Jump to content
Pro Wrestling Only

Current New Japan


pol

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 3k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

I swear Zack Sabre Jr was conceived, born and weaned in a wrestling ring. It's all so natural to him.

TMDK started in Perth (I believe) as the repugnantly-named Torture Murder Death Kill, and due to backlash went with The Mighty Don't Kneel. Kept the initials, though. Fuck 'em.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Jmare007 said:

Watching the press conference post show and it seems they are gonna build to Ospray winning it all at next year's WK.

Sort of hard to remember because it's all happened in the COVID era, but Ospreay already has two Wrestle Kingdom losses to Okada in pretty great matches. Him finally winning the big one next year would make a lot of sense, especially if he's signing long-term. It also really seemed like he got to a new place with fan engagement during this match that will serve him well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, NintendoLogic said:

Semi-serious question: should Mercedes Martinez change her ring name? Over the past few weeks, there have been several instances where I saw people talking about a female wrestler named Mercedes without initially realizing they were referring to Sasha.

Did Steve Blackman change his name when he was in the same company as Steve Austin?

No.

So, no.

I realize Mercedes is a more unique name, but Martinez has been using it for 20+ years and it's Sasha's real name.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not a perfect show by any means but I had a blast watching it, which hasn't really been the case with Wrestle Kingdom for a few years now. The crowd involvement was a welcome return even if they're not as noisy as they were pre-pandemic. That will take some time I expect.

One absolute classic in Ospreay/Omega. Ospreay's performance was incredible and really surprised me as I'm not always his biggest fan. His selling in the second half of the match was something else. Looked like Terry Funk at times. That final 10 minutes really helped to put over the big spots that had come earlier. That Croyt's Wrath off the top was disgusting. Kenny doing the Shining impression with the broken table. So good. GREAT entrances too. I was thrilled to hear the return of "Elevated".

A handful of other really good matches and a couple which were just okay. I liked Narita/ZSJ and the tag title match a good deal. The Jr. tag opener was made more memorable by Rush's blood. Even Anderson/Tonga had that absolutely devastating looking piledriver on the ramp. That was nuts. I was fully behind Master Wato in the junior 4-way. He had some great near falls. But it wasn't to be. 

Sasha/Mercedes' big return/debut didn't quite land in the way some may have hoped but I thought she looked incredible. The delivery was just a bit off. Not to worry - I think the match with KAIRI in the US will deliver regardless.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finished the show and still felt quite underwhelmed. Ospreay/Omega was something. Certainly not the match I expected, but quite interesting. I do feel like I've seen this story a few times before, though. Same with Okada/White. Really just feels like a reset to right before the pandemic/AEW formation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/4/2023 at 6:58 PM, C.S. said:

Did Steve Blackman change his name when he was in the same company as Steve Austin?

No.

So, no.

I realize Mercedes is a more unique name, but Martinez has been using it for 20+ years and it's Sasha's real name.

Kind of odd to cite WWE as precedent when there are far more instances of wrestlers changing established names after joining that company (like, say, Steven Regal). The Steves who kept their names had distinctive nicknames that served as Homeric epithets (Dr. Death, The Lethal Weapon). It would behoove one or both Mercedes to do likewise. I'm sorry, but "The CEO" ain't it. Also, TAFKA Sasha needs to go back to the drawing board if she wants a new finisher because that Gory special DDT thing she did to Kairi looked like shit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...