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DaveWadding 09-24-2020 06:15 AM

GO ACE

Emperor Smeat 09-24-2020 06:16 AM

Yano is such a great comedic wrestler not only in NJPW but also wrestling in general.

Laughed a lot at the match he had against Tanahashi.

First half of tonight's G1 Climax Night 4 show flew by quickly.

Emperor Smeat 09-24-2020 06:33 AM

Ouch at that ragdoll looking bump Juice took on the ropes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch the impact of this knee drop by <a href="https://twitter.com/KENTAG2S?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KENTAG2S</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G1CLIMAX30?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G1CLIMAX30</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://t.co/d63mH2znnl">https://t.co/d63mH2znnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/8iBhNeiqnw">pic.twitter.com/8iBhNeiqnw</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1309078510141661185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Emperor Smeat 09-24-2020 06:50 AM

Juice vs. KENTA was very good.

The way KENTA was chopping at Juice's neck was as if he was trying to decapitate Juice with how some of his strikes sounded.

Emperor Smeat 09-24-2020 07:16 AM

EVIL vs. YOSHI-HASHI was very good.

Doesn't matter which wrestling promotion it is, wrestlers are still very dumb in general when it comes to not wearing cups considering all these years of low blows being dished out in matches.

Emperor Smeat 09-24-2020 07:51 AM

Sabre Jr. vs. Naito was amazing. Came very close to hitting the time limit draw.

Night 4 was very good overall and the longest G1 show so far this year but it was well worth the extra length.

Evil Vito 09-24-2020 11:15 PM

YANO GOING 9-0 BAYBAYYYYY

Emperor Smeat 09-25-2020 01:00 PM

According to Voices of Wrestling's Super J-Cast podcast, NJPW is currently rumored to be planning a combined Best of Super Jrs and World Tag League tour later this year instead of being separate tours like what would happen in a normal year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rumours are a combined Best of the Super Juniors + World Tag League tour coming up post-G1.</p>&mdash; Super J-Cast (@thesuperjcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesuperjcast/status/1309143423199387648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Emperor Smeat 09-25-2020 10:50 PM

First round of the Lion's Break Crown tournament on this week's NJPW Strong show was pretty good overall.

Semi-final matchups for next week's show:
SPOILER: show
Logan Riegel vs. Clark Connors
Danny Limelight vs. Blake Christian

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 03:39 AM

Best moment from the Taichi vs. Yujiro A Block match on tonight's G1 Climax show:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taichi's pants landed on the camera man. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G1CLIMAX30?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G1CLIMAX30</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NJPW</a> <a href="https://t.co/d63mH2znnl">https://t.co/d63mH2znnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/L5NMCSkkgO">pic.twitter.com/L5NMCSkkgO</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1310119908043304961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 03:49 AM

Jeff Cobb vs. Suzuki was very good.

Cobb's been having a much better outing in this year's tournament than he did for last year's tournament.

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 04:19 AM

Ishii vs. Ibushi was amazing.

Had a bunch of stiff looking spots with each guy trying to one up the other at times.

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 04:43 AM

Shingo busting out a Burning Hammer was great. Difference between his and the usual way the move was done was that his used the ropes to bounce Ospreay off instead of just slamming him right to the ground.

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 04:51 AM

Takagi vs. Ospreay was great. Doubt Okada vs. White is going to tie or surpass it for tonight's best match.

A Block delivering big time so far in terms of very worthy MotY contenders.

Emperor Smeat 09-27-2020 05:20 AM

:eek: at the ending to Okada vs. White.

Starting to feel that this year might be the first time in a long time or maybe possibly ever where NJPW doesn't telegraph the winner of a block beforehand when they released the G1 schedule.

Night 5 was great overall.

Evil Vito 09-27-2020 01:30 PM

Taichi/Yano battle of the undefeated in the finals LET’S GOOOOOOOO

ClockShot 09-27-2020 07:37 PM

Juice beating KENTA and having a shot at the briefcase down the road got me wondering if there's some sort of plan in place for Moxley and the U.S. title. Obviously gotta see how the rest of the tourney shakes out to see what else happens.

Quite a few surprises so far.

Evil Vito 09-29-2020 07:01 AM

Harold Mejj has resigned

Emperor Smeat 09-29-2020 07:43 AM

Slept through most of today's show and only managed to catch the last 2 matches live.

Wonder who did SANADA piss off to get the treatment he's been getting so far in this year's tournament.

ClockShot 09-29-2020 10:21 AM

I got this sense of dread that SANADA is just getting a repeat of last year's G1. A big win here and there, the rest losses.

Sucks.

slik 09-29-2020 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito (Post 5377386)
Harold Mejj has resigned

That is big news

ClockShot 09-29-2020 06:41 PM

Eh. Not really. He's bounced around various places. One of those guys that comes in fixes things and brings success and moves on.

I wouldn't be surprised if he stays in Japan and takes on a similar role with another comapny/corporation. Nissan perhaps?

Emperor Smeat 09-29-2020 07:26 PM

Yeah he was never meant to be a long term stay as NJPW's president.

He mostly got promoted to the job to beef up their global expansion plans and lay the ground work for their NJPW America branch.

Rumors of him leaving had existed since last year and he probably would have left a lot sooner had it not been for the coronavirus throwing a wrench into NJPW's plans.

Emperor Smeat 09-29-2020 07:33 PM

Also didn't help that his rep never fully recovered after The Elite left to help form AEW and NJPW struggled to fill their void in terms of foreign star power.

Then you had some guys in the locker room that didn't really like him due to some of the new changes he tried to pass like the "no swearing" rule.

Evil Vito 09-29-2020 09:16 PM

SANADA’s still got EVIL on the final day so I think he’s due for a winning streak.

Ultra Mantis 09-29-2020 10:13 PM

Either SANADA is going on a win streak to take the block in a tie break over Naito and EVIL or hes going to lose ALL of his matches, give no backstage comments and then job clean to EVIL at WK in a grudge match which he never ever talks about in order to really solidify his status as next gen Goto.

Emperor Smeat 09-30-2020 06:15 AM

1st half of tonight's Night 7 G1 show really flew by. Shortest 1st half for a G1 show so far this tournament.

Suzuki vs. Yujiro was a nice brief brawl while Cobb had another very good showing tonight against Ibushi.

Emperor Smeat 09-30-2020 06:45 AM

:lol: at the ref botching a pin count in the Okada vs. Taichi match because Okada wasn't going to kick out in time.

Looked like a fool having his hand up for a second without putting it down for the near fall spot.

Emperor Smeat 09-30-2020 06:54 AM

Ouch at Ospreay's neck after White chucked him to the outside. His neck clipped the ring apron on the way down.

Edit: White vs. Ospreay ended up being a fantastic match overall.

Emperor Smeat 09-30-2020 07:37 AM

Ouch at that elbow to the head Ishii just took.

Emperor Smeat 09-30-2020 07:45 AM

Ishii vs. Takagi was amazing.

If there was a MVP award for best G1 performer, Ishii would be a strong lock for its winner.

At first it looked like tonight's show was going to be the shortest in terms of length with how it was flying by but turns out it was just so the latter matches could get a ton more time.

Night 7 was very good overall.

Emperor Smeat 10-01-2020 02:38 PM

Seems two big reasons for Harold Meij's removal as NJPW's President were the company's finances tanking this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and them struggling to get a new TV deal in the US after Anthem kicked them off of AXS TV.

The first wasn't his fault but its related to the very lofty promises he made about raising NJPW's revenues to new higher levels with him in charge that was going to be tough to reach even under normal circumstances.

Also seems another issue was him rubbing a lot of people the wrong way with some of his actions on the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrestlingInc
On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, it was noted Meij had initially promised $200 million in revenue for NJPW, but with the pandemic hitting that obviously was a much tougher task to achieve. Even without the pandemic, NJPW would have needed "monster television deals" and bigger expansion into the U.S. to hit those numbers. Meij was somewhat hands-off with NJPW expanding in America as that was the focus of Ohbari.

Another reported reason for the change was losing TV in the States, NJPW had previously appeared regularly on AXS TV since the end of last year. Had they decided to work with Impact Wrestling — its parent company, Anthem, purchased majority interest in the channel — then NJPW likely would have stayed on AXS TV.

During his time there, Meij was said to have brought in great mainstream publicity for the company, but some felt the focus was too much on him, rather than the company itself. Meij also had his own fan club in Japan, which rubbed some people the wrong way.


DaveWadding 10-02-2020 12:34 AM

Ishii / Shingo was probably the best match of the tourney so far. Just like last year. It's #IshiiSzn

ClockShot 10-02-2020 05:25 PM

Watched Ishii/Takagi last night and easily the best match so far. They need a rubber match down the road to settle things. 30 minutes plus, no holds barred, etc. Just let 'em go nuts.

Got through the first half of B Block day 4. 2nd half should be fun.

Gotten used to listening on the Japanese commentary. But, I honestly think Jay White or KENTA should have smuggled in Kevin Kelly in an oversized x-ray proof briefcase to get him to call the G1 live. Not sure if he's dragging his feet or Rocky Romero is holding things up, but I feel the English commentary turnaround is a day or two slower as opposed to the New Japan cup turnaround. Anybody else notice?

Emperor Smeat 10-02-2020 11:09 PM

This week's NJPW Strong episode was pretty good.

Bit surprised they didn't have the Lion's Break Crown matches be on the latter half of the show.

Finals of Lion's Break Crown tournament:
SPOILER: show

Clark Connors vs. Danny Limelight


Quote:

Originally Posted by ClockShot (Post 5378469)
Gotten used to listening on the Japanese commentary. But, I honestly think Jay White or KENTA should have smuggled in Kevin Kelly in an oversized x-ray proof briefcase to get him to call the G1 live. Not sure if he's dragging his feet or Rocky Romero is holding things up, but I feel the English commentary turnaround is a day or two slower as opposed to the New Japan cup turnaround. Anybody else notice?

Kevin Kelly mentioned that problem on Twitter after the first coupe shows. Seems NJPW has just been slower sending him the tapes to do English commentary work.

Evil Vito 10-03-2020 12:06 PM

SANADAAAAAAA

ClockShot 10-03-2020 12:45 PM

Match with Naito could have been kicked up a notch. Not bad, but not great.

Honestly thought Gedo would have a riot on his hands if SANADA went in a deep 0-4 hole.

ClockShot 10-06-2020 06:15 AM

Night 9 the dud of the bunch so far in terms of matches. Nothing going past 20 minutes and some sloppiness here and there.

The shock value however, was great.

Hope today will be much better.

Emperor Smeat 10-07-2020 02:37 PM

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4o05kxkcBn8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Emperor Smeat 10-08-2020 02:01 AM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I guess we should’ve expected Juice to eventually cut a promo about his penis, with bonus WWF Attitude Era deep cuts and a shout-out to Toni Storm <a href="https://t.co/wMHac02V6N">pic.twitter.com/wMHac02V6N</a></p>&mdash; Super J-Cast (@thesuperjcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesuperjcast/status/1313691478367956992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

slik 10-09-2020 12:06 AM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 years ago today:<br><br>Kenny Omega defeated Cody &amp; Kota Ibushi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyOmegamanX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CodyRhodes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibushi_kota</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZfK5crTXS9">pic.twitter.com/ZfK5crTXS9</a></p>&mdash; Ciaràn (@CiaranRH) <a href="https://twitter.com/CiaranRH/status/1314108265933008896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ultra Mantis 10-09-2020 07:38 PM

Seems to be something developing between Jay White and EVIL as a result of the KENTA match. White tells EVIL to stay in his lane while EVIL is planting seeds of doubt about Yujiro's loyalty. Perhaps Yujiro gets his two points at White's expense tomorrow and Bullet Club turns on the Knife Pervert? EVIL vs White for the Tokyo Dome?

Emperor Smeat 10-09-2020 07:45 PM

What if this all leads to a Yujiro on a pole match or winner of EVIL vs. Jay gets to keep Yujiro and his bunny for their Bullet Club faction.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">soon <a href="https://t.co/6czDRstDPl">pic.twitter.com/6czDRstDPl</a></p>&mdash; Emily Pratt (@emilyofpratt) <a href="https://twitter.com/emilyofpratt/status/1314658164009099264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Actually forget Yujio and just have a Bullet Club civil war over who gets to keep the bunny in their group since she's way more interesting and entertaining than Yujio.

Ultra Mantis 10-09-2020 07:47 PM

Loser keeps Yujiro.

ClockShot 10-09-2020 07:57 PM

Was listening to Night 11 last night on English commentary. Kevin Kelly finally getting those out lickety split.

He pretty much implied that there might be an EVIL vs. Jay White feud for Bullet Club control coming with all the "backstage comments" he kept mentioning. But, I'd hold off until they can get everybody else back in Japan so side can be taken.

Yeah, that tweet probably isn't far off.

But, Jay vs. Yujiro is the one I've been waiting for now to see if the trend holds up. Soldiers beating the faction leaders. SANADA beat Naito, Taichi beat Suzuki.

Emperor Smeat 10-09-2020 11:03 PM

Finals of the Lion's Break Crown tournament was very good and arguably the best match of the entire tournament.

The winner of it was pretty obvious when NJPW announced the field but the tournament was still very entertaining to watch.

SPOILER: show
Clark Connors won


The 12-man tag match was weird since it was Elimination rules style but done as a hybrid of a regular multi-man tag match and Battle Royale since tossing someone over the top rope counted as an elimination. Seeing as almost all the eliminations were done via the top rope way, it should have been a tag team Battle Royale match instead but without the dumb WWE rule of if one tag guy gets eliminated, then the whole team is eliminated.

This week's NJPW Strong show was pretty good overall although not sure why they didn't have the tournament finals be the main event.

Emperor Smeat 10-10-2020 04:35 AM

Cobb vs. Ishii match from tonight's G1 show was amazing.

Emperor Smeat 10-10-2020 04:49 AM

Looks like Yujiro is getting kicked out of White's faction of Bullet Club after what happened during their match tonight.

Match itself was nothing special but it had some good comedic moments and the big surprise of the crowd being completely behind Yujiro.

Emperor Smeat 10-10-2020 05:44 AM

Suzuki busting out a Liontamer during his match against Ibushi was amazing.

Another tease between AEW and NJPW guys about wanting to work together now that Harold Meij is out of the picture.

Emperor Smeat 10-10-2020 06:09 AM

Yikes at Tagaki's head getting spiked on the mat from Okada's Tombstone. His neck almost bent in the wrong direction afterwards.

Edit: Double yikes since it happened again in this match.

Emperor Smeat 10-10-2020 06:20 AM

Okada's Cobra Clutch is still lame as hell as his finisher but that match against Takagi was insanely great.

Night 13 was great overall and one of the best night's of this year's G1.

DaveWadding 10-11-2020 05:57 AM

Cobb vs. Ishii was so good. All strikes, suplexes and powerbombs. This is what I wanted last year.

DaveWadding 10-11-2020 08:02 PM

Catching up on some of this today. Ibushi/Shingo was another great match. The A Block nights are always loaded with
amazing matches.

ClockShot 10-14-2020 07:51 PM

Man, A Block sucks. Big 3 at the top............then Ospreay.

Ugh. Dreading this weekend.

Evil Vito 10-15-2020 10:57 AM

A month ago I joked that White vs. EVIL being the finals would be the most Gedo thing ever and now it's on the cusp of actually happening. Strange times.

Ultra Mantis 10-15-2020 08:57 PM

A Block is hard to call, Okada's refusal to pull out the rainmaker is surely going to cost him huge at some point, but will it be Ospreay or his self appointed rival SANADA who benefits from it?

Ibushi winning the block by beating Taichi while Tana has an awful run, doesnt even come close the finals and loses to Zack Sabre Jr gives him some motivation for a heel turn and adds fuel to the Ibushi / Tanahashi dome match. Failing to beat Taichi would throw him back into a tag program though so maybe that's the plan for now? Ibushi winning the block would work out but I dont think he's going to.

White seems on course for a WK match with EVIL, and if he wins the block then surely EVIL must lose to SANADA and in turn so must White so both guys are free to have their program. I feel like White is going to blow it and hes going to make sure EVIL blows it too. I'd be very surprised if the A Block winner goes on to win the G1, which is weird because they are the other 3 of the "big 4".

Honestly, I'm probably just setting myself up for a massive disappointment when SANADA does a Goto.

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 06:24 AM

Takagi vs. Suzuki was great.

Not as amazing as their prior encounter for the NEVER belt but was still a ton of fun to watch and just as hard hitting as that match was.

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 06:51 AM

That was an amazing lariat Okada busted out ... wait WTF Bea Priestley just randomly showed up.

Now a former Young Lion suddenly showed up to help out Ospreay.

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 06:53 AM

That ending was weird as hell

Group A guys still eligible to win:
SPOILER: show

Will Ospreay
Kota Ibushi
Jay White


Also
SPOILER: show
Ospreay now has his very own group to lead after turning on Okada afterwards. Guess that Okada's post-G1 feud till Wrestle Kingdom

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 07:21 AM

Ibushi vs. Taichi was amazing.

Both guys legs are going to be extra sore tomorrow. Probably the most kicks I've ever seen thrown in a match.

Group A guys still eligible to win with 1 match left tonight:
SPOILER: show

Kota Ibushi
Jay White

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 07:56 AM

Ishii vs. White was also amazing.

Winner of A Block:
SPOILER: show

Kota Ibushi

Ishii beat White meaning no Bullet Club civil war for the G1 Finals match


Night 17 was great overall and one of the best nights of this year's tournament.

Emperor Smeat 10-16-2020 10:58 PM

This week's NJPW Strong show was fine overall although nothing really worth watching if you missed the show.

Evil Vito 10-16-2020 11:16 PM

I think Okada vs Shingo from A Block was my favorite match of the tourney so far but there’s been loads of fun ones. Happy with the A Block result. Now to have my hopes and dreams crushed to dust in B Block.

Emperor Smeat 10-17-2020 04:50 AM

Hirooki Goto vs. Juice Robinson was very good.

Juice had some really good matches in this year's tournament.

Emperor Smeat 10-17-2020 05:18 AM

Tanahashi vs. Sabre Jr. was also very good.

Sabre came very close to getting dropkicked in the nuts by Tana since Tana almost missed the leg he was targeting.

Emperor Smeat 10-17-2020 05:47 AM

:lol: at the ending to Naito vs. KENTA.

That might have been KENTA's best match of this year's tournament though.

Emperor Smeat 10-17-2020 06:21 AM

:lol: at Hiromu doing nothing to save his LIJ pal SANADA from the beatdown by Dick Togo and then when he finally decides to help, he gets quickly nailed in the nuts for his efforts.

Emperor Smeat 10-17-2020 06:24 AM

Also :lol: at almost every B Block match tonight involved a roll up of sorts for the finish.

SANADA vs. EVIL was fantastic though. Way better than their prior match at the New Japan Cup tournament.

Winner of B Block and G1 Finals matchup:
SPOILER: show

SANADA defeated EVIL to win B Block.

SANADA vs. Kota Ibushi for the finals


Night 18 was entertaining overall but Gedo got really lazy with the booking of the finishes for the final B Block show.

Volare 10-17-2020 09:05 AM

G1 Finals....I'm in!

Really hyped about Osprey vs Okada though, don't think that match would disappoint at all!

Evil Vito 10-17-2020 12:16 PM

Holy shit!

Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 03:05 AM

NJPW just announced that next year's Wrestle Kingdom will also be held over two nights like this year's event was.

Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 03:39 AM

That ending to the SHO & Okada vs. Great-O-Khan & Ospreay match was such a huge dud. Match itself was somewhat good but way below what SHO, Okada, & Ospreay are capable of.

Not even Okada's Cobra Clutch finisher got that much apathy from crowds.

Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 04:21 AM

Yikes at Ibushi almost seriously injuring his neck. The way he looked a bit dazed or lost afterwards and the commentators thinking he might have compressed his neck made everything look even more scary.

Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 04:50 AM

Ibushi vs. SANADA was amazing.

Last couple near falls was insane in sense of the kickout timings and even got the crowd pissed off at Red Shoes since they bit hard on the first one.

SPOILER: show
Ibushi back-to-back G1 Finals winner


G1 Finals was very good overall. Undercard was fine to very good in terms of quality. Finals itself was amazing and was one of those Okada style matches where its extra long with the first half being mostly nothing special but then kicks into next gear and just ramps up huge in quality as it goes on.

Evil Vito 10-18-2020 11:17 AM

I couldn’t believe when they were making the 20, 25, 30 minute calls. That flew by.

Ultra Mantis 10-18-2020 11:26 AM

SPOILER: show
SANADAs gonna SANADA.

SADADA.

Fignuts 10-18-2020 05:02 PM

Ibushi definitely got fucked up early on. A number of spots afterwards that didn't go smoothly and looked a bit awkward.

It's a testament to both men's ability that it was still such a great match.

SPOILER: show
The never ending tragedy of Sanada continues. God damn it.

Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fignuts (Post 5382521)
SPOILER: show
The never ending tragedy of Sanada continues. God damn it.

SPOILER: show
Until he signs an actual contract, he's never going to get over that hump in NJPW.

slik 10-18-2020 10:42 PM

SPOILER: show


I didn't know that Sanada didn't have a contract


He's one of if not my favorite in NJPW too


Emperor Smeat 10-18-2020 11:00 PM

A good amount of NJPW's talent is like that especially some of their bigger name guys.

Volare 10-18-2020 11:26 PM

SPOILER: show
<iframe width="1019" height="573" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a5Dtv3KfvrE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Volare 10-18-2020 11:39 PM

Also digging the new style.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGeihzSJUaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGeihzSJUaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGeihzSJUaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">STARDOM X NJPW ��⭐️��⭐️�� #G1Climax #NJPW #Stardom #TheEmpire</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beapriestleypw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Bea Priestley</a> (@beapriestleypw) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-10-18T07:52:46+00:00">Oct 18, 2020 at 12:52am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Ultra Mantis 10-19-2020 12:16 PM

I'm not even sure why SANADA wont just sign a contract at this point, unlike Ibushi and Suzuki he never really worked anywhere else once he started with New Japan and he doesnt seem to have a side hustle or anything else going on.

Emperor Smeat 10-19-2020 04:46 PM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full card revealed for Power Struggle November 7!<br><br>Six high stakes singles matchups!<br><br>Double IWGP title: EVIL vs Tetsuya Naito!<br><br>Tokyo Dome main event contract: Jay White vs Kota Ibushi!<br><br>US Heavyweight Contract: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs KENTA!<a href="https://t.co/BRqO4Zw45Z">https://t.co/BRqO4Zw45Z</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpst</a> <a href="https://t.co/KIkfT3iMJi">pic.twitter.com/KIkfT3iMJi</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1318088148442697728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 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">Full card revealed for Power Struggle November 7!<br><br>Six high stakes singles matchups!<br><br>Kazuchika Okada vs Great-O-Khan!<br><br>NEVER title: Minoru Suzuki vs Shingo Takagi!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KOPW2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KOPW2020</a>: Toru Yano vs Zack Sabre Junior!<a href="https://t.co/BRqO4Zw45Z">https://t.co/BRqO4Zw45Z</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpst</a> <a href="https://t.co/5ys8rmeCEj">pic.twitter.com/5ys8rmeCEj</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1318088160891400193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ClockShot 10-19-2020 05:58 PM

That's...............................bland. Everything got rehashed from Summer Struggle with like 2-3 fresh matches.

And what business does ZSJ taking on Yano for that KOPW crap.

Evil Vito 10-20-2020 08:08 AM

Yeah I loved the G1 but that Power Struggle card doesn't really entice me at all.

Hopefully they drop the G1 Tag League/BOSJ fields within the next 10 days so I can decide whether or not to take a couple months off before the Dome.

Volare 10-20-2020 09:14 AM

Got this recommended to me this morning...for once YT didn't lie to me!

<iframe width="1019" height="573" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Tuy-dsmheY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Emperor Smeat 10-20-2020 05:06 PM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This G1 has been an absolute goldmine for post-match promos, and this one from KENTA might be the weirdest and best of them all (Full version here: <a href="https://t.co/ANhClGbEIA">https://t.co/ANhClGbEIA</a>) <a href="https://t.co/GZtGjt6WEY">pic.twitter.com/GZtGjt6WEY</a></p>&mdash; Super J-Cast (@thesuperjcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesuperjcast/status/1318045574239637507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Evil Vito 10-21-2020 12:10 AM

BOSJ I see at least seven locks: Ishimori, Himoru, BUSHI, Desperado, Kanemaru, SHO, and Taguchi. I'd probably call Master Wato a "most likely" despite a less than stellar return from excursion as this'll give him the chance to properly show out in matches. The last two spots would depend on if they're willing to bring some more people back, if so two of Phantasmo/Eagles/Rocky are options. Otherwise you've always got DOUKI around and you can probably dig up Tiger Mask if you gave to.

WTL you've got Dangerous Tekkers, The Empire, SANADA/Shingo, two Chaos teams between Yano/Ishii/Goto/YOSHI, and they're probably giving honorary spots to Tencozy and GBH. Juice/Cobb seems like a possible team unless they're bringing David Finlay back. With travel in mind, G.O.D I figure will be back if allowed. If not, there's still gonna be a Bullet Club team and they have Switchblade/EVIL/KENTA as options....orrrrr it could just be one of them saddled with Yujiro who eats all the pins.

Only thing I don't know is if the Golden Aces will be involved, they've kept announced Dome match participants out of WTL in recent years and hopefully Kota will retain the briefcase after Power Struggle. Almost wonder if they'll revisit the Tana/Okada dream team and have them in the finals against Empire.

ClockShot 10-21-2020 09:55 AM

Only thing about Eagles is if he comes back, will he also leave Chaos and hook up with Ospreay and do Birds of Prey for WTL and leave O-Khan out. Or leave Chaos, stay lightheavy and be the rep for Super Jrs.

He's in a tricky spot right now.

Ultra Mantis 10-21-2020 02:31 PM

There's no way Eagles is going heavyweight, so I think Birds of <strike>War</strike> Prey were kind of dead as soon as Ospreay made the transition. I could see him becoming the Jr rep of Ospreays group and feuding with SHO until YOH comes back. Then YOH is totally going to turn on SHO and join Ospreay too. SHO is due a good singles push and Kamatsu / Robbie could become an offshoot tag team.

Robbie was quite well received as a baby though so maybe he stays with CHAOS, but then hes pretty much going to be treading water unless Ospreay recruits somebody for the Jr division.

Emperor Smeat 10-21-2020 04:24 PM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looking for something a bit spicier in your face mask?<br><br>How about one featuring a picture of Tana's abs?����<br><br>Grab this new face mask today!<a href="https://t.co/5VvNyQ3dab">https://t.co/5VvNyQ3dab</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/njpwshop?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#njpwshop</a> <a href="https://t.co/bUyburqRyW">pic.twitter.com/bUyburqRyW</a></p>&mdash; NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1318612952157544449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ClockShot 10-21-2020 06:40 PM

That's just creepy.

Emperor Smeat 10-23-2020 11:14 PM

This week's episode of NJPW Strong was fine overall. Nothing really worth going out of your way to watch if you missed the show though.

Long singles matches in an empty arena setting is still a big downside to these types of shows and the Jay White vs. Rocky Romero match from tonight was no exception. Dragged at times due to the lack of crowd reactions and them stretching it out to almost 15 minutes long.

Emperor Smeat 10-30-2020 10:49 PM

NJPW Strong show this week was pretty good. None of the matches dragged in quality and was also one of the shortest episodes in series history at around 40 minutes long.

Probably would be more into this Finlay vs. KENTA feud for the IWGP US title case if NJPW didn't already book a Tanahashi vs. KENTA match for the case at next week's Power Struggle show.

Emperor Smeat 11-02-2020 04:52 PM

NJPW announced the field for this year's Best of the Super Jrs. tournament.

Biggest change is only 1 block and 10 guys are competing instead of 2 blocks and 20 guys total.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer
The participants for this year’s Best of the Super Juniors 27 tournament have been announced

This year’s format is a dramatic change from last year’s tournament. Instead of two blocks and twenty entrants, this year there is only one block with ten wrestlers. The top two wrestlers who score the most points will meet each other in the finals.

Most of this year’s participants are NJPW regulars. Robbie Eagles, who has not appeared on a New Japan Pro Wrestling card since the COVID-19 pandemic, will make his return on this tour. Master Wato, who returned from excursion earlier this year, will make his Best of the Super Juniors debut.

The ten participants for this year’s tournament include:

Ryusuke Taguchi
Master Wato
SHO
Robbie Eagles
Hiromu Takahashi
BUSHI
El Desperado
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
DOUKI
Taiji Ishimori


Meanwhile a one-night Super J-Cup tournament will be held in the US this December.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer
During the announcement of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors 27 participants, the company also announced that they will be holding a Super J-Cup tournament next month in the United States. Eight wrestlers will compete in a single elimination tournament, with the winner being crowned this year’s J-Cup winner.

Like with previous J-Cup tournaments, some wrestlers will represent different promotions across the United States. Impact, ROH, and Game Changer Wrestling will all have representatives.

Notable talent included in this year's tournament include ACH, who will make his tournament debut, and Lio Rush, who will make his debut for UWN Primetime Live this Tuesday. Chris Bey, representing Impact, will also participate, while Rey Horus will represent ROH.

The participants for this year’s tournament include:

TJP
ACH
Lio Rush
Chris Bey (Impact)
Rey Horus (ROH)
Blake Christian (Game Changer Wrestling)
Clark Connors (LA Dojo)
El Phantasmo (Bullet Club)

In last year’s tournament, El Phantasmo defeated Dragon Lee in the finals.

The show, which will take place on one night, will air live on December 12 on New Japan World.


ClockShot 11-02-2020 06:30 PM

El Phantasmo will probably go back to back Super-J Cup wins. Unless someone gives him a run for his money.

Piggybacking on that, I'm surprised he's not getting on a plane and doing the BOSJ. It sure ain't going to have that magic like last year going from 20 guys to 10.

Emperor Smeat 11-07-2020 03:52 AM

Suzuki vs. Shingo match at Power Struggle was amazing.

Every one of their recent bouts has been nothing less than a brutal hard hitting war between the two.

Emperor Smeat 11-07-2020 04:01 AM

:lol: at Will Ospreay's new British upper class snobby look.

Emperor Smeat 11-07-2020 04:18 AM

Ospreay just challenged Okada to a match at next year's Wrestle Kingdom event.


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