Horangi

As someone who doesn't watch NOAH regularly, I felt this show was dragging until the tag team title match, which I really enjoyed. I thought Kiyomiya vs Kenoh was a war and absolutely great. Normally I struggle to get into Kenoh matches, he's one of those guys I just have an irrational dislike towards. I'll probably stick around and watch more of the January shows if they're on Wrestle Universe and see if NOAH can replace All Japan on my watch list, just wish Japanese commentary was an option.

As badly as I want to see Jake in NJPW and feel that is where he'd fit best, my gut feeling is that he is Fujita's X for the NOAH Budokan show which is means I guess I'll have to watch NOAH again (just have to avoid the fanbase) Ibushi I have no idea, 99% think he leaves NJPW and starts his own thing, but probably does Cyberfight & AEW things here and there. Is there an issue between Ibushi and Sanshiro Takagi? When Ibushi was having his meltdown on Twitter, I saw some people vaguely mention something but never really looked into it.

I can't see an expiration on any of the older ones (including the January 10th show), so I'd assume they'll stay up unless TAKA/JTO wants them pulled. September one is available on NJPW World, it is now available as part of the membership price (not PPV any longer - only the latest one is still PPV).

Shingo Takagi vs Taichi from TAKATaichiMania was a hell of a match, highly recommend and definitely in my top 10 but not sure where Actually the whole show was great, a strong contender for show of the year. I don't usually watch a whole lot of Joshi but my god Tomoka Inaba is incredible, my second favourite match of the night (arguably the better match if not for my emotional investment in the main). Hiromu and TAKA was super fun, perfect match with TAKA's limitations. Suzuki going balls out insane in the Suzuki/DOUKI vs Kasai/Honma was a blast too. Couldn't help but be happy that Despy finally got a match with Sasaki too. I'm gonna miss these shows, all of them have been so much fun this year. Well worth the $20 (or subbing to NJPWWorld in 2 months time when they will probably upload it)

Probably will be in the KOPW Ranbo with Taichi, Ishii etc. Stark contrast to main eventing 12 months ago but being one night, there always going to be a couple of higher up guys missing out. KENTA is another glaring omission, I wonder if he's on his way out too. Really looking forward to Ospreay/Omega, Narita/Zack, KAIRI/Nakano and the junior 4 way the most. After initially being high on Jay as champ after Dominion, I've really cooled on him and have barely any interest in the main. Mutoh 6 man should be fun, and Catch 22 match should be an entertaining sprint.

I was originally very disappointed with the final result (great match though, Aussie Open & Bishamon have really good chemistry), but with time I do think its the right decision. With the NJPW announcement of a big event in "lovely" Wagga Wagga in 2023 (seemingly piggy-backing off Starrcast judging by the 4 day event, which I guess I'll be making the 6 hour drive for), I'm wondering if they'll just hold off crowning Aussie Open until then. Bishamon vs FTR should be a fun 12-15 minute match though at the Dome. Disappointed nothing for Naito has been announced, or Tana, but moreso Naito as there looked to be an arc about getting his Dome moment (though this could have just been English commentary making up something which they tend to do at times). I can't see Naito booked anywhere else for the rest of the year, but there is still time. Maybe something can be set at TAKATaichiMania (the last one ever apparently)? Gabe Kidd called out Shibata in his post-match interview, Shibata did say he'd be involved at WK, maybe something with the LA Dojo boys? Flying Tigers also disbanded, which continues my theory that Robbie is probably going to end up in TMDK if TMDK/JONAH is sticking around as their junior. The Suzuki-Gun announcement

Oh God no...

Thank you for this! When I lived in Seoul I was dying to get into the Indy scene and history of wrestling in Korea. I was able to go to a couple of small shows in Incheon, but found it so hard to find much on the history so this is greatly appreciated.

Some random musings over the tag leagues, I guess I'll post them here as the tournaments are really just for WK build.

There was zero reaction for Nagata et al., a good reaction for Taichi/Kanemaru by the live crowd, and a GREAT reaction for SANADA/BUSHI (as great as clap crowd can be). Would not be against NJPW loaning SANADA to AJPW for a while, might give him some direction and freshen him up a bit. Trade him for Jake, I still selfishly dream of a Jake New Japan run.

Zach is in the TV Title Tournament final so he has a WK match. Taichi has been setting up going after KOPW again so may have a match with Shingo.

World & Super Jr. Tag League teams: World Tag League: - Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano - Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI - Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd - Tetsuya Naito & SANADA - Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare - Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher - Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste - Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer - Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens - "King of Darkness" EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi Super Jr. Tag League: - Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors - KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight - Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles - YOH & Lio Rush - Alex Zayne & El Lindaman - BUSHI & Titan - TJP & Francesco Akira - Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI - Ace Austin & Chris Bey - SHO & Dick Togo Some fascinating potential matches particularly in the Junior Tag League. Hoping for Aussie Open to take the World Tag League of course.

My gut feel is Zack vs Narita final with Shibata on commentary to see the guy he had his exhibition return against his disciple/official return match opponent. If Narita can go clean over Ishii, surely it isn't a stretch for him to go over SANADA too

Taichi vs SANADA was really great, and is exactly the kind of match I hope this TV title keeps on producing. Taichi is so good, the boat has probably sailed on world title challenging Taichi unfortunately but his development over the past few years has been a joy to watch. Sub-15 minute SANADA without Paradise Lock is so much better. I doubt Kawada comes back for one more based on the translation of his post match comments, but if he ever did it'd have to be against Taichi. Never say never I guess... For WK, nothing super interesting so far... I'm guessing KUSHIDA was meant to be in the 4 way instead of Wato. Wato has been quietly improving, though you wouldnt really know based off English commentary (which I've finally given up on...)

Was hoping for a couple of outsider teams in the tag league (like a GLEAT team, Mashimo/KAZMA again etc). However I'm still excited for it, especially as I'll be at the 13/11 Korakuen show (the girlfriend is happy that my wrestling show on our weekend away from Osaka will be a morning show haha). Not sure who wins...Saitos?

I wish! Loved Gino on commentary. I've heard different things relating to him though ranging from him being completely done with wrestling to it just being a visa thing, guess we just have to wait and see with these Tamashii shows.

NJPW just announced its touring Australia/New Zealand brand - NJPW Tamashii First shows 11/11 in Christchurch, 13/11 in Sydney. Fale, Ishimori & KENTA announced for the first shows so far with the goal to mix it up with Australia/NZ and Fale Dojo talent. I'll be in Japan for the Sydney show (hopefully Sumotickets are successful in getting me 5/11 Osaka EDION Arena show tickets) otherwise I'd be more than happy to travel to Sydney for this. Hopefully next time they do Melbourne.

I had major chills for Kaze ni Nare, sounded louder than a pre-COVID full Korakuen. After this, I wouldn't mind if they just ran half Korakuen with chanting, may not look as good but my god what a difference it made. A fun main event was made so much better with a mega-hot crowd.

According to Chris Charlton there is no immediate danger to his life and the headline was clickbaity so seemingly things are okay! Tenryu is one of my all-time favourites so very happy to see that.

Fucking hell Naito and Ospreay brought it tonight, first time against each other and it did not disappoint

Budokan may be restricting crowds still, the number claimed is in line with Super Juniors final and NOAH's show last month. I didn't watch the NOAH show so I don't know if they had people in the upper deck, but Super Juniors was definitely the same. Though with how hard Kevin Kelly & Chris Charlton have been pushing tickets I doubt they'd be even close to getting enough sold to open the upper deck even if they could. @Sublimesummed up my feelings perfectly I think, the G1 used to be my most anticipated time in wrestling and I would be watching every show live (being either in Melbourne or Seoul helps with the convenient time differences)...but this year (actually it may have started last year) has seen me have no problem not watching some live or skipping all together. Maybe Super Juniors is now my most anticipated event as that was a blast. I wont say the G1 has been bad, but it hasn't been that unmissable event and has real late 00s vibes of lethargy once again. I will say I am not as much on the doom & gloom as many are, I do think there is a future where we have great tourneys with Umino, Uemura, Tsuji, Oiwa & co, its just getting there that feels like a slog at this point & whether or not any of them will be megastars like Okada or Tanahashi.

I was thinking about this, initially my reaction was that Ospreay & Takagi are new guys pushed to top level in the past 18 months. However, looking at how this G1 has played out, 3 of the 4 groups are going to be topped by guys who have been topping groups/in G1 finals for the last 5 or 6 years (Okada, Naito, White) and only D Block is giving us someone somewhat new (Ospreay or Takagi but both have been in the main picture for nearly 18 months now so not exactly new, but New Japan new). They have a massive log jam of guys in that position just under the main 3 that they could slot up and have top a group (i.e. Zack, Goto, Jonah, Taichi, KENTA, EVIL, SANADA, Tama, Ishii, Cobb) so I am hugely disappointed in this G1 that no one new has been put in a prominent position (yes, Finlay got some big wins, Jonah beat Okada, Goto even feels fresh with his wins but none of them are topping the group and advancing). I did get a chuckle at over half the crowd walking out after Jay beat Taichi, an example of the bookers just being out of touch with the fanbase - not for pushing Jay, I think it was more a case of the fanbase wanting someone like Taichi to get a big win instead of just looking strong and falling at the last hurdle. I don't think we will see anyone new in a major featured position until Umino or Uemura come back and who knows how long that'll be and if they take the traditional route with either of them, even on return it'll take a few years before they are up there.

Alrighty, proper catch up of Osaka & Hiroshima. I do think this G1 has been a let down...is the messy 4 blocks? Or the lack of fresh pairings? I do think more, smaller groups in the long run will fix the latter but past years of having more matches per night had higher chances of great matches. While Super Juniors delivered, I don't think the G1 is having the same impact which is a shame. This certainly has not been the reboot that Kidani was hyping it to be and wont do much to change the image of stale NJPW. Osaka 6/8 - I think others have said it, probably the first true great G1 night. 3 matches I really enjoyed in Ospreay/Takagi, Jay/O-Khan & Goto/ZSJ (all great, but Ospreay/Takagi is the pick of the bunch). - ELP/YOSHI-HASHI was fun, and the Yano/Archer match was entertaining though as much as Yano/Lawlor. Osaka 7/8 - Overall a weaker show, but boosted by a huge main event that had me heavily invested (as my previous post indicated). As I had watched Jonah come up through the Aussie indies, seeing him in a match with arguably the best wrestler in the world with a hot Osaka crowd breaking the rules was incredible - Juice/ELP was a match you'll either love or hate, no inbetween. Once they finished the ha-ha the action was pretty great though. Ishii/Owens was quite good too, definitely best match Chase has had all tournament. Hiroshima 9/8 - And we're back to the okay but nothing to go out of the way for tourney shows. Lance & Jonah was fun with a screwy finish, Naito & KENTA had a really good match but that is really it. Was hoping for more from Tama & Taichi as Taichi is great and they seem to be pushing Tama but these two just do not have chemistry together. Hiroshima 10/8 - A step up from the previous show! And one of the better shows of the tournament all-around. Tanahashi vs Goto definitely worth a watch, lots of fire and felt like a war. And hey, there's blood (though definitely accidental)! Okada/Lawlor was great too, but felt more like a teaser for something more further down the line. - Undercard was fun, best EVIL match since his turn in 2020! I wont spoil why but go check it out. Finlay/ELP & Tama/O-Khan were fun too, so I'd say this show is up there with the Sapporo openers & Osaka double-header as one to check out for sure.