Marty Scurll showed up at tonight's show in North Carolina and challenged Jay White to a match at Supercard of Honor.

So either NJPW got hit with some bad luck or someone put a Papa Shango curse on their USA tour.

Fourth time this past week something has gone terribly wrong for the tour.

Ibushi got very ill right before the tour started, Fredericks got hurt on Sunday, Monday's show had a concessions issue, and Nagata revealed today that he recently suffered a neck injury.

Oh man, a neck injury at Nagata's age is not good.

Apparently NJPW had been in talks with MSG regarding them holding an event there this year but those talks seem to have ended after NJPW lost their tv deal in the US and WWE pulling a power play in order to lock out other promotions from the venue.

Sinclair could probably help them open it back up.

Doubt Sinclair would care since the relationship between ROH and NJPW is still pretty shaky even with Scurll's attempts to improve the relationship partially due to personal reasons.

Only reason Sinclair got involved with the G1 Supercard show was due to WWE's attempts to wreck the show which would have damaged ROH finances. They still holdg a grudge against WWE for trying to raid ROH talent via illegal means and using the NXT brand as their attack dog to hurt ROH.

Based on past sheets and interviews from ROH's COO, seems ROH isn't that fond of NJPW running shows in the US, especially since some of those shows are in ROH hotbed areas and competing against ROH shows. Also despite the demise of their tv deal in the US, NJPW still is in no rush to use ROH talent for their shows and have been loaning out talent for Mania weekend shows mostly just to maintain their presence in the US.

This year's Best of the Super Jrs tournament will be a good indication if that ROH-NJPW relationship improved or not depending if or who from ROH gets invited.

Was looking over the upcoming schedule and barring any surprising results from the New Beginning tour Naito could be set for an interesting year. He will face Hiromu at the anniversary show then his next challenger will be the winner of the New Japan Cup. If SANADA follows his pattern of getting one step further each year, he should win the Cup this year. I'm sure that would then "rile up" EVIL enough to challenge and then Shingo won't be left out either. Clearly building to Naito vs BUSHI in the dome.

Also if you haven't joined Survivor yet and that's something you'd do, sign ups are open until the start of the Saturday morning show

https://www.tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=136837

Just going to be honest, I cancel my my New Japan Sub every year at this time.

Would have been cool if NJPW got the Garden to themselves. But figures that WWE would muscle in and shut them down since they're back at MSG at a regular basis. The no TV deal also hurts, but not so much.

Which makes me wonder if they'll go somewhere else. Perhaps try Boston. Or go halfway and go to Connecticut and pull both markets :D. Philly too is a possibility.

If their run through New England back at the end of Summer was any indicator, they'll sell out up here. Anywhere else might be tricky. Speaking of which, how'd the New Beginning tour in the South do for attendance?

https://www.njpw1972.com/wp-content/...fWWoAEuQPq.png

There's no way New Japan sell out MSG without the help of ROH and some big stars and big hype at the right time of year. WrestleMania weekend had wrestling fans everywhere and the novelty of being other promotions in Vince's venue.

Seems Chase Owens is leaving NJPW since he mentioned his contract expires after today but won't potentially be leaving till after tomorrow since that is when NJPW's current US tour ends.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today is the final day of my njpw contract. Hope to see everyone tomorrow at the Coca Cola Roxy theatre in Atlanta Georgia!!</p>&mdash; chase owens (@realchaseowens) <a href="https://twitter.com/realchaseowens/status/1223245478906802177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He's working the Osaka show on the 9th too and was working a little angle with Ibushi (before Ibushi got sick) based on them teaming up together during the Elite split from Bullet Club. If he is actually leaving I think they will be giving him a send off there.

Note sure why he would leave though unless hes received a big money offer from somewhere. The question then is: why would anybody offer Chase Owens big money? Dude could probably have a steady job for life with New Japan, maybe he wants to spend more time with his family but then why not stay on for the US tours? They need bodies there. Maybe he thinks he could go higher? I dont see it but I do like him in his role as an overconfident lower card mook.

Chase Owens is the Crown Jewel

Saudi Arabia main event confirmed

Probably simply feels like Lance Archer where he just wants to go in a new direction for his career.

After Trent Beretta left, think NJPW gave Trent's planned push to Chase but that didn't really work out or materialize the way both sides expected by now.

Owens ended up revealing he recently signed a new multi-year contract with NJPW so last night's stuff was just him playing things up for the drama.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well it’s February 1st and I’m proud to say that today starts my new multi year contract with NJPW. See everyone soon ��</p>&mdash; chase owens (@realchaseowens) <a href="https://twitter.com/realchaseowens/status/1223477422412259333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Moxley & Okada vs. Suzuki & Taichi match at New Beginning Sapporo Night 1 was great. Next weekend's Moxley vs. Suzuki match is going to be amazing based on what those two did tonight.

The post-match stuff was just pure brutality from the other 2 in the match.

Add El Desperado to the ever growing list of people who can do a spear better than Edge.

Just busted one out against YOH during the IGWP Jr Tag title match at tonight's New Beginning show in Osaka.

I'm hear with you brother.

Taguchi convincing Rocky to team up and go after Roppongi 3K's jr tag belts was pretty cool.

:lol: at the team name being the Mega Coaches.

Only 2 matches into the card and New Beginning in Osaka is already shaping up into being upper tier quality for NJPW shows this year.

Tanahashi visits the US for like 2 weeks and somehow came back with 80s metal/rock band style hair.

Back to the GARDEN BABY 8-22

:eek: NJPW confirmed they are returning to MSG.

Wrestling Dynasty event on August 22nd.

I will be there certainly.

I really hope they keep ROH out of it. But I doubt that will happen.

Meltzer mentioned in this week's Newsletter that they want to run the show by themselves but could see Marty Scurll potentially be there as a ROH rep since he wants to keep the door open to NJPW for himself.

I'm okay with 1-2 matches featuring ROH talent.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This January, the Tokyo Dome experienced Wrestle Kingdom.<br><br>This summer, Madison Square Garden will experience Wrestle Dynasty!<br><br>We'll see you August 22 <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thegarden</a>!<br><br>Details:<a href="https://t.co/aqrlS5ItOa">https://t.co/aqrlS5ItOa</a><br><br>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/NJPWofAmerica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NJPWofAmerica</a> for more info!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJoA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJoA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestledynasty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wrestledynasty</a> <a href="https://t.co/8MsQGlU16u">pic.twitter.com/8MsQGlU16u</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1226419246852272128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">*boink* <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njnbg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njnbg</a><a href="https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw">https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw</a> <a href="https://t.co/yu4IozZlRs">pic.twitter.com/yu4IozZlRs</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1226431975260639234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SANADA's lucky he didn't suffer a serious neck injury.

Was bad enough that right after he took a snap suplex that also boinked his head.

Holy shit at the chests of Hiromu and Ryu Lee. Both starting to turn a shade of purple after like over 5 minutes of just chest massacring chops.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOLY SHIT!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njnbg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njnbg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dragonlee95?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dragonlee95</a><a href="https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw">https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw</a> <a href="https://t.co/VRAo7cySP1">pic.twitter.com/VRAo7cySP1</a></p>&mdash; LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/1226437284884615169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yeup this might be the craziest match I've seen since Moxley vs Omega at AEW Full Gear and its only been around 10 minutes soo far.

Lee vs. Takahashi is right up there with this year's Wrestle Kingdom's IWGP Heavyweight and IC matches in terms of greatness.

Suzuki might have officially snapped.

Moxley vs. Suzuki has been great soo far. Expected a nice brutal brawl and its delivered big time.

Next US Heavyweight title match is going to be weird based on the pairing.

Holy shit, Naito got busted open badly.

KENTA vs. Naito was great. Started off slow but the latter half of the match was amazing.

Last 3 matches were amazing and must watch tier quality.

I wonder if Mox or Jericho will be on the WRESTLING DYNASTY at MSG?

I’m definitely going to that. With G1 having to be later in the year I think this might be their big event for the summer and I’d expect it to be the whole crew or close to it.

New Japan probably had help to get into the Garden from Sinclair. Reading between the lines, this is a further sign of the New Japan/ROH relationship being strong, and Sinclair being willing to break bank.

Could see Wrestle Dynasty being a permanent edition to their calendar. I hope they treat it like a Wrestle Kingdom-sized event.

My first thought was “no,” since AEW retain NA rights to them, but I could see Tony Khan being pushed over into letting them work it to try and “build the bridge,” even if it ultimately goes nowhere.

Glad we have experts like Noid here to show Meltzer how to dish out the cold hard facts.

Absolutely no way this is going to be a permanent addition, it takes place during what would be the regular G1 schedule, which has been pushed back this year due to the Olympics. Nothing suggests ROH has any involvement in this show and that's a good thing since general consensus is that ROH shit the bed last time. As a card I'd guess it would be on the level of King of Pro Wrestling since that's what its effectively replacing (same as MSG Super Card replacing Sakura Genesis last year), meaning we can expect a lot of title defences but nothing is going to have any huge ramifications on WK since the G1 hasn't happened yet.

Can't see Mox or Jericho being involved, but that relationship could always change between now and then.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">i cant BREATHE zsj called him jonathan moxley and mox called zsj an udon noodle i love this feud already <a href="https://t.co/vWJ4nutWxH">pic.twitter.com/vWJ4nutWxH</a></p>&mdash; ceo of orange cassidy (@jonmoxIeys) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmoxIeys/status/1226463488257732608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ja" dir="ltr">盛り橋☆ <a href="https://t.co/nuOGJ1Y8ZV">pic.twitter.com/nuOGJ1Y8ZV</a></p>&mdash; 棚橋 弘至 (@tanahashi1_100) <a href="https://twitter.com/tanahashi1_100/status/1226502103570378756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tanahashi's hair is probably going to be the best draw they've got going in. And that's a compliment to the hair, not a knock on New Japan.

I think it's going to be a hard sell for the MSG show on the same weekend as SummerSlam. Technically you could hop on an Amtrak or drive up 95 and get to Boston and see both shows but that also means you skip Takeover. The MSG show benefited from everyone being in NYC. I don't think it will sell out might be close though.

If they could get AEW on board, I could see it doing better even with just getting Jericho and Moxley. They have basically 6 months to work something out which is actually a long time in the current wrestling climate.

According to this week's Observer Newsletter, NJPW is planning for this year's MSG event to be Wrestle Kingdom worthy in terms of card status. Baring any sudden changes, neither Jericho nor Moxley would be available for the show due to both guys deals with NJPW only allows them to work shows in Japan.

Also reported that NJPW wanted to make this announcement during Wrestle Kingdom 14 week but couldn't due to WWE's attempts at blocking them from MSG.

Not surprising at all. If you're going to go into MSG, you really need a card that is going to be worthy of it. This lends itself to being a huge show, and if it's half-way successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see them make it an annual thing and have their local Wrestle Kingdom and international Wrestle Dynasty show as two big marquee events throughout the year.

I've got a feeling Okada will walk out the IWGP Champion. Can see the top two matches being Naito vs. Okada and White vs. Tanahashi.

Would be tough to make it an annual show without NJPW making major changes to their schedule setup.

Main reason they could do it this year was due to the Olympics being in Tokyo and the G1 Climax tournament being pushed back till the Fall. That left August open for a major event in the US to be possible and also not have it conflict with other shows or be put together at the last minute.

Plus even with MSG becoming friendly towards non-WWE promotions, its still a very expensive place to run events which is why even WWE bolted when they had the chance after the Barclays Center opened for big events in NY.

You don't have to do it in August or at MSG every year, lol. Just one big US show to try and fertilize that ground.

They would still need to do some big tweaks to their schedule to fit a major US show that doesn't get thrown together at the last minute and also gets treated the same as a major Japan event if the idea is to hold it annually.

Right now their schedule is pretty much ideal for how the company runs things which is why almost all the US shows have been just crammed in and given low priority for focus.

Ideally if they were to run a major US show every year, September likely makes the most sense but the window to do it is pretty small. Would be sandwiched between wrestlers just coming out of their post-G1 rest break and the important post-G1 shows that tie up loose ends.

So you do it in September.

Problem is you'd have to cram it within a 1-2 week window. Last year's gap from the G1 rest break ending to the Destruction tour was like a week.

NJPW pretty much would have to drop one of their usual major events or tournaments to make a major US event happen as an annual thing without running into any real issues.

Can't they start G1 a little earlier and move the rest break one week? Does that interfere with any major Japanese holidays or anything like that?

Might run into some potential schedule issues if they did since the only other way is to shrink down the field back to 18 but doubt they'd want to do that after all these years of doing a 20 man tournament.

Easiest solution to their whole US problem is to just announce major matches earlier like US promotions do but then you run into another problem of spoiling important matches for big Japan events beforehand.

New Japan Cup brackets are going to be revealed tomorrow according to Chris Charlton and it's going to be another big one with 32 entrants.

R.I.P Everyone in Survivor.

I'm feeling a SANADA win, it fits the pattern, would work with the current champion and probably improve his dismal record over Okada. Maybe SANADA takes the IC off Naito. Lots of people are calling for Opsreay but I think it's too soon for that. Of course, it's Gedo so you never know.

New Japan just cancelled all shows from March 1 - March 15 due to coronavirus concerns.

So that's the anniversary show and a big chunk of the New Japan Cup gone.

Yikes. That sucks, better safe than sorry though. I wonder if they reschedule Hiromu / Naito to the finals and just rush the tournament by skipping the under card. How many dates are they left with?

5 dates left but probably could still get the tournament done in time if they got rid of the 10 day rest break after the tournament ends.

Welp, rest of the New Japan Cup just got wiped out.

Now laid off until the 21st.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, NJPW events for the remainder of the New Japan Cup between March 16 and 21 have been cancelled.<a href="https://t.co/FKfzPR2tPh">https://t.co/FKfzPR2tPh</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPWTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPWTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/VtTgSArg8E">pic.twitter.com/VtTgSArg8E</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1237288925745446913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Coronavirus stepping in to prevent Naito winning a season of Survivor is such a Gedo move.

Ticket details for Wrestle Dynasty as MSG in August:

Sign up for the pre-sale mailing list, you can get in on the pre-sale April 8th, 10 am eastern time.

General sale goes April 10th, 10 am eastern.

Ticket prices:
Balcony C: $20
Balcony B: $40
Balcony A: $60
Stand C: $80
Stand B: $100
Stand A: $150
Floor B: $150
Floor A: $200
Ringside B: $300
Ringside A: $500

At the rate things are going I’m not sure any event is going to be happening all year.

Our dumb-ass Environmental Minister isn’t someone to trust, but this thing has seemingly sobered some of them up. He’s saying they’re expecting it to last for six months. He’s not a good communicator, so he didn’t really explain what that means, and that doesn’t mean the crowd ban, but there have been varying expectations on how this thing will go. I guess you’ve got to get tickets out there if the event is happening and just offer refunds later.

According to Voices of Wrestling, NJPW is currently planning to potentially resume holding events starting on March 31st.

NJPW also considering plans of holding closed door events when they resume for the foreseeable future.

No real surprise at this point but Sakura Genesis has now been cancelled.

Wrestle Dynasty has almost zero chance of happening.

While I hope things are in a better spot come August, NYC currently has a third of all confirmed cases in the US and the governor has essentially said to expect NY to be under various degrees of lockdown for the remainder of the year.

There's just no way major public events like this are going to be happening in the city this year.

Dude I can't be on fucking lockdown for a year. Holy shite. Should I move back home to TN!?

Doesn’t mean everything will be closed all year...people are going to need money and the priority is reopening jobs. But bigass public events like sporting events at MSG and Barclays are low on the priority list.

Unless that show was in one of the three not allowed areas, guess NJPW didn't want to run an empty arena or limited capacity show since that would have gone over limit for gatherings as a normal show.

Events from April 12-18 now cancelled. Nippon Professional Baseball tried doing empty stadium games and even without a crowd three players ended up testing positive which means they might've spread it to the teams.

I find it very unlikely there's an event before the summer, if that.

Well, they're still set on Wrestle Dynasty happening.

Tickets were supposed to go on sale next week. But, NJPW has now pushed that into May.

Pre-sale is Wednesday, May 13th.

General public starts Friday May 15th.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hands off the merchandise <br><br>(Wondering if I’ll regret posting this)<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestlingTwitterAfterDark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestlingTwitterAfterDark</a> <a href="https://t.co/sFvA1mdSTf">pic.twitter.com/sFvA1mdSTf</a></p>&mdash; ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1249981290553790466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The U.S. based NJPW shop recently opened.

Slim pickings for the time being. Nothing that says "buy now".

Hopefully when the next boat comes in with merchandise from the main site, I'll throw grab something.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miho Abe announced that she is Taguchi’s new manager.....2020 is fucking nuts. <a href="https://t.co/BBkXDYuMKE">https://t.co/BBkXDYuMKE</a></p>&mdash; Matthew Acosta (@MatthewAcosta) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewAcosta/status/1251274451515330568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Probably going to end the same way the last time those two were together ... Taguchi's nuts getting pulverized.

https://i.imgur.com/NIfdBdi.gif

:eek:

She and Taichi have a falling out?!

Or did he trade up and get Pieter away from Yujiro?

Best of Super Junior tour completely cancelled.

They’ve basically said they won’t even think about returning until there’s readily available testing kits available for everyone every show......which means they might just be done for the year.

Wrestle Dynasty is officially postponed till 2021.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the interests of running the best and safest possible event for fans, NJPW has arrived at the decision to postpone Wrestle Dynasty in Madison Square Garden. <br><br>Sorry for the delay, but we'll be back stronger in 2021! <br><br>Details:<a href="https://t.co/gbNFgDN9Do">https://t.co/gbNFgDN9Do</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestledynasty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wrestledynasty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njmsg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njmsg</a> <a href="https://t.co/GUphNx3Lwd">pic.twitter.com/GUphNx3Lwd</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1258200169285333000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well, make sure MSG holds on to the deposit.

Logic dictates put it next to whatever PPV WWE has at Barclays at 2021 and make a weekend out of it. However, I can also see it as a kind of a kickoff to the G1 now depending on how the Olympics go for next year.

In the meantime, please get some new merchandise on the U.S. store.

I'm glad it's postponed. I was going to go but I know it was likely not goin to be a full sell out this year, then once the plauge came I knew they had to call it off.

P.M. Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency in Tokyo and the surrounding areas today.

With Howard Meij announcing the comeback plan not long ago, I hope there's some new info on NJPW starting back up soon.

NJPW might have filed one of the oddest trademarks for something wrestling related since I started following these things.

The recent trademark for Wrestle Dynasty includes the usual wording for merch-related purposes but then has one of the most wordy and all over the place stuff for something meant to be wrestling-related.

-NJPW will starting putting on shows again on 6/15, doing three shows a week for the next three weeks. All of these shows will take place in empty arenas. The first show is being presented New Year Dash style, with the matches getting announced at the top of the show and not a moment before.

- The remaining shows will be part of a rescheduled New Japan Cup, featuring both heavyweights and junior heavyweights. These shows will run all the way up to the semifinals. The first round matches are:

On 6/16:

Togi Makabe vs. Yota Tsuji

Tomohiro Ishii vs. El Desperado

Toru Yano vs. Jado

Tomoaki Honma vs. Hiromu Takahashi



On 6/17:

Kazuchika Okada vs. Gedo

Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki

Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Gabriel Kidd vs. Taiji Ishimori



On 6/22:

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi

Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SANADA

SHO vs. Shingo Takagi



On 6/23:

Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. YOSHI-HASHI

YOH vs. BUSHI

Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL

Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi

The second round matches will take place on 6/24 and 7/1, with the quarterfinals taking place on 7/2 and the semifinals on 7/3. The NJPW Cup final will take place on 7/11 in Osaka-jo Hall, and the winner will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles on 7/12 in the same venue. Both shows will have live fans, but seating will be limited to 1/3 of venue capacity.

SANADA vs. Shingo in Round 2 would be great if it happens.

welcome back njpw

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-cbOl96RFM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pretty much a given Okada will steamroll through his bracket. Suzuki the only bump in the road. But ending with a light heavyweight of either Kanemaru or Ishimori is just strange.

Obvious that Hiromu and Stone Pitbull will be at the end of theirs. Unless they got something planned for El Desperado that I don't know about.

That top right bracket is stacked. Minus Taguchi, anyone can win that.

Bottom right, It's EVIL's to lose. Goto might give him trouble.

I am predicting Okada vs Takagi in the final. It would be cool if Okada won and then Takagi wins G1 and we go to the Dome, brother.

For those interested in English commentary for NJPW's return of live shows, Chris Charlton confirmed reports of Japanese commentary being the only option for live shows and English commentary with only Kevin Kelly will get released some time afterwards on NJPW World.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Live broadcast woth japanese commentary, Kevin will handle English solo to turn it around as fast as possible in post. <a href="https://t.co/ovTPQjsAvN">https://t.co/ovTPQjsAvN</a></p>&mdash; chris charlton (@reasonjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/reasonjp/status/1271759543739940865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I thought Chris lived in Japan, weird.

I think he does. But, Chris is more of a translator and go-to for quick knowledge and anything Japanese wrestling. Not so much a commentator.

I'm wondering if Kevin Kelly got on a plane and is in Japan. Can't be that difficult to stick him next to Milano and Shinpei. Unless he's going to watch from his house. Which would just be weird, but understandable.

Very likely doing it straight from his house since there would be no reason to not have English commentary as a live option if he was actually in Japan.

Japan still has a travel ban in place despite them easing restrictions for the coronavirus.

I will miss Gino Gambino baybay!

I noticed a RT flight from Philly to Tokyo is only $450 into early next year.

I think I'll wait a day or two and see how long turn around is for the English commentary. Checked earlier today and so far only the Japanese commentary is up for Together Project.

Since he's been booked for the shows anyway, feel like they should've had DOUKI in the tournament instead of Jado because my god, Jado looks like he can barely move.

Just got around to watching the first night of the New Japan Cup.

Put Yota Tsuji on the list of people who can do a spear better than Edge. Managed to hit Makabe with a sweet looking one to start their match.

https://i.imgur.com/yZqx3IT.gif

Savage.

NJPW is debuting a new weekly wrestling show starting July 3rd on New Japan World called "Lion's Break Collision"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming to Friday nights on <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwworld?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@njpwworld</a>!<br><br>Future meets present on Lion's Break Collision, a brand new weekly show on NJPW World Friday nights at 10e/9c! <a href="https://t.co/mjcA31Hgb7">https://t.co/mjcA31Hgb7</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJoA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJoA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njcollision?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njcollision</a> <a href="https://t.co/XVaEpaiVGg">pic.twitter.com/XVaEpaiVGg</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1274160165604876288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sho's eternal quest to beat Shingo Takagi has been my favorite angle in New Japan for a while now. Mainly because it leads to some incredible matches. So I was so hyped for their NJcup match.

...until that piece of shit Toa Henare tweeted out an image from the match showing the winner graphic. I don't even follow the fucker. It just showed up on my page.

Fuck Toa Henare. I hope he languishes in the young lion division for the rest of his fucking life.

Like of all the still frames from the match you could use, why would you use one that states the winner mere hours after the match took place? Did any logical thought cross this guy's mind before posting it.

Asshole piece of shit Toa fucking Henare