Super J Cup to return? Spoilers after post 33

flahavaj · 12-11-2009 10:51pm #1

"Jushin Thunder Liger announced during the show that the originator of the world famous Super J-Cup, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, will revive the concept at Christmas! New Japan presents “SUPER J-CUP 5th STAGE” at Tokyo Korakuen Hall over two nights on December 22nd and 23rd. As highlights of past J-Cups played on the big screen today, Liger, with microphone in hand, said many of those great wrestlers are burned into his mind. He said Christmas is the perfect time to revive such an event and is excited to host it after 15 years. Liger is the most respected junior heavyweight in professional wrestling with contacts in virtually every company so expect a very colorful and diverse cast that hopefully makes up for the disappointing J-Cups of 2000 and 2004 that sent the concept into half a decade’s worth of hibernation.

NJPW “SUPER J-CUP 5TH STAGE ~Land of Confusion~”, 12/22/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

NJPW “SUPER J-CUP 5TH STAGE ~Land of Confusion Final~”, 12/23/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall"

Observer as well.

Awesome, Super J Cup returns 15 years after the 1994 legendary tournament that still holds up today. Hopefuly they'll get a good cross section of all promotions.

Imagine a tourny with

Fergal Devitt
Mistico
Kota Ibushi
Naomichi Marufuji
Davey Richards
Yossino
BxB Hulk
Pac
Liger
Austin Aries
Ultimo Guerrero
Styles
Homicide
Machine Guns

all involved. I think I'd faint.

This may need its own thread, I dunno.

gimmick · 13-11-2009 9:18am

Yes, it does need a thread of its own. This is big news for fans of junior heavyweight wrestling. And that roster you have above would indeed be outrageously fantastic.

EdK · 13-11-2009 12:29pm

*faint* this looks class,hell of a line up for the return

michael.etc... · 13-11-2009 1:16pm

Really, really looking forward to this.

Not sure about that Line-up though. It would be good, but I can't imagine there being so few New Japan guys in there, so many Gaijin, and I can't see Marufuji being in it or AJ Styles either for that matter.
Kanemoto and Tiger Mask IV I would say will definitely be involved. Personally I'd take out Homicide and Aries too, and go for Nakajima.

Could and should be a really important show for Devitt.

DM_7 · 13-11-2009 8:57pm

Sad to ask this but whats the super J cup.

My wrestling is mostly confined to wwe and my internet connection isn't always good enough to watch wrestling on it.

If anyone has some links to old matches to help educate me i'd love to watch some.

gimmick · 13-11-2009 10:51pm

Super J Cup was a junior heavyweight tournament held by a few Japanese promotions from about mid 90s to early 00s. I think it was an invitational of sorts. Some of Japans most celebrated names, and indeed some names very familiar in North America would have competed also, most notably Chris Jericho & Benoit, the latter even winning one.

Super J 1994 is widely seen as one of the greatest elimination tournaments in wrestling history.

If you can find it, buy it. You may not know many names in it, but that should not matter a damn. The action pretty much speaks for itself.

DM_7 · 13-11-2009 10:55pm

So promotions worked together, cool.

Better look some matches up.

michael.etc... · 13-11-2009 11:00pm

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljiy_the-great-sasuke-vs-chris-benoit-su_sport

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljg5_the-great-sasuke-vs-benoit-super-j_sport

There's a couple of links to the 94 Sasuke/Benoit match. There seems to be quite a lot of the 95 tourney floating about youtube.

DM_7 · 13-11-2009 11:12pm

Did they show the Super J Cup on the wrestling channel?

michael.etc... · 13-11-2009 11:16pm

I have no idea if they did to be honest. I have a copy of it about somewhere- you can get it from all the usual sites that sell the Japanese stuff, and there's a couple of matches on the Benoit WWE DVD.

gimmick · 13-11-2009 11:33pm

DM-ICE wrote: »

Did they show the Super J Cup on the wrestling channel?

Fairly certain they didn't.

Sirsok · 14-11-2009 12:39am

Super J Cup 94 was on the wrestling channel, taped it and it was my first intro to japenesse wrestling

loved it but never got to see much more

How do ye all get your fix?

michael.etc... · 14-11-2009 12:08pm

Sirsok wrote: »

Super J Cup 94 was on the wrestling channel, taped it and it was my first intro to japenesse wrestling loved it but never got to see much more How do ye all get your fix?

There is absolutely tons of this stuff available on youtube atm. Pretty much any specific Japanese stuff you're looking for.

I'd order a fair bit from Ivpvideo as well- their back collection of NJPW and AJPW is really comprehensive. You can get the J-Cup set for about a tenner there.

Any word when Liger is announcing participants?

flahavaj · 14-11-2009 10:49pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

Really, really looking forward to this.

Not sure about that Line-up though. It would be good, but I can't imagine there being so few New Japan guys in there, so many Gaijin, and I can't see Marufuji being in it or AJ Styles either for that matter.
Kanemoto and Tiger Mask IV I would say will definitely be involved. Personally I'd take out Homicide and Aries too, and go for Nakajima.

Could and should be a really important show for Devitt.

Ah yeah I was just pure fantasy booking. There could be a chance of some TNA guys getting on it given that the companies have worked closely together in the past.

Tiger Mask IV is a lock to be in it. Doesn't mean I want to see the guy in it though. So fed up of him.

flahavaj · 14-11-2009 10:53pm

gimmick wrote: »

Super J Cup was a junior heavyweight tournament held by a few Japanese promotions from about mid 90s to early 00s. I think it was an invitational of sorts. Some of Japans most celebrated names, and indeed some names very familiar in North America would have competed also, most notably Chris Jericho & Benoit, the latter even winning one.

Super J 1994 is widely seen as one of the greatest elimination tournaments in wrestling history.

If you can find it, buy it. You may not know many names in it, but that should not matter a damn. The action pretty much speaks for itself.

There were only 4 or 5 tournaments AFAIK.

1994 and 1995 were incredible, then they had a few in 2000 and some other year that weren't that great, I think Michinoku Pro ran one wich was the nail in the coffin.

Given that Liger has links with just about every company in Japan and has worked pretty much everywhere and been generous in putting others over leads me to believe there'll be strong representation from pretty much everywhere. Yamato from Dragon Gate has already hinted he'll be in it.

Devitt has a real shot at going a long way in this.

michael.etc... · 15-11-2009 10:10am

flahavaj wrote: »

Ah yeah I was just pure fantasy booking. There could be a chance of some TNA guys getting on it given that the companies have worked closely together in the past.

Tiger Mask IV is a lock to be in it. Doesn't mean I want to see the guy in it though. So fed up of him.

Tell me about it- and he'll probably go far.

Yeah don't get me wrong, I would be suprised if TNA didn't have a couple of guys on it, but given the amount of Juniors around, I just can't see someone like Styles, who carries a World title, being included. Shelley and Sabin would be my picks.

flahavaj · 15-11-2009 8:27pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

Tell me about it- and he'll probably go far.

Yeah don't get me wrong, I would be suprised if TNA didn't have a couple of guys on it, but given the amount of Juniors around, I just can't see someone like Styles, who carries a World title, being included. Shelley and Sabin would be my picks.

Shelly and Sabin would be AMAZING.

Something like Shelly/Ibushi would be out of this world.

Machismo Fan · 15-11-2009 9:21pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Shelly and Sabin would be AMAZING.

Something like Shelly/Ibushi would be out of this world.

Well Shelley and Sabin are both involved in PWG's BOLA this year so I see no reason why they wouldn't be available with groups that TNA have direct talent exchange links with. And a super juniors competition in 2009 without AJ Styles just wouldn't be complete. Amazing Red would be another that fit well.

michael.etc... · 15-11-2009 9:28pm

Machismo Fan wrote: »

And a super juniors competition in 2009 without AJ Styles just wouldn't be complete.

I just can't see New Japan booking TNA's World Heavyweight Champion in a Juniors tournament though, even though he'd undoubtedly be great.

Guess we'll gave to see how many are featured and what way it'll all pan out.

Machismo Fan · 15-11-2009 9:32pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

I just can't see New Japan booking TNA's World Heavyweight Champion in a Juniors tournament though, even though he'd undoubtedly be great.

Guess we'll gave to see how many are featured and what way it'll all pan out.

Would it not add credibility to the tournament though? That he is such a good Jr. Heavyweight that he's been able to step up a division plus if he doesn't win it it would also add to the credibility of the overall winner.

michael.etc... · 15-11-2009 9:55pm

Machismo Fan wrote: »

Would it not add credibility to the tournament though? That he is such a good Jr. Heavyweight that he's been able to step up a division plus if he doesn't win it it would also add to the credibility of the overall winner.

Nope. It doesn't need credibility added to it- it should already have that in spades.

It's just not percieved that way over there- it would be viewed as a step down for a heavyweight, rather than adding extra prestige to the tourney. I know it's different in the US, but the Japanese tend to be really fussy about such things. That said- I could be wrong- it's been a while since the tournament's had prestige, TNA has had links with NJPW obviously, and hell, I'd be well chuffed if he was in it- I think he'd be great... and a match against say Ibushi, would be wonderful.

flahavaj · 15-11-2009 10:15pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

Nope. It doesn't need credibility added to it- it should already have that in spades.

It's just not percieved that way over there- it would be viewed as a step down for a heavyweight, rather than adding extra prestige to the tourney. I know it's different in the US, but the Japanese tend to be really fussy about such things. That said- I could be wrong- it's been a while since the tournament's had prestige, TNA has had links with NJPW obviously, and hell, I'd be well chuffed if he was in it- I think he'd be great... and a match against say Ibushi, would be wonderful.

Theres also the logistics and politics involved in a company's world champ going to work in other promotions. If hes the World Champ he probably can't be seen to take any clean losses, so he'd probably have to be booked to win the whole thing. I don't think they'd want a gaijin wreslter, who nevr works for the company winning the tournament and my money would be on one of New Japan's guys taking the whole thing. (hopefully Fergal and not TM IV).

Machismo Fan · 15-11-2009 10:19pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Theres also the logistics and politics involved in a company's world champ going to work in other promotions. If hes the World Champ he probably can't be seen to take any clean losses, so he'd probably have to be booked to win the whole thing.

I actually don't think that'll be a problem. Angle was TNA World champ when he lost that Unification match in 2008.

flahavaj · 15-11-2009 10:23pm

Machismo Fan wrote: »

I actually don't think that'll be a problem. Angle was TNA World champ when he lost that Unification match in 2008.

Good point, but he was losing to NJPW's top guy in that match, which is no huge disgrace. Whereas a world champion being pinned by a junior in a tournament would be viewed as a huge shock to the Japanese.

Machismo Fan · 15-11-2009 10:34pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Good point, but he was losing to NJPW's top guy in that match, which is no huge disgrace. Whereas a world champion being pinned by a junior in a tournament would be viewed as a huge shock to the Japanese.

But would it make much of a difference to TNA, they don't really have great exposure in Japan from what I can tell.

michael.etc... · 15-11-2009 10:38pm

^^^

It definitely would do them, and Styles no harm, but that's also exactly why it's probably not going to happen- his inclusion, and losing wouldn't mean much to Japanese fans, and would probably come across as somewhat odd.

michael.etc... · 23-11-2009 6:08pm

From puroresufan.com

1. Taichi (New Japan)
2. Tigers Mask (Osaka Pro)
3. GENTARO (Pro Wrestling FREEDOMS)
4. AKIRA (Freelance)
5. Jado (CHAOS/New Japan)
6. Gedo (CHAOS/New Japan)
7. Prince Devitt (Apollo 55/New Japan)
8. Ryusuke Taguchi (Apollo 55/New Japan)
9. Fujita “Jr.” Hayato (Michinoku Pro)
10. YAMATO (DRAGON GATE)
11. Atsushi Aoki (Pro Wrestling NOAH)
12. Danshoku Dino (DDT)
13. Koji Kanemoto (New Japan)
14. X
15. X
16. Jushin Thunder Liger (New Japan

Some predictible ones there, and a couple I would have left out (Gedo and Jado) spring to mind. But Aoki, Yamato, Dino(!), and Devitt are the ones I'm most looking forward to seeing in this.

There's even less gaijin than i thought there'd be.

flahavaj · 24-11-2009 4:25pm

Could have done without Jado and Gedo. Though the lack of Tiger Mask so far is encouraging.

Hopefully the two unannounced guys are Mistico and Kota Ibushi.

gimmick · 27-11-2009 9:14pm

Ha, just found Super J Cup 2000 upstairs a while ago. I had no idea I had that.

flahavaj · 12-12-2009 10:57pm

Brackets announced:

Taichi vs Tigers Mask
Ryusuke Taguchi vs GENTARO
AKIRA vs YAMATO
Jado vs Danshoku Dino
Gedo vs Kota Ibushi
Prince Devitt vs Atsushi Aoki
Koji Kanemoto vs Fujita Jr. Hayato
Jushin Thunder Liger vs Naomichi Marufuji.

Brackets
Winner of Devitt/Aoki faces the Winner of Jado/Dino
Winner of Gedo/Ibushi faces the Winner of AKIRA/YAMATO
Winner of Liger/Marufuji faces the Winner of Taichi/Tigers Mask
Winner of Kanemoto/Fujita faces the Winner of Taguchi/GENTARO

Semis are
Devitt/Aoki/Jado/Dino vs Gedo/Ibushi/AKIRA/YAMATO
Liger/Marufuji/Taichi/Tigers Mask vs Kanemoto/Fujita/Taguchi/GENTARO

Marufuji and Ibushi being added makes this must-see.

Liger/Marufuji in the first round will be something special.

michael.etc... · 13-12-2009 11:19pm

Awesome. I was really disappointed by the line-up, but those two have really pulled the whole thing together.

Could be seeing Devitt in the semis by the looks of those brackets!

flahavaj · 13-12-2009 11:22pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

Awesome. I was really disappointed by the line-up, but those two have really pulled the whole thing together.

Could be seeing Devitt in the semis by the looks of those brackets!

I think he has a huge chance of winning it. Which would be massive.

flahavaj · 23-12-2009 1:03am

flahavaj · 27-12-2009 1:58am

Jesus lads Fergal is getting SO good its kinda scary, First Round match with Aoki was brilliant. The Japanese adore him too, biggest cheer of the night outside Liger.

flahavaj · 02-01-2010 10:49pm

michael.etc... · 03-01-2010 8:53pm

Thanks for posting these. Some great, great stuff in there. Hopefully be able to pick up a decent quality release of the whole tourney somewhere.

Haven't had time to watch everything yet, but really enjoyed the first round stuff, especially Devitt/Aoki, and Koji Kanemoto vs Hayato (which I've pushed for the FSM award nominations).. LOVED that match.

Sirsok · 04-01-2010 11:41pm

Just wtching Devitts first round match and i need to know where this dude trained in Ireland?any answers?

FFPW_Dean · 05-01-2010 1:20am

Sirsok wrote: »

Just wtching Devitts first round match and i need to know where this dude trained in Ireland?any answers?

Fergal was trained in NWA UK Hammerlock by Andre Baker & Jon Ryan, he then went on to set up NWA Ireland with Paul Tracey in 2002. Since 2007 the NWA Ireland training facility has been operating as Fight Factory Pro Wrestling with frequent guest sessions from Devitt, Tracey & a host of others

Super J Cup to return? ***Spoilers after post 33***

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Super J Cup to return? Spoilers after post 33