The Puroresu (Japanese Wrestling) thread

Andersonisgod · 09-01-2013 1:56am

Just finished off the whole show, not a weak match on the card. Even the opener which looked a bit weak on paper served a purpose and it was short and entertaining.

The hard hitting of Nagata vs Suzuki was wince inducing.

The three way was a cracker.

Nakamura oozes charisma, awesome match with a really slick Sakuraba. A couple of spots in that match looked like potentially real knock outs and the submission hold transitions were perfection.

Super main event, there is no finer seller in wrestling than Tanahashi, the main star in Japanese wrestling today has it all. Okada deserves a lot of credit too, very charismatic.

Probably the best wrestling show I've ever seen. A treat from start to finish.

gnfnrhead · 19-01-2013 4:33pm

The New Beginning on February 10th looks like being the next iPPV for NJPW.

So far:
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match
Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) (c) vs. Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov & Rocky Romero)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match
Prince Devitt (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi

IWGP Tag Team Title Match
Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer) (c) vs. TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima)

IWGP Heavyweight Title Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Karl Anderson

Meanwhile, this morning Nakamura beat La Sombra to make another successful defence. Devitt won his singles match against Dragon Rojo Jr. yesterday (lost the tag today), but it wasnt a title match as far as I can tell.

BUSHI is now full time for New Japan too, having previously only been on loan.

gnfnrhead · 24-01-2013 12:59am

SSS wrote:

Takaaki Kidani today announced his resignation as Chairman of the Board of New Japan. Rumours had been circulating for a while about his future after his decision to bring in Laughter7 turned out to be an unpopular one within the company. Kidani said he would continue to support New Japan from his post at Bushiroad but will no longer play a direct role in things. Kidani said he believes any hint of New Japan’s “Dark Age” came to an end on January 4th when 29,000 fans paid for a ticket, the largest in many years, and is excited by the future progress of the company.

President Sugabayashi held a presentation with Nakamura in attendance to discuss to global strategy of New Japan. New Japan wants to become better known around the world and the recent iPPVs are just part of the plan. Nakamura said he plans to defend his increasingly valuable IWGP Intercontinental Title around the world if possible to give it a true international feel and continue to differentiate it from the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Shinsuke talked of going to strange places such as the Amazon of Brazil or even North Korea to defend the title!

An English language version of New Japan’s official site will launch in April, giving the same information to English speaking people as Japanese. Spanish and Chinese versions of the site are also under development.

Finally, New Japan announced some key dates for the next year including “WRESTLE KINGDOM VIII” back at the Tokyo Dome next January.

- 4/7 “INVASION ATTACK” @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
- 5/3 “WRESTLING DONTAKU 2013″ @ Fukuoka International Center
- 8/10 “G1 CLIMAX 23″ @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
- 8/11 “G1 CLIMAX 23″ @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
- 1/4/14 “WRESTLE KINGDOM VIII” @ Tokyo Dome

Am I alone in thinking Nakamura would be brilliant in North Korea?

DM_7 · 24-01-2013 7:51am

They need an English announce team and announce table at ringside, that way the americans are more likely to watch and every main event feud can see someone break the announce table. Simples.

The English website is a good idea.

gnfnrhead · 24-01-2013 10:22am

DM-ICE wrote: »

They need an English announce team and announce table at ringside, that way the americans are more likely to watch and every main event feud can see someone break the announce table. Simples.

Dont see how that would work with iPPV's.

I actually prefer Japanese commentary, even though I only know one word. Hai :pac:

Actually Konnichiwa too, but I think thats from the Simpsons

DM_7 · 24-01-2013 1:30pm

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Dont see how that would work with iPPV's.

I actually prefer Japanese commentary, even though I only know one word. Hai :pac:

Actually Konnichiwa too, but I think thats from the Simpsons

I don't mind the commentary, I only mentioned it for the announce team table to be broken as a jokey comment (after reading the english website could be produced)

For argument sake I never bought an iPPV myself, could they not stream another one with differant commentary handy enough?

gnfnrhead · 30-01-2013 7:53pm

Taichi has been involved in a car accident and will miss upcoming New Japan shows. Luckily the injuries aren’t too serious but he hurt his left knee and will miss around a month of action. This sidelines him from the upcoming tour and Hiro Tonai from TAKA’s K-DOJO promotion has been drafted in to replace Taichi.

gnfnrhead · 04-02-2013 7:02pm

This weekend!!!!!!!!!!

NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 2/10/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Hiroshima Sun Plaza

1. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Tama Tonga, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
4. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
5. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe vs. Yujiro Takahashi
6. Special Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata
7. Special Singles Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kengo Mashimo
8. Special Singles Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Karl Anderson

The first match is the only one I'm not sure about simply because of how many guys are in it. The lack of both Ibushi and Low Ki sucks, but at least Devitt gets a fresher opponent.

BohsJohnny · 14-02-2013 2:11pm

Finally saw the Tanahashi vs Anderson match unbelivable match i knew the result and i still thought Anderson was going to win on some of the near falls Meltzer gave it ****3/4 i would go the whole way and give it 5 just a great match.

Mr.Nice Guy · 14-02-2013 9:10pm

Is it true Devitt is facing Tanahashi for the title in March?

BohsJohnny · 14-02-2013 9:21pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is it true Devitt is facing Tanahashi for the title in March?

Yep they are don't know yet if it will be tv or just at a house show.

Ando's Saggy Bottom · 14-02-2013 9:22pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is it true Devitt is facing Tanahashi for the title in March?

Haven't heard of it being officially but he did pin him recently so it would make sense. Its a big big deal if it is happening. Its almost unheard if for New Japan to have a junior to be booked as a heavyweight challenger. The two weight classes kept very separate in terms of singles matches. Massive honour and vote of confidence in the Irishman (again, if true).

Mr.Nice Guy · 14-02-2013 9:35pm

It would be great to see. I heard Devitt pinned Tanahashi recently but I didn't see the match. I saw him team with Tanahashi in a 6 man against Okada in one of the Fantastica Mania shows with the CMLL guys. It was very enjoyable. Devitt looks in great form at the moment.

BohsJohnny · 14-02-2013 10:16pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

It would be great to see. I heard Devitt pinned Tanahashi recently but I didn't see the match. I saw him team with Tanahashi in a 6 man against Okada in one of the Fantastica Mania shows with the CMLL guys. It was very enjoyable. Devitt looks in great form at the moment.

Here you go very good match

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxdvhl_hiroshi-tanahashi-ryusuke-taguchi-vs-karl-anderson-prince-devitt-njpw_sport#.UR1UHaCy5Gg

Machismo Fan · 14-02-2013 10:47pm

I can't see anybody in the world touching Tanahashi's body of work again this year.

BohsJohnny · 15-02-2013 12:29am

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is it true Devitt is facing Tanahashi for the title in March?

Just looked through the observer again and this is from Meltzer.

Tanahashi will defend the title against junior heavyweight champion Prince Devitt, based on Devitt pinning Tanahashi using his bloody Sunday DDT in a tag team match (Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Anderson & Devitt) on 2/3 at Korakuen Hall.

this should be on the 3rd of march.

Edit. here is the next card should be online about a week after the event

NJPW "ANNIVERSARY SHOW", 03.03.2013 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka
2. Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue, Super Strong Machine & Captain New Japan vs. Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Ryusuke Taguchi
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
4. Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI
5. Elimination Match: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Gedo & Jado vs. Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Kengo Mashimo & TAKA Michinoku
6. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Lance Archer
7. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt

Their match is non-title but the stip is if Tanahashi loses he has to forfeit the title.

BohsJohnny · 04-03-2013 2:34pm

Tanahashi vs Devitt is up haven't watched it yet but have heard it was very good.

http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x2iitn_Jahmale_Hepburn_njpw-3-3-13/1#video=xxxmyb

BohsJohnny · 12-03-2013 11:14pm

These shows are getting put up a lot faster now which is great here is the new japan cup.

http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x2j2o0_SenorLARIATO_njpw-03-11-13-nj-cup-round-1/1#video=xy5hmc

rovert · 13-03-2013 1:24am

BohsJohnny wrote: »

Tanahashi vs Devitt is up haven't watched it yet but have heard it was very good.

http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x2iitn_Jahmale_Hepburn_njpw-3-3-13/1#video=xxxmyb

Finally will watch that between study on Paddy's weekend. Devitt just tweeted this:

Mr.Nice Guy · 14-03-2013 8:13pm

I watched the Devitt/Tanahashi match a few days ago and enjoyed it. I heard some people saying they were underwhelmed by it but for the time it got I thought it was good. It was interesting to me how much support Devitt got in the match. I liked how every time the 'Let's go Devitt' chants would kick in the Tanahashi fans would drown it out by chanting his name.

The Nakamura/Archer match got criticism and I would agree that this one was disappointing.

Mr.Saturn · 18-03-2013 4:39pm

Chazraps from Freakin' Awesome Network directed me towards to this one:

IVP are offering a free DVD download. It's a Puro sampler.

http://new.ivpvideos2.com/product_info.php?products_id=9192

Dynamite Kid vs. Tiger Mask

Big Van Vader vs. Stan Hansen

The Great Muta -vs- Hulk Hogan

Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) vs. Jushin Lyger

Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Morishima & Yone

Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Jun Akiyama vs. Steve Williams, Big Bubba, and Richard Slinger

Jun Kasai & Jaki Numazawa vs. Takashi Sasaki & Yuko Miyamoto vs. Ryuji Ito & Abdullah Kobayashi -

Fluorescent Light Tube Death Match

Aja Kong & Bull Nakano vs Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada

American Dragon & James Gibson vs. Jado & Gedo

Prince Devitt vs. Kota Ibushi

rovert · 22-03-2013 1:18am

Fairly essential watch from a character perspective. Prince Devitt strongly foreshadows a heel turn here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xy5j1s_05-tanahashi-time-splitters-vs-apollo-55-captain-new-japan-njpw-03-11-13_sport?search_algo=2#.UUugwhyeOSp

Machismo Fan · 22-03-2013 1:20am

Great little chain wrestling exchange between Shelley and Devitt aswell. I'd love to see them do a big singles match.

jaykhunter · 22-03-2013 9:14am

Are there any short podcasts reviewing what's going on in NJPW? Not a fan of the law Japanese correspondents with audio quality straight from the moon landing

rovert · 22-03-2013 11:01am

jaykhunter wrote: »

Are there any short podcasts reviewing what's going on in NJPW? Not a fan of the law Japanese correspondents with audio quality straight from the moon landing

Alan4L just started (as in today) a new podcast series covering Japan behind the Observer paywall. The first episode blew even my high expectations away.

PWPonderings sometimes does a podcast too.

rovert · 26-03-2013 2:46am

Prince Devitt Massive Arsehole: Gimmick of the Year 2013

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyg4du_apollo-55-prince-devitt-ryusuke-taguchi-karl-anderson-tama-tonga-vs-time-splitters-alex-shelley-kush_sport?search_algo=2#.UVD7cRyeOSp

18.50 mark

DM_7 · 03-04-2013 4:46pm

rovert wrote: »

Prince Devitt Massive Arsehole: Gimmick of the Year 2013

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyg4du_apollo-55-prince-devitt-ryusuke-taguchi-karl-anderson-tama-tonga-vs-time-splitters-alex-shelley-kush_sport?search_algo=2#.UVD7cRyeOSp

18.50 mark

Ha I lolled at the

spank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzev4P2Zj6M

DM_7 · 06-04-2013 10:14pm

Ouch!

BohsJohnny · 06-04-2013 10:29pm

Really enjoyed that match just about to watch the rest of the card can't forget Devitt getting bloody.

4-6-2013+2-07-44+PM.jpg

rovert · 06-04-2013 11:54pm

Posting a match link would be helpful:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyrxwd

BohsJohnny · 07-04-2013 2:27pm

If you didn't order this you should buy the replay just really good from top to bottom

Devitt finally turning heel on Taguchi,the tag was good until Sakuraba's injury,Nakamura/Smith was very good ****1/4 imo and the main was out of this world but that's was no surprise it's scary how good Okada is at only 25 a amazing wrestler.

BohsJohnny · 08-04-2013 3:34pm

The next ppv is coming together very well some great looking matches it on the third of may

Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki for IWGP
heavyweight title
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. ? for IC title
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Karl Anderson
Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata
Masato Tanaka vs. Tomoaki Honma for NEVER
championship
4 way for IWGP tag team titles (no teams
announced)
Captain New Japan & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Prince
Devitt & King Fale
Alex Shelley & Kushida vs. Rocky Romero & Alex
Koslov for IWGP jr. title
Tiger Mask & Maximo & Jushin Liger & Yuji Nagata
vs. Gedo & Jado & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi

BohsJohnny · 11-04-2013 9:42pm

Saw this in the new observer

Kazuchika Okada has recently bought a new home, a new car, and furniture spending $100,000 in cash and is now broke and is selling his memorabilia including his Money in the Bank briefcase and his IWGP title ring.

Living the gimmick well and truly here.

DM_7 · 13-04-2013 2:53pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkqe73q3eoU

DM_7 · 14-04-2013 2:14pm

I'd love to know what the Japanese fans make of Devitt getting on the mic and and mouthing off in English with the Irish accent.

I loved it myself, reminds me of the sort of stuff HBK then Edge or Jericho used to get up too.

BohsJohnny · 27-04-2013 2:32am

Just finished this http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzcllg_07-chaos-vs-suzuki-gun-8-man-elimination-tag-njpw-04-21-13_sport#.UXshJEqQvgc a very fun 8 man from the recent New Japan show including a great spot for Ishii which looks to me like they are giving him a big push after the next ppv.

rovert · 04-05-2013 8:22pm

Shelton X Benjamin really impressed me wrestling Nakamura on Friday's New Japan. Looks like he waits every ten years to have a great singles match. :P

If it was biologically possible I would have Prince Devitt's children at this stage between his ring jacket and his brand new faction The Bullet Club.

Left to Right: Tama Tonga, Karl Anderson, Prince Devitt and Bad Luck Fale,

BohsJohnny · 12-05-2013 10:38pm

Kobashi's last match

And for people who want to get to know why he was so special i found these two great long videos.

His entire 735 day GHC title run

And every match he was either challenging for the triple crown or defending it.

Ando's Saggy Bottom · 12-05-2013 10:46pm

Didn't know they could make YouTube vids that long!

Apparently every cinema in the Tokyo region was sold out for his last match.

Mr.Saturn · 12-05-2013 11:21pm

That's the first time I've seen the higher Youtube limit utilized for something other than extrapolating an already tired meme.

Anyways, fantastic post. Thank you so much.

krudler · 13-05-2013 12:25am

jesus what a sendoff that was, his knees look absolutely wrecked though

rovert · 13-05-2013 1:00am

Mrs Kobashi is adorable

gnfnrhead · 15-05-2013 9:06pm

It's only May but I think Nakamura could end up being my wrestler of the year for 2013. Havent seen all his matches but from what I have seen he has been consistently brilliant against a very wide range of opponents and styles.

BohsJohnny · 15-05-2013 10:27pm

gnfnrhead wrote: »

It's only May but I think Nakamura could end up being my wrestler of the year for 2013. Havent seen all his matches but from what I have seen he has been consistently brilliant against a very wide range of opponents and styles.

He really is amazing his match with Sakuraba is in my top three matches of the year so far,can't wait until they finally get to him and Okada.

Ando's Saggy Bottom · 15-05-2013 10:58pm

He gave Davey Boy Jr the match of his career so far a few weeks ago too.

BohsJohnny · 16-05-2013 12:53am

Just going through a pack of one of my favorite guys at the moment Tomohiro Ishii and saw this match one of the best 10 minute matches you will see.

gnfnrhead · 16-05-2013 2:59pm

Koslov singing the Russian National Anthem and the crowd not only let him, they actually stand up out of respect. Every single time without fail, it amazes me. Compare that to America, in particular WWE....

gnfnrhead · 16-05-2013 7:43pm

Been avoiding news sites and whatnot until I was all caught up. Now that I am, the BOSJ blocks:

A BLOCK
★ “Beast God of the World” Jushin Thunder Liger [1994/2001 Winner]
★ “Made in Detroit” Alex Shelley (BOSJ Debut)
★ “Dreamcatcher” Hiromu Takahashi
★ “The Ancient God” Titan (BOSJ Debut) [CMLL]
★ “The One and Only High Flyer” Barreta (WWE’s Trent Barreta) (BOSJ Debut) [Free]
★ “The Future of Flight” Ricochet (BOSJ Debut) [DRAGON GATE]
★ “Trickster of Darkness” Rocky Romero
★ “Small Sly Man the Best in the World Character” Taichi [Suzuki-gun]
★ “Real Rock ‘N’ Roller” Prince Devitt [2010 Winner]

B BLOCK
★ “Golden Tiger” Tiger Mask IV [2004/2005 Winner]
★ “Immortal Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi [2012 Winner]
★ “New Japan Junior Supernova” KUSHIDA
★ “Flying Bushido” BUSHI
★ “Canadian Road King” Kenny Omega
★ “Russian Hooligan” Alex Koslov
★ “Dandy of CHAOS” Brian Kendrick
★ “Wrestling Master” Jado
★ “Microphone No.1 of Suzuki-gun” TAKA Michinoku

Some great match up's in there.

Machismo Fan · 16-05-2013 7:44pm

Block A looks particularly awesome.

Ando's Saggy Bottom · 16-05-2013 9:28pm

Baretta is a wierd yet interesting one and delighted to see Riochet in there too.

Looking forward to deeing Shelley and Deitt square off after their ridiculous little chain wrestling cameos a few months back.

I think whoever wins this tourny will take the Jr Title from Devitt freeing him up for a run in the heavyweight division.

The Puroresu (Japanese Wrestling) thread

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