Indy: All-Purpose Non-WWE Discussion Thread -- Part 2 [NJPW G1 Special in San Francisco July 7]

[Kimi]

Sabre Jr. is still gonna win.


Okada already has the "most days as champion" record, he's had that since just before Wrestle Kingdom. The record he's going for now is "most defences in a single reign". Tanahashi holds it at eleven, and Okada is on ten. So Okada vs Sabre Jr. would tie Okada with Tanahashi, then the Tanahashi match would be Tanahashi defending his record against Okada.

 

[GKJ]

 

[Kimi]

\o/.

 

[Shoalzie]

They love Okada but I appreciate the fact they give so many different guys a shot at the title. It makes for a stronger brand overall even though it means Okada collects more scalps along the way instead of just beating the same few guys. He beat Kenny twice and Naito once...you don't have to have those top guys eating numerous losses to their champ if someone is eventually going over Okada.

 

[GKJ]

They love Okada but I appreciate the fact they give so many different guys a shot at the title. It makes for a stronger brand overall even though it means Okada collects more scalps along the way instead of just beating the same few guys. He beat Kenny twice and Naito once...you don't have to have those top guys eating numerous losses to their champ if someone is eventually going over Okada.

He beat Naito twice. Naito is the one he took the title from.

 

[Kimi]

All the matches have been set up logically too:

Naito - Wins title
Marufuji - Beat Okada in G1 2016
Omega - Winner of G1
Suzuki - Invaded the night after Wrestle Kingdom
Shibata - Winner of New Japan Cup
Fale - Beat Okada in G1 2016
Omega - Draw. Okada called him out wanting a stronger opponent
Cody - Challenged Okada for the USA show
Evil - Beat Okada in G1 2017
Naito - Winner of G1
Sanada - Challenged Okada at New Years Dash
Sabre Jr. - Winner of New Japan Cup

I expect Tanahashi to be next to defend his record.

And the best part is that the next champion is going to have a massive pool to challengers. Everyone who's been built up to face Okada can easily be seen as a legit threat to any new champion.

 

[Kimi]

There was a fun fact in the Daily Update today. Sabre Jr. is the first Englishman to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight title since 1995 when Shinya Hashimoto defended against Steven Regal.

 

[Disclose]

again, not my favorite, but i would be stupid to think this match against Okada wont be fun.
(did not follow the tournament at all either. he did go through people i love. im sure it was good. )

thats for when? (title shot)

 

[Kimi]

The match will be at Sakura Genesis, which is 1st April.

They've not announced the full card for it (the US show between now and then), but I'll post it when they do.

 

[Kimi]

And on the topic of cards, they've announced the card for the US show. Mysterio is off the show due to his injury, Ospreay is taking his place vs Liger.

Full Card:
Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs The Young Bucks
Jay White (c) vs Hangman Page - US Title
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki
Jushin Thunder Liger vs Will Ospreay
Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Lee vs Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi
Cody & Marty Scurll vs Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Chuck Taylor & Toru Yano vss Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs Hirooki Goto & Gedo
Rocky Romero, Sho & Yoh vs Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky

 

[Shoalzie]

He beat Naito twice. Naito is the one he took the title from.

Shoot, you're right...kept thinking he beat Tanahashi.

 

[Disclose]

Rey Fenix & Penta El 0 Miedo added to ALL IN

 

[GKJ]

Been no bumps here all weekend, but NJPW's Strong Style Evolved from Long Beach is coming on in less than a half hour.

Really, kind of a strange show from what we're sort of used to, it's really more like a tour show as opposed to a real big show. Only Jay White vs. Hangman Page is a title match, but really the show is all about Bullet Club and their internal drama. Cody and Marty Scurll vs. GOD, and Golden Lovers vs. the Young Bucks is the main event. And the US Title match is really in a bad spot because it's going to be between the main event and Okada/Ishii vs. ZSJ/Suzuki.

This was also the show Rey Mysterio was supposed to face Jyushin Thunder Liger, but due to the injury, it's now Ospreay vs. Liger. And is the only other singles match. Everything else is a tag.

Really curious as to how this will be received because it is by no means a big show like the 2 shows were last year. I don't think it's one that will really appeal to new eyes looking to see what NJPW is all about. It's more like an old episode of Smackdown.

NJPW is supposed to be coming back later in the year, likely running the Cow Palace from what I've heard from Meltzer and Alvarez. Really testing the waters here for the California territory they've been wanting to set up. Okada did an interview with Meltzer this weekend where he said he wants to sell out Staples Center one day - something I think NJPW could do easily right now.

 

[Shoalzie]

Boo...can't watch the show live on NJPW World. Is it because it's live on AXS?

 

[GKJ]

Boo...can't watch the show live on NJPW World. Is it because it's live on AXS?

Yes.

 

[Kimi]

Been no bumps here all weekend, but NJPW's Strong Style Evolved from Long Beach is coming on in less than a half hour.

Really, kind of a strange show from what we're sort of used to, it's really more like a tour show as opposed to a real big show. Only Jay White vs. Hangman Page is a title match, but really the show is all about Bullet Club and their internal drama. Cody and Marty Scurll vs. GOD, and Golden Lovers vs. the Young Bucks is the main event. And the US Title match is really in a bad spot because it's going to be between the main event and Okada/Ishii vs. ZSJ/Suzuki.

This was also the show Rey Mysterio was supposed to face Jyushin Thunder Liger, but due to the injury, it's now Ospreay vs. Liger. And is the only other singles match. Everything else is a tag.

Really curious as to how this will be received because it is by no means a big show like the 2 shows were last year. I don't think it's one that will really appeal to new eyes looking to see what NJPW is all about. It's more like an old episode of Smackdown.

NJPW is supposed to be coming back later in the year, likely running the Cow Palace from what I've heard from Meltzer and Alvarez. Really testing the waters here for the California territory they've been wanting to set up. Okada did an interview with Meltzer this weekend where he said he wants to sell out Staples Center one day - something I think NJPW could do easily right now.

Yeah, it's an kind of an awkward show. Obviously there are stars and good matches, but it's not a clear "this is the world title and it's a big deal match" kind of card that you can easily sell to new fans. The last time with the tournament made it a really simple sell.

It feels like an indy show that's running a bit light on regulars and the champion is in the middle of a tag feud. The show's still good, but it's not a show you'd recommend people check out as a starting point to get them hooked.

 

[Tw1ster]

Josh Barnett hot mic'd hahaha

 

[GKJ]

Fun opener, but the production from AXS is terrible. They just went to commercial but ended up back with a hot mic and Josh Barnett dropping a f-bomb. Missing a bunch of their graphic cues too.

Scorpio Sky also almost hit his head coming down on that tope.

 

[Tw1ster]

Juice reminds me of the kid that played Anakin Skywalker

 

[GKJ]

Lance Archer first person to make use of that low camera, including the guy holding it.

 

[Tw1ster]

Archer calling out the "B Bros" there

 

[GKJ]

Marty Scurll is so awesome

 

[Tw1ster]

Love Naito, probably my favourite in NJPW

 

[GKJ]

after that match and angle, sure doesn’t seem like Mysterio is coming to WWE.

 

[Tw1ster]

Suzuki's forearm strikes always make me cringe