Jmare007

I really liked that match and the ending. They better give them the main event spot next time they face each other.

I guess they will turn Charlotte asap if tonight's reaction happens consistently before the next PPV.

LMAO at the crowd loving this.

I was watching the 10-13 minutes before that spot. Those two only know how to do fun spots, they did exactly that for the finishing run and the crowd loved it.

Wow, that's actually worse than the Superplex to Falcon Arrow bullshit Rollins likes to do. Crowd loved it though.

Was the pre show heated or has the crowd been lethargic since the beginning?

I laughed hard at that one. Coach did something useful for once.

I remember being really surprised at how over Rollins was a couple of months ago. Now he's in the opener and feels like just another guy.

In a lighter subject, how about them G-1 STARS~! Tana vs Okada 5 stars Omega vs Ibushi 5.5 stars Ibushi vs Tana 5.75 stars Man, if 6/9/95 happened this year in New Japan - or if you switched Dave's love for All Japan in the 90's to today - I think that shit might've gotten like 9 stars or something

Holy shit at how things have escalated, everyone going in on Dave

I guess this is about

I'm just speaking for myself here but I don't think Naito is above any belt, I wasn't upset about him winning the IC belt as much as annoyed that he was back to doing the same shit he was doing before WK. Nakamura made that belt into something important, but he also got fed up of that being his new ceiling (booking wise) and went to WWE.

I didn't either, I think most people didn't. It just goes back to what I said, there's nothing compelling for him to do right now besides finally getting the belt. Any fantasy booking scenario that puts him in an interesting angle or feud requires stuff that Gedo has never done or people/companies that don't work for New Japan and doesn't seem likely they will in the immediate future. So a lot of us just want him to get the title so his arc can move forward and see were that goes (I don't think him winning the G-1 was the way to go for that to happen tbh, he could've won it at KOPW or Power Struggle). His character is a provocateur, imagine the fuckery it would generate if he tried to do to the IWGP belt what he did with the IC strap, a bunch of fun stuff could come out of that. You say he draws energy from chasing, but he hasn't been chasing anything since January and given nothing interesting to do in the meantime. And this is the most over guy in the company we are talking about...

Can't believe this is the go home week before Summerslam. It feels like there's zero buzz about the show.

This is like saying in 2013-2014 that Daniel Bryan doesn't need the belt to be over, and given that he was the ultimate underdog. it fitted that he kept coming up short and shoved aside by booking. I don't think people want Naito to have an Ace run with 300+ days with the belt and be THE guy. I think people want to see him get his coronation after 3 years of turning things around character wise and becoming the most over guy in the company (and a legit draw). The fact that his moment has been delayed twice already - and most likely thrice seeing how things are going - because Gedo wanted to give Okada basically a 3 year reign (with a 70 day "vacation") doesn't help either. It's not like Naito is/was doing interesting stuff without the belt that would make the wait worth it. He's just "there", either recycling angles and feuds (like his last IC title run) or simply without a direction. The "angst" comes from seeing this dude doing something interesting, as so far there have been no signs of anything being there for him besides finally getting the top belt.

We gotta wait and see if Tana keeps his title shot though, he's already called out Okada and he might just lose that match. Tanahashi vs Omega sound a lot more compelling than Okada vs Omega V but with Gedo's lazy ass it's not out of the question. Still, would Kenny vs Tana and Jericho vs Okada (or a rematch with Naito) be enough to finally get 40k paid at the Dome, or even the same attendance as this year? We are 4 months away but right now it doesn't feel like it could. I feel this was a perfect time for an interpromotional feud were they could give Okada or Naito a big angle and match to wrestle in, but sadly there's no other promotion for New Japan to work with right now. All Japan could produce some great matches and interesting stories but I have a hard time picturing that sort of feud making any difference drawing wise in 2018/19.

Bryan has been clearly a source for Dave when it comes to any stories related to him - a bunch of times Dave would report something and then days later Bryan would say the exact same thing on an interview - so I wonder why can't Dave talk about it. I guess it will really be a part of his Summerslam match and they want to keep the fans guessing/speculating? I have a hard time seeing D-Bry not staying in WWE.

I'm not sure Naito will cool off before he finally gets another title reign, the problem to me is the path to him finally getting is not worth the wait.

Damn it man, last couple of months have been brutal. RIP.

at the winner. I wonder if he'll become the first guy to lose his "MITB" title shot before WK.

These last two shows are the most compelling booking Gedo has done in like 4 years. I'm so glad we are not getting the Tana/Okada storyline for Naito, though I'm still not sure what the hell is in store for him, I'm interesting in seeing it play out though and that's something I never thought I'd say up until 5 days ago. Get the fuck out of here with this

The most surprising thing this whole tournament was Gedo actually running an angle that mattered today and opening things up for Block B, and setting things up for future shows that go beyond "possible/future title challenger". It felt really refreshing.

I hope Miz forces Bryan to put his career on the line for Summerslam as the only way for him to accept the match.