The Burning
Rookie
Which matches from both nights are worth checking out?
NJPW x AEW Present Wrestle Kingdom 19 & Wrestle Dynasty (1/4 & 5/2025): ZSJ/Shota, Take/Shingo, Naito/Hiromu, Mone/Mina, ZSJ/Ricochet, Omega/Kidd
- Thread starter MenacingMonk
- Start date
TheAlbionist
All Star
Tony Khan really runs that company now
Sad to watch what has happened to this once great company
Feels like work to beef up the inter-promotional rivalry and I hope it is - he didn't say anything Gabe hadn't already said in promos. Just doing the heel commentator's job
Bs if it's legit.
Charlton really was very extreme and counter productive during his commentary to the point where I could see NJ suspending him for insulting a partner so harshly. shyt was real weird considering it's not an invasion angle or even an interpromotional feud, but a friendly partnership. However a lot of English speaking promos over there are similar counter productive overly burying type things so who knows.
The Rainmaker
Mr. Money in the Bank
Watching puro with English commentary is for heathens anyway 
I watched the Gabe/Kenny match back again last night before bed, here are my thoughts. I didn’t mind the commentary from Chris, as it felt to me like it fit the “Us vs Them” narrative that Gabe was trying to convey from the beginning of his entrance. It may not have been the story at first, but it def was as soon as entrances started.
Ironically Gabe is apart of the bullet club, which in storyline is trying to dismantle NJPW, but decided to wear all black NJPW trunks as symbolism that he is representing NJPW against Kenny Omega (former BC leader), who once was NJPWs King Gaijin and now an invading Boss level outsider from another company (not in storyline but in optics). Even the Japan crowd boo’d Kenny, which he wasn’t expecting and addressed in the post match interview. No one is bigger than the brand and I think the fans caught on to this during the match.
Which brings me to Chris’s comments and why I didn’t have an issue with them. Some say it affected their experience, but to me, it enhanced mine, playing into the us v them narrative. I understand why people could be upset, especially TK with the whole money mark comment, but I think he was just playing the heel to balance out the other commentary. This should definitely be the catalyst that starts the NJPW v AEW war leading up to Forbidden Door, as it could really help sell tickets.
(Minor match spoilers below)
I ultimately thought the match was symbolic of the current state that both companies are in, down to the kickout and middle finger at the end which showed defiance in defeat and not giving up and giving it your all. Gabe was NJPW in human form while Kenny was AEW in my eyes.
10/10 Classic, will be hard to beat this match this year.
Ironically Gabe is apart of the bullet club, which in storyline is trying to dismantle NJPW, but decided to wear all black NJPW trunks as symbolism that he is representing NJPW against Kenny Omega (former BC leader), who once was NJPWs King Gaijin and now an invading Boss level outsider from another company (not in storyline but in optics). Even the Japan crowd boo’d Kenny, which he wasn’t expecting and addressed in the post match interview. No one is bigger than the brand and I think the fans caught on to this during the match.
Which brings me to Chris’s comments and why I didn’t have an issue with them. Some say it affected their experience, but to me, it enhanced mine, playing into the us v them narrative. I understand why people could be upset, especially TK with the whole money mark comment, but I think he was just playing the heel to balance out the other commentary. This should definitely be the catalyst that starts the NJPW v AEW war leading up to Forbidden Door, as it could really help sell tickets.
(Minor match spoilers below)
I ultimately thought the match was symbolic of the current state that both companies are in, down to the kickout and middle finger at the end which showed defiance in defeat and not giving up and giving it your all. Gabe was NJPW in human form while Kenny was AEW in my eyes.
10/10 Classic, will be hard to beat this match this year.
There isn't an us vs them relationship with NJ/AEW, though. It's a very cordial, friendly partnership, not feuding companies, so it came off way out of left field and over the top to the point where Rocky and the other guy were like hey man we're all friends here, chill.
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
The IWC criticized Chris. Even Don Callis made a tweet about it during the event. He apologized after the show. But yeah, dude was annoying at times and sounded like a scorned idiot IWC poster.
The event wasn’t even built like a “AEW vs NJPW” thing. It was only Gabe Kidd making it feel that way. Chris threw subtle shots throughout the event, but went full on mark mode during Kidd/Kenny.
The event wasn’t even built like a “AEW vs NJPW” thing. It was only Gabe Kidd making it feel that way. Chris threw subtle shots throughout the event, but went full on mark mode during Kidd/Kenny.
I agree, and that’s where the disconnect lies. Gabe was putting it over as us v them, and it seems like Chris was using that (and his own personal gripes) to add fuel to the fire.
It made for good commentary in the moment for me, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a bad idea and out of place for most who keep up with the product considering their partnership has been only positive. I hope Chris gets to get back on TV soon though, just acknowledge the fukk up and move on
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
Marks going mad on Wreddit wanting to put the blame on TK again despite the online criticism and wrestling persona calling him out as the event happened. 
Imagine shytting on the company and owner your bosses have a partnership with. The culture your company is under is about being respectful and professional, but you wanna go off like mark.
If you listened to the commentary you could tell he does have issues with AEW/TK. Dude had that flame in him. Rocky was
and the other guy was 
Imagine shytting on the company and owner your bosses have a partnership with. The culture your company is under is about being respectful and professional, but you wanna go off like mark.
If you listened to the commentary you could tell he does have issues with AEW/TK. Dude had that flame in him. Rocky was
and the other guy was 
I just watched this shyt this afternoon. Little man was set tripping for Puro
Thought dude was Gabe Kidd's manager but he's the english commentator lol.
Thought dude was Gabe Kidd's manager but he's the english commentator lol.
TheAlbionist
All Star
Watching puro with English commentary is for heathens anyway
I always end up watching the first half of every match in Japanese because I forget to change the audio on the NJPW World app.
Jmare007
pico pal q lee
Yup.Watching puro with English commentary is for heathens anyway
Charlton going full retard is hilarious though, he learned too much from Kevin Kelly
