New Japan Pro-Wrestling General Discussion Thread

[Forrest OAKADA]

And Kojimas next challenger for the NWA belt is....Wes Brisco......

Well that'll be a barnburner.

Lariat in 3 minutes.

NWA are sending over all the Best guys they have....

 

[Bort]

Who cares about Wes Brisco, as far as I'm concerned, I wish the NWA angle runs forever because of Bruce Tharpe. That dude is brilliant in what he does.

 

[malling]

I'm kinda glad Naito isn't main eventing, he's obviously (at least) one level below Okada, Tana, and Nakamura.

True. A bit of a blessing in disguise. Naito isn't ready to main event the Tokyo dome yet

 

[malling]

I heard a Delorian was involved in Time splitters entrance. I must watch this show for that alone.

Yep, it was. Sadly the music was muted.

 

[malling]

I'm a screwup, meant Naito. I seriously don't like Naito, hopefully Ishii wins the title asap. The man fucking deserves it after being screwed by not letting him appear on Dome show, dem morons.

Yeah I'm no real Naito fan either. He's okay in ring but his face annoys me. Looks like it belongs on a beaver or something. Plus it's obvious he's not on the same level as Okada, Nakamura and Tana after this ME run for him.

 

[malling]

Yano Toru's mystery partner at WK is...The great Muta.

Interesting dynamic.

Great decision.

Hopefully Benjamin gets pinned

 

[malling]

Is the IC Title co-Main Event tier pretty much, with NEVER being Mid-Card? Has it always been this way?

I'm really just starting to get into NJPW now, watched Road to Tokyo Dome because of its convenient timezone and really loved it. Marathoning through G1 Climax 23 now in preparation for WK8.

Favorite so far is Shinsuke, I watched his match with Ibushi and was floored.

It started out as a midcard belt for non jrs as far as I know. It's an upper midcard belt, for guys going into main event or to keep maineventers that aren't to challenge for the top strap busy. Shinsuke holding it has raised its prestige a lot.

Also Shinsuke <3

 

[malling]

I love Shibata. He's quickly becoming one of my favorites in all of wrestling.

I've got to watch the last four matches of New Beginning.

 

[Bort]

 

[Shadie T]

We have a new IWGP Champion! AJ Styles defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the title this afternoon. Cant say im not disappointed.

 

[seabs]

We have a new IWGP Champion! AJ Styles defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the title this afternoon. Cant say im not disappointed.

You're disappointed about one of the greatest wrestlers on the planet holding the title? AJ is an elite worker.

 

[Stopspot]

Yujiro all but betraying his country by turning on Okada was a nice twist. NJPW had booked themselves into a bit of a corner with how strongly they had booked Okada and how quickly they set up the title match but they got around it, and hopefully this means they have some plans to elevate a long deserving Yujiro into something bigger than what he already was.

 

[Larsosc]

It's weird 'cause I see a lot of praise on here about the outcome and anywhere else I see disdain for it. Look, AJ is amazing, but I really didn't enjoy how some of this was booked. I guess I can summarize it all up by saying it felt very stupid and incredibly unnecessary. Frustrating is it too when you realize that the once cool, dominant heel stable which was Bullet Club has turned into an excuse for NJPW to swerve the people and allow and endorse typical WWE screwy finishes in big events, such as this title match. I've stopped liking the Bullet Club for quite some time now, but only first because it made for tainted wins and unsatisfying results. Now it's even more of an eye-roller seeing as they're using the stable to give people some cheap heel heat by doing the same shit TNA did a year ago with the Aces & 8s; that being having people join or "reveal" themselves as Bullet Club members left and right. Having this be the way to end Okada's title reign is a shame. I watch international wrestling for an alternative to the WWE mentality, with more and more indy companies doing it and now this, it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice. Do your own thing, promotions, I beg you. What reason are you giving me for having me watch your product and not the other one? I might be speaking too soon, but I see this type of shit become more and more prevalent in wrestling. The mass-stable schtick is so overdone, it's unreal.

The match wasn't quite what I expected. I expected a bit more back and forth. This was more built around comebacks, which is absolutely fine, but when you have Kazuchika Okada and AJ Styles in the ring, I expected a little bit more balls to the wall action. It didn't really pick up until 8-7 minutes before the end when Okada sold the absolute shit out of his leg; incredible work. The way he sold that submission was one of the best sells I have seen. When we did get the fast-paced action, it delivered, the moves made great impact and they told a great story in the ring (minus the stupid screwy shit.) Again, great selling on Okada's end. AJ looked like a credible contender but him winning the title, and winning the title in such an annoying manner kind of killed the vibe around his arrival for me. I noticed the crowd was pretty much dead for him and the match as well (until the last minutes) which is never a good sign when you're supposed to be the very champion.

Good match. I want to say it was 4 stars, but the crowd's silence worried me and the booking somewhat annoyed me, and I think they honestly could have just a little bit better. ***3/4.
I think we'll see Okada vs. Elgin down the line though, I'm guessing G1 Climax 24.

 

[Stopspot]

It's weird 'cause I see a lot of praise on here about the outcome and anywhere else I see disdain for it. Look, AJ is amazing, but I really didn't enjoy how some of this was booked. I guess I can summarize it all up by saying it felt very stupid and incredibly unnecessary. Frustrating is it too when you realize that the once cool, dominant heel stable which was Bullet Club has turned into an excuse for NJPW to swerve the people and allow and endorse typical WWE screwy finishes in big events, such as this title match. I've stopped liking the Bullet Club for quite some time now, but only first because it made for tainted wins and unsatisfying results. Now it's even more of an eye-roller seeing as they're using the stable to give people some cheap heel heat by doing the same shit TNA did a year ago with the Aces & 8s; that being having people join or "reveal" themselves as Bullet Club members left and right. Having this be the way to end Okada's title reign is a shame. I watch international wrestling for an alternative to the WWE mentality, with more and more indy companies doing it and now this, it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice. Do your own thing, promotions, I beg you. What reason are you giving me for having me watch your product and not the other one? I might be speaking too soon, but I see this type of shit become more and more prevalent in wrestling. The mass-stable schtick is so overdone, it's unreal.



Good match. I want to say it was 4 stars, but the crowd's silence worried me and the booking somewhat annoyed me, and I think they honestly could have just a little bit better. ***3/4.
I think we'll see Okada vs. Elgin down the line though, I'm guessing G1 Climax 24.

People were gonna complain no matter how Okada lost the belt since he was booked into such a corner. At least this way they protected him and helped elevate a guy like Yujiro.

Elgin in the climax? Is a requirement for the climax having the charisma of a brick?

 

[Stopspot]

Super Juniors line up:


[NJPW News] New Japan has announced the competitors for this years BEST OF THE SUPER Jr. XXI. This years league will feature 16 competitors from all over the world.
The blocks are as follows…
A BLOCK
Jushin Thunder Liger
KUSHIDA
BUSHI
Mascara Dorada (CMLL)
Ricochet (DRAGON GATE)
Alex Koslov
TAKA Michinoku (Michinoku Pro)
Matt Jackson [Debut]
B BLOCK
Tiger Mask IV
Ryusuke Taguchi
El Desperado [Debut]
Alex Shelley
Kenny Omega (DDT)
Rocky Romero
Taichi
Nick Jackson [Debut]
It should be noted that the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Kota Ibushi, is not booked to compete in this years tournament.
With the announcement of the competitors, the matches have also been announced as follows.
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 5/30/2014 [Fri] 18:30 @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Alex Shelley vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: El Desperado vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kenny Omega
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Ricochet vs. Alex Koslov
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Mascara Dorada vs. TAKA Michinoku
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. BUSHI
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 5/31/2014 [Sat] 18:30 @ Kiramesse Numazu in Shizuoka
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Kenny Omega vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: El Desperado vs. Alex Shelley
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Ricochet vs. TAKA Michinoku
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: BUSHI vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. Mascara Dorada
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Matt Jackson
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/1/2014 [Sun] 17:00 @ Akashi City Municipal Industrial Exchange Center
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Taichi vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. El Desperado
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Alex Koslov vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: BUSHI vs. TAKA Michinoku
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. Ricochet
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Mascara Dorada
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/3/2014 [Tue] 18:30 @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Rocky Romero vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: El Desperado vs. Kenny Omega
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Alex Shelley
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Mascara Dorada vs. Alex Koslov
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: TAKA Michinoku vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. BUSHI
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Ricochet
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/4/2014 [Wed] 18:30 @ Kasukabe Fureai Cube Convention
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Alex Shelley vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: El Desperado vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Kenny Omega
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Mascara Dorada vs. Ricochet
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: BUSHI vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Alex Koslov
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/5/2014 [Thu] 18:30 @ Chino Citizen Building, Multi-Hall
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Kenny Omega vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Alex Shelley vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: El Desperado vs. Rocky Romero
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Ricochet vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: BUSHI vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: KUSHIDA vs. Alex Koslov
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. TAKA Michinoku
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/6/2014 [Fri] 18:30 @ Kyoto KBS Hall
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Rocky Romero vs. Nick Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Kenny Omega vs. Taichi
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. El Desperado
() BOSJ XXI ~ B BLOCK Match: Tiger Mask IV vs. Alex Shelley
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Alex Koslov vs. TAKA Michinoku
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Mascara Dorada vs. Matt Jackson
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: BUSHI vs. Ricochet
() BOSJ XXI ~ A BLOCK Match: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. KUSHIDA
NJPW “BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.XXI”, 6/8/2014 [Sun] 17:00 @ National Yoyogi Arena, 2ns Stadium in Tokyo
() BOSJ XXI ~ Semi-Final Match: A BLOCK #1 vs. B BLOCK #2
() BOSJ XXI ~ Semi-Final Match: A BLOCK #2 vs. B BLOCK #1
() BOSJ XXI ~ FINAL Match: