Jmare007

I don't think that's what matters here.

This is crazy and really fucking sad. Hope for the best for him and his family, fuck cancer.

I have no clue what report is true or not but Mike Johnson also reported that Miz was going to win at Super Showdown the night before the event, saying WWE was happy with Daniel Bryan being a "special attraction" so he didn't see him winning.

This was fine. It says a lot that it took 20 minutes for the crowd to give a shit about Takeshita, even though this was a big and unique interpromotional match - and was worked as one - the fans were mostly silent and treating it like it was whatever, which hurt it a lot because atmosphere is key for this type of match, or at least it is to me. CIMA did great as the invader heel, cheating and using every advantage he took to hurt the young Ace, his work on the leg was compelling and his cut offs were nicely done. Konosuke is still just meh in big matches, his selling of the leg was all over the place and it was frustrating because when he did sell it, he did an awesome job, but his comebacks still lack fire and everytime he has control of the action the crowd just doesn't care. This had a some cool moments and it got very good near the end, it could've been REALLY good with a hotter crowd.

That's interesting, I can't remember which interview it was (or if it was him talking about it in his podcast) but months ago he was saying how happy he was of getting a "Brock Lesnar" type deal with New Japan - very good money for "3-4 dates" - while at the same time having a good relationship with WWE, to the point he could still get dates with them. On another interview he also spoke about how much money he got for working the Greatest Royal Rumble while doing basically nothing (he also said he though his match with Taker was given back to Rusev because he was going to continue to work with New Japan).

A little update on CIMA: DDT's Peter Pan show drew 6,259 people at Sumo Hall, claimed as a sellout. Last year they did 5,900 and was also claimed as a sellout and the Sumo Hall show from March did 5,700. Even though the difference is very small, it was very likely that show was going to barely do 5k without the addition of Strong Hearts in the last month.

I had very high hopes for this match, and it delivered in spades. The performance by Togo is fucking incredible, Daisuke plays the role of "unstoppable monster" greatly, as usual, but it's Togo's job as the underdog that makes this match awesome to watch. Don't expect a bomb fest, this was one of those methodical, every move matters, type of Strong BJ match, which I fucking love. The story is as simple as can be: Sekimoto is the big dude that imposes his will and Togo has to scratch and claw to get Daisuke off him. You can feel the struggle in every attempt by Togo to get our of trouble, and the ways he finds to do it are dope to watch - like, everyone goes for a head lock to get out of the Argentine Backbreaker, but the way Togo fights to get that headlock is just on another level - and when he finally gets a chance to breathe, he's too exhausted to capitalize on it because of all the effort it took to get there. When he finally gets on top it makes sense, but it doesn't last long as he takes a risk that doesn't pay off. Once Daisuke sees his chance to get control back, he fucking goes for it, as he realizes what he has to do to finish this off, but Togo will not lay down. Awesome match. ps: there's a little kid that screams SEKIMOTOOOOOOO for 20 minutes that had me laughing at how hard he was rooting for his favorite.

WWE's version of Political Hit Theory will be can't miss fuckery. Would be cool if Dylan gets to show up on the Network special about it.

True, but WWE has pushed the idea that Edge was an "outsider" who was never seen as champion material until he had that Rated R run after the first ever cash in for a long ass time now. I think I've seen the same "nobody believed in me" story from Edge and Michael Hayes in like 3 different DVDs/documentaries Edit: Big Show with a heel turn, he's gotta have the record for a WWE wrestler, right?

Will they do it at Mania or Greatest Royal Rumble II?

You really thought he wasn't going to get the treatment he always gets?

STRIGGA has this match running 29 minutes on the results sections at Purolove, but the link I came upon on had it at 22 minutes or so. I saw a few noticeable edits at the beginning, but it didn't seem it was THAT long, 7 minutes feels like a lot of stuff left off to appreciate the match more. But anyways, onto the match. I too have been away from NOAH for a long ass time but after watching Nakajima's new gimmick and demeanor at the last Kobashi produced show, I had to see this match against Sugi, who I've always loved. This was dope as hell to watch. There's two halfs, the first one with Nakajima working as the sleamy heel and tricking the champ at every step, LOVED how the only way for Sugi to get on top was him doing a misdirection move that Nak couldn't see coming and counter. Once Sugiura gets on top he fucking lays a beating on Nakajima, to the point Korakuen went from booing the guy to cheering him on. Then we get a distraction spot so Katsuhiko can use a foreign object and regain control. From then on Nakajima unleashes a demonic ass kicking, similar to the one Shibata gave Okada last year. Dear lord at the kicks Sugi eat in this match. The final comeback and finishing sequence were fine but it kinda lacked the drama it seemed this was going for. Still, I thought the ending was suitable considering the story and match they had, it was the only way Sugi could've won.

I mean, if we are talking about being counterproductive to their interests, this part doesn't make a lot of sense either: So it's no fun anymore because you are seen as a factory worker, so fuck it and take a bigger deal elsewhere so they can at least be richer factory workers that are working more than before?

The first report doesn't undermine their bargaining position at all. It was basically "people that didn't think about leaving might think about it now", which could lead to them getting better offers so they would stay. Or push WWE to make them a good offer to finally convince them to jump ship.

True. Though him not even double checking this is hilarious.

Not sure if we can post stuff from reddit, but this whole story upped the fuckery levels even more Meji himself said Craven (the guy Dave mentioned in his story) doesn't work for New Japan and a guy from reddit said he even got death threats. That last part sounds a little too ridiculous, but wtf. https://www.reddit.com/r/njpw/comments/9nitw0/meij_meltzer_got_the_wrong_guy/

Yano about to make the jump !

So this week Dave said (or wrote, I'm not sure) this: Which clearly reads as something The Elite crew fed to him for whatever reason (put pressure on New Japan, wink at WWE or just fucking around with fans like they do every years when their negotiations come up). And then Tama Tonga tweets this I love this kind of fuckery

The show did great too, 9k in attendance for a show that didn't have a card 6 days before it happened is pretty huge.

It WAS Shingo! So glad I was wrong, great get by New Japan. I do hope he's not a Junior or if he is, he doesn't stay one for long.

I don't think that's very important to WWE at this moment. If they are sent to FS1 and do well there and still get their money, they'll be probably happy.

Taker telling some fun Mark Henry stories https://youtu.be/4mcd8BAjU0c?t=1053

Shingo is not bigger than Omega or Ibushi. He's a leaner version of Ishii basically. I don't see him being the "pareja" either though, I don't see him taking a Junior gig in New Japan when he can make good money everywhere else freelancing as a heavy.

Not sure I understand the connection, but I see RAW did even worse than last week, which was historically bad.

I mean, so far New Japan has treated their US shows as one would've expected. Their expansion was never about "taking over" and from the get go it was explained as something more similar to a Korakuen show than a big PPV. Having said that, the dates they've picked and the promotion for each show has been getting worse each time they do a new event. The biggest match on the card is a tag match that if it was announced last month - when it was already reported that tickets were selling slowly - it could've gained some momentum and even could've been promoted at All In. It could very well be a MOTYC, specially for the fanbase that could buy a ticket. Announcing it five days before the show makes no damn sense. They trusted Juice vs Cody would be enough to sell more, weird. The Cow Palace show didn't do as well as they want it - for a variety of reasons, the date and promotion being the most important ones, imo - but they were able to save it from total disaster by announcing Cody vs Omega a couple of weeks prior, which boosted tickets sales. And by the way, they have King of Pro Wrestling at Sumo Hall in two weeks and the only match announced is KUSHIDA vs the winner of the Jr tournament for the vacant belt. White vs Tanahashi is a given, but it's still not official. I guess they'll run an angle at Long Beach and reveal the whole card next week, but that leaves just 1 week of promotion for the biggest show they have in Tokyo before January. It feels like a heat check by the company after doing awesome attendance wise this year.