Horangi
-
Posts
247 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Horangi
-
-
1 hour ago, Power Lariat said:
Is there anyway to watch the whole Taka 30th anniversary show back from September? Will the TAKATaichiMania stay on NJPW World the whole time? I want to try and check these shows out when I get some free time.
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)
-
13 minutes ago, The Natural said:
Where's Shingo Takagi?
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.
-
1
-
-
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
SpoilerGutted its ending, by far my favourite group in NJPW...its the one group where I can say I like everyone. I wonder how this will pan-out...because I just can't see Taichi/Despy in particular separating. Does it just shift into Taichi or Zack-gun (Tekkers-Gun?) or will there be an even bigger reset? I can't see any of the Suzuki-Gun members fitting in anywhere else. Again I think we'll get more clarity at TAKATaichiMania, but I'm also wondering something could happen at the AJPW 25/12 event with Taichi/Kanemaru and LIJ in the main event, LIJ teaming with Jake Lee etc (I'm probably just reading into things here).
-
1
-
-
33 minutes ago, lostinube said:
Oh God no...
SpoilerAnderson vs Hikuleo was...well...awful, just strip Anderson of the title and do something else if he's gonna just mail it in like that.
-
1
-
-
5 hours ago, KinchStalker said:
Edit: board just isn't working with me here, sorry.
Chon Kyu-deok, one of the two men who started South Korean wrestling.
https://i.imgur.com/Eaagn0Q_d.webp
I wrote a thread about him here: https://twitter.com/KinchStalker/status/1602060079335079936?t=Bm0FgZoxYcgp68n-3XaD7Q&s=19
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.
-
1
-
-
Some random musings over the tag leagues, I guess I'll post them here as the tournaments are really just for WK build.
SpoilerBoth tournaments have been fun, especially with vocal crowds, but there hasn't been anything really to go out of the way to see, which generally is always the case with NJPW tag leagues.
For the juniors, I really enjoyed Catch 22 vs YOH/Rush on night 1 the most...generally all of Catch 22's matches have been pretty good. Akira is growing on me, I couldn't stand him in All Japan. I don't ultimately think it matters who wins this tournament, as my gut feel is that it'll be a 4 way or something at WK for the Junior Tags anyway (Catch 22, YOH/Rush, BUSHI/Titan & probably Bey/Austin). I have a feeling there'll be some shuffling in the Junior division soon, looking at Chaos in particular with Robbie kinda being on the outs with Rush coming in (unless Robbie is gonna take the role of Chaos main singles junior and YOH/Rush tag). I sort of stopped watching NJPW strong, so I haven't seen much of Kevin Knight's growth...he's an athletic freak!
I think for the heavies they kind of telegraphed the final so my interest is kinda low. Aussie Open's matches have generally been the highlight, with the matches against Bishamon and LiJ being the pick of the bunch. LiJ beating Aussie Open probably means Aussie Open gets revenge in the final and go on to face FTR at the Tokyo Dome, which is fine. Surprised that the Suzuki-Gun team has dropped as many results as they have, and TMDK have won as much as they have.
This leads on to Tetsuya Naito...what does he do at WK? Surely there has to be some kind of end game here with how much focus has been on him getting to a featured spot at the Tokyo Dome, but what is it? Is it a match with Jake Lee as kind of teased a bit on the Dradition show recently? I saw someone probably on Twitter mention Nakamura, is that even possible? Someone from AEW? Mutoh (I guess the way around this would be that Muta wrestled his last NJPW match, not Mutoh)? Someone on the roster who doesn't have anything yet like Tanahashi or Umino? There are plenty of options, but also the card is already getting stacked...so just have to wait and see.
-
3
-
-
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.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, Eivion said:
Why no Cobb with O-Khan or Dangerous Tekkers?
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.
-
1
-
-
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 TogoSome fascinating potential matches particularly in the Junior Tag League. Hoping for Aussie Open to take the World Tag League of course.
-
1
-
-
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
-
1
-
-
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...)
-
1
-
-
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?
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Ace said:
Does that mean Gino's returning to commentary?
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.
-
2
-
-
17 hours ago, lostinube said:
NJPW starts tonight's Korakuen show with Hiromu Takahashi pumping up the crowd, which is allowed to cheer for the first time in over two and a half years. And then the first match is Bad Boy Tito vs Minoru Suzuki. KAZE NI NARE!
I don't really care if there is cheering or not but definitely an emotional moment. There is a shot right before the Kaze Ni Nare where these two fans nod at each other like they've been waiting a while for this.
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.
-
1
-
-
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.
-
6
-
-
Spoiler
What I liked:
- The match itself, an absolute wild ride, maybe a little gimmicky with Ospreay trying to use finishers of people who have beaten Okada in the past, but I was hooked all the way through.
- Crowd once again being drawn in to the point of breaking noise rules, they badly wanted Ospreay to win (as did I).
- Okada's post match promo - you can tell how much this meant to him. Also ditching the briefcase idea...thank god!
What I didn't like:
- It absolutely was the wrong result, another Okada win does not feel like the start of a new era as Kidani was talking about, and another Okada/White match does not interest me at all. I really hope they pivot somehow (i.e. Jay lose the belt in the UK or Power Struggle or something).
- Will has a bunch of US title programs lined up which made me think he wouldn't win, but I can't help but feel he is above these programs. Get him to drop the US belt ASAP and get back in the World Heavyweight Title picture.
- Jay/Tama is fine for either the New York show or Power Struggle, but is one of those matches you know nothing is going to change (the normal problem post-G1). I guess we'll get a Okada/Jonah rematch somewhere down the line too...everything is predictable. Naito is the other issue - if they are still going to play the 'Naito wants his WK moment proper' angle, then either we get Naito/Okada IV this year or White/Naito which is still not exciting...Ultimately great match I had a blast watching, but after the high of the match settled I just feel everything is still the same and needs to change. In saying that, I have been watching along with someone who has never watched a G1 or much New Japan before and he has had a blast but yeah, he hasn't sat through 5-7 years of the same old story.
-
2 minutes ago, matwarz said:
Whilst both G1 semi’s were terrific, Naito and Ospreay was an absolute war and MOTYC. Absolutely stellar hour of live pro-wrestling.
Fucking hell Naito and Ospreay brought it tonight, first time against each other and it did not disappoint
SpoilerProbably an unpopular opinion here, but I hope Ospreay goes all the way. I don't see Jay/Ospreay as a Dome match, but Ospreay could easily cash in at Royal Quest and they can build something else for January 4th.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, Jiji said:
Why was nobody in the upper deck of the Budokan? It looked empty from the few minutes I watched.
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.
-
Spoiler
Semi Finals:
Okada vs Tama & Naito vs Ospreay
A surprise finalist and a first time match up, not bad all things considering. Still think Okada vs Naito final (3rd or 4th time this year...so New Japan) but secretly hope for Tama/Naito
-
23 hours ago, Belgian_Waffle said:
I have zero interest in NJPW these days but I heard Dave yesterday saying how it looks like Okada, White, Naito and Ospreay will be topping their respective blocks? If that or some similar combination of guys is in fact the case then this company is at WCW levels of needing to start pushing different (not even necessarily younger) guys.
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.
-
1
-
-
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.-
1
-
-
I'm not exactly the most coherent right now but...
SpoilerJonah...bloody hell, that was great! Simple, effective story telling and Pro wrestling. A star has been made...what a moment!
-
3
-
2022 Puroresu General Discussion
in JAPAN
Posted
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.