Horangi

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

Nope, based on the dates I'd say it's probably an 8 team field. Probably will get announced in a press conference tomorrow.

Well there goes my tentative 2025 Dominion plans, looks like I know where I'll be in January 2026 instead. Tanahashi is my all time greatest/all time favourite, having just about followed his entire career in real time there is no way I could miss this.

Upcoming NJPW Ryogoku card is looking pretty stacked. Sure the NEVER match will probably be awesome, Hiromu vs Mistico is intriguing but can't lie, most excited for Caveman Ugg

I havent had a chance but have been following the tournament, feedback with Tavion has been mostly positive but Briggs not so much. The consensus that I saw on Briggs is just that he is boring.

Sucks about Yuya, he was having a great tournament and thought he was a good shot of going through. His match with Tsuji looked like it was building up to something really good until he got hurt. Add Takeshita vs Boltin to the recommended list

I did write a list of some matches the other day, but here is a full list. Matches with ** next to them are highly recommended, others are matches I enjoyed so are worth watching if you have the time and/or are a fan of those involved Pretty much Zack/Gabe/Shingo in block A, and Goto/Uemura/Takeshita/Cobb in Block B have been the stand outs. I'm all on board with one last Goto hurrah but us Goto fans know to expect disappointment.

Thought tonight's Korakuen show was a blast! The main event is right up there with the best matches this tournament. They seem to be putting Naito's body falling apart but he keeps on fighting into his story now, the Umino match was probably his best all tournament Gabe Kidd vs Jake Lee was everything I hoped it would be

Sure! Nagasaki night 5 was mostly average, but thought Umino/O-Khan was fun and ZSJ vs Jake Lee was Jake's best match so far. Night 6 in Fukuoka - thought Cobb/Uemura, Takeshita/Henare and Tsuji/Goto were good and worth seeking out. The hot crowd helped Night 7 in Fukuoka had a really good Zack/Umino match, and possible match of the tournament contender so far in Shingo vs Gabe Kidd. Thought Naito vs SANADA was fun, but crowd seemed exhausted after the semi main Night 8 in Yamaguchi - Uemura/ Henare and Takeshita/Finlay were quite good. Gabe Kidd on English commentary was unexpected Night 9 Osaka - Shingo vs Zack is in my top 3 for sure, rest of the show if skipped you wouldn't be missing much.

Hiroshima was...interesting - Takeshita vs Cobb was very good, thought Zack/Newman and Takagi/O-Khan were fun and actually did really like Umino/Gabe despite Jake vs Naito on the other hand...

I thought both nights in Osaka were really good - to add to Evil Otto's recommendations from night 1, did enjoy Finlay vs Uemura probably more than I should have. Night 2 didn't have anything as good as Tsuji vs Takeshita, but Tsuji vs Finlay, Umino vs Takagi, ZSJ vs Naito & Gabe vs O-Khan are well worth a look. Hell I even enjoyed both HOT matches. Shota looked a lot better on night 2, but still looks like he is in obvious pain. Either they are gonna write him off early or he is a finalist, I can't see it going any other way because why bother if he's hurt? Jake Lee's nickname "Smart Bastard" might be my favourite nickname in pro wrestling at the moment. I think this G1 might be decisive for the overall opinion on Jake. I stand by that I thought he was great in All Japan, but how much of that was guys like Miyahara, Yuma and Suwama carrying the load? I wont say he was dreadful in NOAH, but it wasn't good...kind of like he was just in autopilot the whole time, but was NOAH just a bad fit for him? Jury is out, so I am intrigued to see how he goes here. Naito is not looking good, better than he did against Moxley and night 2 was certainly a step up from the first night. He should not be in 20 minute main events, yet his next 3 (Jake, EVIL and SANADA) are all main events at this stage. I don't think this is his last G1, but I think its close - maybe 1 more? EDIT: Forgot to add, we look at how broken guys like Tanahashi and Naito are, on the other hand, Goto is taking the Kojima route and is looking in great shape. Certainly could be re-positioned as a proper gatekeeper for the younger generation (he and Takagi could both function here as NJPW is very much lacking in strong gatekeepers).

Gutted for Taichi, he's been the head of my boy stable (thanks OSW review) for a long time but I can certainly accept it if its pushing forward this agenda of change President Ace has been speaking about.

Block A Qualifiers: YOSHI-HASHI vs Chase, winner takes on Ishii Yujiro vs Newman, winner takes on KENTA Block B Qualifiers: Boltin vs Yano, winner takes on Tanahashi Kojima vs TJP, winner takes on Taichi Based on this I'd say Block A is winner of Ishii vs Newman final, Block B probably Boltin but could see Taichi squeezing it (and avenging his TJP loss from earlier in the year)

I saw something on Twitter about Jake Lee disbanding GLG at Budokan a week before the G1, which might fuel some of those rumours about him being more involved with New Japan going forward. Jake vs EVIL is going to be interesting, just for the collective meltdown on social media.