Wrestle Kingdom VII in Tokyo Dome 1/4/13

[Defrost]

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Hiroshi Tanahashi(c) vs Kazuchika Okada

http://i.imgur.com/Iajs5.jpg

IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura(c) vs Kazushi Sakuraba

http://i.imgur.com/Q3VKY.jpg

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship
Prince Devitt(c) vs Low Ki vs Kota Ibushi

http://i.imgur.com/xydG5.jpg

IWGP Tag Team Championship
Killer Elite Squad(c) vs Sword and Guns

http://i.imgur.com/HzM21.jpg

NEVER Openweight Championship
Masato Tanaka(c) vs Shelton Benjamin

http://i.imgur.com/cnCFy.jpg

Togi Makabe vs Katsuyori Shibata

http://i.imgur.com/y71K1.jpg

Keiji Muto and Shinjiro Ohtani vs TenKoji

http://i.imgur.com/R1GsP.jpg

Yuji Nagata vs Minoru Suzuki

http://i.imgur.com/GMJck.jpg

Manabu Nakanishi/Strongman/MVP/Akebono vs Yujiro Takahashi/Toru Yano/Takashi Iizuka/Bob Sapp

http://i.imgur.com/j5I2f.jpg

Jushin Liger/Tiger Mask IV/Hiromu Takahashi vs Ryusuke Taguchi/KUSHIDA/BUSHI

http://i.imgur.com/cxsBU.jpg

Tama Tonga/Captain New Japan/Wataru Inoue vs Tomohiro Ishii/Jado/Yoshi-Hashi

http://i.imgur.com/zrbGH.jpg

[Defrost]

New Japan will have this available for foreigners as an iPPV

[Cewsh]

SOLD

[Defrost]

So Okada vs the Champion is going to be your main event

[Defrost]

http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/


http://i.imgur.com/Eb72r.jpg

President Sugabayashi and G1 Climax winner Kazuchika Okada called a press conference earlier to formally give the Rainmaker the right to challenge whoever the IWGP Heavyweight Champion is at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th. A certificate was signed meaning New Japan can’t renege on the deal and Okada is guaranteed the main event slot at the biggest Japanese pro wrestling event of 2013.

[Cewsh]

Oh shit. If Okada wasn't getting the mega push before, he sure as fuck is now.

[Defrost]

While watching the debate I was messing around on Youtube and ran into fan video of the entrances from Wrestle Kingdom III and it got me thinking. Since they have had to scale back to one Dome show a year here are the main events

Brock vs Shinsuke
Mutoh/Chono vs TenKoji
Tanahashi vs Shinsuke
Mutoh vs Tanahashi
Shinsuke vs Takayama
Kojima vs Tanahashi
Tanahashi vs Suzuki

Of those matches only Mutoh vs Tanahashi felt like the big match on the biggest show of the year. This year with Tanahashi vs Okada this show is going to have that I think.

[Cewsh]

Agreed. They've finally gotten to the point where the biggest match doesn't need to come from Tanahashi/Nakamura vs. famous Freelancer. I think that's going to make the story going in much stronger.

[Ringo]

That's a good point. It certainly feels like Okada is on his way to joining Tanahashi (and Nakamura) in that top bracket which is fantastic. Having the contract defences running alongside Tanahashi's title defences with several months to go before they clash is great booking.

Meanwhile, Naito still has a big future ahead of him, Karl Anderson has been pushed as loyal no. 1 heavyweight gaijin and if Shibata plans on sticking around he still has future star written all over him.

And some of those more recent freelancers are still around in New Japan too.

The roster is as stacked as it's been for years.

[Cewsh]

Don't forget that the Jr. division has reeled off a ridiculous streak of good to great matches in the undercard.

Come to think of it, New Japan is absurdly stacked from top to bottom.

[Defrost]

Shinsuke is shit talking Shibata

[Ringo]

:hyper:

Just what I wanted.

[Cewsh]

God DAMN are some kicks going to be done in that match.

[Defrost]

The main event is now official. Hiroshi Tanahashi will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Kazuchika Okada

Shinsuke nominated Sakuraba as challenger to the IC Title at the Dome

Makabe challenged Shibata

Devitt wants a three way match with Ibushi and Low Ki

[Cewsh]

Yes. Yes to all of that.

[DDT]

Sakuraba vs Nakamura? Yes please.

Shibata kicking the shit out of one of his two "replacements" will be loads of fun as well.

[Defrost]

http://amd.c.yimg.jp/im_sigg.jm8.bX5FKgf3MF7A.Op8A---x450-y300-q90/amd/20121112-00000002-spnavi_nm-000-0-view.jpg

[Defrost]

Wrestle Kingdom 7 has a website

http://wrestlekingdom.jp/

[Defrost]

First post updated with the card

[Ringo]

I think I'd rather have seen Nakamura/Shibata but this is still great and presumably Nakamura and Shibata win their respective matches and face each other further down the line? That's probably the right way to do it.

The triple threat will be a nice change of pace as it's a relatively rare treat in New Japan.

And OF COURSE it's aaaaall about that main event. BIG.

[Defrost]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU4_GqjNFao

[Defrost]

So I have reached the point where if KENTA does not beat Satoshi Kojima for the GHC Title on this show I will be gravely disappointed.

[Defrost]

First post updated with the full card

[JRSlim21]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsrx3oJIhC1qhpz4to2_500.gif

I'm sold.

[Cewsh]

Yes. Yes, this is very good. Now I have a month to catch up on all the shows I missed.

It goes without saying that the plan is to review this. You in, Frosty?

[DDT]

Me. Me. ME. MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*huff, huff*EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cewsh]

I don't knoooooooooooooooooooooooow.

:D

[Defrost]

Yes. Yes, this is very good. Now I have a month to catch up on all the shows I missed.

It goes without saying that the plan is to review this. You in, Frosty?

as always

[Cewsh]

Excellent. The Puro Pals ride again :yes:

[Defrost]

Tell me you don't want to see this now


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1O_OTmpb3I


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0MXfId9HsM

[Cewsh]

Whoever planned out the symbolism in those videos through baseball needs a fucking raise. Summarizes both of those feuds in like 5 seconds.

[Defrost]

Okada coming out of the bullpen to relieve the Ace is pretty brilliant

[DDT]

This is the best built show I can remember in wrestling for a while now. Does anything else in recent memory come to mind for anyone?

[Defrost]

Wrestlemania 26 had Batista talking about Cena hugging fat broads. I miss Big Dave.

[Defrost]

New Japan is talking very optimistically about the attendance for this show. And by optimistically I mean batshit insane.

[Cewsh]

Like how batshit insane are we talking?

Because I'm starting to get the feeling that a lot of people online have been DRASTICALLY underselling how over Okada has gotten in one year.

[Defrost]

Double the attendance of last year insane.

[Cewsh]

Wait, wait, wait. Looking back, they claimed 43,000 last year. Are you seriously telling me that they're looking at 86,000 people?

Because if so, holy fucking shit.

[Defrost]

Well the claimed and the real are not the same. It drew 23,000 last year.

[Cewsh]

Okay, that makes much more sense. That's still an incredible boost in one year.

[OD50]

New Japan will have this available for foreigners as an iPPV

Nice.

One of them masked jumping beans looks amazingly much like a young Rey Jr.

[Defrost]

they're doing an angle where the creepy doll kissing guy is taking sides with Sakuraba and Shibata over NJPW. He will second Sakuraba at the Dome

[Defrost]

More on that from the Observer


There may be another shooters angle coming up in 2013. Playboy magazine in Japan had a story saying the New Japan wrestlers are against bringing in MMA fighters but that president Takaaki Kidani is considering it. The story had Tanahashi saying that the wrestlers want the promotion to stay doing pro wrestling style, that Antonio Inoki has contacted the company about appearing at the Tokyo Dome which would be his first appearance at a show for the promotion he founded and was the face of for decades. Owner Kidani did an interview critical of New Japan President Naoki Sugabayashi who said they need to keep MMA out of pro wrestling and slammed using Kazushi Sakuraba and Katsuyori Shibata. However, the story said Kidani would be appearing with Sakuraba. We’ll have to see how this plays out and this sounds like Kidani is going to do the heel owner gimmick trying to create an NWO-like group of MMA fighters with Inoki as the retired version of Hogan.

[OD50]

Sounds sort of like the old New Japan vs. UWFi feud.

[Cewsh]

Yep. Not a bad idea though. Now that they're finally out of the Inoki-ism era, why not take advantage of how much people hate that whole thing and fear it ruining the company again? If they keep it under control, it could be very effective.

Also, it will almost certainly wind up turning Nakamura babyface, I imagine. He's the most credible MMA guy loyal to New Japan.

[Defrost]

Bob Sapp is now working this show

[DDT]

:lol: This will be the greatest puro show in forever.

[Defrost]

Rumor is the opener is changing to Nakanishi/Akebono vs Yano/Sapp

[DDT]

:rofl:

[Defrost]

I fear Creepy Doll Kissing Guy is assuming, really any, authority over booking

[Defrost]

By the way the iPPV price is $35 for this one. I am watching it live.

[Cewsh]

Same. Puro chat?

[Defrost]

ok

[DDT]

I'll try and get on this iPPV, so count me in for that chat. What will we be using, MSN?

[Cewsh]

Yep, just like last time. I'll see if I can rope Vice in too.

[Defrost]

Show starts at 3AM EST

[Cewsh]

PARTY TIL 7:00AM WOOOOO

I'll bring the Scotch.

[DDT]

Just thinking; do we want to do a type-chat where we'll be in the middle of typing "ZOMIGOD THAT WAS AMAZIN'!!!!!!!!" and be interrupted by something else, or do we want to do a video/audio chat and cut out the annoying middle man? Because I can recommend a really good one if we want the latter.

[Defrost]

I have roommates who would not be happy to be woken up at 3AM by my ramblings on Japanese Pro Wrestling.

[Cewsh]

Yeah, and my current computer couldn't run it.

[DDT]

MSN it is.

[Defrost]

Update

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM 7 ~EVOLUTION~ IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo Dome

0-1. Wataru Inoue, Tama Tonga & Captain New Japan vs. Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado
0-2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & BUSHI
1. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Manabu Nakanishi, MVP, Strong Man & Akebono vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & Bob Sapp
2. NEVER Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka ZERO1 (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin
3. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Anderson
4. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title – 3WAY Match: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Low Ki vs. Kota Ibushi Dramatic Dream Team
6. Special Tag Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Keiji Muto All Japan & Daichi Hashimoto ZERO1
7. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe vs. Katsuyori Shibata
8. Double Main Event I – IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
9. Double Main Event II – IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada

[JRSlim21]

Epic

[Defrost]

Hashimoto is injured will be replaced by Shinjiro Ohtani

[Cewsh]

:(

This was going to be his big moment. Tough break.

[Defrost]

Preview show


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru6maXW6PXo

[DDT]

Hashimoto is injured will be replaced by Shinjiro Ohtani

And there goes one of the bigger appeals I had for this show.

[Defrost]

The show maybe starting at 2AM. I am unsure.

[Cewsh]

That would be nice.

[DDT]

Having some trouble purchasing my ticket; will try again in a bit.

[DDT]

Also, should I get messenger, or just get Skype?

[Defrost]

msn

[Defrost]

Reading the Observer preview of this show and I am very very frightened.

[DDT]

Why, what's the preview say?

[Defrost]

But there are political issues that have largely been kept from the public. Kidani was a big wrestling fan, but those in Japan have noted he really doesn’t know anything about wrestling. They point in particular that his wrestling idol is Eric Bischoff, and that alone, as someone owning a company, should tell you how much he knows about the business of pro wrestling. The biggest issue internally is Kidani wanting to be like Bischoff and Vince McMahon and make himself a character as the heel owner, something most in the company are against. On the Dome show, he’s kicking off that role as the second for Kazushi Sakuraba, as the MMA legend has his first singles match in New Japan since his pro wrestling comeback, facing Nakamura for the Intercontinental title (which in Japan is valued at the level of the Intercontinental belt of the late 70s and 80s as opposed to the modern version). Even at press time there were people trying to talk him out of it.

Kidani signed Sakuraba and Katsuyori Shibata (who faces Togi Makabe) over the summer without letting anyone in the company know, including bookers Gedo and Jado. Tanahashi and Nakamura, who are the leaders essentially of the wrestlers because they are the two singles veteran stars that have now been on top for years, did not want Shibata back.

It would make sense for Okada to win, but if rumors of WWE being hot on his trail are true, that could change the dynamic.

[DDT]

If true, I don't blame either Tanahashi or Nakamura for not wanting Shibata back after he left New Japan. Having said that, I take most things Observer related with a grain of salt, especially since their news source is most likely Alan, who I firmly believe has the mental capacity of retarded puppy.

[Defrost]

I can safely state that Alan4L is not the source here

[DDT]

It looks like I won't be able to join you lads, as New Japan does not want my money. :(

[Defrost]

Try to email ustream. I haven't bought it yet so now I'm scared.

[DDT]

It might be because I'm using a debit card instead of credit, but that doesn't make any sense to me.

[Defrost]

Going through the support stuff it seems like Debit cards should be fine.

[DDT]

Weird; I'll try again when we're in official AM time. Also, be sure to add my new MSN account so we can do puro chat if New Japan decides to stop being a bitch.

[Defrost]

Get a hold of ustream here

http://www.ustream.tv/support-ticket

[DDT]

You buy your ticket yet?

[Defrost]

No, get paid tomorrow

[DDT]

I always get the fucking Japan time confused; show starts 2AM tonight or tomorrow?

[Defrost]

tomorrow, friday

[Glen]

Very excited about this. New Japan may be my favourite wrestling company in the world right now. I'm almost inspired to learn Japanese...

[Cewsh]

:heart: Glad to see you around and interested, Glen.

[Defrost]

DDT I just bought the show with my Debit card so that is not the issue

[DDT]

Still can't purchase the event so I'm about to just say fuck it.

[Defrost]

First match was super fun

[Defrost]

Who let Aces and 8s into the Tokyo Dome?

[Defrost]

Minoru Suzuki greatest entrance of all time.

Also the building is full

[Defrost]

Everything about that was awesome

[Defrost]

Low Ki thinks he is in a video game

[Defrost]

Low Ki has worked the entire match dressed as Agent 47

[Defrost]

I fear for Shinsuke here

[Defrost]

STAN HANSEN!

[Defrost]

When did Sakuraba get good?

[Defrost]

that match ruled

[Defrost]

And now a concert

[Defrost]

RAINMAKER from the heavens!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Defrost]

he kicked out from the high fly flow!

[Defrost]

Tana wins. Hmmm.

[Defrost]

That might have been the best wrestling show I have ever seen

[takerson]

You the only one who watched it?! I thought like 10 people were watching it?

[Defrost]

Just me turns out

[takerson]

Well that sucks. I was sure, at the very least, DDT & Cewsh would be in on it with you. But it is what it is. I'm glad you got your money's worth!

[Defrost]

Crowd shot


http://i.imgur.com/wL4kC.jpg

[Cewsh]

What the shit, I thought this was TONIGHT at 2, not this morning.

[DDT]

Nope, it was last night at 2, because Japan is a day ahead of us due to rotations and spheroid shaped earth and shit.

Now, MY excuse is that I still couldn't get the damn thing to accept my dollars. :mad:

[Defrost]

So the crowd. They announced 29,000 which seemed odd since there looked to be way more than 29,000 people in the building. Kidani says new policy is to announce paid attendance and not count comped seat for sponsors etc. So that is why they claimed 29,000.

[Cewsh]

Wow, a trend to only announce the people who literally paid to be there. That's fairly refreshing. And a sign that they're drawing well enough to not need to lie.

[Defrost]

I still find it miraculous that the mini concert didn't suck. Those always suck at wrestling shows.

[Defrost]

Tana winning has me scared of those Okada to WWE rumors

[LarryLuv]

One of the best pay per views EVER. You will be truly hard pressed to find a better wrestling pay per view. There is some, but not many.

Five matches I felt were **** or better.
Nothing was even close to a DUD or stinker. The worst match on the main card was the "everybody gets paid" opener, and it was solid for what it was. Nothing else delivered below *** and most were ***+.

Not only that, I felt the entire card had a little bit of everything.

Big Match Main Event? Check.
MMA-hybrid? Check.
High Flyers? Check.
Great Ring Work/Psychology? Check.
Guys beating the shit out of each other? Check.
Awesome tag team action? Check.
Big time stars? Check.

If you are a wrestling fan, this pay per view delivered what you want at some point, and delivered well. They gave everything time. Nothing was shorted or felt was cut short due to "time"...this thing went from 2:30am (pre-show) to 7:15am EST.

If this isn't a GOAT card for you, its easily the best $35 you would have spent on wrestling in a long time.

[LarryLuv]

Tana winning has me scared of those Okada to WWE rumors

You'll be seeing Barry Chopsticks v. Leo Kruger in no time.

[Defrost]

The worst match on the main card was the "everybody gets paid" opener, and it was solid for what it was.


I thought that match was fun with the Nogami stuff and all. I thought the Benjamin vs Tanaka match was genuinely bad and the only bad thing on the show.

[Cewsh]

By the way, Frosty. I'm going to be buying the replay if I can, so you can review this any time you want and don't have to wait on me.

[LarryLuv]

I thought that match was fun with the Nogami stuff and all. I thought the Benjamin vs Tanaka match was genuinely bad and the only bad thing on the show.

Maybe its because I'm a bit of a Tanaka mark...but I liked it. It wasn't going to be anything that blows you away, it was your run of the mill "opener"...I'd give it a ***-. It was acceptable to me and was sure to have shenanigans. The opener was definitely fun, too.

I legitimately have no complaints from the show. Best $35 I've spent on a PPV.

[Defrost]

Watching live the stream could not have been any better. Trying to rewatch something and the VOD hates my guts.

[Defrost]

Dave Meltzer ‏@davemeltzerWON

I will not talk about Tokyo Dome show until tonight, but YOU MUST SEE THIS EVENT

[LarryLuv]

It also needs to be said...the best part of the whole damn PPV was Minoru Suzuki's entrance for a ton of reasons.

[Defrost]

It also needs to be said...the best part of the whole damn PPV was Minoru Suzuki's entrance for a ton of reasons.

We all need more Ayumi Nakamura in our life.

[LarryLuv]

We all need more Ayumi Nakamura in our life.

It was the fist bump.

Perhaps the best live theme entrance ever.

And I say that with no hyperbole.

[Defrost]

Co-sign

[Defrost]

http://i.imgur.com/zlGso.jpg

[Defrost]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFwqYS878cM

[DDT]

Watched everything but the main event; Nakamura paraphrasing Sakuraba's famous "Pro Wrestling is indeed strong!" speech from his MMA days was fantastic.

[Tainted Eclipse]

Nakamura/Sakuraba was pretty awesome. Liked how the Sakuraba went from subtlety dominating on the mat gradually towards looking like he was in imminent danger of murdering Nakamura. Nakamura getting brief advantages with pro stuff was cool, Sakuraba's jump-over-guard stop to the head was nasty as hell and the ending was perfect. Didn't expect it to end quite so early though; that would've worked better if Nakamura moreso appeared to be in truly desperate straits towards the end, I think. I might just dare to watch the Tanahashi match.

[DDT]

Holy crap Tanahashi vs Okada is legit boring me to tears. I don't know if it is the five hour show or what, but fuck.

[DDT]

So I just had a crazy idea where instead of/in addition to a traditional written review, we could do a podcast review of the show. Does that sound interesting to anyone?

[Cewsh]

You love you some podcast. I'm not against it.

[DDT]

I just want to try it once and see if its any good. Chances are it'll suck and not only will we not release it, but never speak of it again.

[Defrost]

wasn't there going to be a rajah forum podcast or something?

[Cewsh]

If we can sort of the software to make it work, let's definitely give it a try.

Ultimately, I'd love to give a try to doing some commentary over a show. Custom Cewsh Reviews commentary on Japanese wrestling shows is something we get tons of requests for.

[Cewsh]

wasn't there going to be a rajah forum podcast or something?

It fell through because people tend to give up on things when you actually have to put in some effort.

[Panther52]

When did Sakuraba get good?

UMM when wasn't he? He's only the best technical wrestler and Catch wrestler (pro wrestling's origin) in wrestling history. well he or Tamura. those two made Bret Hart , Benoit and Malenko look like rookies.
His tag matches with Shibata were solid, not great of course, but it's always dependant on how the matches are booked to go and he's always been amazing as a singles wrestler. Just watch his matches in UWFi and Kingdom

[Cewsh]

Wait, what?

He's both the best technical wrestler and best catch wrestler in HISTORY?

[DDT]

I would disagree huge, but I can understand the sentiment, given his history. Plus, Sakuraba does have mad skills; I would argue that he was out-grappling Nakamura easily, and Nakamura's pretty tough in that regard himself.

But best catch wrestler in history? I can name at least five guys I would put ahead of him without even thinking about it; Volk Han, Masa Funaki, Lou Thez, Billy Robinson, Frank Gotch.

[vic vega]

Never watched jap wrestling before how different in styles is it

[Defrost]

Every match has its own style in a way. Honestly if you are into American wrestling you should be fine. It is not like going from American style to Lucha or European which would be more of a shock.

[Panther52]

There's a reason he was given the nicknames "IQ Wrestler and Pro Wrestling Messiah." Watch his UWFi and Kingdom matches. He and Tamura (both trained in Catch by Billy Robinson) are revered in Japan as the best shoot style wrestlers, no other wrestler could chain like they can. Also he was the highlight of the UWFi/NJPW invasion angle back in the 90s that inspired the NWO angle, which lead to him being given the IQ Wrestler nick..
As far as Catch, Sakuraba is the most accomplished CACC Wrestler in recorded combat sport history. submitting several grappling world champions including two members of the Gracie Family, three if you count forcing Royce to throw in the towel. He's defeated 7 UFC champs, 3 kings of Pancrase and a Dream GP champ. no other Catch wrestler can boast such success in combat sports. His only losses during his 30s coming to other ELITE fighters outweighing him by 20 or more lbs. his only two submission losses coming in his last couple fights in his 40s against two elite sub artists in their 20s.
Obviously it didn't hurt that he was an olympic calibur freestyle wrestler aswell.

Just saw someone mention Funaki as being better than Saku. Love me some Funaki he was amazing. Sakuraba subbed him aswell.

[DDT]

Funaki was at least three times as beat up as Sakuraba when they fought; he's had more fights, more wins, and was fighting back when the only rule was, "no ball punching". He typically fought 10 times a year as opposed to Sakuraba's standard three (save his insane 2000 year) and his bout with Saku was his first in seven years. That fight is hardly a fair comparison in skill vs. skill in any respect. It's litterally the same as saying Jason Miller is better than Sakuraba based on his submission victory three years ago.

[Beer-Belly]

Just started watching the show and - HOLY SHIT Bob Sapp is still around?

[Defrost]

Bob Sapp pops up everywhere.

[Panther52]

Funaki was at least three times as beat up as Sakuraba when they fought; he's had more fights, more wins, and was fighting back when the only rule was, "no ball punching". He typically fought 10 times a year as opposed to Sakuraba's standard three (save his insane 2000 year) and his bout with Saku was his first in seven years. That fight is hardly a fair comparison in skill vs. skill in any respect. It's litterally the same as saying Jason Miller is better than Sakuraba based on his submission victory three years ago.

Sakuraba is a year older than Funaki. Nowhere near the same as a Jason Miller who was 28 when beating a 43 y/o Saku. While Funaki was fighting in Pancrase, Saku was punishing his body in shoot style pro wrestling and freestyle wrestling. As for Funaki being three times more beat up. he only fought once in full NHB prior to fighting Saku and that was against Rickson Gracie who subbed him. You have to remember while he did fight alot in Pancrase, they did have alot of rules to protect their fighters. including no closed fist strikes, only open handed strikes. having to wear shin guards to protect fighters from taking too much damage from kicks. They also outlawed certain submissions. And while Masa was out for 7 years Saku was busy fighting the top fighters in the world reguardless of size in full NHB.
Also remember Funaki held a near 30lb advantage over Sakuraba. his Natural weight was around 210 to Sakuraba's 183.

[DDT]

And Funaki was getting beaten up by pro and shoot-style wrestling since the mid-80's, a full decade before Sakuraba. You can't sit there and say Sakuraba was as beat up as Funaki because its just not true. I'll confess to Pancrase being more protected, but in no parallel universe was Sakuraba fighting full NHB fights during those seven years. Pride was not no holds barred, neither was K-1 or Hero's; that is just crazy talk.

[Panther52]

And Funaki was getting beaten up by pro and shoot-style wrestling since the mid-80's, a full decade before Sakuraba. You can't sit there and say Sakuraba was as beat up as Funaki because its just not true. I'll confess to Pancrase being more protected, but in no parallel universe was Sakuraba fighting full NHB fights during those seven years. Pride was not no holds barred, neither was K-1 or Hero's; that is just crazy talk.


Not like Saku was sitting around doing nothing. During the time Funaki was doing pro and shootstyle wrestling Sakuraba was wrestling collegiately, winning a national title and being a runner up aswell. Also defeating 2 olympic gold medalists and a bronze medalist during his collegiate career. Collegiate and freeystlye wrestling take a huge tole on the body.
the only thing you could say that made Pride non NHB was that they made groing shots, head butts and eye gowdging illegal. kicks and knees to heads of downed opponents were perfectly legal (all of which was illegal in Pancrase). We even saw goudging of cuts go unadmonished in Pride unfortunately, refering to the Sakuraba v Arona fight.
The point is you made reference to Funaki fighting in a time when there were no rules save groing shots when that's simply not true for the promotion he fought in. Whereas Sakuraba fought in what is considered an NHB promotion with the most brutal of rules in any of the major companies including UFC (where Sakuraba was a tournament champ), Pancrase, Strikeforce, Bellator or Dream.
During that 7 year stretch Sakuraba was busy doing things like fighting 90 minutes with Royce Gracie, then fighting the top HW and most feared striker in the world in Igor Vovchachyn to a draw in in regulation in the same night. Defeating 4 members of the Gracie family in their primes, submitting two of them which noone else in NHB or MMA has done. He also happened to be the first to beat a Gracie family member in 48 years. Sakuraba was also busy fighting monsters like Wandy 3x, Randleman, Cro Cop, Rampage, Arona, and Lil Nog. If he hadn't kept his pro wrestling mentality he probably easily beats guys like Wandy and Cro Cop by Lay and Pray. But as he said himself "what good is it to win if the fans that pay their hard earned money to watch the fighters they love don't enjoy the fight.
One of his knees was shot before he even got into MMA. By the time he fought Funaki both were done in. Oh and lets not forget he had also been diagnosed just previous to that point with low blood flow to the brain.

at the 2000GP Sakuraba fought 105 total minutes IN ONE NIGHT. that's roughly the equivalent of Funaki's first 22 fights combined.

[DDT]

Frankly I'm bored with this conversation, so let's just say that they're both top ten and move on with our lives.

[Ringo]

Finally finished the show!

Haven't read this thread at all since I didn't want spoilers. And as always I'm really glad I didn't know the results because it adds so much to the show. Particularly for the top two matches, one of which left me full of glee.

Really really great event of course but I was disappointed by the main event which I thought would bring the show into "all time best" territory and I'm pretty fucking mad that Tanahashi won. Maybe Okada to WWE is the reason for that which would be very sad indeed. If he's sticking around I don't get it at all. It was still a money's worth main event with a big match feel. I just hoped it would be something a bit special.

Elsewhere:

- Opener was lots of fun. Nakanishi & friends are adorable. Also Bob Sapp was involved so the customary extra * is automatically added.
- Tanaka/Shelton: Weakest match on the card but I didn't dislike it. There's often been a slightly awkward singles match featuring a gaijin who doesn't have much Japan experience. This felt like that.
- KES have a silly name, curious entrance gear and are made up of two men who are severely lacking in cool but I like what they've got going and they impressed me again here. Well, Smith did. He's alright you know. Match was nice.
- OH MY GOD KAZE NI NARE LIVE. I'm sure the sound was a bit dodgy but who gives a shit? This was brilliant and something I've been dreaming of for some time! Hell of a battle between two wrestlers I still don't think always get the praise they deserve.
- Suit & Tie Low Ki is incredible. He should've done this in WWE. Match was a blast.
- Fast Forwarded through the intermission commercials but they looked like fun.
- Hadn't realised Daichi had injured his arm so that was disappointing. Ohtani replacing him was appropriate and cool though. It was worth it just to hear Bakusho Sengen in Tokyo Dome again. Also enjoyed Mutoh's entrance.
- I like how Makabe is still affiliated with GBH. :D I liked that they kept this short. Was legit shocked. Having read what happened now it all makes sense and I'll comment on that in the right thread.
- Expected awesomeness from Shinskay and Saku. Pretty much delivered what I've wanted from a Shinskay dome appearance for ages. Was sure he was losing after the previous result so this was a delightful surprise. IC Title is in a super strong position.

9.5/10!

[Glen]

- I like how Makabe is still affiliated with GBH. :D I liked that they kept this short. Was legit shocked. Having read what happened now it all makes sense and I'll comment on that in the right thread.




Have I missed something?

[Defrost]

http://forums.rajah.com/showthread.php?146137-Kidani-resigns-from-New-Japan

[Defrost]

Observer star ratings for Ringo

Team Sapp vs Team Akebono: *1/4
Tanaka vs Shelton: **3/4
KES vs Sword and Guns: ***1/2
Suzuki vs Nagata: ****
Devitt vs Ibushi vs Ki: ****1/2
TenKoji vs Muto/Otani: ***1/2
Shibata vs Makabe: ****
Shinsuke vs Sakuraba: ****1/2
Tanahashi vs Okada: ****3/4

[Ringo]

Cool cool :yes: so yeah if my calculations are correct, the average for this show is 3.63 and the average for Invasion Attack is 3.80. Must be a while since a show scored as high as that.

[Psycho666Soldier]

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h61/psycho666soldier/WrestleKingdom_zpsfcb78020.png

I don't know who this artist is, or what song she's singing, but it's epic anyway.

By the way, finally watching Wrestle Kingdom.

[Psycho666Soldier]

OH!!!! It's for Minoru Suzuki. No wonder it's so badass.

[Ringo]

:yes:

[Psycho666Soldier]

YUJI'S WEARING THE SHIRT THAT I BOUGHT AT SOME RANDOM INDY SHOW!!!

Or at least a variation of it. Fale Simitaitoko(I think he's also gone by King Fale) was at this Anarchy Pro Wrestling show I went to in St. Louis, and he was selling New Japan and AJPW shirts. I got the Blue "MISSION BLOW" Yuji "Killer" Nagata shirt with the full NJPW Lion logo above it. The one Yuji's wearing has half the design cut out for words. Just thought that was awesome.

I'm fucking stoked for this Nagata/Suzuki match.

[Psycho666Soldier]

I was right. Nagata and Suzuki fucking delivered.

Going to work soon, but I look forward to watching the rest of this card throughout the week.

[Defrost]

YUJI'S WEARING THE SHIRT THAT I BOUGHT AT SOME RANDOM INDY SHOW!!!

Or at least a variation of it. Fale Simitaitoko(I think he's also gone by King Fale) was at this Anarchy Pro Wrestling show I went to in St. Louis, and he was selling New Japan and AJPW shirts. I got the Blue "MISSION BLOW" Yuji "Killer" Nagata shirt with the full NJPW Lion logo above it. The one Yuji's wearing has half the design cut out for words. Just thought that was awesome.

I'm fucking stoked for this Nagata/Suzuki match.

I think you mean the Underboss Bad Luck Fale

[Ringo]

King Fale is dead motherfuckers!

[Tainted Eclipse]

Man, I really really liked Okada/Tanahashi from the G1 but in the interest of giving them a fair shot in light of that I watched their match from this show and thought it was downright bad. Like, a chore to get through. I want to watch the whole of this show sometime though, since as much as I liked a lot of the G1 I might like NJPW on a whole-card level even if I'm not into the main event scene too often.