The Puroresu (Japanese Wrestling) thread

RollieFingers · 09-06-2021 2:14pm

So what way do yous reckon New Japan goes now?

I think the money with Okada is in chasing the IWGP World Heavyweight championship considering he's yet to hold it, no rush in getting it back to him, just feels fresher without him at the very top.

Obviously Ospreay when he's back gets a shot, but he has already wrestled Shingo what four times so again I'd be hesitant to go straight back to it.

I'd go with Naito winning the G1 and going onto WK to face Shingo, it's unusual for the non-leader of a faction in puro to hold gold while the leader doesn't. So they could definitely play into that, although it's Naito so he probably couldn't care less

Either way New Japan have got me invested again.

RollieFingers · 12-06-2021 10:32pm

Recommend anyone to watch the Syuri/Utami Hayashis*ita main event from today's Tokyo Dream Cinderella. Easily one of the best matches of the year and I don't think you'll see another women's match come close, I'd actually say it was one of the best women's wrestling matches I've ever seen.

Also LOB you see that Great O'Khan has been speaking about bringing Okuda and Ben-K into New Japan as juniors as part of the United Empire

I'm interested, give me Mr Danger Zone in the BOSJ.

LineOfBeauty · 15-06-2021 11:39pm

Holy God I just finished that Stardom main event between Utami and Syuri and it's an absolute banger. Literally from the floor spots onwards I was hooked and that finish is the best I've seen in pro wrestling since the Okada Money Clip vs Shingo in last years G1.

RollieFingers · 16-06-2021 10:57pm

https://twitter.com/openvoicegate/status/1405281019272462342

See that LOB? Hate to see them lose Ishida.

RollieFingers · 18-06-2021 2:56pm

Meltzer gave Utami/Syuri 5.5 stars, the first women's match to get 5 stars for 26 years since Akira Hokuto and Manami Toyota in AJW in 95.

Absolutely deserved, I reckon it's in the running for MOTY. STARDOM have the best womens wrestlers anywhere in the world and it's not even close.

Agent Coulson · 20-06-2021 7:38am

NJPW announced its first US show since the pandemic started

Resurgence will take place in LA on August 17th.

Featuring Mox, Jay White, Tom Lawlor, The Good Brothers, FinJuice, Shota Umini & TJP.

It will be available on PPV on Fite.

Jay White in the States I wonder will he go through the forbidden door while he is there.

21-06-2021 2:50am

Is there much new japan stuff on fitetv?

Agent Coulson · 21-07-2021 4:15pm

Matt Morris (Adrian English) has joined the NJPW commentary team for NJPW Resurgence in LA next month which is putting together a great card.

He was always great on commentary in the WWE

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1417666725655420929?s=20

RollieFingers · 30-07-2021 1:58pm

LOB my man, are you going to be watching Kobe World? Can't believe it's that time already.

Shun/KZY should be great, the whole winner faces YAMATO the next night thing is a bit iffy. Could kill KZY a bit if he wins the big one only to lose it straight away. Really good card though, fancy Genki to take the Brave Gate.

And then Speedstar final the next night, gonna be emotional seeing him in-ring for the last time.

Agent Coulson · 15-08-2021 4:36pm

G.O.D & Ospreay joining Jay White now based in Strong for the next while.

Cracking promo from Ospreay last night a pity about the mic issues for some of the other promos during the event.

LineOfBeauty · 08-10-2021 10:34am

I'm like 4 shows behind in this G1 Climax but holy hell it's a weird watch.

Everything is fine, sometimes stuff is even good, nothing is bad. The crowd are clapping, Kevin Kelly and Chris Charlton (for some of the shows) are telling fun stories to get you more invested in the matches but it's gone from a must see blockbuster month of MOTY candidates to being something you can put on in the background, maybe drift off to sleep, you wake up and Taichi is wrestling Yoshi-Hashi and it's absolutely fine.

RollieFingers · 21-10-2021 11:49am

Shibata is back! Love to see it.

Please give us Danielson/Shibata!

Lithium93_ · 24-10-2021 8:13pm

Kazuchika Okada, with THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship sitting on his shoulder.

Agent Coulson · 21-11-2021 5:03pm

Wrestle Kingdom night 3 will be NJPW vs. NOAH.

Agent Coulson · 28-11-2021 3:24pm

KENTA returns to NOAH on January 1st.

https://twitter.com/Hi5ame/status/1464844681423081474?s=20

RollieFingers · 29-11-2021 3:06pm

KENTA returning to NOAH is nuts, like Hogan coming back to WWE in 02.

The top of the card at NOAH is very good, almost great at the minute, good time to get into it with the appearance at WK coming up.

Nakajima and Kenoh had one of the best matches of the year in the main event yesterday.

LineOfBeauty · 05-12-2021 8:59pm

Just dropping in to say that DG Fantastic Gate main event was excellent and the show closing angle was electric.

Also really enjoyed the D-OU final today. Fun show overall, hardly need to say it again but Takesh(I)ta is stunning.

RollieFingers · 06-12-2021 7:42pm

Man Shun is a dirt bag, he did Dia dirty! I think everyone was expecting it to be Inferno but that was a fantastic swerve.

DG needed a hot angle to regain some of the momentum they lost a bit from the start of the year and that should do the trick!

Agent Coulson · 15-12-2021 5:50pm

Shibata has announced he will have a match at Wrestle Kingdom day 1.

Agent Coulson · 27-12-2021 5:05pm

KENTA back in NOAH

https://twitter.com/noah_ghc/status/1475430756139044865?s=20

Cherry_Cola · 16-01-2022 8:00pm

Went to the NJPW Strong tapings last night in Seattle, my first NJPW show since I lived in Tokyo in 2017! It was a great set of matches so I'll be adding Strong to my weekly viewing schedule.

Clark Connors is absolute money and will be a big star for them, was wildly over last night too which helped. A nice surprise in the main event also with

Jay Lethal

appearing to take on Jay White.

Headshot · 24-01-2022 9:38pm

New Japan finished for January

https://www.njpw1972.com/113823

Agent Coulson · 26-03-2022 1:36pm

Great to see Kairi back

https://twitter.com/wwr_stardom/status/1507660042740563968?s=20&t=BpN3zvVoWQe-zRL_KCYpDA

nazmoalex · 17-04-2022 12:10am

Windy City show on tonight, haven't watched New Japan in a while but gonna watch some of this. Scott Norton back for the night teaming with Bullet Club. Mox vs Ospreay could be good. No idea who Jay White's mystery opponent is gonna be. Pre-show is on YouTube now

Agent Coulson · 19-04-2022 3:15pm

Yes please

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1515570496472985601?s=20&t=Tl-GXSbeDw93f9ZyPTnU0A

LineOfBeauty · 27-04-2022 10:52am

Kaz Fujita basically squashing Nakajima to win the GHC Title with Nakajima on his hottest run only to then vacate the title due to injury is hilarious and pretty typical of NOAH in 2022.

LineOfBeauty · 27-04-2022 10:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118982898#Comment_118982898

It's Covid, makes it even funnier.

Agent Coulson · 04-05-2022 8:54pm

The Capital Collision so far announced card looking stacked

Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Juice Robinson vs. Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley

Kazuchika Okada & Trent Beretta vs. Jay White & Hikuleo

Brody King vs. Minoru Suzuki

Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii

CastorTroy · 12-05-2022 9:04pm

I don't follow NJPW or any of those but I know ones here do and I'm also aware of Ibushi.

But this link was posted elsewhere. Ibushi tweeting curious stuff and airing dirty laundry.

https://vendingmachineseat.com/2022/05/12/ibushi-timeline-oct-2021-to-may-2022/

And I'll just copy the comment/summary from where I got it as well

There's tons of stuff to go through here; from allegations of "power harassment", overstepping bookers, organized crime... Mind you, these are mostly taken only from Kota's side, so we are definitely not seeing the whole picture. But one thing is clear: Kota Ibushi's time in New Japan is prolly coming to a swift, unceremonious end.

hynesie08 · 13-05-2022 8:05am

Kota just took the nuclear option, really hope he has evidence and an escape plan, because his life may be about to become very uncomfortable.

Agent Coulson · 18-05-2022 6:25pm

Two good nights so far from BOSJ

Headshot · 23-05-2022 10:52pm

I see the relationship between New Japan Pro Wrestling and Kota Ibushi is getting worse by the day

I'm worried about Ibushi

Agent Coulson · 27-05-2022 5:27pm

NJPW held a press conference about Ibushi's Twitter comments.

It is long so I only quoted a small bit the rest is in the link

Today, on behalf of New Japan Pro-Wrestling I would like to address recent claims made by Kota Ibushi.

Starting May 10, Kota Ibushi began releasing statements critical of certain members of NJPW staff on Twitter. Firstly I would like to deeply apologise for the concern these comments caused amongst fans and personnel.

The statements posted on Twitter included screenshots of a text conversation with a member of staff (henceforth “Official”) that included a threat that Ibushi’s contract would be terminated. On investigation, we ascertained from the individual concerned that these screenshots were indeed genuine. I would now like to take a moment to explain the series of events that led up to the aforementioned posts to the extent of our current understanding.

Kota Ibushi is a wrestler exclusively contracted to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. As such, it is understood that in order to devote full attention to NJPW matches and associated events, he is required to inform, and receive express permission from NJPW before outside appearances.

On March 4, in breach of the terms of his contract, Mr. Ibushi made an appearance seconding wrestlers at a Just Tap Out event. The aforementioned Official is responsible for contacting various wrestlers contracted to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but also has a long personal history with Mr. Ibushi that extends far before him becoming an exclusively contracted talent. The Official contacted Mr. Ibushi in the belief that Mr, Ibushi’s actions in breach of his contract were taken deliberately to persuade NJPW to terminate its agreement with him. Perceiving this as a betrayal of personal trust established over a number of years, his messages were sent in an emotional state as a result.

When I myself learned of Mr. Ibushi’s appearance in a different promotion, I requested a full status report from the Official. Therefore it is possible that the official’s contact with Mr. Ibushi also involved a desire to find out the exact particulars of the situation to relay to myself. In relaying this report, the Official told me that he thought Mr. Ibushi wanted to leave NJPW.

Not wanting to lose the services of Kota Ibushi in such a manner, and wanting to find out his true mental state and opinions on this matter, I arranged a meeting with Mr. Ibushi at his personal training facility on March 31.

In my brief meeting with Mr. Ibushi, we chatted while we conducted some light exercise. As we moved on the mat, and participated in some jump training, I was amazed at his super human physical abilities, yet Ibushi confided that he found recovery from his 2021 shoulder injury was taking longer than he had expected, and that his range of motion was far from ideal.

After our conversation, Mr. Ibushi took me by car to a restaurant where we continued our conversation. Our conversation was amicable, and Mr. Ibushi explained to me that he had been invited to Just Tap Out by its manager TAKA Michinoku. He also explained that while he was in the dressing rooms, he made an impulsive decision on his own accord to head to ringside and second the wrestlers................

https://www.njpw1972.com/121950

nazmoalex · 30-05-2022 7:07pm

Cesaro or CSRO, whatever you want to call him now, saying he wants in for the G1. That'd be great if it happens.

Agent Coulson · 12-06-2022 2:56pm

A lot of changes in NJPW after Dominion this morning.

nazmoalex · 14-06-2022 12:46am

Watched a few matches from Dominion. The ten minute time limit pinfall match was weird, but a cool concept, I liked it. Main event was pretty good. Takes a while to adjust to watching the styling and pacing of the matches, but I really enjoy them. The camera work is a huge plus. Forbidden Door build suffered from having to wait to get this ppv out of the way. 2 weeks out and there's only one match announced. Between Punk getting injured, the CMLL stuff and now Hardy probably out, it's been a bit of a mess.

No Cesaro for the G1. I can't even remember where I read that he wanted to be a part of it, so my bad on that one. No surprises from AEW, bit disappointing. Serious amount of people in it, think the 4 sections was probably the way to go.

Agent Coulson · 20-06-2022 2:59pm

G1 Blocks

A Block:

Lance Archer
Bad Luck Fale
Toru Yano
IWGP Tag Team Champion Jeff Cobb
Jonah
Tom Lawlor
Kazuchika Okada

B Block:

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White
Tama Tonga
Tomohiro Ishii
Taichi
IWGP Tag Team Champion Great-O-Khan
Chase Owens
SANADA

C Block:

Tetsuya Naito
Zack Sabre Jr.
KENTA
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Champion EVIL
Hirooki Goto
Aaron Henare
Hiroshi Tanahashi

D Block:

IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay
El Phantasmo
Juice Robinson
David Finlay
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Champion Yujiro Takahashi
YOSHI-HASHI
Shingo Takagi

RollieFingers · 20-06-2022 3:09pm

Ospreay/Shingo again is hook it to my veins stuff, lovely. ELP could get similar quality with Shingo.

Also nice one for Filthy Tom getting to go one on one with Okada, well deserved.

Love how ZSJ is in the same block as Naito and Tana to torture them as always too!

nazmoalex · 21-06-2022 1:49pm

Jonah vs Okada never in a million years did I think we would get to see that. Haven't watched a complete G1 ever, but there is always a few matches worth checking out. C Block probably the most interesting one for me personally.

Agent Coulson · 21-06-2022 6:46pm

KUSHIDA returns to NJPW.

https://twitter.com/njpw1972/status/1539218514007195648?s=20&t=t_7LYTNr9yXWiGhYX0LNoA

Agent Coulson · 21-06-2022 7:31pm

NJPW G1 Climax 32 Schedule

7/16, Hokkaido, 4am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
B Block: SANADA vs. Jay White
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Aaron Henare
D Block: Will Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo

7/17, Hokkaido, 1am ET

A Block: Toru Yano vs. JONAH
B Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi
C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. KENTA
D Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Juice Robinson

7/20, Miyagi, 5:30am ET

A Block: Lance Archer vs. Bad Luck Fale
B Block: Tama Tonga vs. Chase Owens
C Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito
D Block: David Finlay vs. Yujiro Takahashi

7/23, Tokyo, 5:30am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Toru Yano
B Block: Jay White vs. Tomohiro Ishii
C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Aaron Henare
D Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Shingo Takagi

7/24, Tokyo, 2am ET

A Block: Jeff Cobb vs. Bad Luck Fale
B Block: SANADA vs. Taichi
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
D Block: El Phantasmo vs. Yujiro Takahashi

7/26, Tokyo, 5:30am ET

A Block: Tom Lawlor vs. Lance Archer
B Block: Great-O-Khan vs. Chase Owens
C Block: KENTA vs. EVIL
D Block: David Finlay vs. Juice Robinson

7/27, Tokyo, 5:30am ET

A Block: Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale
B Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tama Tonga
C Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Aaron Henare
D Block: Will Ospreay vs. Yujiro Takahashi

7/30, Aichi, 4am ET

A Block: Tom Lawlor vs. JONAH
B Block: SANADA vs. Great-O-Khan
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
D Block: David Finaly vs. Shingo Takagi

7/31, Aichi, 3am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
A Block: Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Archer
B Block: Jay White vs. Chase Owens
C Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL
D Block: Juice Robinson vs. YOSHI-HASHI

8/2, Shizuoka, 5:30am ET

A Block: Toru Yano vs. Tom Lawlor
B Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Great-O-Khan
B Block: Tama Tonga vs. SANADA
C Block: Hirooki Goto vs. KENTA
D Block: David Finlay vs. Will Ospreay

8/5, Ehime, 6am ET

A Block: JONAH vs. Jeff Cobb
B Block: Taichi vs. Chase Owens
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
C Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Aaron Henare
D Block: Juice Robinson vs. Yujiro Takahashi

8/6, Osaka, 4am ET

A Block: Toru Yano vs. Lance Archer
B Block: Great-O-Khan vs. Jay White
C Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
D Block: El Phantasmo vs. YOSHI-HASHI
D Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Will Ospreay

8/7, Osaka, 1am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH
A Block: Tom Lawlor vs. Bad Luck Fale
B Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Chase Owens
C Block: Aaron Henare vs. EVIL
D Block: Juice Robinson vs. El Phantasmo

8/9, Hiroshima, 5:30am ET

A Block: JONAH vs. Lance Archer
B Block: Tama Tonga vs. Taichi
B Block: SANADA vs. Chase Owens
C Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. KENTA
D Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Yujiro Takahashi

8/10, Hiroshima, 5:30am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tom Lawlor
B Block: Tama Tonga vs. Great-O-Khan
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto
C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. EVIL
D Block: David Finlay vs. El Phantasmo

8/13, Tokyo, 5am ET

A Block: Toru Yano vs. Jeff Cobb
B Block: Taichi vs. Jay White
C Block: Aaron Henare vs. KENTA
D Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Will Ospreay
D Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi

8/14, Nagano, 2am ET

A Block: Tom Lawlor vs. Jeff Cobb
B Block: Taichi vs. Great-O-Khan
C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA
D Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. David Finlay

8/16, Tokyo, 5am ET

A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Lance Archer
A Block: JONAH vs. Bad Luck Fale
B Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. SANADA
B Block: Jay White vs. Tama Tonga
C Block: Hirooki Goto vs. EVIL
C Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
D Block: Shingo Takagi vs. El Phantasmo
D Block: Will Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo

8/17, Tokyo, 5am ET

Semi-final match
Semi-final match

8/18, Tokyo, 5am ET

G1 Climax 32 Final Match

Agent Coulson · 15-07-2022 8:18pm

G1 starts tomorrow moring our time looking forward.

RollieFingers · 19-07-2022 11:45am

ZSJ/KENTA was great, loved it. Shingo/Juice was very good too, decent start to the tournament.

Not sure about the four block format, but still it's the G1, you're guaranteed some great pro-wrestling.

The G1 and the Princess Cup in TJPW have started, and the N1 in NOAH and the 5 Star GP in STARDOM both starting in the next few weeks. Cracking time to be a Puro fan.

Agent Coulson · 30-07-2022 5:04pm

NJPW will be doing there first ever crossover event with Stardom in November

Historic X-Over will be on Novemeber 20th.

Also a cracking card for NJPW Strong tonight with Big Damo involved

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1553342140851245056?s=20&t=4a4pqcXJoBovYIrgpxLx0A

nazmoalex · 12-08-2022 5:44pm

Haven't had the time to watch much of this, any stand out matches anyone else has seen so far?

RollieFingers · 15-08-2022 6:26pm

I've seen most of the G1 apart from yesterday and the obviously skippable ones. I'd go 7 outta 10 overall so far, some really good stuff but sort of a slog through the middle portion.

Off the top of my head I'd recommend ELP/Ospreay, KENTA/ZSJ, Tanahashi/Naito, Juice/Finlay, Archer/Cobb, Okada/Jonah and of course Shingo/Ospreay.

nazmoalex · 16-08-2022 6:52pm

Cheers, I'll check these out. Jonah Okada... wow lol

17-08-2022 1:15pm

After Jonah's showing here I can see Hunter throwing money to bring him back as Bronson Reed

RollieFingers · 17-08-2022 9:23pm

I'd say there's a good chance, Jonah was speaking fairly glowingly about his title win in NXT when he was on commentary the other day.

Can't believe Ospreay beat Naito, my man has been done over again. Surely Ospreay wins it now!

RollieFingers · 20-08-2022 11:54am

Only got to catch it this morning and I really think they got the result wrong but putting that aside Okada/Ospreay was excellent, verging on match of the year for me. Loved how Ospreay lived up to his comments of studying everyone who had beaten Okada by using the High Fly Flow and the Phenomenal Forearm, and you'd think his failure to hit the One Winged Angel after hitting the V-Trigger plays into all the talk with Omega. Still think they missed a trick by not having Ospreay bring the trophy and the flag out on Dynamite, would have been a great visual.

I only watched the final but apparently Wrestle Kingdom is going back to one night which would be great news. Looking like possibly Omega/Ospreay, some title match combo of White/Okada/Naito and Danielson/ZSJ.

The Puroresu (Japanese Wrestling) thread

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