Wrestle Kingdom XI in Tokyo Dome 1/4/17

[Defrost]

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Kazuchika Okada(c) vs Kenny Omega



IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Tetsuya Naito(c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi



IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
KUSHIDA(c) vs Hiromu Takahashi



NEVER Openweight Championship
Katsuyori Shibata(c) vs Hirooki Goto



IWGP Tag Team Championship
GOD(c) vs GBH vs Tomohiro Ishii/Toru Yano



IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship
Young Bucks(c) vs Roppongi Vice



ROH World Championship
Kyle O'Reilly(c) vs Adam Cole




NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship
Satoshi Kojima/Ricochet/David Finlay(c) vs Bullet Club vs Chaos vs Los Ingobernables de Japon



Cody Rhodes vs Juice Robinson



Tiger Mask W vs Tiger the Dark

The Rambo

[Hero!]

Don't forget that Naito still has his NJC title shot to cash in sometime. Naito/Omega or Okada/Omega would be lovely.

[Tainted Eclipse]

Okada/Omega sure seems like an odd Dome main event. Fresh at least.

[Defrost]

If they do do Okada vs Omega then you have to think Tanahashi vs Naito is where they go there right? And there seems to be a NJPW vs NOAH thing brewing after that amazing brawl today. Plus whatever the time bomb that's coming is.

[DDT]

So where the fuck does that leave tournament MVP Ishii?

[virms]

He will be in nxt by then

[Honey_Badger]

Omega v Okada
Tanahashi v Elgin
Naito v Ishii

[Hero!]

My card would look something like:

Okada/omega: iwgp title
Naito/Tana: no title, just a respect feud
Elgin/Ishii: IC title
Shibata/Suzuki: NEVER
Kushida/Ospreay: Jr title
Bucks/RPG Vice/MCMG/RicochetSydal: Jr tag titles
Gurillas of Destiny/KES: Tag titles
Fale/hangman Page/Yujiro vs Evil/Sanda/Bushi: NEVER 6-man
Jay Lethal vs Makabe: ROH Title
New Japan rumble

[Honey_Badger]

Adam Cole will be ROH Champion by then.

[Defrost]

By the way the v5 IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt has been commissioned. I wonder if it debuts on this show. Judging by the past, v1 belt went to Inoki, v2 to Shinya Hashimoto's son Daichi, v3 to the bottom of the Pacific because fuck Brock Lesnar, I'd assume Hiroshi Tanahashi will be given the belt.

[Defrost]

Okada vs Omega and Naito vs Tanahashi look like foregone conclusions now. A lot of talk about Naito asking for another fan vote. That would be a disaster since Tana vs Naito would win.


I wonder if this stronger reDRagon push means Kidani is getting that reDRagon vs Sakuraba and Shinya Aoki match he wants.

[Defrost]

Got to work this morning and fantasy booked this show because I was bored. Looked at the clock and still had six and a half hours to go.

[Honey_Badger]

Did your fantasy booking have Omega winning the title?

[Defrost]

Oh I just made a card not finishes

[Cewsh]

I don't even know what I want from the card at this point. I don't know that anyone but Naito, Omega and Okada have any momentum headed in any particular direction.

[Defrost]

I don't even know what I want from the card at this point. I don't know that anyone but Naito, Omega and Okada have any momentum headed in any particular direction.

Shibata does. Especially if it is him vs Shiozaki.

[Honey_Badger]

Would Japan ever do a triple threat with Okada, Naito and Omega? I don't recall ever seeing a triple threat match in Japan.

[Defrost]

Would Japan ever do a triple threat with Okada, Naito and Omega? I don't recall ever seeing a triple threat match in Japan.

Gedo is opposed to three way matches for the top title. He thinks it would hurt the title's drawing power.

As a matter of fact in the newest Observer Meltzer says he has it confirmed that the main event is Okada vs Omega. That's the only match he knows though which makes me think his source on this is The Young Bucks who were told by Omega.

[Honey_Badger]

Omega is destined to go over, right. If he main events against Okada, I will be purchasing that event.

[Cewsh]

If Omega wins, that'll be the end of me watching New Japan for awhile.

[Defrost]

I was totally sick of Kenny Omega until about half way through the G1 now I am totally on board the bandwagon. Which is funny if you watch the interviews with Omega on NJPW World.

[Beer-Belly]

Kenny Omega rules. The ladder match with Elgin was dope.

This show's main event should be Shibata vs. Omega.

I still need to watch one of the more recent Shibata/Ishii. The one with all the acclaim. I want to find out which match, but I don't want to ruin the ending for myself in the process.

[Atty]

That guy who Cewsh doesn't like is awesome. I totally know who he is.

[McBain]

I'm stunned Omega has reached main event status so quickly. Gotta give him a lot of credit but I personally don't think he's that calibre.

[Defrost]

Kenny Omega rules. The ladder match with Elgin was dope.

This show's main event should be Shibata vs. Omega.

I still need to watch one of the more recent Shibata/Ishii. The one with all the acclaim. I want to find out which match, but I don't want to ruin the ending for myself in the process.

The last singles match between Shibata and Ishii was in February

[Beer-Belly]

That guy who Cewsh doesn't like is awesome. I totally know who he is.

Omega is genuinely great and I'm sure Cewsh's reasons for disliking him are bogus and lame.

[Beer-Belly]

The last singles match between Shibata and Ishii was in February

Is that the one everyone went bonkers over?

[Defrost]

People were high on it. I thought it was better than their match at the Dome. The highest praised Ishii match this year is the G1 match against Okada. I loved Shibata vs Naito in the G1 but I seem to be an outlier in how high I rate it.

[Tainted Eclipse]

I was totally sick of Kenny Omega until about half way through the G1 now I am totally on board the bandwagon. Which is funny if you watch the interviews with Omega on NJPW World.

omega's performance in naito match was fantastic though i almost couldn't stand him beforehand. he was good in the goto match too. hopefully this is a sign of him adjusting his style going forward as a main eventer. im all for seeing main event omega matches with big name opponents after those two.

[DDT]

omega's performance in naito match was fantastic though i almost couldn't stand him beforehand. he was good in the goto match too. hopefully this is a sign of him adjusting his style going forward as a main eventer. im all for seeing main event omega matches with big name opponents after those two.

Don't hold your breath.

[Defrost]

Ok so Kyle O'Reilly is Shibata's next challenger meaning we can pencil in that Shibata vs Shiozaki match for this show.

So we have a good idea that the top three matches are Okada/Omega, Tanahashi/Naito, and Shibata/Shiozaki. Then who is the Time Bomb and what is he doing on this show if those guys are already taken?

[McBain]

What is the thinking when it comes to Omega adjusting his style?

[Beer-Belly]

I read that Meltzer said the "time bomb" thing is Minoru Suzuki. I guess he hinted at Shibata vs. Suzuki at Wrestle Kingdom, but that was over a month ago.

[Defrost]

What is the thinking when it comes to Omega adjusting his style?

Well he seems to have calmed down with setting up WWE feuds.

[Defrost]

The main event is official. Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP Title against Kenny Omega.

[Cewsh]

Lame.

[Hero!]

Why?

[Tainted Eclipse]

after the naito and goto matches i'm excited. it's a unique match up too, bring it on. that, tanahashi vs. naito, shibata vs. suzuki, should be a great show. throw elgin vs. ishii on there too.

[Beer-Belly]

Kenny Omega rules.

[Tainted Eclipse]

is the date still definitely going to be the 4th rather than the closest saturday or whatever?

[Defrost]

after the naito and goto matches i'm excited. it's a unique match up too, bring it on. that, tanahashi vs. naito, shibata vs. suzuki, should be a great show. throw elgin vs. ishii on there too.

It's going to be Shibata vs Shiozaki.

[McBain]

after the naito and goto matches i'm excited. it's a unique match up too, bring it on. that, tanahashi vs. naito, shibata vs. suzuki, should be a great show. throw elgin vs. ishii on there too.

I'm sold.

[Tainted Eclipse]

just google king of pro wrestling to see when is was happening, and it just happened this morning! cool, i'll have some wrestling stuff to watch during RAW hours.

[Tainted Eclipse]

really liked the NOAH tag. i hope they do a good NOAH/NJPW multi man at the dome.

[Beer-Belly]

Why doesn't Shibata have the King Shit of Fuck Mountain title?

[Defrost]

So here's what we know

Okada vs Omega is the first official match

The plan was for Naito to defend the IC Belt against Elgin at Power Struggle and Tanahashi to wrestle Sanada leading to Naito vs Tanahashi at the Dome, but Elgin broke his eye socket on the show today so who knows.

Shibata was challenged by Go Shiozaki and then attacked by EVIL most likely setting up NEVER title matches with EVIL at Power Struggle and Go at the Dome

reDRagon seemed to form an alliance with Shibata after the O'Reilly match and we know Kidani loves reDRagon and there is a plan for big heavyweight pushes for them so they'll have a major match at the Dome

KUSHIDA was supposed to challenge Bushi at Power Struggle but he may be hurt too. Kamaitachi is likely either the new Pareja in LIJ or the Time Bomb that's debuting at Power Struggle and KUSHIDA vs Kamaitachi was likely the plan for the Dome

Ishii attacked Tonga and his Brother so either with Goto or Yoshi-Hashi he's going after the tag belts.

Another awesome 8 man tag between NOAH and New Japan looked to set up Nagata vs Nakajima. Nakajima will likely win the GHC Title in December. So maybe a GHC Title match between the two at the Dome.

[Defrost]

Tiger Mask W will be on this show

[Hero!]

Tiger Mask W will be on this show

[OD50]

W?

[Defrost]

There is a new Tiger Mask anime in Japan called Tiger Mask W. At Ryogoku Yesterday Tiger Mask W wrestled Red Death Mask. Both characters from the anime. It became very obvious very quick who was under the hood as Tiger Mask W.

[Tainted Eclipse]

is there a reason ibushi isn't wrestling as ibushi? WWE stuff?

[Defrost]

is there a reason ibushi isn't wrestling as ibushi? WWE stuff?

Kota Ibushi is a very weird man. He honestly would rather play an anime man on a NJPW pre show than main event Wrestlemania.

[Cewsh]

Why?

Because it's the wrong main event. It should have been Marufuji.

[Hero!]

Kota Ibushi is a very weird man. He honestly would rather play an anime man on a NJPW pre show than main event Wrestlemania.

Ibushi didn't sign with WWE so that he could wrestle a clown and wrestle as a tiger. This is all very normal behavior.

Because it's the wrong main event. It should have been Marufuji.

NJPW lost several top stars in the past year and is looking to build up the next generation. Giving the top guy of a dead promotion the main event at WK makes no sense whatsoever. That's be like WWE bringing in Bobby Lashley to work vs Roman Reigns at Mania, rather than do, let's say, Reigns vs Rusev, which would help to cement Rusev as a star for the future. It's all about investment and New Japan sees Omega as a guy who is a star, has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of ringwork, and most importantly, has NO desire to leave and join WWE.

[Honey_Badger]

Kenny Omega is incredible and as a casual fan of NJPW, Omega versus Okada sells me on purchasing the event.

[Cewsh]

NJPW lost several top stars in the past year and is looking to build up the next generation. Giving the top guy of a dead promotion the main event at WK makes no sense whatsoever. That's be like WWE bringing in Bobby Lashley to work vs Roman Reigns at Mania, rather than do, let's say, Reigns vs Rusev, which would help to cement Rusev as a star for the future. It's all about investment and New Japan sees Omega as a guy who is a star, has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of ringwork, and most importantly, has NO desire to leave and join WWE.

That's all fine and nice. I would just prefer that they pay off an off and on 8 year cross promotional invasion storyline with the fate of Japanese wrestling in the kayfabe balance instead of building a show around a guy who will not function as a main eventer.

[Defrost]

So apparently most of the Japanese comments on this are bitching that Okada is Champion instead of Naito

[Tainted Eclipse]

naito's title run was stupidly short.

[Hero!]

Added, we've got:

IWGP Jr champion Kushida vs (time bomb) Kimatachi
IWGP Jr heavy tag champs Young Bucks vs RPG Vice.

Sad to see Bushi lose the belt so soon, but Kushida vs Kimatachi is gonna be SICK. Bucks/Vice needs to stay 2 v 2 too since they always overbook that match into a clustermuck.

[Defrost]

Added, we've got:

IWGP Jr champion Kushida vs (time bomb) Kimatachi
IWGP Jr heavy tag champs Young Bucks vs RPG Vice.

Sad to see Bushi lose the belt so soon, but Kushida vs Kimatachi is gonna be SICK. Bucks/Vice needs to stay 2 v 2 too since they always overbook that match into a clustermuck.

And the obvious IC Title match is confirmed

[Defrost]

First post updated with the card as it stands now

[Defrost]

If Mr Ass and YOSHITATSU aren't challenging for the straps on this show there has been a great injustice

[Hero!]

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/statu...27185913757696


If you dont know how to sign up for New Japan World in english, Okada and Rocky Romero will teach you here

[Defrost]

This song is terrible. I have watched it a half dozen times.

[Mark Hammer]

Why is it called Wrestle Kingdom? Japanese people are weird.

[Mark Hammer]

Also is Kenny Omega as bad as Jim Cornette claims?

[Defrost]

Why is it called Wrestle Kingdom? Japanese people are weird.

Because of a video game tie in

And Jim Cornette is a fucking idiot

[Sasori]

Also is Kenny Omega as bad as Jim Cornette claims?

Kenny's not bad, he's Elite.

[Hero!]

Newest Bullet Club member identity leaked:

Cody Rhodes

[Hero!]

This song is terrible. I have watched it a half dozen times.

That's incredible. It does make think of the fact that KO vs KO is really the only match with much build to it. Maybe Naito/Tana too.

Also is Kenny Omega as bad as Jim Cornette claims?

Cornette hates Omega cause Omega wrestles a modern hybrid style. Kenny is easily in the top 5 workers of 2016.

Because of a video game tie in

And Jim Cornette is a fucking idiot

Cornette is stupid entertaining, even if he is wrong about Omega.

Kenny's not bad, he's Elite.

Your avatar has too many Ibushi nipples in it, it's freaking me out.

[Nash Diesel]

Cornette is great and you can't get worked up over his opinion. I think honestly his hate for Kenny Omega is due to that match he had with the little 8 year old girl or whatever that situation was. Some people think Cornette just doesn't like wrestlers who do a bunch of spots but he said a match with Davey Richards v. Tyler Black (Seth Rollins for you non-ROH fans) was one of the best matches he's seen and called it the modern day Ric Flair v. Ricky Steamboat type match. I love listening to him but there are times where he'll bust on something pretty hard and while he'll have a few good points, he'll also have some outdated opinions. I always liken older wrestling personalities and wrestlers in general to like your parents shitting on current bands or t.v. shows. I still hear "I liked wrestling when it was real" and that's from people in their 50's who apparently thought wrestling was real when Bob Backlund and Dusty Rhodes were champions.

With that said, Kenny Omega is fucking weird but very very talented. Sometimes I think his popularity grew after Cornette ripped him to shreds.

[McBain]

What's wrong with it being called Wrestle Kingdom?

[Sasori]

Newest Bullet Club member identity leaked:

Cody Rhodes

Kenny is easily in the top 5 workers of 2016.

Your avatar has too many Ibushi nipples in it, it's freaking me out.

You can never have too many Ibushi nipples.

[Defrost]

That's incredible. It does make think of the fact that KO vs KO is really the only match with much build to it. Maybe Naito/Tana too.

I think the build to Naito vs Tanahashi has been way better. Remember that in Japan the matches are built through media interviews and press conferences. Naito and Tana's promos their have blown Okada and Omega out of the water.

[Hero!]

I think the build to Naito vs Tanahashi has been way better. Remember that in Japan the matches are built through media interviews and press conferences. Naito and Tana's promos their have blown Okada and Omega out of the water.

I haven't seen anything besides Naito calling out Tana ok taking his WK8 main event from him.

[Defrost]

The promos at the press conference were awesome. It was Tanahashi who wanted another fan vote and Naito shot that idea down out of pure spite and forced Tanahashi to admit that Naito would be the only reason it could be a main event anyway. Naito has continued down that road since. Talking about main events and saying the company better not call it a double main event. If you do that call everything the main event then. There is only one main event.

[Mark Hammer]

Because of a video game tie in

And Jim Cornette is a fucking idiot

Kenny's not bad, he's Elite.

That's incredible. It does make think of the fact that KO vs KO is really the only match with much build to it. Maybe Naito/Tana too.



Cornette hates Omega cause Omega wrestles a modern hybrid style. Kenny is easily in the top 5 workers of 2016.



Cornette is stupid entertaining, even if he is wrong about Omega.



Your avatar has too many Ibushi nipples in it, it's freaking me out.

everybody including ND who I forgot to quote but im posting from a phone so fuck that edit lol.

And yeah, I disagree with A LOT of what Cornette says but he has an unbridled passion and was around during the glorious 80s and 90s so his stories are lots of fun. I catch myself losing time on YouTube listening to his shoots. He's a funny bastard if you can look past his anger/cynicism.

[Defrost]

New Observer says they're doing the O'Reilly vs Cole ROH Title rematch on this show

[termites]

What's wrong with it being called best mass gainers and Wrestle Kingdom?

Sounds a bit corny to me.

[Defrost]

I have less than zero interest in Shibata vs Goto

[Mark Hammer]

Sounds a bit corny to me.

This is where I was coming from termites. Welcome to the boards.

[Hero!]

American Nightmare is great.

[Tainted Eclipse]

I have less than zero interest in Shibata vs Goto

ugh, same. seen it a million times, it's never any different.

[Hero!]

Who would you put Shibata against?

[Tainted Eclipse]

Ideally Suzuki. I also like the rumors of Cody Rhodes, it's an interesting and fresh match up and could end up being a good match.

[Tainted Eclipse]

so shibata/goto is actually official? lame, these days this show is just about the 1 show they do a year that isn't 85% skippable tag matches, so it would be nice for every major match to be something new and a little interesting.

[Defrost]

The problem is the NOAH sale did fuck up the booking of this show

[Hero!]

Why? The Shibata/Noah feud?

[Defrost]

Why? The Shibata/Noah feud?

For one. Nakajima was going to be on this show too.

[Defrost]

So we know Okada vs Omega, Naito vs Tanahashi, KUSHIDA vs Takahashi, Bucks vs RPG Vice, GOD vs GBH, and Shibata vs Goto

These may or may not happen at the Dome. There are a few Korakuens left between now and then.

BUSHI threw out the challenge for him, EVIL, and SANADA to challenge Kojima, Finlay, and Ricochet for the Trios Titles, Juice Robinson challenged Cody Rhodes, and of all things Manabu Nakanishi called out Yuji Nagata.

Also as I said Meltzer reported that the O'Reilly vs Cole rematch happens here and they announced at the first press conference that there will be Tiger Mask W involvement.

[Hero!]

The new Tekken game will feature an Okada outfit for the King character. I wish they'd book King vs Tiger Mask W for this.

[Defrost]

Full Card

The Rambo
Tiger Mask W vs Tiger the Dark
Bucks vs RPG Vice
Kojima/Finlay/Ricochet vs Ospreay/Ishii/Yoshi-Hashi vs BUSHI/EVIL/SANADA vs Fale/Page/Yujiro
Cody Rhodes vs Juice Robinson
O'Reilly vs Cole
Shibata vs Goto
KUSHIDA vs Takahashi
GOD vs GBH
Naito vs Tanahashi
Okada vs Omega

[Hero!]

Kojima/Finlay/Ricochet vs Ospreay/Ishii/Yoshi-Hashi vs BUSHI/EVIL/SANADA vs Fale/Page/Yujiro

Ah, so that's taking the spot of the usual 4-way jr tag title match

[Hero!]

Tiger the Dark to be played by ACH.

[Defrost]

Well it was supposed to be Ibushi vs ACH in that match, but ACH leaving ROH may have changed that. Or maybe not. Toei and TV Asahi booked the first Tiger Mask W match so maybe New Japan has nothing to do with it again.

[Defrost]

The go home shows

NJPW "ROAD TO TOKYO DOME", 16.12.2016
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Yuji Nagata, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoshitatsu vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask & Henare
2. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Chase Owens
3. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & BONE SOLDIER
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & David Finlay vs. SANADA, "King of Darkness" EVIL & BUSHI
5. Katsuyori Shibata & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Hirooki Goto & Jado
6. Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo vs. Kenny Omega, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA vs. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi


NJPW "ROAD TO TOKYO DOME", 17.12.2016
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoshitatsu vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Henare
2. Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo vs. Yujiro Takahashi & BONE SOLDIER
3. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Chase Owens
4. Yuji Nagata vs. Manabu Nakanishi
5. Katsuyori Shibata & Tiger Mask vs. Hirooki Goto & Jado
6. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, "King of Darkness" EVIL, Hiromu Takahshi & BUSHI vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, KUSHIDA & David Finlay
7. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Kenny Omega & Bad Luck Fale


Salivating over the main event on the first show. I've been chasing that Tana/Naito vs Okada/Shinsuke high for like 4 years now.

[Defrost]

[Defrost]

We have heard High Energy for the last time

[Tainted Eclipse]

whos taking off work to watch this live

[Tainted Eclipse]

We have heard High Energy for the last time

this seems like a bad idea.