Archibald

Might send one to Impact since they are doing more with them now. Or might do Narita who is on Strong, but technically on excursion.

I often don't like Dave's opinions, but its not like there is some "must like X" law. Its ok for someone to prefer certain wrestlers over the others. I'm also not sure if it really matters since Ibushi very likely is taking back his title on next big show.

I think the issue is that we just had NJ Cup. Yes, NJPW likes to do lots of tournaments, but I'm not sure if I would be very hyped for another NJ Cup so soon. Besides, if the plan was for Okada to beat Ospreay then might as well cut the bullshit and get there as simply and quickly as possible.

I'm not sure that we really need it. How many title matches are we going to get this year after Dominion? 2-3? They can easily find something for Okada there. And both main events from Road to shows are worth checking out, Tekkers vs GoD was mostly bullshit free and fun, while Yoshi continues to shine with trios titles.

Yeah, I don't think anyone is expecting some five star matches from Braun, but big guys throwing shit around is sometimes entertaining and he would really stand out in NJPW.

Maybe its just that you don't like who is winning? I mean, Tanahashi failed his goal, but White did not. How else would their singles match end if not for one guy failing at his goal?

I'd probably cut it at Suzuki beating Goto for it. Yeah, their WK rematch was awesome, but from what I remember Suzuki's NEVER title defences were rather bad full of interferences and fuckery.

Name should definitely get changed at some point. Thou I'm not sure if I agree with the stated purpose, NEVER title was key in elevating Ishii, Shibata, Taichi, Ospreay and Shingo. They obviously were not elevated to same positions, but I think that guys like Goto being stuck with it forever kinda cloud what it was about.

As if Tanahashi getting the title hasn't telegraphed that couple of months ago? Same thing happened two years ago with Jr. title at Dontaku Night 1. And wrestlers having goals and failing is what keeps this real. If all goals were achieved or if wrestlers didn't promise things that they couldn't deliver then there would be less gravity around them losing. Now, I'm rather fascinated by something else - ladder match for iron fingers. To be more precise, Iizuka retired more than two years ago. He was not a wrestler with many title wins (mostly a tags guy), not part of many classic moments (I think he has one or two 5 star tag matches?) and generally not liked by audience. Yes, his retirement show was well received, but I think it was mostly due to all of us being in a "oh well, let the old fool play around for one last time" mood and not due to people suddenly "getting" Iizuka. So you know, by all accounts he should be forgotten by now. But no, semi-main of this show was basically dedicated to him and ended with Iizuka's theme being played. This Tekkers vs GoD feud is going to probably conclude after tag titles match on one of upcoming big shows, but at this point you kinda have to wonder if this feud was about tag titles or iron fingers. From my understanding Taichi is basically starting his last character arc. He is 41 years old, he knows that he ain't gonna be pushed as the singles star and he probably wants to keep wrestling for another decade or so. So you know, he picks up iron fingers from hell after Iizuka retires. Gets some important wins with it and overall builds himself up as a guy that can go and beat people up when he gets mad/motivated. But he is getting obsessed with iron fingers more and more, some of multimans were basically about him choking people and not doing any other moves. So my suspicion is that just like he slowly transition from cowardly cheater to a guy who can kick ass he is now slowly transitioning to Iizuka 2.0. And it sucks because I like Taichi who kicks ass.

Well it is lucha, by the time of the show half of the people from poster might be replaced.

Yeah, second night in Kagoshima was much better than the first one.

Wouldn't this be pretty much pointless? Its not like Omega is Hogan or Inoki. Beating a guy who beat Omega is not really a rub. As you said yourself, they got one shot at this.

Sanada/Henare and Naito/Oka are worth watching if you like those guys. Neither did something to change your opinion about them, but you know, more Naito content is more Naito content so I can't complain.

Next one sounds rather good as well. And Mox/Nagata is supposed to happen at some point so NJPW Strong has some solid matches lined up.

If I'm not mistaken every Gresham's title match had different ending. So this is probably an idea that they are running with.

Safe bet that ROH will start working with whatever the hell Rush/Bandido are trying to start?

Today had three singles matches before trios title match tomorrow. So you know, if you are not tired of all those Korukaens then today's show and, probably, tomorrow's are worth watching.

I don't know much about their dojo, but is Eli Isom their first big home grown success?

Ibushi? Naito, White, Sanada, Naito, Desperado and Ospreay defences were all good, obviously ignoring personal likes and dislikes of some wrestlers in that list.

I'm all for RevPro's title being turned into IWGP British HW championship.

Maybe buildings have been booked way in advance when it wasn't still clear if parade would get cancelled or not?

I think the reinvention can kinda requires failure, no? I mean if you are doing good then why reinvent yourself?

Whole thing about less dates vs more dates was weird.

Yeah, if its just there then they failed.

I don't know, whole idea Taichi/Tonga in a ladder match fighting over Iron Fingers sounds absurd regardless if it is empty arena, clap crowds or normal crowds. It is either going to be one of the greatest things that happened this year or absolute train wreck.