NJPW Seems a Bit Westernized Lately

[The Intergalactic Koala]

This has been bugging me for a minute, but looking at some of the matches in NJPW in the 80s and 90s, compared to now it seems like they are trying to cater a bit too hard to the western market, instead of focusing on packing the Tokyo Dome like old times sake. From the US tours to the WK card being half ROH/1 WWE talent, it just seems like they are trying so hard to beat the WWE at it's own game, instead of focusing on the longevity of it's promotion.

Don't get me wrong, I love NJPW as a promotion that's trying to make wrestling legit again, but I feel that it's going to hit a Inoki dark era if they don't focus on switching up the booking and slow down on trying to please the western market, rather than the puro traditional style that the promotion was known for.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

they are expanding into other territories I don't blame them. They main focus will always be their Japanese stars. Attendance is good in Japan, they see a big opportunity abroad

 

[Vinny Lupton]

for the US tour they have a working relationship with ROH, and it saved on their own costs
and NJPW has been flying over honkies since say one

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

for the US tour they have a working relationship with ROH, and it saved on their own costs
and NJPW has been flying over honkies since say one

While this is true, they going ultra hard this time period.

I mean look at WK 12. It's half gaijins on the event. I don't mind such things, but they have a roster of exceptional Japanese wrestlers along with their young lion roster, yet they keep relying on westerners.

 

[boriquaking]

Wwe is also being influenced on the east.

Its because of the internet.

 

[Jmare007]

It's weird, it's like they've given up on catering to casuals in Japan and they just went straight to other hardcore fans in other countries.

But it's too early to tell. Gaijin have always been a driving force in puro, Moves like booking Jericho is more akin to New Japan before Gedo & Jado took the book, so it feels out of place, but so did booking Shibata and Sakuraba a couple of years ago and that move ended up being fine.

they are expanding into other territories I don't blame them. They main focus will always be their Japanese stars. Attendance is good in Japan, they see a big opportunity abroad

So far it's only buzz though and I'm shocked they are content with their current status in Japan.

 

[Straw Hat Luffy]

I don't see whats wrong.

NJPW going to eventually fall because there a fatal four way?

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

So far it's only buzz though and I'm shocked they are content with their current status in Japan.

The two shows in Long Beach sold out in minutes. It wasn't a big venue so no way to tell what the true demand was but it was a good sign. they are running a bigger venue this time.

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

It's weird, it's like they've given up on catering to casuals in Japan and they just went straight to other hardcore fans in other countries.

But it's too early to tell. Gaijin have always been a driving force in puro, Moves like booking Jericho is more akin to New Japan before Gedo & Jado took the book, so it feels out of place, but so did booking Shibata and Sakuraba a couple of years and that move ended up being fine.



So far it's only buzz though and I'm shocked they are content with their current status in Japan.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like it's a double edge sword. It's like how wrestling fans over here can't stand the WWE because it's not like the good ole days. Meanwhile, they have the best roster in the world but it's still lacking what made WWE great in the good place. Maybe it's just the booking that's problematic and not so much the gaijins

I don't see whats wrong.

NJPW going to eventually fall because there a fatal four way?

No I'm not saying NJPW will fail, I'm saying that they need to focus on trying to build up their own home turf, instead of rapidly expanding. I was on board with the US tour and so forth, but after that US tournament, it's obvious that NJPW needs to focus on building up their promotion ala selling out the Tokyo Dome when Inoki was holding it down.

 

[Jmare007]

The two shows in Long Beach sold out in minutes. It wasn't a big venue so no way to tell what the true demand was but it was a good sign. they are running a bigger venue this time.

They don't need US wrestlers to sell out those shows though. I think the ROH relationship and the reaction to booked matches and results have shown that US fans are more excited about a "real" New Japan show than a mix of their roster and whoever else is available and it's known in the States. They could run the Cow Palace and get 8k if they were to book a "Dominion" type show in the US right now.

 

[Straw Hat Luffy]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like it's a double edge sword. It's like how wrestling fans over here can't stand the WWE because it's not like the good ole days. Meanwhile, they have the best roster in the world but it's still lacking what made WWE great in the good place. Maybe it's just the booking that's problematic and not so much the gaijins



No I'm not saying NJPW will fail, I'm saying that they need to focus on trying to build up their own home turf, instead of rapidly expanding. I was on board with the US tour and so forth, but after that US tournament, it's obvious that NJPW needs to focus on building up their promotion ala selling out the Tokyo Dome when Inoki was holding it down.

It just seems like a mixture.

I mean Naito is in the main event. He's the most over around there selling the most tickets right?
If they were going off the deep end and focusing to much on the west instead of their casuals wouldn't it be Omega vs Okada 4 with Omega winning it all?


I wouldn't be surprised if all naito, evil and sanada, and takahashi all win the titles at WK.

Am I even discussing what you mean tho lol? Like you say they keep expanding over here and do you mean like they keep signing people with different complexions?

 

[Jmare007]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like it's a double edge sword. It's like how wrestling fans over here can't stand the WWE because it's not like the good ole days. Meanwhile, they have the best roster in the world but it's still lacking what made WWE great in the good place. Maybe it's just the booking that's problematic and not so much the gaijins

I mean, I've been saying that shyt for almost 3 years now #fukkGedo

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

It just seems like a mixture.

I mean Naito is in the main event. He's the most over around there selling the most tickets right?
If they were going off the deep end and focusing to much on the west instead of their casuals wouldn't it be Omega vs Okada 4 with Omega winning it all?


I wouldn't be surprised if all naito, evil and sanada, and takahashi all win the titles at WK.

Am I even discussing what you mean tho lol? Like you say they keep expanding over here and do you mean like they keep signing people with different complexions?

I'm saying a bit of both lol. For instance, look at how the January 4th shows/WKs were booked before NJPWorld came into existence. It was a focus on puro, while inviting wrestlers from all over the globe to the event. There's one thing of having a promotion vs promotion event (TNA/NJPW and WCW/NJPW), but this next one seems like it's trying to draw the western market, while alienating their core fanbase. Hell, I remember when Naka was leaving for WWE and some folks over there were like "Good, because NJPW sucks"

 

[Superkick Party]

I don't see whats wrong.

NJPW going to eventually fall because there a fatal four way?

Good to see your dumbass still doesn't read

 

[Straw Hat Luffy]

I'm saying a bit of both lol. For instance, look at how the January 4th shows/WKs were booked before NJPWorld came into existence. It was a focus on puro, while inviting wrestlers from all over the globe to the event. There's one thing of having a promotion vs promotion event (TNA/NJPW and WCW/NJPW), but this next one seems like it's trying to draw the western market, while alienating their core fanbase. Hell, I remember when Naka was leaving for WWE and some folks over there were like "Good, because NJPW sucks"

ah nah I think they gonna be good breh. Look at the way WWE always trying to expand.. its always someone whos trash to begin with.
As long as there is top talent and amazing booking I think they fine.