New Japan Pro Wrestling thread

[Tommyspud]

There really isn't any other place to put a topic like this.

I'm entirely hyped for NJPW and their list of shows, they might just be the best promotion(wrestling-wise) in the world. Hell, if it had English Subtitles/Commentators, it might just be the number one company overall.

G1 Climax finished up, and former TNA star Tetsuya Naito won the entire thing, which shocks me, because he was coming off an injury.

So, it looks like Kazuchika Okada vs Naito will probably happen at Wrestle Kingdom, and that would be an awesome match to watch, other then that I have a few guesses at the WK Card.

With Tenzan's injury, I really think they might put the tag titles back on Killer Elite Squad, or even Toru Yano and Takashi Iizuka, and they'll face the winners of the G1 Tag League.

I'm really hoping for a Yujiro Takahashi vs Minoru Suzuki match up at the event, which is something that seems to be getting a bit built up, from the G1 press conference.

Bullet Club will probably be regulated to a 6-man tag, and I'm thinking Devitt might defend his IWGP Jr title against Alex Shelley or Kenny Omega or even Jushin Liger, or even face someone higher up, as long as it's not Tanahashi... maybe Goto?

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Shelton Benjamin also sounds like a definite maybe in the card for the IWGP Intercontiental Championship

Jr Tag Titles could be Forever Hooligans vs either Liger and Tiger Mask IV or TAKA Michinoku and Taichi.

If the NEVER Openweight title is going to be defended at the event, I'd like to see Masato Tanaka defend the belt against Yuji Nagata, but Nagata might face Kazushi Sakuraba.

What are your thoughts on NJPW in general, the G1 Climax, and Wrestle Kingdom?

[Dylema]

Did Naito bulk up? I always thought he was a Jr which would seem like an odd choice to win G1.

I've been following off and on this year but what happened to Kota Ibushi? I'm assuming he got hurt which given his style wouldn't be that big of a surprise.

[Tommyspud]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dylema

Did Naito bulk up? I always thought he was a Jr which would seem like an odd choice to win G1. I've been following off and on this year but what happened to Kota Ibushi? I'm assuming he got hurt which given his style wouldn't be that big of a surprise.

Naito's a bit bigger, by that I mean he's weighing in at 220 lbs now. He still has that quick style though.

Ibushi has been pretty much absent from NJPW after his loss to Devitt at last year's Wrestle Kingdom. He returned at G1, but considering he's being borrowed from DDT(Where he is actually wrestling a vast majority of his time in), he's still been wrestling. He actually had a non-title match against Okada in DDT not too long ago.

[Dylema]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tommyspud

Naito's a bit bigger, by that I mean he's weighing in at 220 lbs now. He still has that quick style though. Ibushi has been pretty much absent from NJPW after his loss to Devitt at last year's Wrestle Kingdom. He returned at G1, but considering he's being borrowed from DDT(Where he is actually wrestling a vast majority of his time in), he's still been wrestling. He actually had a non-title match against Okada in DDT not too long ago.

Is Omega signed to NJPW I always figured he was in a similar situation as Ibushi, signed to DDT but working for NJPW. Since he left PWG for his DDT commitments.

So Naito's right on the border of Jr/or Heavy weight so I suppose that makes sense why he would get a push against Okada.

[Tommyspud]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dylema

Is Omega signed to NJPW I always figured he was in a similar situation as Ibushi, signed to DDT but working for NJPW. Since he left PWG for his DDT commitments. So Naito's right on the border of Jr/or Heavy weight so I suppose that makes sense why he would get a push against Okada.

Omega is also working for NJPW under the DDT banner. The only wrestler I know that has recently signed on from another company to NJPW is BUSHI from All Japan.

As for Naito, he was getting built to make a push for a title shot before he got hurt earlier this year, but that delayed his plans. Naito can perform, but I don't see Okada dropping the belt to him, mainly because I think Naito's a bit away from being the main champ.

[Tommyspud]

NEW CARD FOR YOU ALL!

NJPW "DESTRUCTION", 29.09.2013 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Kobe World Hall

0. Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tiger Mask, BUSHI & Takaaki Watanabe
1. Special Tag Match: Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku KAIENTAI DOJO & Taichi
2. NWA World Heavyweight Title: Rob Conway NWA (USA) (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
3. Special Eight Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Captain New Japan & X CMLL (Mexico) vs. Karl Anderson, Rey Bucanero CMLL (Mexico), Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale
4. Special Singles Match: Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
5. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata
6. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt
7. NEVER Openweight Title vs. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title Contendership: Masato Tanaka ZERO1 (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Satoshi Kojima

[Tommyspud]

Double post, because predictions and such.

NJPW "DESTRUCTION", 29.09.2013 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Kobe World Hall

0. Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tiger Mask, BUSHI & Takaaki Watanabe

Comments: An interesting 6-man tag opener that has CHAOS vs 3 juniors. Watanabe is still a young lion in NJPW, so the result goes to CHAOS. Yujiro is looking to push off from this match and rise in the card, he's got a few interesting possible matches for Wrestle Kingdom. Expect Iizuka to be his general uncaring self and maybe hit someone with his iron claw. Watanabe is probably going to take the fall here.

Winners: Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI

Wildcard: Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask could very well be put over the CHAOS team. It's a dark horse, but something to be considered.

1. Special Tag Match: Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku KAIENTAI DOJO & Taichi

Comments: Here's the thing... you have a match that I truly think could go either way. The winners will probably end up facing Forever Hooliganz for the Jr Tag Titles, while the losers... well, something could happen for the losers. I'm going with Taka Michinoku and Taichi just only because the Timesplitters(KUSHIDA and Shelley) vs Forever Hooliganz feud went for quite a while, and I think Shelley might be primed for a future feud, see the wildcard.

Winners: Taka Michinoku and Taichi

Wildcard: Shelley vs Devitt for IWGP Junior title. This is a match that will happen in the future, the only problem is will it happen soon or will it happen later. Depending on how NJPW wants to build it up, Shelley and KUSHIDA could end up with a win here.

2. NWA World Heavyweight Title: Rob Conway NWA (USA) (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger

Comments: Rob Conway has really improved since his WWE days. He's become a good wrestler that is enjoyable to watch. He's a fun heel, and he's facing a man who can make him look like gold. Liger is a LEGEND of wrestling, but the man has never held a legitimate heavyweight title. This, unfortunately, won't be the time.

Winner: Rob Conway

Wildcard: NWA's respect for Jushin Liger might actually net him a short reign. Conway's beat Nakanishi and Kojima for the NWA Title already, but with all due respect... they aren't Liger. Liger is exactly what the NWA Title would need to get that international respect. It depends on if they pull the trigger or not.

3. Special Eight Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Captain New Japan & X CMLL (Mexico) vs. Karl Anderson, Rey Bucanero CMLL (Mexico), Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale

Comments: 8-Man Tag involving the faces against the Bullet Club. This match is going to be nothing but Chaos... but the winners may be a bit predictable in my book. Bullet Club over Captain New Japan.

Winners: Anderson, Bucanero, Tonga, Fale.

Wildcard: Tomoaki Honma. Honma could be the very reason why NJPW could win this match against the Bullet Club. GBH has always had a great following. It would be just a minor shock to see them go over, but... this match could determine another match.

4. Special Singles Match: Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki

Comments: Minoru Suzuki doesn't give a crap. Toru Yano is a hilarious guy that just trolls people. Suzuki wants revenge on Yano for a low blow. Get ready for Suzuki to beat the heck out of Yano, and probably anyone who gets in his way. Also consider Suzukigun's involvement in this matchup. Archer, Smith, Taka could all be helping Minoru.

Winner: Minoru Suzuki

Wildcard: Toru Yano trolls his way to another victory. Because it could happen, but will it happen twice? I doubt it.

5. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata

Comments: A rematch of the match that originally put Sakuraba on the shelf with an injury. Hopefully this one ends better. Sakuraba and Shibata will pull out their MMA offense against the submissionist Nagata and powerful Nakanishi. Look for the two MMA guys to go over in the match.

Winners: Sakuraba and Shibata

Wildcard: If the Laughter 7 MMA tag team actually breaks up and Shibata and Sakuraba go their opposite ways. If that is the plan, they will lose this match. Shibata and Sakuraba may trade rivals though. Shibata vs Nagata and Sakuraba vs Goto would be good matches.

6. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt

Comments: Devitt with the Bullet Club has Tanahashi's number. With a win at the G1, Devitt is on a roll. Tanahashi is the franchise of NJPW though, and you got to wonder if he's going to mount a comeback. This match is going to be close, and I predict Bullet Club will get involved.... But will Devitt win this one? I think so.

Winner: Prince Devitt

Wildcard: The Bullet Club 8-man tag, because it could end up deciding the winner of this match. If the face team happens to win, Bullet Club might start going south for Devitt and he ends up losing to Tanahashi. You have to take the 8-man tag into consideration. You just have to.

7. NEVER Openweight Title vs. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title Contendership: Masato Tanaka ZERO1 (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

Comments: Title vs Main title shot, Tanaka vs Naito. Tanaka has beaten Naito to defend his Openweight title before, but now Naito has something at risk. This is going to give Naito the push he needs to defeat Tanaka, and win the NEVER title.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito

Wildcard: NJPW thinks that Naito is not yet ready for the main event, and makes him lose to Tanaka. It's a rare shot, but it's a wildcard, considering the fact he was hurt not that long ago.

8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin

Comments: These two are 1-1 against each other. The major thing you have to look at is Suzukigun again, Benjamin could call upon them to get victory, but... Nakamura has CHAOS, things could get crazy. I'm putting Benjamin over Nakamura right now, only because we've seen Nakamura lose to La Sombra of CMLL, and it might be time to move Nakamura back on the claim for the Heavyweight title.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Wildcard: Nakamura's 2nd title reign has just started, he just got the belt back from La Sombra, maybe he'll drop the belt to Benjamin at a future event, this thing could go into the next one.

9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Satoshi Kojima

Comments: Okada vs Kojima is going to be a fun hard-hitting match with the belt on the line. You think Kojima would stand a good chance of winning but... the belt is on the line, not like the G1 match that Kojima did win. Okada wins in a landslide.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada

Wildcard: End of the world scenario where NJPW loses all faith in Okada and has him drop the belt to Kojima.

[philliesfan136]

Dat dropkick.