The Puroresu (Japanese Wrestling) thread

beakerjoe

Omackeral wrote: »

I'm not bemoaning that. It's Corrie 4 4 4 Life!!!! Invasion storyline imcoming...

Corrie went down hill after the bus crash, haven't watched it since.

Lithium93_

Please, please DON'T GO TO WWE.

https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/817323227886125056?lang=en

I will be stepping away from Japan to reassess my future. The path of my journey may change, but my goals will not.

and he added

https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/817339042358378496?lang=en

there is no plan. My schedule is cleared and I'm weighing all options. I've a lot to consider. Thx for the patience/support

beakerjoe

While New Japan is where he belongs, I have faith that NJPW would be ok if he left. AJ and Nak left last year and they created more stars and there is enough top talent there to push on with Kenny, even if hes a big loss.

That said I expect him to stay. Its not the right time for him to leave.

LeeJM

Was just about to post them. Thats huge news. Also explains why Kenny didnt win at the Dome which was IMO the logical choice. All I will say is if the move to WWE happens he isnt coming in to feud with Big Cass, he will be a sure fire main eventer. Let the speculation begin

beakerjoe

LeeJM wrote: »

Was just about to post them. Thats huge news. Also explains why Kenny didnt win at the Dome which was IMO the logical choice. All I will say is if the move to WWE happens he isnt coming in to feud with Big Cass, he will be a sure fire main eventer. Let the speculation begin

AJ wasnt a sure fire main eventer when he moved and Id fear kenny wouldnt be either. Its the wrong time for him IMO, another year at least.

Lithium93_

I might be reading too much into it, but his 1st tweet, particularly the ending "The path of my journey may change, but my goals will not."

That's gonna get the rumour mill running wild.

beakerjoe

Lithium93_ wrote: »

I might be reading too much into it, but his 1st tweet, particularly the ending "The path of my journey may change, but my goals will not."

That's gonna get the rumour mill running wild.

Thats it. The rumour mill is running wild (and Im on board as usual). It may be nothing but a stir of the pot but it sure is fun to speculate.

LeeJM

beakerjoe wrote: »

AJ wasnt a sure fire main eventer when he moved and Id fear kenny wouldnt be either. Its the wrong time for him IMO, another year at least.

True but it was also well known that AJ wanted to move home and be based in America rather than spending 6 weeks at a time in Japan. Kenny loves Japan and has been based there for a decade or so. If Kenny leaves NJ I would assume he has been assured of big money and a certain level of push.

Also this could put a massive dent in NJ plans to run in America. Kenny has been pushed as their top gajin and is a quality talker and would be a great spokesman for the company in the US. They still have Big Mike but he doesnt possess the charisma that Kenny does.

Lithium93_

Same thing happened with AJ last year before the Rumble, will he or won't he, time will tell I guess.

But if I were a betting man, I'd say Royal Rumble next year.

beakerjoe

LeeJM wrote: »

True but it was also well known that AJ wanted to move home and be based in America rather than spending 6 weeks at a time in Japan. Kenny loves Japan and has been based there for a decade or so. If Kenny leaves NJ I would assume he has been assured of big money and a certain level of push.

Also this could put a massive dent in NJ plans to run in America. Kenny has been pushed as their top gajin and is a quality talker and would be a great spokesman for the company in the US. They still have Big Mike but he doesnt possess the charisma that Kenny does.

I like Big Mike, but I dont see him as the top guy material. Hes missing something but I wouldnt be surprised if NJPW brought out the best in him. He stepped up when he initially arrived to be fair.

I dread Cody could be pushed if Kenny left, hes another guy I like but he's not a top guy in my eyes either. Adam Cole or Kyle O'Reilly could be but rumours of NXT being next for both of them make me think they wont be there too soon.

LeeJM

beakerjoe wrote: »

LeeJM wrote: »

True but it was also well known that AJ wanted to move home and be based in America rather than spending 6 weeks at a time in Japan. Kenny loves Japan and has been based there for a decade or so. If Kenny leaves NJ I would assume he has been assured of big money and a certain level of push.

Also this could put a massive dent in NJ plans to run in America. Kenny has been pushed as their top gajin and is a quality talker and would be a great spokesman for the company in the US. They still have Big Mike but he doesnt possess the charisma that Kenny does.

I like Big Mike, but I dont see him as the top guy material. Hes missing something but I wouldnt be surprised if NJPW brought out the best in him. He stepped up when he initially arrived to be fair.

I dread Cody could be pushed if Kenny left, hes another guy I like but he's not a top guy in my eyes either. Adam Cole or Kyle O'Reilly could be but rumours of NXT being next for both of them make me think they wont be there too soon.

I doubt NJ will push Cody into that slot. KOR and Cole are from what I have seen pretty much nailed on for NXT. An outside the box choice for top gajin should Kenny leave would be Drew Galloway. His TNA contract is up in February and he doesnt have the WWE midcard stink that Cody has. He is also a damn good worker. 

Another thing to consider with Kenny Omega is that should he re-sign with NJPW it wont just be a 1 year deal, it will be 2-3 years and in 2 years he might not have the opportunity with WWE that he probably has now. I mean look how much the industry has changed since January 2015!

Andersonisgod

He's been teasing a move to WWE for a year. Only in the weeks leading up to WK 11 did he talk up NJPW. Ultimately he's a heel and one in the mould of the Young Bucks who know that the best way to get over is to keep people talking about you. It's very effective. Yes he might go to WWE, but I don't think he will. If he does NJPW will have to scramble to find a new Bullet Club leader. Personally I hope he stays, this has been his most rewarding year in wrestling in ring and creatively, he's just starting to put all of his tools together and it'd be a shame to give that up for a big contract. To go from that creative freedom to being just another WWE drone. Ultimately though wrestlers will almost always go where the money is, that's life.

By the way, the decision to have Okada go over was the logical one. He'd just defeated Tanahashi at WK10 to finally become the Ace of New Japan, if he'd lost a year later then that entire journey (4 years of storytelling) is for nothing. It makes even more sense given the Suzuki-Gun invasion at New Years Dash.

Clegg

DM_7 wrote: »

He wasn't so hot on Omega a year ago, wrestling can move fast!

Credit New Japans streak of picking the right guy, they pick guys and get behind them, build them well and allow them to prove themselves. They did it with Okada, Naito and now Omega. Finn and AJ could be in there only one left too soon and the other started hot.

Omega from DSW to crazy matches like DDT to star of show at WK11 is some story.

WWE messed up Reigns, it happens, even the Japanese rejected Nakamura first time round as he had not found the right style when he got his first big break.

Omega has always been a good wrestler but it's only since he moved to the heavyweight division that people are really beginning to take notice. The jr heavyweight division is nowhere near as prestigious as it was in the 90's which is a shame as there are some incredible talents around. Omega needed out of there if he wanted to establish himself as a top contender.

beakerjoe

Omega always had potential but its hard to see that in comedy mode. He stepped it up in all the right places in 2016 and hes proved he can hang with the best of them. What a transition.

Clegg

I don't think New Japan would have booked the WK match the way they did if Omega was on his way out. It was booked as a match between equals. And the fact that Kenny never hit the One Winged Angel means that they have plans in place for a future title match, I think. If he was leaving Okada would have kicked out of one.

Andersonisgod

Clegg wrote: »

Omega has always been a good wrestler but it's only since he moved to the heavyweight division that people are really beginning to take notice. The jr heavyweight division is nowhere near as prestigious as it was in the 90's which is a shame as there are some incredible talents around. Omega needed out of there if he wanted to establish himself as a top contender.

That is true, the jr division certainly isn't what is was in Liger's prime but thay being said I don't think Omega took it seriously at all. In fact I think it's pretty damming that during his time at the top of the jr's (2015 primarily) he probably wasn't even part of the best 2 jr matches to take place in that time period. It's not like his opponents were no-marks either. That's not to say that he was bad, just that he was firmly in 3rd gear (which, being fair about it, Kenny's 3rd gear is still probably better than a lot of wrestlers 5th gear.)

Speaking of the juniors, going into 2017 that division is absolutely stacked given the homegrown and international talent available to NJPW.

sky88

if omega leaves i think that would be a huge blow in there expansion hopes as im not sure that okada or anyone else has the same appeal as kenny. in Japan they will be fine as they already have the stars made there.

i cant see him going to wwe main roseter straight away as i dont think he has the same name recognition as AJ. id be very worried that the response he gets isnt what he deserves.

Neil3030

Clegg wrote: »

I don't think New Japan would have booked the WK match the way they did if Omega was on his way out. It was booked as a match between equals. And the fact that Kenny never hit the One Winged Angel means that they have plans in place for a future title match, I think. If he was leaving Okada would have kicked out of one.

Yeah, hadn't thought of that. Unless he has completely hit NJPW out of the blue with this decision to move, it's hard to imagine they'd protect his finisher and let him kick out of (I think) 3 rainmakers if they knew he was hitting the road.

Andersonisgod

Voices of Wrestling saying he's just taking a break. Well deserved too. If that's the case then the way he was booked at New Years Dash makes total sense. Hopefully he'll be back in time for the NJ Cup.

Angron

I hope Kenny stays there. He's doing fantastic work there, and doesn't need to give it up for the sake of a company that may just wind up booking him into obscurity.

Omackeral

LeeJM wrote: »

Was just about to post them. Thats huge news. Also explains why Kenny didnt win at the Dome which was IMO the logical choice. All I will say is if the move to WWE happens he isnt coming in to feud with Big Cass, he will be a sure fire main eventer. Let the speculation begin

I would've though Nakamura would be straight onto the main roster a la AJ Styles. Argument could be made for Roode there too. Kenny could replace any current outgoing NXT Star or could slot in easily on any show tbh. Has a great and different look too. East or West is his oyster

Omackeral

Clegg wrote: »

I don't think New Japan would have booked the WK match the way they did if Omega was on his way out. It was booked as a match between equals. And the fact that Kenny never hit the One Winged Angel means that they have plans in place for a future title match, I think. If he was leaving Okada would have kicked out of one.

Them having him not hit it was so so good to me as an outsider. That over someone kicking out of it is sublime and virgin territory for me as a viewer. Really enjoyable.

kevovek

Will the Tokyo dome show be put up on any legal streaming site? Or has it already been?

LeeJM

njpwworld.com only costs a little over €8 a month. If its just the dome show you wanna watch then pay it and cancel the sub.

kevovek

Ah nice one! I was actually on that site but couldn't seem to find it until I went to schedule.

Lithium93_

NJPW plan to expand.

http://www.topropepress.com/news/41309/njpw-news-takaaki-kidani-talks-us-expansion-promotion/

Andersonisgod

Kazuchika Okada is the best wrestler in the world and everyone needs to get on board with that. His match with Minoru Suzuki from this morning's New Beginning show was an absolute cracker, working such a different style of match to the Omega one and yet it may have been just as captivating. He's the complete package, his selling of the leg, the timing of his comebacks, the struggle to string power moves together as the match wore on and his leg had been worked over more, that crazy submission spot, his on-point physical expressions that get across the story of the match, and in typical Okada fashion, an absolutely killer closing sequence. I loved the storytelling in this match, the psychology of it and ultimately that led to wonderful drama. Suzuki can't fly or bump like Omega but his strength is his character work and his ability to take every little thing that happens in a match and make it all mean something greater collectively. Maybe I'm being a bit hasty, possibly I need to rewatch it again but, for me, this match could be *****

sky88

Absolute Meh match for me mainly due to suziki just don't like him at all. He has go away heat for me and I just fail to see why he's in the spot he's in.

Andersonisgod

sky88 wrote: »

Absolute Meh match for me mainly due to suziki just don't like him at all. He has go away heat for me and I just fail to see why he's in the spot he's in.

I suppose in a way I can see just how that might happen. Because if your a new fan to puroresu I guess maybe the significance of Suzuki to wrestling and mma doesn't matter so much and you'd probably end up thinking he's an old guy who doesn't bump very much. On top of that, not being able to speak Japanese eliminates him from making an emotional attachment with you through his promos (btw that pre match video promo NJPW shot for Suzuki-Gun before this main event match was killer). So I guess maybe I can see how what you say can happen. The man is a legitimate badass, an incredible personality who is a genuinely significant player in the history of the sport in Japan and of mma in Japan too. Off the top of my head if I were to relate him back to a western worker it'd probably be Jake Roberts, because Suzuki has a mind for wrestling like nobody else, his brilliance is in making the simple things look devastating. His leg work and his character work in this match are the things all wrestlers aspiring to not only make it to an elite level but who want to have longevity at that level should seek to emulate. At 48 the man is churning out a 40 minute long, arguably 5 star match in a company in an environment like New Japan. That's remarkable.

Clegg

Last night's New Beginning in Osaka PPV is getting rave reviews. Shibata vs Riddle and Takahashi vs Dragon Lee are getting huge praise and I've seen 5 star ratings for Naito vs Elgin.

NJPW have been putting on fantastic cards for a few years now but since last month's Wrestle Kingdom the wrestlers have stepped up another level again. The WWE guys have gone up a gear as well. We're in for a great year if they keep this level up.

sky88

Only saw natio vs Elgin and thought it was unbelievable. My favourite new Japan match of the year which is some going.

Haven't had a chance to watch the rest yet

Mr.Nice Guy

I only got around to watching the Suzuki/Okada match from Sapporo and I thought it was great. The speed and quickness of Suzuki at 48 blows me away. I loved the striking exchanges - the one where Okada just stood there taking shots especially - and the selling by Okada was excellent. I thought the match told a great story. Like how a few times Okada would go for the Rainmaker but Suzuki would counter by hooking his injured leg. And near the end Suzuki tries for the leg again but Okada is wise to it this time and so instead hits him with a German suplex. I'd like to see Suzuki get a run with the title at some point.

I also thought Cyrus did a good job (I listened to the version with him and Kelly). He grates on me at times when I listen to the podcast he does with Storm so I was worried he'd annoy me, but he didn't. I haven't seen other matches from the show though so I don't know what his overall performance was like. But for this match at least he was fine.

Need to now check out some of the other matches mentioned on this thread.

Andersonisgod

Meltzer saya Zack Sabre Jr is gonna debut in NJPW quite soon. You'd assume it'd be for the best of the super juniors tournament and I'm irrationally excited.

Cherry_Cola

So I just left Kourakuen Hall, picked up tickets for both Honor Rising events as well as Wednesday's NJPW show and a BJW deathmatch tournament next Saturday.

The sheer amount to wrestling here is crazy. Shows literally every night! Met Juice Robinson on the way to the njpw store, sound lad! Think there are signings with the ROH lads tomorrow before the show so will head along to that. Will be sure to do a write up with some pics in the coming days.

Clegg

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

So I just left Kourakuen Hall, picked up tickets for both Honor Rising events as well as Wednesday's NJPW show and a BJW deathmatch tournament next Saturday.

The sheer amount to wrestling here is crazy. Shows literally every night! Met Juice Robinson on the way to the njpw store, sound lad! Think there are signings with the ROH lads tomorrow before the show so will head along to that. Will be sure to do a write up with some pics in the coming days.

I hope you enjoyed.

Btw was this the show where Tanahashi dressed up.as one of Dalton Castles "Boys"? If so I'm extremely jealous

Cherry_Cola

Clegg wrote: »

I hope you enjoyed.

Btw was this the show where Tanahashi dressed up.as one of Dalton Castles "Boys"? If so I'm extremely jealous

It was great craic. The shrieks of "Kennnnyyy" all throughout were hilarious. Also, one thing I've not seen anywhere else at shows in the world is groups of 10-20 seemingly single attractive girls all coming to see the show together, not that I'm complaining

The cosplayers are gas too, there was a spot on Bubba Ray, couldn't catch him for a pic afterwards but hopefully he's there tonight again.

I met Kevin Kelly and Adam Cole backstage, no time for pics as they were working but both were really nice.

It is indeed that show so was pretty funny! I think tonights show will be much better, the main event tag should be a great spotfest!

My schedule for this week alone is as follows:

Honor Rising Night 1 and 2
NJPW Show Wednesday
Freedoms Deathmatch Tournament Thursday
BJW Deathmatch Tournament Saturday.

Next week is more New Japan, All Japan and Dragon Gate. It's definitely an expensive hobby here as ticket prices can be steep enough but I live like 10 mins from the Dome so might as well while I'm here!

Cherry_Cola

At Sakura Genesis now! It's in a sumo hall so sitting in a little square with legs folded haha and have to take off your shoes as well, definitely an experience.

Picked up some savage Tekken/Bullet Club crossover merch!

Andersonisgod

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

At Sakura Genesis now! It's in a sumo hall so sitting in a little square with legs folded haha and have to take off your shoes as well, definitely an experience.

Picked up some savage Tekken/Bullet Club crossover merch!

You must be absolutely euphoric after that show, especially THAT main event!

Cherry_Cola

Oh my God, something else. Tonnes of us in my section just roaring for Shibata. It was amazing. Funniest thing ever was when Fale came out, guy turned to me and in broken English went "**** sakes" haha!

The thing that amazes me at these shows is the merch setup. Every single performer is represented and has their own section on the table. Just interesting when you hear at WWE shows only a handful are represented. LIJ are super popular, more so than Bullet Club now I'd say, was quite cool being in a packed train surrounded by people in their merch.

Kushida match ended abruptly so there was some initial concern in the crowd. Also, I have no clue how David Finlay ever got near being signed by a big company. He screams minor league and looks awful.

qwabercd

Anywhere to get a replay of the okada shibata match online?

Angron

https://411mania.com/wrestling/katsuyori-shibata-hospitalized-after-yesterdays-njpw-sakura-genesis-event/

Bloody hell.

Andersonisgod

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Oh my God, something else. Tonnes of us in my section just roaring for Shibata. It was amazing. Funniest thing ever was when Fale came out, guy turned to me and in broken English went "**** sakes" haha!

The thing that amazes me at these shows is the merch setup. Every single performer is represented and has their own section on the table. Just interesting when you hear at WWE shows only a handful are represented. LIJ are super popular, more so than Bullet Club now I'd say, was quite cool being in a packed train surrounded by people in their merch.

Kushida match ended abruptly so there was some initial concern in the crowd. Also, I have no clue how David Finlay ever got near being signed by a big company. He screams minor league and looks awful.

That's brilliant! I say with an absolute tonne of envy that you've lived my dream. I gotta ask were tickets difficult to get? And was the language barrier tough to overcome in making your way around Tokyo? I'm hoping to get to a Wrestle Kingdom eventually, so always trying to read stuff from westerners who've made the trip.

In the arena in the aftermath of the main event was there a suspicion that Shibata was legit hurt? I'd say LIJ are the most popular act in the company, incredible to think NJPW can draw a super no vacancy with so many big draws in throwaway multi man tag matches.

Gotta say, on reflection I loved the finish of the Jr Title match, really puts Hiromu over as a killer and the real ace of the division, also a nice reminder that a title match in NJPW isn't automatically 20+ minutes and could end at any moment.

Definitely his dad had something to do with it. I like aspects of his work but of the 4 young lions in that class (Komatsu, Sho Tanaka and Jay White being the other 3) he'd certainly be the weakest.

Andersonisgod

Angron wrote: »

https://411mania.com/wrestling/katsuyori-shibata-hospitalized-after-yesterdays-njpw-sakura-genesis-event/

Bloody hell.

Terrifying. Super dangerous spot to do, I can think of others in puro who may want to reconsider how often they do this.

That being said, that stunning visual that NJPW's production team got of Shibata slowly raising his head as a trickle of blood runs down his forehead has been seared in my memory all day.

Andersonisgod

qwabercd wrote: »

Anywhere to get a replay of the okada shibata match online?

Yes, NJPW World.

beakerjoe

Well that match was all the hype and more. In anything its not getting enough hype compared to the WK match. If that got six stars, this should eclipse that. Both men brought the best out of each other and the match just oozed big match feel. The emotion through-out made the match riveting and as a result the suspense built and built until a perfect climax.

The perfect match and probably my fav match in a long time. MOTY so far for me

Andersonisgod

beakerjoe wrote: »

Well that match was all the hype and more. In anything its not getting enough hype compared to the WK match. If that got six stars, this should eclipse that. Both men brought the best out of each other and the match just oozed big match feel. The emotion through-out made the match riveting and as a result the suspense built and built until a perfect climax.

The perfect match and probably my fav match in a long time. MOTY so far for me

The Omega factor, the interest he generates in a western audience and that the Omega match was the main event of NJPW's biggest show of the year are all contributing factors to that match having more buzz in the west than the Shibata match.

sky88

Jesus that match was amazing much better than omega/okada for me.

Shibata seems to be in a bad way by twitter not sure if storyline or real.

Angron

sky88 wrote: »

Jesus that match was amazing much better than omega/okada for me.

Shibata seems to be in a bad way by twitter not sure if storyline or real.

He had a subdural haematoma, had to get rushed to hospital for surgery.

Cherry_Cola

Andersonisgod wrote: »

That's brilliant! I say with an absolute tonne of envy that you've lived my dream. I gotta ask were tickets difficult to get? And was the language barrier tough to overcome in making your way around Tokyo? I'm hoping to get to a Wrestle Kingdom eventually, so always trying to read stuff from westerners who've made the trip.

In the arena in the aftermath of the main event was there a suspicion that Shibata was legit hurt? I'd say LIJ are the most popular act in the company, incredible to think NJPW can draw a super no vacancy with so many big draws in throwaway multi man tag matches.

Gotta say, on reflection I loved the finish of the Jr Title match, really puts Hiromu over as a killer and the real ace of the division, also a nice reminder that a title match in NJPW isn't automatically 20+ minutes and could end at any moment.

Definitely his dad had something to do with it. I like aspects of his work but of the 4 young lions in that class (Komatsu, Sho Tanaka and Jay White being the other 3) he'd certainly be the weakest.

Oh sure, feel free to ask away!

Lived here for 3 months now on a business trip which unfortunately is coming to an end in two weeks but will be applying to make the move permanently as soon as I return home.


To date I've been to:

5 NJPW Shows
1 Noah
3 Big Japan
2 Freedoms shows
1 DDT Show
1 Dragon Gate Show
1 Zero-1 show (with our very own Maxer Brennan headlining!)
1 All Japan show

As with all concerts etc here, it's an expensive hobby but well worth it. Tickets are super easy to get for NJPW, can go directly to their store or the Korakuen box office and ask for "Chikketto" and the show name and they'll pull out a seating chart and ask you to pick which area you want to sit in.

All the shows I've been to have been in Korakuen Hall, Shin Kiba 1st Ring, Sumo Hall and the bar that DDT ran in haha.

For Big Japan, I was able to reserve tickets online easily and collect at box office by venue. They get a great kick out of Gaijin in the crowds here and will try to make friends with you always, it's good as now I have a crew that meets at the different companies shows and we have the customary bag of cans

Fascinating thing here is that they don't rip you off on beer prices at events, in fact the beers are bigger and cheaper than most places in Tokyo, especially at Korakuen. I asked my Japanese friends and they say to attract men to these events, they make the beer prices reasonable, amazing! The fried chicken available in Korakuen is amazing too!

Shin Kiba is a little venue out in warehouse in the sticks of Tokyo effectively. It's very accessible by train and the venue is a minute walk from the station. Best thing about here and also Korakuen seemingly is you can bring in your own cans no bother. Great to make it a cheap night if needed.

Sumo hall has cheap beer but I would avoid the Sumo seats if at all possible. Not a bad seat in any of the venues mentioned so really won't make much difference where you sit at all, but definitely try to get a proper seat at Sumo Hall, I'm still aching from Sunday's event.

In terms of Shibata, no real feeling from the crowd that he was that seriously hurt at all, most people just gutted at the loss. There was more concern for Kushida.

Tokyo is great to get around, language barrier not a major issue at all once you learn about 10 basic phrases and use google translate you'll be fine. It's even more accessible than it was when I was here last, lots more English menus in restaurants etc, obviously they're gearing up for the Olympics.

This was far longer than initially planned but hope the info is useful! I'll post a write up with some pics when I get back home, it's been an amazing adventure and would strongly urge everyone to try this if they ever get the opportunity!

Neil3030

So to the NJPW rookie, what periodic shows does one need to watch to keep up to speed, and how can one do this? They have a subscription service, right?