Merzbow Posted January 4, 2025 Posted January 4, 2025 Takeshita potentially has three matches in three days in Japan, he tagged with Jun Akiyama last night for DDT. I can't see him losing to Shingo today, meaning he'll be a champ in both feds. Quote
Paid Members Statto Posted January 4, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 4, 2025 42 minutes ago, Supremo said: I'm forever fascinated by how New Japan continues to work with AEW despite how lopsided the relationship has become. Given the lack of star power on Wrestle Kingdom (to my reasonably untrained eye at least) and the fact the AEW working relationship theoretically gives them access to almost all their biggest draws of the tail end of their hot period, it's odd to me to see not even one of Ospreay/Switchblade/Omega etc on that show. I assume the Wrestle Dynasty show exists basically because NJPW expressly don't want to dominate their biggest show of the year with "part-timers / outsiders", though. Quote
Paid Members LaGoosh Posted January 4, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 4, 2025 36 minutes ago, Statto said: it's odd to me to see not even one of Ospreay/Switchblade/Omega etc on that show. I assumed it was because AEW guys don't want their top guys doing jobs so are sending over guys they are happy with looking at the lights. Quote
The King Of Swing Posted January 4, 2025 Posted January 4, 2025 Granted the fact that I haven't watched New Japan in lords knows how long probably played a part but I really enjoyed Wrestle Kingdom. Quote
Paid Members LaGoosh Posted January 4, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 4, 2025 What were the standout matches? Quote
The King Of Swing Posted January 4, 2025 Posted January 4, 2025 (edited) 12 minutes ago, LaGoosh said: What were the standout matches? Imo the opening ladder match was a fun piece of chaos, Mayu Iwatani and AZM made the most of the 8 minutes or so they were given and Takeshita Vs. Shingo was a good, stiff scrap. People seem devided on the main event. I liked it but can definitely see why others didn't, it's long. The pre-show rumble was shit and Douki sadly suffered an injury resulting in the Junior title match being stopped. Outside of that nothing really bad imo. Perfectly fine background viewing for the bundle price. Edited January 4, 2025 by The King Of Swing Quote
Merzbow Posted January 4, 2025 Posted January 4, 2025 Only watched the first match before I had to head out, really fun spotfest that somehow felt fresher than a lot recently. I think it being pretty short actually helped so it wasn't an overlong set of high spots that lose all meaning after a while. Heard about Douki which sucks, he's had absolute bangers with El Desperado this past year. Quote
Infinity Land Posted January 4, 2025 Posted January 4, 2025 6 hours ago, Supremo said: I'm forever fascinated by how New Japan continues to work with AEW despite how lopsided the relationship has become. If it goes away what do they replace it with? Forbidden Door's not meant to be 50/50 but it does bring in some money. A lot of AEW/ROH type talents can be on the US ran shows that help boost their own PPV buys/NJPW World subs. Some of their roster get to top up their income with extra bookings. Most of the talent they have lost would have left anyway with the way the economy is and WWE signing people. Tried something last year with Riddle, Nemeth, Mustafa Ali and that didn't really work out for them. Quote
TildeGuy~! Posted January 5, 2025 Posted January 5, 2025 (edited) I don’t think a show goes by without Tanahashi having a cry nowadays. Edited January 5, 2025 by TildeGuy~! Quote
Merzbow Posted January 5, 2025 Posted January 5, 2025 A solid enough 7/10 show in the end but definitely not a classic by any means, I dug the main event but would dig it more if Shota seemed like he had any kind of fire in him, he just doesn't have "IT" and no pink hair dye or sweet attire can replace that. Time for Day 2. Quote
Paid Members Supremo Posted January 5, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 5, 2025 (edited) Fucking hell. Kenny Omega, man. Unbelievable. Cancel all the plans. Delete the spreadsheet. Kenny Omega wins the Casino Gauntlet this week. Wins the belt from Mox next week. Carries us all to the promised land. Edited January 5, 2025 by Supremo Quote
The King Of Swing Posted January 5, 2025 Posted January 5, 2025 Did AEW promote the Young Bucks returning for the show at all? Wonder if they might be sticking around New Japan, for a while. Quote
Paid Members LaGoosh Posted January 5, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 5, 2025 14 minutes ago, The King Of Swing said: Did AEW promote the Young Bucks returning for the show at all? Wonder if they might be sticking around New Japan, for a while. They barely promoted the show at all. If you only watched AEW you probably wouldn't have even known it was happening. Quote
TildeGuy~! Posted January 5, 2025 Posted January 5, 2025 Full Omega/Kidd match uploaded to Twitter, probably be gone soon Quote
Paid Members Chris B Posted January 6, 2025 Paid Members Posted January 6, 2025 Omega/Kidd was great. Felt really big time, and I wasn't quite expecting him to come back at *that* level. Show otherwise was fun but not very memorable. And lacked direction. While I liked ZSJ's sport team feel celebrating at the end, I didn't come away feeling like I was missing much from NJPW. Any build felt like it was for Forbidden Door and the like. The commentary was, at times, weirdly slagging off AEW. It feels like the reverse would never happen. It's possible there's going to be more of a competitive feel between the companies going forward, now there are fewer dream matches? Quote
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