Horangi

Naito isn't so much of a surprise with the recent rumblings. I'm sure he'll get a good run with NOAH or AJPW (I'd say NOAH/DDT as Cyberfight I think are the only ones who could afford him) as I don't see him going to the US long term. His eye and knees are pretty much done though so I do really wonder how much time he really has left. No feelings about BUSHI.

Lol they put the tag straps on Cobb and he then announces his departure. I felt the whole "wasn't I leaving internet?" was a bit hokey and obvious. When are they going to learn that putting belts on people isn't going to make them stay when you can match the salary of the US companies? Callum Newman wants to now challenge Goto...he's won like 5 singles matches and is nowhere near ready...watch Gedo book him for the Dontaku main event! (In all honesty I'm guessing Callum gets the shot because they were booking Dontaku around Cobb vs Goto and that this is just an easy pivot. O-Khan is probably tied up with ELP still and HENARE injured so in order not to shake too much they just replace with Callum. On a positive note, Goto will hold until Dominion which is a hell of a lot longer than I thought)

Junior Genesis last night was a lot of fun, bring on tonight!

Both title matches last night were very good and are in my top 10 NJPW matches of the year. Glad Tanahashi still had one more left in him, knees be damned. Tonight's Korakuen show has been cancelled, looks like one of the ring posts broke during set up (despite Hartley Jackson claiming responsibility because he's a big boy...)

I'll give a top 10 so far a shot! 1. Zack Sabre Jr vs Hirooki Goto 2/11 (and I very much doubt anything is going to overtake this) 2. Kenny Omega vs Gabe Kidd 5/1 3. Yota Tsuji vs Gabe Kidd 2/11 4. El Desperado vs Kosei Fujita 4/2 5. Konosuke Takeshita vs Tomohiro Ishii 5/1 6. David Finlay vs Yota Tsuji 4/1 7. Konosuke Takeshita vs Boltin Oleg 11/2 8. Zack Sabre Jr vs Hechicero 11/1 9. Sumie Sakai retirement match 11/1 10. TMDK vs Chaos/Desperado 3/2 Last two were just super fun matches i enjoyed way more than I should.

Harsh when Chono/Muto vs TenKoji exists from WK1...its bottom 5 sure but i don't think worst ever is fair.

Yep, Wato had it worse than anyone. I still think there is a hugely negative view from the Western audience on him because of this. Evidently nobody is producing or monitoring the English commentary otherwise KK/CC would have been pulled up sooner on some of their things. Even the puns with Dick Togo wouldn't fly anywhere else. Maybe a positive from all of this will lead to some proper management and direction of English commentary going forward.

Criticisms aside, Chris is pretty good for bridging the gap for foreign fans with his live translation which is very helpful (for me anyway now that my Japanese has gone to shit) Some are speculating that Rocky Romero had something to do with the suspension, but who knows. I think it's pretty poor form to suspend Charlton over this considering how bad Kevin Kelly and Charlton have been to domestic partners like NOAH and yet they did nothing they (it's inconsistent is my point - they shouldnt be burying any partners unless its agreed as an angle) but I understand it didn't make NJPW look good to a partner that they are relying on for revenue.

Tsuji vs Finlay, Mayu vs AZM for sure. Depending how you feel about car crash ladder sprints possibly the opener.

I also finally watched the last Korakuen of 2024, the Zack/Roy vs Ishii/Umino match really good and well worth checking out. Onto Dash tonight, Josh Barnett teased a match with Boltin Oleg in his backstage comments.

I'll miss KOPW, I feel it was the wrong belt to retire, would have sacrificed TV, Strong and NEVER before it... Sure, it started out bad with Yano comedy in front of clap crowds, but the Taichi/Shingo/O-Khan second half produced some legit great stuff.

A few small changes to Wrestle Kingdom after the Christmas Korakuen shows: As KOPW has now been retired after the draw between O-Khan (who kept the belt) and Taichi (who kept the trophy), the Ranbo will be for a future IWGP World Heavyweight Title match which justifies somewhat why guys like SANADA will be in it (let's go Goto!) IWGP Jr Tag four way is most likely going to be a ladder match, not formally announced but expected to be El Phantasmo is back and has been added to the TV title match, so that is also now a four way.

Not really, they may have made some inroads last Block B show. Things could be up in the air after last nights A Block. 2 potential knee injuries to HENARE and Callum Newman that forced matches to end early (both needing assistance back, Callum was nearly stretchered out). Particularly this could cause a last minute change as depending on the winner and how bad HENARE is, the Bucks match may become a decision match. HENARE's knee seemed to just give out after coming off the ropes, non-contact. Newman I didn't see, just heard him yell out and then both Oiwa and Cobb both looking visibly upset.

The small venues show how NJPW values WTL and on posts of one of the podcasts (probably Super J Cast) people are speculating Kikuchi is heavily involved in booking again based on the tour structure and thrown together teams. Block A has had a few really good main events besides TMDK vs LiJ. Bishamon vs LiJ was great too. LiJ vs War Dogs, TMDK vs Funky Sauce, TMDK vs Umino/Honma are worth looking at. Block B on the other hand...I guess TMDK vs United Empire rematch was fun but yeah, mostly not good. It's a sad state of affairs when on at least two shows the Natural Classics have been in the best match (I like the Filips as Melbourne indy guys but they've not adjusted well to Japan)

I still think Naito/Hiromu will be announced, but after Tag League. Probably a smart move, gives them a chance to see how Shota/Zach draws before announcing their biggest possible match. Otherwise what is the alternative draw? Tanahashi/EVIL to kick off the retirement year? They're fortunate that they have until 2027 WK now to sort their main event scene.

Will second the love for War Dogs vs TMDK - these 4 just gel really well. I'm very much looking forward to the next Gen Jr feud of Wato and Fujita. My gut feel is Connors/Drilla will move up to heavyweight eventually (though Drilla is at Shingo status in terms of being a "junior" It's funny re: Velocities, my interpretation in Aus is that Paris was the one that a lot saw big things for, but I always felt Jude was the one overall with the most potential. Both are great though and I think they're a perfect fit for New Japan. I actually really enjoyed LiJ/Taguchi & Dia - crowd was super into it and they balanced the silliness of Taguchi with Dia's athleticism. Main event was fun too, it didn't have the emotional story of the TMDK match but Catch 22 are so good.

Jr Tag League was announced, 2 blocks of 6: Block A: War Dogs, Hiromu & BUSHI, Tiger Mask & Captain Suicida, House of Tortuee, Taguchi & Dragon Dia, Eagles & Fujita Block B: Jet Setters, Catch 22, YOH & Rocky Romero, DKC & Ninja Mack, Taiji Ishimori & X, The Velocities (hell yes!!!l