Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, OSJ said: I'm not sure where this comes from as Craig was making some excellent points. I'm going to have to agree that the failure to push the Bullet Club when the iron was the hottest, was central in NJPW's failure in the States. Hell, look at any crowd of wrestling fans and you see dozens of Bullet Club shirts. Could have easily been the new NWO, but they dropped the ball. Yeah, this is incorrect. NJPW basically booked the US around Bullet Club/The Elite, at the expense of other angles and even a G1. They booked the initial US shows around Bullet Club/Elite, and those shows got dumped on as glorified "Road to" shows and "if we wanted white people main eventing, we'd watch RoH." They were the new nWo, but only in the States and only by a segment of foreign NJPW fans. Bullet Club and The Elite outside of Kenny didn't move the needle in Japan and were massively outsold there by LIJ. Once LIJ blew up, Japan stopped giving a shit about Bullet Club overall. Edited December 27, 2019 by Raziel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clintthecrippler Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 minute ago, OSJ said: This might well be an age thing... Recall just how bad 1990s WWE was. Suddenly, there was this little fed in Philly that was the coolest thing most of us had ever seen... With the benefit of hindsight it's easy to say that ROH delivered a superior wrestling product, but those of us that remember the early days of ECW will never forget how it made us feel. That just accentuates the parallels between ROH and ECW even more. Both gained their original cult followings during a relative down period during the main U S. players tenure on top (93-96 for WWF and WCW, and then post-Attitude/pre-Cena in the main event for WWE). And then as both upstart promotions rise in prominence, the largest player in the game starts to scoop talent up, the house style changes to slowly integrate more and more elements that got the upstarts noticed to begin with, and then the upstarts become less special and husks of their former selves. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSJ Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, clintthecrippler said: That just accentuates the parallels between ROH and ECW even more. Both gained their original cult followings during a relative down period during the main U S. players tenure on top (93-96 for WWF and WCW, and then post-Attitude/pre-Cena in the main event for WWE). And then as both upstart promotions rise in prominence, the largest player in the game starts to scoop talent up, the house style changes to slowly integrate more and more elements that got the upstarts noticed to begin with, and then the upstarts become less special and husks of their former selves. Quoted for 100% spot on accuracy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoBaltimore Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 25 minutes ago, clintthecrippler said: That just accentuates the parallels between ROH and ECW even more. Both gained their original cult followings during a relative down period during the main U S. players tenure on top (93-96 for WWF and WCW, and then post-Attitude/pre-Cena in the main event for WWE). And then as both upstart promotions rise in prominence, the largest player in the game starts to scoop talent up, the house style changes to slowly integrate more and more elements that got the upstarts noticed to begin with, and then the upstarts become less special and husks of their former selves. Whoa, that's one helluva comparison that I think we can all agree on. And to tie it together you have Bully Ray working there in some capacity with them doing some shows at the 2300 Arena. But I would argue that the lowest of lows for ECW while still bad were still not as bad as it is for ROH. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 hour ago, OSJ said: A survey! Kewl! Here are some of my favorite survey questions (which have been retired do to Caller ID): 1. Do you have Prince Albert in a can? No. 2. Is your refrigerator running? Yes. 3. Have you stopped beating your wife? Need to get married to find out first. 4. Is that a pencil in your pocket or are you happy I called? I'm happy. 5. And my favorite for calling meat markets: "Do you have leg of salmon?" Hilarity ensues. Yes, we do. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godfrey Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 The other thing that may have sunk NJPW conquering the US is that while there are undoubtedly a contingent of real fans, a lot the "New Japan fans" in the States are actually "the last half of WrestleKingdom" fans. What I mean is, having a big show in the states or putting big matches on someone else's show is a what most people want. They want Okada/Omega or Tanahashi/Ibushi or Ospreay/Takahashi. Some fans want the G1, but most fans just want the finals. An actual touring promotion with all the meaningless 6 and 8-man tags is way harder to sell without more developed TV (or online) presence. Even with the Elite on the roster, that's still only maximum two matches a card they could carry as names and I'm not convinced NJPW would have got them as over as AEW did to support that anyway. That being said, a full on NJPW:USA with a dedicated roster and team may have been another story and if that's the thing that AEW kiboshed I'd be pissed too. I wouldn't blame anyone though. Everyone saw the hole in the market, it was just a matter of who got there and New Japan tried but didn't quite get there in time. That's business, baby. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSJ Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 2 minutes ago, Godfrey said: The other thing that may have sunk NJPW conquering the US is that while there are undoubtedly a contingent of real fans, a lot the "New Japan fans" in the States are actually "the last half of WrestleKingdom" fans. What I mean is, having a big show in the states or putting big matches on someone else's show is a what most people want. They want Okada/Omega or Tanahashi/Ibushi or Ospreay/Takahashi. Some fans want the G1, but most fans just want the finals. An actual touring promotion with all the meaningless 6 and 8-man tags is way harder to sell without more developed TV (or online) presence. Even with the Elite on the roster, that's still only maximum two matches a card they could carry as names and I'm not convinced NJPW would have got them as over as AEW did to support that anyway. That being said, a full on NJPW:USA with a dedicated roster and team may have been another story and if that's the thing that AEW kiboshed I'd be pissed too. I wouldn't blame anyone though. Everyone saw the hole in the market, it was just a matter of who got there and New Japan tried but didn't quite get there in time. That's business, baby. Pretty much, I think we can agree that NJPW half-assed it at best and for reasons unknown thought that ROH would carry them to greatness. Like I said earlier, ROH was always great at making other promotions think they were a far bigger deal than they actually were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 ANYWAY. I had a dream this morning that I was watching an indie wrestling show with a CMLL logo on the ring, but booked by Bill Watts. Only wish I could remember the wrestlers. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 20 minutes ago, OSJ said: and for reasons unknown thought that ROH would carry them to greatness. I'm curious as to what other National promotion they should've partnered with when the groundwork for expansion was laid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Ring Of Honor was the best option at the time, but there is a better option now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Casey said: Ring Of Honor was the best option at the time, but there is a better option now. That's assuming there's no contract keeping them tied to RoH, and that changing to a company working with another partner's direct competition doesn't screw that contract up. It might not just be as simple as "we're walking and going somewhere else". Also, the creation of the USA office seems to indicate they really don't care to work with anyone else. Edited December 27, 2019 by Raziel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Just now, Raziel said: That's assuming there's no contract keeping them tied to RoH, and that changing to a company working with another partner's direct competition doesn't screw that contract up. It might not just be as simple as "we're walking and going somewhere else". Yeah, I realize all of that (and I'm fine with it never happening). I've got no real desire to see Tanahashi on AEW TV, or Okada, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsalvajeloco Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 2 minutes ago, Casey said: Ring Of Honor was the best option at the time, but there is a better option now. So if AEW flatlines, we gone switch to NXT so on and so forth until we've exhausted all of our options? They don't even do that in boxing where promoters can actually do that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSJ Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 16 minutes ago, Raziel said: I'm curious as to what other National promotion they should've partnered with when the groundwork for expansion was laid. ROH is a national promotion? You don't say? Amazing what I can learn on this board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Cincinnati Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 (edited) I'm trying to picture that NJPW-Impact cross-promotion situation that Craig suggested, and it's weird. Rich Swann or Ace Austin mixing it up with some of the juniors would be okay. But at the main event level, it's not like Impact is even big enough to merit a visit from the tippy-top dogs. So what does that leave us with? Sanada vs Rhino? EVIL vs Moose? I doubt there's any combination that's likely to be a huge shot in the arm for anyone's business. It'd probably be as flat as the ROH relationship unless they wanted to do something crazy like feed Suzuki to Tessa, but nobody's ever going to agree to that and I should definitely stop thinking about it and wanting it. Edited December 27, 2019 by West Newbury Bad Boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 minute ago, OSJ said: ROH is a national promotion? You don't say? Amazing what I can learn on this board. You really get obtuse some times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSJ Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 minute ago, Raziel said: You really get obtuse some times. Now, now; you sound like a four year-old throwing toys out of his crib. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 minute ago, OSJ said: Now, now; you sound like a four year-old throwing toys out of his crib. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSJ Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Just now, Raziel said: *Yawns* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 NJPW and NWA. Shooter Stevens vs Tana. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Just now, OSJ said: *Yawns* No, seriously, I asked a question on a point you made twice and you got snarky, I was genuinely curious. I mean, if you *want* to be an ass that misread something, then sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsalvajeloco Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, West Newbury Bad Boy said: I'm trying to picture that NJPW-Impact cross-promotion situation that Craig suggested, and it's weird. Rich Swann or Ace Austin mixing it up with some of the juniors would be okay. But at the main event level, it's not like Impact is even big enough to merit a visit from the tippy-top dogs. So what does that leave us with? Sanada vs Rhino? EVIL vs Moose? I doubt there's any combination that's likely to be a huge shot in the arm for anyone's business. It'd probably be as flat as the ROH relationship unless they wanted to do something crazy like feed Suzuki to Tessa, but nobody's ever going to agree to that and I should definitely stop thinking about it and wanting it. New Japan working with half dead WCW that had big name talent on top during various points in the early to mid 90s wasn't even a shot in the arm and at that point they didn't need it anyway. This is just the same thing except you don't have the allure of having a Ric Flair or the Steiners or whomever. They wouldn't even respond to their email correspondence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Oh yeah, 40 minute matches between Nick Aldis and Hiroshi Tanahashi is what the people really want. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimo Necro Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Under NJPW rules 40 minutes. Under NWA rules 4 minute squash 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 That 100 people studio will go wild for it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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