Smack2k Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Need some help here... I have tried several times to get into Japanese wrestling, but just cant due to the commentary taking my attention as I dont speak Japanese and not a big understanding of everyone outside the big names... So....where can I learn about feuds and what built to big matches or why certain greats were against each other in the ring? Or was Japan not like the US wrestling in terms of storylines, was it just "this guy is good, this guy is good, get in the ring and go?" I mean no disrespect at all toward Japanese wrestling, and I REALLY want to enjoy matches that I keep hearing soo much great stuff about...but need some help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditch Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 The storylines are more organic and "pure sports build"; rivalries, new stars slowly moving up the ranks until they break out, round-robin tournaments, that sort of thing. The main hate-feuds are when guys from different promotions lock up, which is what inspired Bischoff to bring in Hall and Nash as WWF guys for the nWo rather than just the usual big name free agents. I used to write a weekly column on puroresu, and if you scroll back (especially at the very start) every so often I focus on specific topics and concepts: http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/insider/davidditch/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Death From Above Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 I've honestly never quite got the commentary hang up. I mean, the majority of wrestling commentary is "he hit that guy in the face/he slammed him to the mat". Not singling anyone out for saying this. I've heard it regularly for... God, I don't even want to say how long now. ;-) It just never bothered me. Ditch's old columns are indeed a tremendous starter for this sort of thing if you need the push. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smack2k Posted June 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Been reading through this and its GREAT and a huge help as well as reading a bunch about the histories of JWA / NJPW / AJPW / NOAH...Very interesting to see how each of these came to be and where they went, and their ups and downs...I know there are others to see (Dragon Gate / Big Japan and the smaller feds). but taking it slowly! For All-Japan and NOAH, as of the articles I read, neither had TV as of 2011 it said...has this changed and are these two that good anymore? What would you say are the best things to watch for NJPW, as that is where I am going to start, from the 80's and 90's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 For 80's NJPW: Andre vs. Hansen 1981 Fujunami vs. Choshu series in 1983 Gauntlet Match 1984 UWF vs. NEw Japan feud (anything you can get your hands on) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditch Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 AJ and NOAH have TV, just not on broadcast stations. NOAH has taken a nosedive of epic proportions in recent years but AJ is decent now, though it just went through a split with Mutoh taking a good chunk of the roster. As for what to watch, I'd say take a gander at my match sites (theditch.biz, .com and .us) and see what looks interesting. More specific recommendations can come based on what you know and/or like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smack2k Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Next Question(s)... How many Choshu vs. Fujinami Singles matches from 83 - 84 are on video? How many Choshu vs. Tenryu Singles matches? How many Choshu vs. Tsuruta Singles? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlittlekitten Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Are there any nice write ups or articles out there on the decline of the wrestling business in Japan? I always seem to here how the popularity's gone but nobody mentions how it got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditch Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 How many Choshu vs. Tenryu Singles matches? How many Choshu vs. Tsuruta Singles? Thanks! Choshu vs Tenryu:-2/21/85, "Japan Pro" -9/3/86, AJ -1/4/93, NJ -4/6/93, NJ -A bunch of times in 2003 World Japan that don't count because Choshu was sooooo over the hill Choshu vs Jumbo only happened once, in 1985, and it's really disappointing because of the length. Choshu going over 30 minutes was not a good idea. Are there any nice write ups or articles out there on the decline of the wrestling business in Japan? I always seem to here how the popularity's gone but nobody mentions how it got there.I cover a lot of that in my articles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryvonKramer Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Wouldn't the Yatsu tag matches give him a nicer look at the 85-6 feud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smack2k Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Yeah, I will be checking out those tags right away...just curious how many singles matches they had... I am singles wrestling fan...but as I finally get into Japan, I know I need to get more focused on tags and mult-man matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditch Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 The consistency of tags in Japan is *much* higher than in the US, along with the number of tag MOTYCs. Heck, I even think most of the touted US tags of the last 25 years are overrated, so I can't blame anyone for focusing on singles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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