some kind of article but there's no point really.

Two nights ago AJ Styles defeated Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Title with help from his Bullet Club members, including new member Yujiro Takahashi, who turned on Okada near the end of the match.

Big step by NJPW. Not only did they give the title to an American for the first time since Lesnar in 2005, but the end (and a good few endings recently surrounding Bullet Club) was pretty unlike what you'd see from New Japan.

Thoughts on this? Was this a good move by New Japan? Was it one triggered by the companies attempt to branch out into the North American market? It's definitely a risky move anyway, will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Deezy]

Figured this is what happens as soon as AJ took over Bullet Club, Jado and Gedo are marks for Gaijin heel groups.

 

[Keith]

Yeah could see this back firing for them, but for him its quite a step up. All depends on the promotion and what direction they take it.

 

[Deezy]

Not sure how this would backfire on them, Japan made Scott Norton a big star, Buff Bagwell was Hogan in nWo Japan, they love them some white boys in the land of the rising sun.

 

[Slim]

Looks interesting to me. Not seeing a way it can backfire yet.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I think it's a brilliant move on their part. I'm loving what Bullet Club is bringing to the table and quite honestly can't wait to see what heights it can go to.

 

[Keith]

Backfire may have been a strong phase. I'm just not sure if AJ has the name value or character to fit such a role, but it is certainly good for him.

 

[Deezy]

More name value than Prince Devitt.

Obviously you didn't see how over AJ was when TNA did that show where they teamed with New Japan.....The only TNA Impact show ever worth watching.

 

[AZUCAR!]

Knew this was happening, as Meltzer said after AJ's debut he was going to win the IWGP Title.