Essential Japanese Wrestling Discussion/News

[Honga Ciganesta]

Few Observer notes

The 5/17 Korakuen Hall show, with KENTA’s final appearance, sold out about ten days in advance, which is no surprise. Naomichi Marufuji even did an interview with Weekly Playboy apologizing to the fans who tried to buy tickets to see KENTA’s last show and were shut out. The problems really start after the show. It was reported in Tokyo Sports, using Takashi Sugiura as the source, that KENTA will debut with WWE in Orlando over the summer.

Several New Japan wrestlers including Jushin Liger and Ryusuke Taguchi are mad that Kota Ibushi declined doing the Best of the Super Juniors tournament this year. Ibushi, as noted last week, claimed exhaustion in trying to keep up with a full-time DDT schedule as well as work the major shows for New Japan

There is a lot of internal concern regarding the G-1 finals on 8/10 at the Seibu Dome in Tokorazawa. This is insane, but apparently they built a 34,000 seat baseball stadium without air conditioning. It was noted that in that city at that time of the year, it can get to 104 degrees and the humidity is brutal. I’ve been to Japan several times in August and if you’re outside for five minutes, you feel like you need a shower, it’s that humid and hot. The show starts at 2:40 p.m. local time. New Japan is looking at some air conditioning specialists to put temporary cooling into the building for the show.

The mayor of Fukuoka, Souichiro Takahashi, where the 5/3 PPV show was held, went on Twitter and complained about the nature of A.J. Styles winning the IWGP title due to outside interference in his city. Takahashi described himself as a lifetime fan of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

From people who spent time with the New Japan guys this past week, the message to me was that what I’ve been writing about Hiroshi Tanahashi only scratches the surface. It was basically to enjoy watching Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura in big-time singles main events while you can, because their backs are thrashed and when fans aren’t around they move around like old men. It’s clear New Japan has to build around Okada and there is concern going forward because he needs opponents. The big difference is that New Japan has three guys in their developmental program, WWE has something like 60 or 70, and the Mexican promotions have so many young guys all over the country who get regular work so while Japan may appear to have a resurgence, and New Japan financially has more than doubled income in just two years, this may be just a temporary high period.

How’s this for a crazy figure: Peter Aerts’ contract with IGF calls for nearly $28,000 per match. Good for him. He’s a legend in that country and had incredible fights there for almost 20 years, but it’s hard to justify that from a business standpoint for him to do pro wrestling matches unless he’s a big drawing card on his own, which in pro wrestling, he’s not. Aerts is fighting again in kickboxing in a few weeks in Dubai.

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

Few Observer notes

Kota said fukk the tournament? I see a title change coming...

 

[TrueEpic08]

Several New Japan wrestlers including Jushin Liger and Ryusuke Taguchi are mad that Kota Ibushi declined doing the Best of the Super Juniors tournament this year. Ibushi, as noted last week, claimed exhaustion in trying to keep up with a full-time DDT schedule as well as work the major shows for New Japan

I get it (that schedule sounds absolutely brutal, then you add the tournament in..), but at the same time, you just can't blow off the BotSJ when you're the goddamn champion. Take time off before hand (...what am I saying, this is Japan...), then do the tournament. Not like they're gonna tap you to win anyway (I think).

This is insane, but apparently they built a 34,000 seat baseball stadium without air conditioning.

The fukk kind of nonsense is this?

From people who spent time with the New Japan guys this past week, the message to me was that what I’ve been writing about Hiroshi Tanahashi only scratches the surface. It was basically to enjoy watching Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura in big-time singles main events while you can, because their backs are thrashed and when fans aren’t around they move around like old men. It’s clear New Japan has to build around Okada and there is concern going forward because he needs opponents. The big difference is that New Japan has three guys in their developmental program, WWE has something like 60 or 70, and the Mexican promotions have so many young guys all over the country who get regular work so while Japan may appear to have a resurgence, and New Japan financially has more than doubled income in just two years, this may be just a temporary high period.

If there's one thing Hunter's done correctly since essentially becoming point man in WWE, it's overhaul developmental. New Japan better follow suit post-haste. Or else what looks to be an inevitable small dip might end up being something much worse in the future.

Ironically enough, WWE's really just applying New Japan's all-inclusive developmental model en masse more or less, so New Japan would just be learning their own lesson over again.

 

[Miracle Violence]

Watching the ROH ppv.

That Jr. tag match was piff. Easily better than what you'd typically see in NJPW, just by virtue of the fact that guys like Shelley and the Bucks are so much more over in North America than in Japan.

Hoping Nak and Steen deliver big tomorrow.

 

[Honga Ciganesta]

 

[Henzo]

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

That Jr. tag match was piff. Easily better than what you'd typically see in NJPW, just by virtue of the fact that guys like Shelley and the Bucks are so much more over in North America than in Japan.

Hoping Nak and Steen deliver big tomorrow.

It was a great tag match that I wish had about 7 more minutes. Havent watched War of the Worlds yet but I will tonight. I heard Cole and Lyger was decent. For some reason I was afraid this match wouldnt go well

 

[Miracle Violence]

It was a great tag match that I wish had about 7 more minutes. Havent watched War of the Worlds yet but I will tonight. I heard Cole and Lyger was decent. For some reason I was afraid this match wouldnt go well

Young Bucks had the match of the night again

Liger/Cole was solid. Cole is a heel who wrestles like a heel though, and Liger is pushing 50, so it wasn't going to be the most exciting thing on the show.

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

Young Bucks had the match of the night again

Liger/Cole was solid. Cole is a heel who wrestles like a heel though, and Liger is pushing 50, so it wasn't going to be the most exciting thing on the show.

Liger/Cole was very good right down to the finish.

The Bucks stole the show but im a BIG Bucks and reDRagon mark so I was really looking forward to it.

Im really liking Cedric Alexander in his role now.

Briscoes and Bullet Club did the best they could. Id like to see them go again as I think it could be better.

Bennett/Tanahashi was better than id had hoped.

Nakamura/Steen... disappointed me greatly. Two wrestlers I have in my fave five. Wasnt feeling it but I did pop HUGE for whoever had that "Swagsuke" sign (god i love my city)

Okada did well in the three way in which I was sure hed be a bit lost.

I hate Jay Lethal as a heel. Even with Truth Martini.

Ciampa will beat Cole for the title.

Okada will win the title back from AJ in their rematch.

 

[ClemenzaSupreme]

I've always been curious about NJPW...just starting to get into it. I'm not really familiar with any of the wrestlers except the Bullet Club. What's up with them throwing up the Kliq?

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

I've always been curious about NJPW...just starting to get into it. I'm not really familiar with any of the wrestlers except the Bullet Club. What's up with them throwing up the Kliq?

The Bullet Club started off very serious when it was lead by Prince Devitt and existed to help him move up into heavyweight ranks and capture the IWGP championship.

Devitt failed and went back to defending the Jr. Heavyweight championship he held for most of his time in the group. It was around this time where rumors of Devitt signing with WWE came up. The Young Bucks come around at that time and won the Jr heavyweight tag team championship. Doc (Luke/Festus) Gallows gets signed around this time and joins and Devitt loses the Jr heavyweight championship to Kota Ibushi (a guy/match you need to watch). While Doc and Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson win the IWGP Tag Team championship.

Young Bucks have made a habit of emulating the Kliq and at the time, they were really the only ones really doing it while everyone else acts as if theyre a serious biker type gang. Devitt's contract eventually expires and he leaves but not before this awesome entrance at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th

AJ Styles comes in robs Kazuchika Okada of the IWGP championship and and the group starts adopting the NWO mannerisms you see today.

 

[Miracle Violence]

Gedo & Jado were very impressed with Adam Cole at the two shows, and it looks like they are going to bring him in.

 

[23Barrettcity]

The Bullet Club started off very serious when it was lead by Prince Devitt and existed to help him move up into heavyweight ranks and capture the IWGP championship.

Devitt failed and went back to defending the Jr. Heavyweight championship he held for most of his time in the group. It was around this time where rumors of Devitt signing with WWE came up. The Young Bucks come around at that time and won the Jr heavyweight tag team championship. Doc (Luke/Festus) Gallows gets signed around this time and joins and Devitt loses the Jr heavyweight championship to Kota Ibushi (a guy/match you need to watch). While Doc and Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson win the IWGP Tag Team championship.

Young Bucks have made a habit of emulating the Kliq and at the time, they were really the only ones really doing it while everyone else acts as if theyre a serious biker type gang. Devitt's contract eventually expires and he leaves but not before this awesome entrance at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th

AJ Styles comes in robs Kazuchika Okada of the IWGP championship and and the group starts adopting the NWO mannerisms you see today.

How'd it start ? And I like devitt was he doing the casket intro prior to new japan and bullet club ?
Finally was devitt the main creative person ?im not feeling the nwo stuff now they miss fergal. Karl Anderson to me comes off as a number2 right hand man .

 

[Miracle Violence]

NJPW Back to Yokohama Arena IPPV 5.25.14 - A Video PlayList on Dailymotion

As expected Ishii vs. Ibushi was the highlight of the show. I did skip some matches though to be fair, but I never need to see the Gracies wrestle again in my life.

 

[AKM-95]

NJPW Back to Yokohama Arena IPPV 5.25.14 - A Video PlayList on Dailymotion

As expected Ishii vs. Ibushi was the highlight of the show. I did skip some matches though to be fair, but I never need to see the Gracies wrestle again in my life.

I'm watching this right now, and when did New Japan start messing with MMA again? Didn't their first experiment with it cause them to have a few down years? It's crazy how a few years ago Okada was in TNA doing nothing and now dude is one of the best wrestlers going.