I watched some New Japan to see how I’d take to the current product.
Zack Sabre, Jr. is better than I last saw him. Wish he wouldn’t invite people to hit him. It’s just a hack trope at this point. But his overall performance was a lot better than when I last saw him at Wrestle Kingdom against Ishii years ago.
Ishii is a bit shit. He was the weakest part of the Road to Wrestle Kingdom tag I watched. He doesn’t even register getting hit. The match structure protected him, but they should really move him out of that spot soon.
Ryohei Oiwa impressed me. He seemed to have it together really well. His facial expressions and overall presence was good. Thought his pants looked a bit shit.
Speaking of shit pants, Shota Union probably needs a main event look. His work was excellent. I thought he and Oiwa were the better halves of that match.
I also watched two Takeshita matches from the G1, since people rave about him. He’s good. He’s got a shit-sniffing look and plays to the crowd well. I saw him against Hirooki Goto and Yota Tsuji. Those guys were great too. Goto apparently stepped up this year. Tsuji has got real good flare to him.
I might give New Japan World a go. I’ll check out more stuff tomorrow. I think I want to check out some Gabe Kidd, Jeff Cobb and maybe some of the junior heavyweights.
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