Archibald Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Figures we could use a new thread for upcoming 4 Korakuen shows and Anniversary show. I'm just going to list key matches (in my opinion of course) here. Anniversary show so far has only one match announced, if something cool is added then I'll update this post. Tiger Hattori retirement show on 19th: Cabana/Yano/Ibushi/Tanahashi vs White/Fale/GoD Goto/Ishii/Okada vs Sanada/Shingo/Naito New Japan Road on 20th: R3K vs Mega coaches for Jr. tag titles Shingo vs Ishii for NEVER title New Japan Road on 21th: Taguchi/Cabana/Yano vs Bushi/Evil/Shingo for NEVER trios titles Ibushi/Tanahashi vs GoD for heavyweight tag titles Nakanishi retirement on 22th: Nagata/Kojima/Tenzan/Nakanishi vs Goto/Ibushi/Tanahashi/Okada Anniversary show on 3rd: Naito vs Hiromu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 Anniversary show is sold out so it is entirely possible that we don't get any additional big matches there. 4 Korakuen shows are doing well as far as tickets go, but I think that it is rather interesting that what, from my observation, wrestling internet thinks is hot and what Japanese audience thinks is hot often does not match. Shingo/Ishii headlined show is doing lowest numbers from the 4 shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fowler Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 On 2/16/2020 at 10:27 AM, Archibald said: Shingo/Ishii headlined show is doing lowest numbers from the 4 shows. Giving this some thought, I think it actually shouldn't be surprising. Sure, it should be a great fucking match (and it should be on pretty damn soon) but that's really all it is. Ishii is pretty much an aging gatekeeper who has a huge resume of great matches, but never reached main event level. Takagi is a great wrestler who really broke out last year but also hasn't gotten to the level of main eventer. And they are wrestling in the headline spot for the 4th most prestigious singles title heavyweights can wrestle for in the company, and probably about the sixth most prestigious title in the company overall. And the semi-main is for the IWGP Jr Tag belts, which are probably the least important title outside the trios championship (give or take the British title) That's not really a "must see" show in a lot of ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodyslamdunk Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Ehh—these are valid points, but honestly, living in Tokyo, it has more to do with 6:30 start on a weeknight being a very difficult sell. The last set of shows at Korakuen were during the week and had so many empty seats. Japanese people in general have a hard time getting off work that early. Worth noting from the Tiger Hattori retirement show—WWE sent a traditional retirement bouquet (with Nakamura listed on the card), which was on display just outside the elevators next to the ones from AJPW and NOAH. As much as Vince seemingly likes to distance himself and his company from pro wrestling, WWE does uphold certain traditions. They ALWAYS send flowers to these events, at least to all the ones I’ve been to. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 I think the fact that they are doing 8 shows in the same place in one month (7 in February and 1 more in early March) makes people picky as well. Anyway, it doesn't matter much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 (edited) Fucking hell, when Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi can't drag a decent match out of you, you might want to consider a change of career. However, I'm all in on Golden Aces vs. Zack Mephisto. Edited February 21, 2020 by Raziel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 Best part of the match was ending sequence when Tanahashi dragged himself to the top and it really did feel like he might not make it. Obviously GoD had nothing to do with it. Golden Ace vs Tekkers, Golden Ace vs FinJuice. We should be getting at least couple of fresh matches out of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 NJPW Dads vs Aces and Goto was a fun way to send Nakanashi into retirement. Loved him "turning" on Nagata with the backbreaker. Sakaguchi coming out to honor him afterwards was a surprise and reminded me how catchy his old theme was (it somehow managed to sneak through US customs). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf&Subs Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I wonder if the current booking of the tag titles means the IC belt is permanently being merged with the IWGP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted February 23, 2020 Author Share Posted February 23, 2020 Either case Naito is probably not losing till Dominion, even if then, so Tanahashi and Ibushi have to be occupied with something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nice Guy Eddie Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 On 2/22/2020 at 10:53 AM, LoneWolf&Subs said: I wonder if the current booking of the tag titles means the IC belt is permanently being merged with the IWGP. My wish is for SANADA to beat Naito for the IC title. I just want all the members of LIJ to have gold again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SturmCRF Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 At this point I just hope we get anything but another Okada Naito match at Wrestle Kingdom. And preferably a new IWGP Champ, I know I'll never get the Ishii reign I want, but at least put it on Ibushi, or even Sanada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Jay White Vs Bad Luck Fale title program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 As expected Anniversary show is one match show. Everything else is tags with previews for NJ Cup matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) https://www.njpw1972.com/72903 NJPW shows from 1st March to 15th March cancelled due to coronavirus. Just announced. Health takes priority. Damn virus is doing a number on the globe. Edited February 26, 2020 by The Natural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now