The Natural Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, Craig H said: As for the overall state of NJPW, it peaked with Omega and has been on a downturn since he left. For me, Naito losing to Okada took a lot of wind out of my sails. Naito would eventually defeat Okada, but it ultimately felt like a do-over and it didn't feel as cool as it should have felt. To compound matters, we had the pandemic and it felt like Naito immediately dropped the title to EVIL, and I think EVIL kinda sucks. Naito then gets the title back, all of the shit with Togo and EVIL is dumb, Osprey is a heel, Okada is hurt, Tanahashi is old, Hiromu was out forever and is now out again, the entire storyline with the US title felt dumb because Moxley still has the fucking title, the US title in general is stupid, Khan and Wato feel like they're two new acts being shoved down our throats, and it's no wonder that Ibushi's run with the title has been lackluster. I would have rather seen White feud with Ibushi or slot Shingo in for a short run, but now Shingo is starting to feel like the new Ishii where he's an incredible worker that won't sniff the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Anyway, it's not like I'm going to unsubscribe from NJPW World. NJPW isn't exactly bad, but it has been really flat for nearly 2 years now. I agree with all of this. For me 2018 was the last truly great NJPW year for Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 12 (everybody thought that was Naito's time...except Gedo. We were all surprised.), Okada vs. Omega at Dominion and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi in the G1 Climax 28 Finals. I love Okada/Omega and Tanahashi/Ibushi especially. *****. NJPW have set such high levels from 2012-2018, it was bound to regress and not keep up. EVIL beating Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championship was a mistake last year. The booking is stale and the Bullet Club interference is so damn tiring. NJPW wanting Marty Scurll back is nauseating. Don't like them using Will Ospreay either. Awful angle after the 2021 New Japan Cup Finals. I'm against what's happening with the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Like you, I'd hope Tomohiro Ishii would win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but it's not happening. If I could give a wrestler an IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, my first choice has to be Minoru Suzuki. Ishii would be next. Shingo Takagi after. Edited March 23, 2021 by The Natural 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 On 3/22/2021 at 6:53 PM, Raziel said: Yes, because in the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling, this is the first time a main event angle, featuring gajins, has played to such utter silence you could hear a gnat fart. Whenever someone talks about dead silence I remember Jericho attacking Omega at WTL finals and crowd being silent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Not sure what the new IWGP World title will look like, maybe combination of elements or retro looking. Just speculation. Soon a new member for United Empire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontaneous Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 It's gotta be Henare. I saw Robbie Eagles is wrestling in Australia that night and he is the only other one I could see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horangi Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Henare tweeted himself on a plane indicating he's heading back to NZ, could very well be a ruse though. If Henare is back in NZ (quarantine makes it impossible to be him), Robbie is booked in Aus, difficult entry for 90% of the world unless having resident status (or a visa if from countries still allowed like Australia or NZ), the match itself indicates it'd be a heavyweight, who is left? Umino? Gabe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Henare is probably lowest tier wrestler who isn't a young lion. If he joins bad guys it should be him betraying good guys in the middle of the match or something like that. Him just walking out as an X is going to look lame. Oh, look, a jobber joined United Empire. I know that timing doesn't really work out, but I still hope it is Andrade (maybe WWE agreed to announce his release a bit later and he is already in quarantine), it would make sense why they are matched against LiJ and it would create an obvious Naito/Andrade program for rest of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontaneous Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Henare's last few promos and post match behaviors hint at this direction. Plus, he has no direction currently. Although I suppose you could make a case it's Tsuji? I really doubt that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 26, 2021 Author Share Posted March 26, 2021 People are not happy in the replies to this tweet by NJPW. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVileOne Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 (edited) kind of sad to see the IC title go away, but this was the ultimate eventuality after introducing the Double Gold. I simply wish they'd do more with the US title and get it off Moxley already. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if the US title just gets phased out or goes out of style at some point. Edited March 26, 2021 by TheVileOne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 I'd care more about English NJPW tweets if 90% of them didn't give a fuck about NJPW before WK8. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontaneous Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 The only reason I see for keeping the US belt is if they plan to run more US shows once the pandemic is over and want it to be the main title. Just no IWGP US tag titles, please. All the babies crying about the IC title on Twitter. It's still real to me, dammit. At least NJPW deigned to incorporate the dislike into storylines. I found the roster giving their take on the unification more interesting than the belt for the #1B wrestler in NJPW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 NJPW over the years had many top titles, the short lived Real World Heavyweight Championship, the NWF World, World Martial arts title, the first IWGP HW championship which was booked around being tournament based, then the actual IWGP HW. Now the IWGP World Heavyweight championship takes over the top title position, Ibushi said he wants the new belt to represent the strongest (HW) and best (IC) lineage and bout wise. The new World title also brings back World title status that Real World, NWF, World Martial arts all had. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
username Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 I don't mind the loss of the IC title, but the IWGP belt was IMO the best looking one in the biz and I'm really sad to see it go away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenalysis Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 On 3/26/2021 at 4:29 PM, Spontaneous said: The only reason I see for keeping the US belt is if they plan to run more US shows once the pandemic is over and want it to be the main title. Just no IWGP US tag titles, please. All the babies crying about the IC title on Twitter. It's still real to me, dammit. At least NJPW deigned to incorporate the dislike into storylines. I found the roster giving their take on the unification more interesting than the belt for the #1B wrestler in NJPW. I'd be fine with a US Tag title for tag teams to fight over on Strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 just send the openweight 6 man tags to usa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 The new World belt inherits designs elements from 4 IWGP HW designs, and the previous IC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 I really don't like the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. The shape of the main plate and big gap between it and the side plates. Hopefully it will grow on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVileOne Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Surprised how small it is. Edited March 30, 2021 by The Natural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 @Technico Support. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Since the belt is smaller it should fit better on most guys. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archibald Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 It does feel like it has more symbolism attached than previous versions, but that is neither good nor bad I think. Overall it looks worse, but it is not a tragedy and maybe it'll grow on me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kang Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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