New Japan Professional Wrestling Robust
Windy Metropolis Riot
April 12, 2024
Wintrust Enviornment
Chicago, Illinois
Watch: NJPW WORLD (PPV)
Meet our previewers:
John Carroll: John apologizes for skipping one in all these New Japan previews for the primary time in ages, however they had been busy seeing the New York Rangers win yet one more sport, this time in a 4800-seat faculty enviornment in the midst of the desert. Fairly enjoyable! You’ll be able to comply with them on Twitter @toshanshuinla as a result of it’s nearly playoff time child.
Warren Hayes: Warren spent everything of scripting this overview listening to a pleasant playlist of The Smiths. We promise you, he’s doing positive. He’s human and he must be cherished similar to all people else does. Try his podcast on YouTube or your favourite podcast app, or comply with him on BlueSky.
Robust Survivor Match
Matt Vandagriff vs. Zane Jay
John: We’ve bought two pre-show matches earlier than the primary card at Windy Metropolis Riot, kicking off with what’s change into a standard Robust Survivor match on these US exhibits. Identical to the final Robust present I attended reside (final October in Las Vegas), it’s as soon as once more Matt Vandagriff participating on this. He really picked up the win again in Vegas, so we’ll see if he can go 2-for-2 in entrance of me right here. Matt had been round for a short time on the US indies, really going again to 2017 or so, earlier than becoming a member of up with the Robust academy final 12 months. In the meantime, I can’t actually discover a lot data on Zane Jay who doesn’t actually have a Cagematch profile but, however he did foremost occasion the final Academy Showcase in opposition to Dangerous Dude Tito just a few weeks in the past (in a dropping effort). Vandagriff additionally has an Academy Showcase foremost occasion underneath his belt (he misplaced to Rocky Romero in the primary occasion of the ten/11/23 present), so I believe we are able to type of assume these are two college students they’re a bit larger on than a few of the others. Anyway, let’s go along with Zane Jay to win this one, why not. Prediction: Zane Jay
Warren: Matt Vandagriff is de facto the one one in all these two rivals who I’m acquainted with and that’s solely due to his win within the final Robust Survivor Match within the Battle within the Valley pre-show the place beat Goldy. And he’s additionally on a successful streak with these matches it appears. Prediction: Matt Vandagriff
Pre-Present Match
Mina Shirakawa & Viva Van vs. Trish Adora & Alex Windsor
John: Our different pre-show match is a women’ encounter, that includes STARDOM’s Mina Shirakawa, two wrestlers who just lately frolicked within the Academy in Viva Van & Trish Adora (and Trish has clearly been getting loads of TV time in AEW & ROH this 12 months as properly), and Revolution Professional’s Alex Windsor. Truthfully, this can be a fairly nice assortment of worldwide girls’s expertise for a pre-show match! I’d be stunned if this wasn’t a reasonably stable contest at minimal. I’ll go along with the workforce of Trish & Alex to choose up the win simply because they’re each a bit extra established than Viva, who looks like the probably fall taker to me. Prediction: Trish Adora & Alex Windsor
Warren: We have now a STARDOM champion, a RevPro stalwart and two Academy-trained and well-traveled girls all coming collectively on this match. It’s fairly the lineup, and I’m a bit shocked it’s on the pre-show, frankly. I’ve lengthy been a fan of Trish Adora and it’s nice to see how far she’s come. Am I overthinking this by assuming they’ll seemingly wish to hold Shirakawa wanting sturdy in Western markets seeing she may need Forbidden Door aspirations with Toni Storm? Cross-promotion reserving, child! Prediction: Mina Shirakawa & Viva Van
Minoru Suzuki vs. Ren Narita
John: Opening up the primary card will likely be a stunning match that was simply added to the present just a few days in the past. When Ren Narita turned on his World Tag League associate Shota Umino to hitch Home of Torture final December, it nearly appeared like an afterthought that he was additionally turning his again on his fellow STRONG STYLE members Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado. Each Suzuki & Despy voiced their displeasure on the time, however the warmth was clearly on Narita turning on his good friend and dojo classmate Umino, not the opposite members of his bizarre little Hontai sub-unit. Within the months that adopted, Desperado appeared reverse Narita in some multi-man tags however by no means bought a singles match with him, whereas Suzuki really vanished from New Japan fully. His final NJPW look was method again on December tenth, 2023, teaming together with his World Tag League associate Yuji Nagata and the Monstersauce workforce of Lance Archer & Alex Zayne to beat BULLET CLUB in an 8-man tag on the final evening of that tour. Since that closing NJPW look Suzuki has saved greater than busy: he appeared on the DDT/BJW New Yr’s Eve six-man match, did a handful of AJPW & different impartial exhibits in Japan to start out 2024, confirmed up on AEW TV to face Adam Copeland of all individuals, did a fast European weekend swing by the UK & France, confirmed up in MLW to problem Satoshi Kojima for his or her World title, wrestled Maki Itoh on Tokyo Joshi’s massive Wrestle Princess present, and eventually got here again to the US once more for appearances in ROH & GCW on Wrestlemania weekend. He’s actually been far and wide, however once more, not a single New Japan look in 2024 up to now. Till now!
Whereas Suzuki was off globe-trotting, Desperado quietly introduced that STRONG STYLE was formally ending (after briefly attempting to forcibly recruit SHO from Home of Torture- if SHO had misplaced his junior title problem to Desperado again at New Starting, he would have been pressured to hitch the “unit”, however everyone knows what occurred there). So together with his sub-unit formally over and Suzuki seemingly having fun with his time as a real freelancer once more (versus a freelancer who largely works NJPW apart from the occasional exterior date), it by some means made it all of the extra surprising when this match was instantly introduced. Suzuki won’t solely lastly reappear in New Japan, however he’ll do it stateside, and he’ll do it reverse his once-protégé Narita. This fully out of nowhere match is instantly one in all my most anticipated of the evening. Who wins it seemingly comes all the way down to a easy query: have they got future plans for Suzuki, even when simply within the US? Or is that this going to be a one-and-done for him for now? I’ll go along with Suzuki getting a stunning win right here in his reappearance (particularly with Narita not having lots of his HoT mates to again him up, with many of the remainder of the unit on the Taiwan present later in the identical weekend), if solely to set him up doing one thing else on the upcoming Resurgence present in Los Angeles subsequent month. Prediction: Minoru Suzuki
Warren: Congratulations to Minoru Suzuki for touchdown his first NJPW reserving of 2024! Now he will get to beat up somebody who appeared positioned to be his protogé again when that Robust Fashion faction was a factor (did you blink? You missed it!). Whereas I could detest Home of Torture, it’s onerous to argue that Ren Narita’s shitheel persona has given him that spark of character that deeply eluded him because the “Son of Robust Fashion.” His days of being a Shibata facsimile could also be over (a minimum of, for now), however his anointment as one of many Reiwa Three (plus Uemura) nonetheless covers him greater than that Spirit Halloween cloak he wears. Even when his alignment with HoT implies that he rejects NJPW’s branding, I nonetheless really feel he’s one of many elected, with the expectations that associate with it. In that sense, this match may very well be a chance to “do one thing” with Narita in his place as one of many younger guys entrusted with carrying the way forward for the promotion. A win in opposition to the plane-hopping Suzuki could be a superb place to start out. It’s no actual pores and skin of NJPW’s lion-marked butt as they clearly don’t have any plans for the King of Professional-Wrestling and it could be performed in entrance of a crowd who actually do love Suzuki. Gotta begin someplace, gotta begin easy. Prediction: Ren Narita
NJPW Robust Ladies’s Championship
Stephanie Vaquer © vs. AZM
John: Giulia had reigned because the Robust Ladies’s Champion from all the way in which again on July fifth, 2023 (when she defeated the seemingly unintentional first champion Willow Nightingale, following the freak damage within the Willow/Mercedes match closing), racking up 9 profitable title defenses throughout STARDOM & NJPW exhibits alike. However with Giulia lastly leaving the Bushiroad orbit and now seemingly on her technique to NXT (gotta study the place that tough cam is sister!), her reign as champion was ended by the hands of CMLL’s Stephanie Vaquer on Night time 2 of STARDOM’s Cinderella Event, on March tenth at Korakuen Corridor. Stephanie will now try to make her first protection of the title in opposition to one other STARDOM wrestler in AZM, who has already unsuccessfully challenged for this belt as soon as earlier than (dropping to Giulia on the 12/2/23 STARDOM present in Nagoya). I don’t see the second time being the attraction for AZM, as Stephanie will seemingly get to carry onto this belt for some time on condition that she’s been a mainstay on these Robust exhibits for nearly a 12 months now. Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer
Warren: The one true winner from that Robust Ladies’s Championship match final 12 months was, and continues to be, Stephanie Vaquer. Her knockout match in opposition to the freshly-Fed-freed Mercedes Moné was a true-to-form breakout second for American followers. The luchadora enamored the bottom together with her onerous hitting, fast-paced, gritty fashion, elevating her profile as followers to this present day demand to see her on TV extra (psst… she wrestles most Fridays and it’s simple to observe). Whereas there may be definitely buzz round Vaquer, STARDOM’s excessive velocity stalwart AZM appears to be taking advantage of her little tour of the US and maximizing her personal publicity right here. Working with a present (dare I say) Web Darling solely has the potential to boost her inventory, even when I don’t see her defeating Vaquer. Moreover, Vaquer continues to be destined to carry the Robust Ladies’s title, and that may be taking place earlier than later. Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer
NJPW Robust Openweight Tag Staff Championship 4-Means Open Problem Match
Guerillas of Future (ELP & Hikuleo) © vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew vs. Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser
John: I stay firmly on Staff “I don’t see the purpose of getting three separate units of two-man tag titles” (nevermind the truth that this promotion additionally has a 6-man tag title on prime of that!), however a minimum of when the Robust Tag Titles are defended on Robust exhibits they appear rather less misplaced than they do on commonplace Japanese occasions. Right here we now have a four-way tag match that features the brand new Lawlor/Rosser workforce of former rivals, Lawlor’s (I suppose?) now-former Staff Filthy mates Nelson & Isaacs, the basic TMDK duo of Haste & Nicholls and the one GOD workforce left standing in ELP & Hikuleo. There’s actually no scarcity of the way they might go right here, however personally I want to see Haste & Nicholls win the belts. They’ve been extraordinarily stable collectively since reforming their workforce in New Japan and seemingly can’t catch a break of their countless tag title challenges, so it could be good to see them win the Robust belts a minimum of. I’m fairly over ELP & Hikuleo as a workforce too. Prediction: TMDK
Warren: I’m attempting my greatest to search out causes to care about this match. Let me strive some gratitude journaling to see if it helps.
- I’m grateful for Lawlor and Rosser who’re nice staples of Robust and needs to be rewarded as such.
- I’m grateful that the o.g. TMDK is on this match.
- I’m grateful for Royce Isaac’s sideburns.
- And I’m grateful for… um… puppies?
Man, I’m undecided I really feel higher. The stuff that I don’t care about overwhelms me: I don’t care concerning the fourth-rung NJPW tag titles, I don’t wish to see Hikuleo anymore, I’m not a fan of multi-man matches for titles, and I would like ELP to crack the code and free the celebrity wrestler that’s in there someplace. I’m tremendous irritated at this match. Prediction: Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser
Shota Umino vs. Jack Perry
John: This feels shockingly low on the cardboard for a match that has been constructed up as a lot as Umino vs. Perry, with the very first angle taking place all the way in which again on January thirteenth at Battle within the Valley, Perry beating Umino of their first assembly to knock him out of the New Japan Cup within the very first spherical (with a bit assist from Home of Torture after all), and Umino & Perry being at one another’s throats in tag matches ever since. All that to go on sixth from the highest? Type of stunning to me! However anyway, hopefully they’re in a position to have a greater encounter right here than they did again in that aforementioned NJC match, which was very a lot only a baseline competent skilled wrestling encounter. With Perry’s AEW return seemingly more and more imminent (the Younger Bucks hold namedropping him on TV and apparently will likely be airing the precise, honest-to-god footage of Perry’s backstage battle with CM Punk from All In final 12 months on this week’s Dynamite, so I count on him to be launched because the fourth member of the brand new Elite any day now), he seemingly will likely be giving Umino his win again right here on his method out of the territory. Even though his in ring output has been nothing particular, I for one will miss the primary and up to now solely white man to ever be within the Home. Godspeed, Scapegoat. Godspeed. Prediction: Shota Umino
Warren: Looks like we’re about to get the large climax to the continued rivalry between these two guys that has permeated Perry’s suspension in NJPW. I’m with John, I believe his return to AEW is imminent and this may be his NJPW swan tune. No less than, for now. However what a second it’s going to be when he steps out in entrance of a Chicago crowd every week after CM Punk vilified him whereas on the MMA Hour. Chicago will not be going to face for El Hijo de Dylan McKay one bit. Which is sweet, in return, for ol’ Shooter, who might completely use a scorching crowd to prop him up and proceed his ascension. I actually preferred their NJ Cup match and felt it was constructing to one thing very nice till the Home of Torture reared their silly faces and did silly issues which might be silly. For the reason that Japanese contingent isn’t round, perhaps the match received’t be mired in nonsense and these guys can flex their expertise correct? However who is aware of, they could have recruited six new guys by this time within the present. In any extent, Jack Perry is probably going leaving the territory, placing a man over prefer it ought to, and Shota comes out of the feud wanting like a winner. Prediction: Shota Umino
Mustafa Ali vs. Hiromu Takahashi
John: This was one of many authentic two matches introduced for Windy Metropolis Riot method again in January, together with the primary occasion after all, and I’ve little doubt that the Chicago native making his New Japan debut in opposition to the just about universally beloved Hiromu helped promote some tickets too (for many who don’t know this present has offered over 6,000 tickets thus far, making it NJPW’s greatest US success since G1 Supercard by fairly a large margin). After all, there actually isn’t a lot backstory to this one apart from Mustafa doing his politician gimmick in a problem video (which Hiromu gave a reasonably humorous mocking response to, mentioning fairly precisely that Ali mentioning Darryl & Naoru was actually old-fashioned on his half). Moreover some teases from Hiromu that he’d like an X Division title shot in opposition to Ali, who received the belt in TNA on February twenty third, there hasn’t actually been a lot else to talk of in method of buildup right here. Typically that’s okay although, so let’s simply sit again and luxuriate in a primary time ever match. Does Hiromu win this one to arrange a future X Division title shot in any case? Or does he proceed his current chilly streak in singles matches in opposition to Ali? I do are likely to lean towards Hiromu successful, if for no different motive than to throw the LIJ followers a bone given how the primary occasion is more likely to go. Prediction: Hiromu Takahashi
Warren: I actually had excessive hopes for the liberated Mustsafa Ali to tear the world asunder together with his unchained expertise. I had these X Previously Twitter movies of him sparring on the fitness center proper on the entrance of my thoughts, excited to see him unhitch the wagon and let it barrel headlong. However he’s not fairly catching fireplace, is he? His TNA work is… positive and properly performed and competent, however not in contrast to one other of his friends in an analogous scenario (see Nemeth, Nic), it looks like shaking the WWE home fashion is trickier than anticipated. I’m hoping a keen and motivated Hiromu exhibits as much as shake one thing out of Ali. However that relies on Takahashi, who generally is a little on-and-off generally. Although he did have an incredible 2023, so perhaps I’m simply projecting some insecurities (rattling you, Morrissey!). These are two wrestlers who I personally actually, actually like, so the idea of their first encounter is de facto attractive. It might probably’t not be good, however I would like it to be nice. Prediction: Hiromu Takahashi
Riot Guidelines Tag Match (No DQ Twister Tag, Companions to be revealed on entrance)
Eddie Kingston & X & X & X vs. Gabe Kidd & X & X & X
John: Gabe Kidd has been in an on-and-off feud with Eddie Kingston for fairly just a few months now, however you’d be forgiven should you forgot about it on condition that each males have been fairly busy elsewhere recently. In Eddie’s case it was dropping two-thirds of his triple crown, as he dropped the Continental title to AEW newcomer Kazuchika Okada (yeah, keep in mind that man?) in a totally odd title match on Dynamite (odd in that the Continental belt had by no means been defended individually from the opposite two since Eddie received the league, we had no thought it even might be defended individually, and AEW itself provided completely no in-canon clarification as to why Okada was solely difficult for one of many three titles that actually everybody else had beforehand challenged for collectively) after which additionally misplaced the ROH World title to Mark Briscoe this previous weekend. In order that leaves him with only one belt, as sure, he’s by some means nonetheless the NJPW Robust Openweight Champion after successful that title all the way in which again on July fifth, 2023. In Gabe’s case, he was busy dropping his longtime tag workforce associate to an obvious retirement after which difficult Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight Title final weekend at Sakura Genesis, delivering a scathing shoot-style promo within the process- one that will have hit some of us a bit too near house.
Kidd had challenged for all three of the then-Continental Crown (sure, for some motive Gabe Kidd was allowed to problem for all three titles however Kazuchika f’n Okada wasn’t- like I mentioned, it is not sensible!) at Battle within the Valley in January in a wild match that in the end went to a double rely out. Although he’s bought one other goal now as properly, presumably he nonetheless has his sights set on taking the Robust title from Eddie (he had beforehand mentioned fairly clearly he didn’t care concerning the different two belts anyway- which once more, he nonetheless challenged for, for some motive!), however quite than getting a championship rematch in Chicago we’re getting an eight-man thriller tag as an alternative. So, who exhibits up right here? Who is aware of? Will Eddie usher in any unannounced mates from AEW/ROH? One would assume Kidd’s companions will likely be BC guys (Chase Owens you possibly can keep house please), however perhaps that’s even assuming an excessive amount of? It’s awfully onerous to foretell a match after we solely know 1 / 4 of the members, however I’ll go along with workforce Kidd to get the victory right here as we construct to a different Eddie vs. Gabe title match, seemingly for Resurgence in LA subsequent month. Prediction: Staff Kidd
Warren: Typically, I really feel like I’m on an island in the case of Gabe Kidd. It’s a pleasant little island. Not too scorching or humid, good cool nights, perpetually chilly fizzy drinks to take pleasure in, a PS5 and unbelievable wifi. I take pleasure in this island I’m on. Identical to I take pleasure in Gabe Kidd’s work. I really benefit from the intense, unhinged thug. There’s loads of guys on the market in professional wrestling who might do with only a fraction of the depth and fierceness that he brings. I imply, you don’t need to threaten to stab your boss, per se, however I’ll be damned if it doesn’t perk up my ears. I’ve felt that his feud with Eddie had this actually fascinating vibe to it, seeing that these are two wrestlers who don’t have a lot of a filter and communicate from the center in their very own other ways. It’s as if Kidd is what Eddie may very well be if he had been to succumb to the darkness inside him. Kingston teeters on this darkness as he typically reminds us, and 2024 may be the 12 months Kingston dips nearer to it, as he appears doomed to lose all of the titles he labored onerous to win in 2023 (however that’s okay, Kingston is healthier within the chase than being the chased). Possibly dropping the Robust championship in 2024, to Gabe Kidd no much less, may be a catalyst for this decline.
Within the meantime we now have this workforce match and we’re undecided who’s going to be becoming a member of up. One can assume the Struggle Canines will likely be facet by facet with Kidd, however the truth that that is being booked as surprises implies that it might be extra than simply, say, Finlay and Connors and Moloney. As for Eddie’s facet, your guess is pretty much as good as mine. However I believe we’d like a bit extra fuel on this hearth as we head in direction of an inevitable 1-on-1 between our two foremost protagonists at Resurgence. Prediction: Staff Kidd
NJPW WORLD TV Championship
Matt Riddle © vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
John: This one actually feels prefer it got here out of left subject, as I believe most individuals assumed Zack Sabre Jr. was transferring as much as larger and higher issues after he dropped the NJPW WORLD TV title to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom. However right here he’s once more just some months later, difficult the person who beat Tanahashi for the belt that Zack helped placed on the map. Riddle hasn’t appeared in New Japan because the weekend the place he beat Tanahashi for the TV title again in Sapporo, and has not precisely obtained a heat reception from loads of the Western NJPW fanbase, so one would assume Zack would be the stable crowd favourite right here. With some rumblings that New Japan isn’t fully happy with Riddle in the intervening time, maybe Zack takes his previous belt proper again from Riddle in Chicago. Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr.
Warren: The dubiousness of Matt Riddle being fully absent from NJPW programming up till this level can’t be understated. I do know it’s common for wrestlers to have unexplained absences from programming (see Nemeth, Nic), however Riddle’s is conspicuous if solely as a result of the NJPW WORLD TV title fills a task of making content material for NJPW’s numerous social media endeavors. Like John mentioned, followers right here within the West haven’t embraced the arrival of Riddle and far much less his title win, and what little performances he’s had, whereas positive, aren’t tearing the home down both.
So far as ZSJ goes, I used to be underneath the impression that dropping the NJPW WORLD TV title was an indication of him “dropping up” on the cardboard. I had dedicated to my thoughts that he didn’t must win the NJ Cup to problem for the title as a result of he was going to be slotted in a greater spot. A shot at Dominion, maybe? A G1 win? Because it stands, these eventualities are onerous, very onerous maybes. Now it appears he’s again to 15-minute land, able the place he has a stable likelihood to win the title again. Frankly, looking back, he was an ideal choose to be the inaugural champ as a result of he actually outlined the title and what it might symbolize. His predecessors don’t fairly fill the footwear. Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr.
Nic Nemeth vs. Tomohiro Ishii
John: Nic Nemeth is yet one more wrestler who received a belt on the New Starting tour after which instantly vanished from our sights in NJPW (boy, aren’t all of us clamoring for one more absentee white individual champion in the primary occasion too??), as he defeated David Finlay to win the just-established International title for, uh, some motive. Severely, what was the purpose in constructing Finlay up in addition to they did over the course of MONTHS simply to have him instantly lose his new title?! He was all the catalyst behind the creation of the brand new white belt when he destroyed the previous US & UK belts in a memorable angle all the way in which again at Energy Wrestle in November, he pinned Will Ospreay clear within the center in a three-way match with Jon Moxley at Wrestle Kingdom (a surprisingly superior three-way match, I would add!), after which in the end ran Ospreay out of the corporate in a particularly memorable faction warfare cage match. It lastly felt like this man had some actual momentum for the primary time because the begin of his massive heel singles push, after which they instantly put him again off the rails by having him lose his new title to the artist previously referred to as Dolph Ziggler.
And, I ask, for what? Nemeth hasn’t even appeared in New Japan since that weekend in mid-February! He’s not defending his title right here, since he nonetheless owes Hiroshi Tanahashi a title shot that was apparently presupposed to occur at Sakura Genesis, however didn’t resulting from Tanahashi having an ankle damage. So right here we now have only a regular singles match with Nemeth and Ishii. Will or not it’s good? In all probability, it’s a Tomohiro Ishii singles match in any case. However did Nemeth must win the International title and destroy David Finlay’s momentum to arrange a traditional ass singles match with Ishii? And even to arrange one other title shot for our barely-duct-taped-together firm President? No, no he didn’t. However anyway. Prediction: Nic Nemeth
Warren: I, for one, welcomed the arrival of Nic Nemeth in NJPW earlier this 12 months. Pigeonholed for years in WWE regardless of being a really succesful wrestler, him leaping on the chance to work NJPW bought a slight fist pump and an approving nod out of me. I used to be able to see what this man, who is probably going financially set-up for all times, might do in a puro atmosphere. Clearly he determined to take this path as a result of he had one thing to show, proper? He will need to have wished to point out all of the doubters again in Stamford and the nerds on-line that he nonetheless had “it.” I might solely applaud that type of determination. Thus far, he’s solely had two matches and so they’ve each very WWE-ish in execution. I can’t blame the man who’s been working the identical home fashion for twenty years to want a while to shake it off and adapt to NJPW’s methods, however then he’d really must, you realize, wrestle in NJPW every now and then. His absenteeism has not performed him any favors, particularly contemplating the truth that he’s presently a champion within the firm.
I believe that’s what irks essentially the most, actually. This belt, as convoluted as its genesis could also be, does discover its roots in one of the vital electrical rivalries of 2023 with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, delivering two all-time nice matches, and a terrific angle with David Finlay to truly convey the title into being. Finlay defeated two of essentially the most well-known wrestlers on this planet to change into the inaugural champ. There was an try at giving the brand new title some gravitas, solely to have it whisked away with a direct altering of the guard to a milk-carton champion. If the reasoning behind the change was to get in on a well known American wrestler to bump up curiosity within the upcoming American dates, it’s a thought course of I don’t perceive. Putting deal with North American wrestlers for NJPW exhibits is lacking all the level, as I might assume most individuals who purchase tickets for a NJPW present wish to see the Japanese employees who seldom cross the Pacific for reside appearances.
Getting again on observe right here, I’m nonetheless hoping for the large Nic Nemeth puro breakout second. Outdoors of getting on the highway and hitting a tour to essentially shake the WWE fashion, if there was one man it might occur with, it’s with top-tier employee and Preventing Spirit embodiment Tomohiro Ishii. It’s type of a make-it-or-break-it in my thoughts for Nic. If it’s not gonna occur with Tom Ish, I don’t know if it’s going to. It’s not as a lot concerning the title as it’s about Nemeth embracing this new atmosphere. Prediction: Nic Nemeth
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Tetsuya Naito © vs. Jon Moxley
John: Tetsuya Naito has been IWGP World Heavyweight Champion for just a bit over three months now. He received the belt at Wrestle Kingdom, the place he drew 27,422 followers to see him face SANADA in the primary occasion (outdrawing the earlier 12 months’s Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White foremost occasion by greater than 1400 followers). He’s since made two defenses, in opposition to SANADA at New Starting in Sapporo (a present that drew 5,355, outperforming 2023’s New Starting in Osaka tour-ender with Okada defending the identical title in opposition to Shingo Takagi by about 1300 followers) and in opposition to New Japan Cup winner Yota Tsuji at Sakura Genesis (a present that drew 6,632, outperforming the earlier 12 months’s 6,510 for Okada defending in opposition to SANADA- and perhaps might have outdrawn it by much more in the event that they hadn’t used a brand new smaller seat set-up). So right here we now have a champion whose numbers are barely up from final 12 months’s numbers on exhibits the place he’s headlined, although New Japan Professional Wrestling has- you will have heard- misplaced two of its absolute prime stars within the firm, Okada & Ospreay, to their “associate” promotion in America within the final two months. It might have been onerous responsible Naito if attendance had suffered a slight drop given these extraordinarily difficult circumstances, however as an alternative he’s not simply sustaining the identical numbers up to now, he’s really drawing a bit higher.
And but, for some motive, individuals appear satisfied that Jon Moxley taking the title off of Tetsuya Naito right here is not only more likely to occur (and to not spoil my prediction, however simply primarily based on the truth that Naito doesn’t appear to have any apparent challengers lined up for not simply Wrestling Dontaku but additionally Resurgence in Los Angeles, the place the promotion has already promised yet one more title match, I agree it’s fairly seemingly), however that it’s a good suggestion and ought to occur. Why? On what foundation? Once more, you may have the most well-liked wrestler within the firm who’s lastly the champion once more after one other three lengthy years of ready, and his title reign is drawing sturdy crowds in two nations (once more, this present with Naito on prime has already offered nearly 6,200 tickets in Chicago, and Resurgence in LA has a good advance for subsequent month of 1,821 already regardless that no precise matches have been introduced up to now), and it’s apparently a good suggestion to hurry the belt off of him? To place it on an AEW man, when god is aware of what sort of schedule you’re going to have the ability to get out of him?
I’m not even arguing this anymore as a notion factor as a result of, as Gabe Kidd himself very astutely identified in his controversial promo final weekend, any battle for New Japan to be seen as something greater than All Elite Wrestling’s little brother (and bonafide farm system) has mainly been misplaced at this level. So in the event that they wish to put their World title on an AEW man now on prime of it, properly, a minimum of Moxley is definitely a protected foremost eventer in that firm. It may very well be worse. What I take concern with right here is why you’ll wish to finish Naito’s title reign that’s drawing so properly on the gate, at a time when A) you actually don’t have any different headliners by yourself roster to talk of besides perhaps Tanahashi, who’s much more beat up than Naito is & B) you actually don’t know how for much longer you’re going to have the ability to get out of Naito at something near a prime stage, all for yet one more part-time white individual champion. What number of of these do we’d like in NJPW without delay? Did we not all have sufficient of a white man holding the highest belt in New Japan and barely displaying up on the excursions when it was Kenny Omega and Jay White doing it? I actually don’t know anymore. No matter, take pleasure in your reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Mox. I actually don’t have anything in opposition to the man (regardless that it might have come off like I did within the final three paragraphs- I like Mox, actually!), I simply discover this entire factor perplexing. But it surely all feels as inevitable because it feels fully misguided. Although I’ll add that in the event that they’re simply doing this to arrange placing the belt again on Naito in a rematch at Dominion or one thing, that will make a bit extra sense to me I suppose. Prediction: Jon Moxley
Warren: I’m including my bit after John wrapped up their ideas, so I’ll keep away from re-litigating the astute factors they make, lots of which I agree with. For the sake of our little collaborative get-together right here and preserving issues fascinating for you, our gentlest of readers, I’ll satan’s advocate this a tad.
What if placing the title on Jon Moxley is the appropriate thought? I’m not arguing that Naito was a foul thought within the slightest, because the metrics present it’s removed from being a bomb, nor am I difficult Naito’s unparalleled reputation. However Moxley can be a preferred presence to the NJPW crowds. He’s proven to get actually good reactions from the gang, he’s at all times positioned excessive on the cardboard, and has proven love for Japan and NJPW, to the purpose that he has a resident card. I’m fairly certain he didn’t get that simply because he actually loves visiting the shinto shrines in Wakayama. Mox’s relationship at all times appeared to run deeper than the AEW and NJPW partnership. In the event that they had been to “belt him up,” it wouldn’t be as left-field of a scenario than in the event that they did it to, say, Samoa Joe or MJF. Whereas I do discover validity within the “NJPW is AEW’s little bro” emotions, Mox’s relationship doesn’t really feel like that. It’s extra genuine, extra natural. He comes throughout much less like an AEW star in NJPW however extra of an enormous time gaijin who’s a part of the household.
The “occasional” side of it’s a reliable concern, as properly, significantly contemplating the statuses of Riddle and Nemeth. Nevertheless, Mox isn’t presently concerned in any AEW program, as focus has primarily shifted to Swerve, Joe, Ospreay, Moné, the Bucks and Danielson’s Dream Match Parade. It appears believable that he may very well be free to do excursions unfettered, house life obligations however. Might he do higher or a minimum of equal enterprise as Naito? Couldn’t be any worse than SANADA!
And maybe, simply maybe, NJPW sees worth in having their prime belt being held by a beloved professional wrestler who’s steadily on American TV. As I posited earlier, the corporate nonetheless needs to make entryways into america and it sees AEW as the way in which to go. It’s not as if their numbers on AXS TV are setting the rankings world afire. They don’t have the mindshare they as soon as had in pre-AEW days. It’s secure to imagine NJPW acknowledges that its progress lies in fascinating followers in North America since they nonetheless haven’t given up on NJPWoA or STRONG or no matter they wish to label it. Wrestle Kingdom subscription spikes. NJPW might do quite a bit worse than belting up Moxley. Prediction: Jon Moxley
Hearken to Voices of Wrestling’s NJPW podcast: Tremendous J-Forged!
Powered by RedCircle