https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235650370214?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Z9KcGfnKS8e&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=uxO8Z_YPQNG&var&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1N4prEgl1EqbZcDPKNFePSH4RV4Tq9g_1PmKdegK78vHJnt2YfRjNHqaI_aem_OH405NNw9j410sK2-LgD6Q&sfnsn=scwspwa
Heres an interesting ebay listing. Let's hope whoever purchases sticks it up on youtube
Gabe Kidd
Premature? Probably.
Since joining The Bullet Club, Kidd has become of the highlights of NJPW for me. In 2024 it has not become unusual for Kidd to have the best match on the show and his aggressive character has added an edge of unpredictablity and danger to the company. He may turn out to be a one year wonder but by nominating him here I am gambling that he won't be.
Recommended matches:
Vs Henare - 4 February 2024
With Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, David Finlay and Drilla Maloney vs Will Ospreay, TJP, Henare, Jeff Cobb and Francisco Akira - 11 February 2024
Vs Shingo Takagi - 4 May 2024
Vs Kaito Kiyomiya - 16 June 2024
https://en.puwota.com/index.cgi?202304
This will be your best friend
You will find trouble purchasing before hand with an international card for most companies and will have to buy on the door. Most shows wont sell out.
I got tickets for NOAH, Gatoh Move and Wrestle-1 on the door
Managed to preorder DDT and NJPW
Entering the building wise - my only advise is... if going to Kurakuen take the stairs do not take the lift! The stair walls are fully of wonderful wrestling graffiti
Other things to check out whilst there would be Inoki's restaurant, Rikidozan grave, 123 bar in Osaka and Ribera Steakhouse
Ricochet, Ciampa, Gable, Nakamura, Mysterio, Reed, Sheamus, Riddle, Woods, Strowman... is Gunther building a case for best WWE TV worker ever? He has only been on the main roster 20 months,
Dunno if these been shared before but I thought they were pretty cool. Poster and promo still from when Van Buyten worked in Montreal billed as Ricco Garcia from Spain
Ilja Dragnuov
I don't think I have ever seen a bad performance from Ilja. His selling is often great, his offence looks fantastic and his presentation is very serious which has become a breathe of fresh air in modern American wrestling. Almost without exception, if every current wrestler was a bit more like Ilja they would improve their work. He always brings passion to his matches which always makes his matches feel important.
vs Walter vs John Klinger (10th March 2018)
vs Walter (29th October 2020)
vs Walter (22nd August 2021)
vs Bron Breakker vs JD McDonagh (22nd October 2022)
vs Dijak (28th May 2023)
vs Carmelo Hayes (30th July 2023)
vs Carmelo Hayes (30th September 2023)
Hirooki Goto
One of the many New Japan Pro Wrestling nearly men, flirting with the top of the card but always falling back down to upper midcard/midcard, which may hurt his chances here but his skills between the ropes cannot be denied. He feels like an old soul in NJPW by old soul I mean harping back to the days of the Samurai. A warrior of honour, determination, and fearlessness. Most recently has been paired with YOSHI-HASHI as a tag team. YOSHI-HASHI has always been seen as a bit of a loser but is now seen as a genuine player to the point the team beat aces Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi and it never felt wrong.
Recommended matches
Vs Katsuyori Shibata – 22 June 2013
Vs Kenny Omega -14 August 2016
Vs Tomohiro Ishii – 21 July 2018
With YOSHI-Hashi vs Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi – 6 March 2023
Josh Alexander
Perhaps a little early for him but he has carried Impact as the man for over a year now. Has produced great matches in that time and has felt like the company's most important home grown talent for years. His matches feel like they mean something and he has elevated the Impact title by wearing it around his waist. Tenure will hurt him, but lets look at him.
Josh Alexander & The Besties in the World vs British Strong Style - 24 June 2018
Josh Alexander vs TJP - 3 June 2021
Josh Alexander vs Mike Bailey - 19 November 2022
Cody Rhodes
Has transformed himself into one of the most important wrestlers in the world today. Has shown great character diversity with Legacy, Dashing, Stardust, American Nightmare etc. Has had some of the most emotionally charged matches of recent years and is proving himself to be one of the best on the mic. Think it is time he gets at least evaluated amongst the top names the business has ever produced.
Recommended Matches
Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs The Shield - 6 October 2013
Cody Rhodes vs Dustin Rhodes - 25 May 2019
Cody Rhodes vs Seth Rollins - 5 June 2022