Essential Japanese Wrestling Discussion/News

[The Intergalactic Koala]

It's the last wrestling match I remember having that special feeling. We all wanted to see Shibata fight for the IWGP Title, most of us thought it would never happen. And when it did, boy did it deliver.

Shibata would've been a perfect invader. The new age Tenryu

ShibGOATA ended his career for our bloodlust.

Man....a Shibata title reign....whew...damn

 

[The Rainmaker]

Anybody knows more information about this promotion? Seems like something filmed at someone's living room

 

[PlayerNinety_Nine]

Anyone else think Shibata-Okada was a better match than Okada-Omega in 2017?

I think it was my favourite match that year.

Shibata was ready to leave *everything* in the ring that night, and he very nearly did.

The storyline of Shibata coming back from his MMA exile to finally challenge for the title doesn't get mentioned as much as it should because the match was so good, but it adds a whole extra layer to the story they told in there.

 

[stro]

 

[Jmare007]

I think it was my favourite match that year.

Shibata was ready to leave *everything* in the ring that night, and he very nearly did.

The storyline of Shibata coming back from his MMA exile to finally challenge for the title doesn't get mentioned as much as it should because the match was so good, but it adds a whole extra layer to the story they told in there.

I also fukking loved how focused Shibata was. Dude was on a mission and he was going to destroy anything in his path - his brain included - to make it happen. He always had a big presence but that night he felt like a Hashimoto-level star. The fact that Sumo Hall was so into him made it even more special.

It's one of those matches that gets even better with time.

 

[Jmare007]

Air guitars are the real Strong Style :tanacena:

 

[BrehWyatt]

Dead ass rooting for Tanahashi.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Does he do air guitar on his podcast?

 

[PlayerNinety_Nine]

I also fukking loved how focused Shibata was. Dude was on a mission and he was going to destroy anything in his path - his brain included - to make it happen. He always had a big presence but that night he felt like a Hashimoto-level star. The fact that Sumo Hall was so into him made it even more special.

It's one of those matches that gets even better with time.

There was one shot where Okada climbed onto the turnbuckle with the money falling and Shibata was stood there looking like "Both of us ain't making it out of here tonight" that said everything that needed to be said.

I've always been about Shibata dressing like the young lions too. I always took it to be his act of contrition and humility for leaving the company

I know he had a simple aesthetic, but the towel that they had for his merch reminded me of an Off White joint. All it needed was the inverted commas.

 

[The Rainmaker]

"Scarf"

 

[stro]

For real thought Tanahashi's quote up there is exactly how I've felt since the BC first blew up. The Balor and AJ versions were straight up NWO tribute acts only saved by AJ having a run as the best wrestler in the world during that period, the Kenny/Bucks version and putting them as the face of the NJ expansion when it's just shyt you could see in ROH doesn't and has not felt like a real NJ representation.

If you're following NJ enough to buy tickets to see them when they hit the States, I think it's safe to assume these aren't people that have to see white people/North American talent filling up the card. The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Kenny Omega are not NJPW to me.

If I'm going to a New Japan show, I don't need Cody, SoCal Uncensored, etc.

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

I agree. Problem is Kushida and Yoshi-Hashi ain't selling tickets in America. They need to get the shyt to pop again if they want to be successful here and idk if Gedo is good enough for that without stumbling into something.

 

[Jmare007]

I just think a US expansion is unnecesary. At least to the level of commitment it needs for it to feel like "real" New Japan. Let them have their dojo and run glorified indy shows people are gonna overrate the whole thing and keep talking about a "takeover" but oh well.

NJ has shown they care very little or know very little about making shyt work beyond a very small level.

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

I just think a US expansion is unnecesary. At least to the level of commitment it needs for it to feel like "real" New Japan. Let them have their dojo and run glorified indy shows people are gonna overrate the whole thing and keep talking about a "takeover" but oh well.

NJ has shown they care very little or know very little about making shyt work beyond a very small level.

True. Also I'm not sure if they know the wrestling business landscape in the US enough to even make an expansion beyond the indy level anyway.

Sure they finessed ROH for the past few years, but entering the American market competitively is going to require more than I think they're equipped to deal with. And honestly that's ok.

 

[TheGodling]

There was one shot where Okada climbed onto the turnbuckle with the money falling and Shibata was stood there looking like "Both of us ain't making it out of here tonight" that said everything that needed to be said.

When your opponent is making it rain but you're too busy planning his funeral