New Japan Pro-Wrestling General Discussion Thread

[Comrade Khan]

Oddly interested in Matt v El p . Could be a sleeper banger!

 

[Comrade Khan]

 

[Chris]

STRONG Preview: Kingston vs Kidd 【NJoA】
STRONG kicks off with the Nemesis series January 8

After action gets started in japan with two nights in the Tokyo Dome and one more in Yokohama Arena this week, January 8 sees STRONG action get underway. A hard hitting singles main event gets the year started in STRONG style!
Watch STRONG Saturdays at 8/7c on NJPW World!
Or watch on FITE!

Main event: Gabriel Kidd vs Eddie Kingston

Gabriel Kidd headlines this week against Eddie Kingston. Kidd made his return to NJPW rings in November in Riverside, where he took on Jonathan Gresham in one of the best technical matches of the year. Here in Hollywood, Kidd has a very different task on his hands in the form of the Mad King. Eddie Kingston knows Gabe very well from the latter’s young, early days in the UK, and has respect and sympathy for what the Briton has accomplished in the face of personal struggles. Yet when the bell rings, that will go out of the window. Kingston will be bringing his brand of violence to the ring tonight as he faces the rising LA Dojo representative to kick off 2022 in style.

2nd Match: Keita Murray & Jordan Clearwater vs BULLET CLUB (Hikuleo & Chris Bey)

As NJPW’s interactions with IMPACT Wrestling in the US grew through 2021, one of the most significant developments was the addition of Chris Bey to BULLET CLUB. The Ultimate Finesser would impress in tag team action with fellow ‘Bey-F-F’ El Phantasmo, but was arguably even more impressive with Hikuleo. This combination of power and speed could easily see their way to tag team success in 2022 as well as both individuals being well equipped singles competitors. Tonight ehy face a fresh combination in Jordan Clearwater and Keita Murray in a chance to make a definitive statement of intent on the year.
Clearwater has shown potential in his STRONG outings, but is yet to gain a significant result, while Murray is making his NJPW debut after being a notable face on the west coast independents. They will no doubt be the underdogs in this second contest, but with much to fight for, should not be ignored.

1st Match: The DKC vs TJP

The year’s action on STRONG kicks off with United Empire continuing their campaign against the LA Dojo. TJP will face the DKC, as the Public Enemy seeks to make an example of the man who joined LA Dojo one year ago to the day. Will this anniversary bring with it one of the biggest upsets of the year to come?​

 

[Chris]

Happy January 4th

The today in wrestling history that I always lift from f4wonline.com is clearly just filled with the Tokyo Dome cards, might as well just make this a holiday tbh

 

[Chris]

Here's the 2022 schedule that's been announced with the important shows in bold:

• Thursday, January 20: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Friday, January 21: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Saturday, January 22: New Years Golden Series (Gunma)
• Sunday, January 23: New Years Golden Series (Tochigi)
• Tuesday, January 25: New Years Golden Series (Fukushima)
• Friday, January 28: New Years Golden Series (Aichi)
• Saturday, January 29: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Sunday, January 30: New Years Golden Series (Ibaraki)
• Sunday, February 6: New Years Golden Series (Chiba)
• Monday, February 7: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Wednesday, February 9: New Years Golden Series (Saitama)
• Thursday, February 10: New Years Golden Series (Yamagata)
• Friday, February 11: New Years Golden Series (Xebio Arena Sendai)
• Sunday, February 13: New Years Golden Series (EDION Arena Osaka)
• Tuesday, February 15: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Wednesday, February 16: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Thursday, February 17: New Years Golden Series (Korakuen Hall)
• Saturday, February 19: New Years Golden Series (Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center)
• Sunday, February 20: New Years Golden Series (Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center)
• Tuesday, March 1: 50th anniversary show (Nippon Budokan)
• Wednesday, March 2: New Japan Cup (Nippon Budokan)
• Sunday, March 6: New Japan Cup (Fukushima)
• Wednesday, March 9: New Japan Cup (Korakuen Hall)
• Thursday, March 10: New Japan Cup (Yamanshi)
• Saturday, March 12: New Japan Cup (Aichi)
• Sunday, March 13: New Japan Cup (Hyogo)
• Monday, March 14: New Japan Cup (Kagawa)
• Tuesday, March 15: New Japan Cup (Okayama)
• Thursday, March 17: New Japan Cup (Shizuoka)
• Friday, March 18: New Japan Cup (Korakuen Hall)
• Sunday, March 20: New Japan Cup (Niigata)
• Monday, March 21: New Japan Cup (Niigata)
• Saturday, March 26: New Japan Cup (Osaka Castle Hall)
• Sunday, March 27: New Japan Cup finals (Osaka Castle Hall)
• Saturday, April 9: Untitled event (Sumo Hall)
• Sunday, May 1: Wrestling Dontaku (PayPay Dome)
• Sunday, June 12: Untitled event (Osaka Castle Hall)

 

[Chris]

Kingston vs Kidd was FUCKING AWESOME bro, they just wrecked each other. Weak episode on paper sure but each match delivered even if the first two still weren't anything to go nuts over. That main event was just something else.

Also between this, battle of the belts and the first hour of Hard to Kill, I think yesterday from 8-9 EST is the best hour in wrestling we've ever had

 

[Chris]

So much wrestling coming here for Mania weekend and not enough time to go to them all

 

[Chris]

NJPW STRONG Preview: JONAH vs Finlay 【NJoA】
David Finlay faces the giant JONAH on STRONG this week

After making his stunning debut at Battle in the Valley this past November, JONAH was successful in his in-ring debut, but now faces the challenge of David Finlay in our main event Saturday at 8/7c!

Watch NJPW STRONG Saturdays on NJPW World!
Or watch on FITE!

Main Event: JONAH vs David Finlay

When JONAH made his NJPW debut at Battle in the Valley, he was quick to instantly target both Juice Robinson and David Finlay. Declaring that FinJuice’s fun loving nature had no place in his vision for New Japan and STRONG, the Top Dog left both former tag champs laying before wrestling his first official match days later in Riverside California. After a quick and easy victory over Lucas Riley on the Detonation series, Finlay was not going to let the big man’s assault go unanswered and cleared the ring of the super heavyweight, leading to this singles contest. Can Finlay stop the Top Dog in his tracks?

2nd Match: Brody King vs Dave Dutra

Our second match of the evening will see Dave Dutra make his NJPW STRONG debut opposite Brody King. The west coast independent veteran brings with him clear strength and an impressive track record, but is it enough to compete with the pure violence of his opponent tonight in Hollywood?

1st Match LA Dojo (Karl Fredericks & Kevin Knight) vs Stray Dog Army (Bateman & Misterioso)

Action kicks off tonight with Karl Fredericks and Kevin Knight taking on Stray Dog Army’s Bateman and Misterioso. Having formed last summer, NJPW STRONG’s freshest faction needs to get a signature win to kick off 2022. Yet as Kevin Knight continues to make his rise through the ranks, and with Karl Fredericks looking to make significant strides as a consistent main eventer this year, they will not give an inch to Bateman and Misterioso.​

 

[Chris]

Updated lineup for The New Beginning USA show being taped this weekend:

• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Taylor Rust
• Jay White vs. TBA
• El Phantasmo vs. Matt Rehwoldt
• Brody King vs. Yuya Uemura
• Clark Connors vs. TJP
• Kevin Knight & The DKC vs. Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl
• Lio Rush & Rocky Romero vs. Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson
• Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. JONAH & Bad Dude Tito
• Josh Barnett vs. Ren Narita
• Fred Rosser vs. Gabriel Kidd
• Karl Fredericks vs. Ethan HD
• Hikuleo vs. Cody Chhun

 

[CakeWalker]

TJP - is one of the best idea for being a part of the United Empire. Finally found a heel backstory, that fitted him

 

[CakeWalker]

DKC! (SUCKS!) DKC! (SUCKS!)

amazing

 

[CakeWalker]

Match wasn't bad - but TJP only puts out his best work, when he has someone that can actually wrestle on his level. DKC is still quite a long way off from being that level

 

[CakeWalker]

Clearwater - not in a NWA ring. This is something I am curios in seeing. Not being TyTy bitch boy

 

[CakeWalker]

Bullet Club - American Chapter.

 

[CakeWalker]

Tag match, had some interesting moments - but nothing particular special to write home about. Bey and Hikuleo need to go to Japan