undercover elephant

Ok, what was the deal with the main event? I felt that the first three minutes of the match was a whole lot of nothing going on. Cody sliding out way too much for my liking from the start. Was totally bemused when the finish came completely out of the blue, and it happened to be on Suzuki in particular. To me it doesn't feel like it should be blown off, as they were alleged to have been close to going off air. I'm just surprised this particular match was set out the way it played out for a dozen minutes.

I envisage PROGRESS will be looking at around 6-7000 next year at Wembley. I saw TNA there in 09 with a pretty stellar lineup of stars on show. Makes sense as a logical progression of venue choice. Would this show be advertised on radio and other forms, not sure if they cover this already in their business?

I'd find it hard to believe Bryan Danielson will make a guest appearance to compete a couple of days after his current contract expires, especially with affiliated ties ongoing. I wouldn't rule it out, a sensible deal might be struck, but he could just be brought in to make some comments and applaude the fans. Plenty of possibilities and star names filling that card up. 

 

 

16 hours ago, uklaw said:

I've always been a peripheral watcher of New Japan up until this year (barring the Big Events) but it absolutely appeals to my current sensibilities as a wrestling fan of nearly 30 years and I'm hooked.

Even the weakest of the G1 shows were above much of everything else in wrestling at present. 

The various threads and issues developing throughout the 19 shows were a joy. Even the 'inconsequential' strands like Suzuki abusing the Young Lions/Boys. Even though we all knew the Young Lions were on a hiding to nothing when it eventually happened, I appreciated that they were largely kept out of the same ring/match as Minoru Suzuki until Night 17. 

And the journey of Yuji Nagata in his final G1, causing even the 'baddest' of the Bullet Club to respect him at the end.

And the number of stars created and elevated, namely EVIL and Juice Robinson. And what a brilliant personal story we are seeing for the latter, badly developed by the system and possibly a poor attitude by him, destroyed by the entitled numb-nuts at Full Sail, and requesting his release, disillusioned with the art form he loves. Goes to Japan, presents himself to the Dojo, shaves his head and starts again as a young boy. And the rest is history. I suspect WWE will want him back at some point, but the question is if he'll want to go back. 

Not forgetting Zack Sabre Jr who looks like he may be in for more than just a short-term push, having tapped Tanahashi twice over this series and tying Ishii in knots on Night 18. 

And what I like also is there is a fairly clear direction coming out of it in terms of shows later this year, potential challengers both this year and at WK12 as well as the fact that Suzuki-Gun are going to cause no end of trouble going forward. 

And I shouldn't be entertained by Yano, but I can't help it. I do have a feeling he will be made to pay for what he did to Suzuki on Night 18.

And I did notice Kevin Kelly feeding Romero that line after the neckbreaker spot. Real professional. Unlike many, I actually rate him. 

Sums up my thoughts on New Japan. Without question this promotion ticks every single box I want from Pro Wrestling and this is how it should be done in my view. 

 

So many quality matches from this G1 which I think overall was the best one ever. Elgin/Omega, ZSJ/Ishii, Ishii/Ibushi, Tanahashi/Ibushi, Naito/Ibushi, EVIL/Okada, Suzuki/Okada, Okada/Omega and Naito/Omega. Guilty pleasure goes to Omega/Yano in Japanese, can't fault the comedic value in this context. 

Tried the English commentary for most of the undercards NJ provides with Kelly and Callis. Heard Rocky before, love the guy for what he does, but broadcasting I'm not so sure. Mostly now listen to Japanese for the energy and emotion conveyed. Shibata's surprise appearance a great example of the raw emotion on hearing his entrance music when it first came on. Superb placement immediately right after the Wrestle Kingdom promoted shown. The visual of the JPN commentary team, especially the lead play semi scrambling his initial thoughts made this incredibly special. Point being, this company easily makes me fall in love with everything they deliver consistently, Number One.

 

 

Ishii and Goto an excellent hard hitting contest. Sabre Jr and Tanahashi worked a tremendous match. Sabre in particular worked extremely well with some super selling from Tana in all aspects, not just the arm in this instance. 

Crazy Main Event featuring Naito and Kota Ibushi. The piledriver a topic of convo and this was only night 1 for them, madness on some of those moves. 

Last three matches must see, and quite enjoyed the Suzuki and Omega interactions in their multi man tag before intermission.

This Thursday of course is Omega vs Suzuki. Nice backstage post promo from Omega on Monday with Suzuki returning the US belt worth a quick look.

First Jinder now Sampson. You'd think Vince sets a bounty for certain guys to clock Balor in some perverse way! 

For someone unproven at singles level on the main roster, the trend says Jordan has about 3-6 to sink or swim. Dreadful storyline which is pretty laughable with the reveal and direction they've lumped them into. Drew Galloway springs to mind in this position and I see no change here with Jordan's big push. Poor booking/Agent use is a major reason, not Vince's weak excuses to blame talent failing. 

I think this week was the very first time I decided not to listen to Review A Raw and Smackdown since it began. Harrington and Agnew stepping in for Pollock and Wai reminds me of Christian O Connell's pet friend Brian back in their XFM and Virgin days. 

Stopped listening to their NXT reviews mainly down to Harrington. Bartender Dave a far better co host with Agnew, sounds better and more interesting I think. 

For weeks now my understanding was that the G1 specials were going to be shown live both nights on New Japan World for everyone outside of the United States, for those who don't have AXS TV anywhere in the world. Now I'm reading a tweet Meltzer has replied to when asked, his reply was only in Japan.

If that's true, that to me seems pretty screwy on ALL other subscribes outside the US. Fuck scrambling around for a live stream online when loyal fans who subscribe cannot view at the click of a button in a lot of cases perhaps.

 

Watched the show live last night and my instant gut feeling midway through the Ishii/Omega match was this was easily in the 5 star bracket, it just had that raw feel (not the shitty Monday version). From start to finish that was way better I thought than Okada/Omega from January, easily. Ishii deserves a massive pat on the back because he gave Kenny everything to go off of laying out that match. The transitions flowed epically and made this my match of the year thus far.

4 hours ago, IANdrewDiceClay said:

Its not a work. Apparently he's going to have to jack it in. I have no idea what he was playing at with those headbutts.

What's odd is, it was only Meltzer who thought it was a work. No idea what the fuck he was one when he was making those statements, because it seemed obvious he was fucked up. Probably had 5 stars in his eyes and didnt take notice of suspected brain damage.

Exactly, I thought in some ways it was slightly irresponsible to even mention it might have been a work. Dave and Bryan were the only two people who I've have listened to who have said this. Made me think what information, and from who they obtained such a take.

I took the post match news on Shibata seriously and not once did I think it was a work, this is New Japan current. It may have been used to further an angle in previous time, but this rumour of being a career ending injury truly saddens me. Shibata had it all, and I just pray that he recovers to some form of normality. I don't want to see any talent die in the ring like everyone else, but Gedo in my option seriously has to wonder when that moment might arrive by outlawing mindless moves like a headbutt for starters.

Not quite sure what to think when I'm read this could be a work. Take Shibata off until after Dontaku heading towards Dominion, then over to the States? 

Nice 30 minute conversation with Bauer and Dave talking NJ/ROH/WWE Flow Slam and Daniel Bryan

Shame that Laredo crowd were dead silent during Hunter's segment at the end. Seemed to continue with very little reaction when Joe came out and attacked. It just didn't provide the designed frenzy you'd have expected out of this for a flagship show, and lacked energy due to this God awlful town.

 

Can't fault the talent, they did what was required via the script handed out, however the writing for Rollins in particular baffled me once again as to who he's supposed to be playing which I find incredible even still. The kids line showing up at their house I just didn't understand for a supposed face.

 

The T/O interruption was fine on Saturday, but what a difference in production Vince signed off last night compared to Hunter's vision moving forward.

Callis is as good a choice as any. Where has this been reported btw?

Don announced the news in the opening segment of Killing the Town.

Confirmed. Don Callis working alongside Kevin Kelly on English commentary for New Japan World

Anybody listen to the 6:05 suierpodcast with Brian last? He's great on the corvette pod but his podcasts are like 4 hours long

Love the Top 10, his guests like Tom Robinson, Scott Cornish, Bob Barnett, Cornette and Kurt Brown have been brilliant. Truly one of the funniest and fascinating to listen to with many old school stories told. Brian Last does an excellent job putting this mammoth show together. Only thing I cannot stand is Bixenspan, but he's not been on for several months now and hope that continues in 2017

Like someone posted on Twitter earlier, Ellsworth on the main roster, Nakamura, Joe, Roode, Dillinger, Aries, Asuka......

I would have them both do a backstage segment Monday night and press Cara's buttons even more. Fuck it, I'll go as far as unmask him and challenge Jericho to a match. Revolve it around the List and try bloody something, and not a lazy last week again tour special!

Just catching up on a load of podcasts after being on holiday. Torrie Wilson on Flair's podcast is one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever listened to. Flair spends the whole interview interrupting her, talking over her about how he's still got her Playboy, how she rejected his advances in WCW, how he once sent her a dick pic and she denied receiving it. Poor Torrie (who comes across as a really nice person) just seems mortified and tries to laugh it all off, but fucking hell.

The same foolish bloke who basically said who gives a fuck about taking steroids, and having zero effect, when he discussed Brock. Didn't he say "Give me a break" thereafter. It's funny how he had his poor little heart broken and couldn't deal with it, completely oblivious to the fact he was a cunt of a husband who deserves zero sympathy.

Bugger for the Kiwi's, both NXT dates for 5th/6th Dec in Auckland and Wellington have been cancelled.

I picture a moment where completely out of the blue, and well thought out (HA) where Borash shows up on camera in WWE. Night after a Mania would be a moment!

Big fan of both. But in all honesty, Vader is on point. It's a very athletic, probably rehearsed, dance routine.

Great on your local indy show. Not really sure if many Japanese veterans would like it.

 

However, wrestling has evolved.

 

What would Benoit and Eddie think?

Go and read MVP's comment on Twitter and come back and tell me his point is valid in 2016 with style and choice.

Listening to MLW Extra where Court and Matt Farmer give there take on the releases. The bastard in me for some reason wonders if ROH wants a short term deal opportunity with an announced or unannounced talent showing up at Global Wars on Sunday, and Sandow shows up either seen on camera in the crowd or playing a role!! FITE TV wouldn't sniff at the possibility of that quick deal being booked.

 

WWECreative_ish on Twitter wrote...

 

We barely let @TheDamienSandow on TV & he gets over.

We bury him & he gets more over.

We fire him & he's trending worldwide.

#Kayfabe

 

Alex Riley was a car crash waiting to happen. His perception is fucking horrible to watch

"My name is Baron Corbin and I am a certified G and a Bonafide stud and you can't teach that"

His promos in NXT are pretty adaquate at best. Corbin had zero energy lighting his character up and didn't look properly prepared. Enzo on the other was ready with a sky rocket up his backside to deliver, Corbin failed badly

Is Apollo main roster now or was it just an NXT showcase thing in his case?

Like Corbin, he doesn't seem ready yet, but they're both in that no man's land of NXT not seeming to have any plans of running with them on top either.

Corbin was piss poor in making an impression. Cannot for the life of me see how he's drawing money moving forward. Talk about failing to impress with a mediocre reaction. He should have taken notes from Enzo on how to make a statement and wow an audience.

The opening had me laughing out loud at the stupidity of having Shane run this show. So remember next year leading up to Orlando, it's all doesn't matter. He didn't really do anything bar have a few conversations backstage!

 

A reverse of Raw to Mania with 50/50 booking for AJ. The weird booking from the previous night gave little hope that Vince still hadn't figured it out, and he used the Styles Clash finish, then off air sharpish!

 

I'd still buy Jericho losing at Mania and coming out to challenge Reigns last night (as Daz commented)

 

No Cena, Taker, Brock, Ambrose, Hunter and Steph. Ambrose I think should now should take some time off for a few months. He's lost in the shuffle and although I didn't think he's completely fucked. They won't repackage, just have the same crazy bloke when he returns, probably next week.

 

Cesaro and Jericho could be decent, and thank god they didn't debut Anderson and Gallows