The 2015 Rajah Championship Match Project

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 5:05 PM

Hello and good day, dear people. This thread represents a commitment made by myself, Hero!, Ringo and Psycho666Soldier, (among others,) to watch every significant world title match from every major promotion in 2015. This is no small undertaking, and almost certainly we will fail at some point. But until then, this thread will be where we post the matches we're watching, along with our thoughts on said matches. We super duper encourage any of you guys who want to try some of these matches to give it a go with us, as we explore the wrestling world together.

The promotions that we have chosen for everyone to follow, and their champions, are as follows:

(Spoiler tagged for your protection)

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 6:30 PM

Really enjoyed that match. Started off fine. Then there was a fairly dull period with Doering in casual control which I guess made sense because he wasn't taking Go seriously enough. Go hits that great lariat to get back into it. Was slightly awkward after Joe got caught in the ropes and was outside the ring but after that it was pretty compelling until the finish. Doering wasn't perfect but he does seem to have improved from the last time I saw him. I liked much of his Hansen-esque selling. He's also sporting a Hansen moustache these days so I imagine he's been watching him. All Japan may be in a bad way but more great Triple Crown matches like this in front of hot Korakuen crowds and I'll be glad to keep following along.

Shall we decide on the promotions we are going with? I'm not sure how long I'd be able to keep it up if we were doing many non-WWE/Lucha Underground US promotions, but I'm happy to try. Or we could just do our own thing.

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 5th, 2015, 6:35 PM

If we go as a group, I think US Promotions at least have to be WWE, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground and CHIKARA. You could make an argument for PWG, but I don't think anything else beats that out in importance. I could understand cutting out CHIKARA for some people, but I'll be keeping up with them anyway.

For Japan, definitely NJPW, NOAH, and AJPW. Admittedly, it'll probably be a bit harder for me to keep up with too much stuff outside of New Japan, but that's what makes this title project fun is because it's at most one match a month from most promotions, so it's easy to keep up and catch up.

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 6:39 PM

I think that in the interest of actually making sure everyone can keep up we should limit this to WWE, TNA, ROH, NJPW, NOAH, AJPW, Chikara and Lucha Underground. The last two slip in only because there are so few title defenses in general. This way we never get overwhelmed with matches, and if Hero wants to do NWA matches and post them here, we can take a crack at those if we want.

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 6:40 PM

My plan is for somebody, (probably me,) to post each match in here after in happens so people don't have to track it down on their own.

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 6:42 PM

I fancy trying Wrestle-1 and DDT myself (as I heard the last W1 title match was very good and DDT is currently as well as any other promotion outside of NJPW in Japan right now), but I like the idea of sticking with that core group.

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 6:53 PM

Locks:
NJPW
NOAH
AJPW
Dragon Gate
WWE
NXT
TNA
Lucha Underground
ROH
CHIKARA

Optional:
CZW
DDT
NWA
AAA
CMLL

Unlikely:
PWG
FIP
EVOLVE
DGUSA

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 5th, 2015, 6:56 PM

I feel like ROH belongs in the lock section just based on their history and the slight resurgence of popularity we've seen them involved in, not to mention their dealings with New Japan and such.

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 7:00 PM

Yeah, ROH belongs in. It's as big as TNA is these days.

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 7:11 PM

Sounds good to me. Don't let me down, Briscoe.

**Judas Iscariot** · January 5th, 2015, 7:15 PM

I see a disturbing lack of CZW in the above list.

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 7:17 PM

I would be open to watching some CZW stuff. I hear it's improved a lot.

**Defrost** · January 5th, 2015, 7:20 PM

Dragon Gate has to be in here

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 7:21 PM

Sell us on it, Defrost. Who is champ, are they good, how have the matches been?

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 7:22 PM

Originally Posted by Judas Iscariot

I see a disturbing lack of CZW in the above list.

Originally Posted by Cewsh

I would be open to watching some CZW stuff. I hear it's improved a lot.

Consider me out on that one. I tried watching some of their PPVs earlier and it was still just ugh. They were doing well with Gulak on top, but I think he's distancing himself from the promotion.

**Defrost** · January 5th, 2015, 7:29 PM

Originally Posted by Hero!

Sell us on it, Defrost. Who is champ, are they good, how have the matches been?

BxB Hulk is the champion. He had a great match with Tozawa, and a really good one with Shingo. Had an interesting feud with Doi that led to the formations of Dia Hearts.

Plus Dragon Gate is the second biggest promotion in Japan.

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 5th, 2015, 7:31 PM

If it's legitimately the second biggest promotion in Japan, I feel like we're kind of obligated to include it.

**Cewsh** · January 5th, 2015, 7:32 PM

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it SOOOOOOORT OF is.

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 7:34 PM

I thought W1 were doing better numbers than All Japan and NOAH too? Did that not last long?

**DDT** · January 5th, 2015, 7:39 PM

Nope.

**Defrost** · January 5th, 2015, 7:40 PM

No that didn't last. Hell I'd argue DDT for third biggest promotion in Japan.

**DDT** · January 5th, 2015, 7:41 PM

What's there to argue?

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 7:42 PM

No one likes you, that's what

**Defrost** · January 5th, 2015, 7:44 PM

The wildcard on the pecking order thing is what exactly is the relationship between New Japan and NOAH.

**DDT** · January 5th, 2015, 7:45 PM

Here's exactly what it is:

"Hey remember how we were tight bros in the early 2000's and have done nothing to piss each other off? Could you lend us Nagata for a couple years please? Pretty PLEASE!!!?!"

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 7:48 PM

What do you mean? As in, how are you thinking the nature of their relationship affects the current pecking order?

**DDT** · January 5th, 2015, 7:50 PM

Basically, if there is a full-blown NOAH vs. New Japan feud, with New Japan's current status the cross-over would necessarily give a rise to NOAH's relevance, at least surpassing DDT if not Dragon Gate (who aren't that far ahead of DDT to be honest).

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 8:01 PM

On that note, who do they have left that is worth a damn? Marufuji's already worked a bunch of NJ talent, looks like TMDK will do some shows in New Japan now. Aside from Morishima (who I don't think I've seen receive a word of praise in years) and Sugiura (who is in his 40s, part of an interpromotional tag team and already taken part in many NJ/NOAH matches in the past), is there anyone else you'd be interested in seeing work NJ talent? The rest of the roster is basically freelancers, old dudes and guys I've barely heard of.

**Hero!** · January 5th, 2015, 8:01 PM

Updated the list. Cewsh, wanna edit it into your first post so newbies kinda know what to focus on? or at least so people have a basic idea of what we're all following, what a few are following, and what a couple of people are following?

**Ringo** · January 5th, 2015, 8:03 PM

Ooh, forgot Nakajima. I gave up on him escaping NOAH years ago.

**Defrost** · January 6th, 2015, 2:06 AM

Originally Posted by DDT

Here's exactly what it is:

"Hey remember how we were tight bros in the early 2000's and have done nothing to piss each other off? Could you lend us Nagata for a couple years please? Pretty PLEASE!!!?!"

New Japan has some sorta financial stake in NOAH

**Hero!** · January 6th, 2015, 2:43 PM

Tomorro is a busy night, kids. We've the Lucha Underground Championship being determined and Roode vs Lashley for the TNA title.

**Ringo** · January 6th, 2015, 3:09 PM

How about this. We can keep this post up to date to keep track of what is coming and what has gone.

...

Plus (add the others if you want):

**Mills** · January 6th, 2015, 3:29 PM

Ringo, you may want to spoiler your list since some of those things haven't happened yet to viewers

**Ringo** · January 6th, 2015, 3:36 PM

My bad

**Hero!** · January 6th, 2015, 3:59 PM

Beautiful list, Ringart. That's gonna be one crazy-long list by year's end.

**Defrost** · January 6th, 2015, 4:01 PM

At the next Korakuen Dragon Gate is having a four man tournament to determine the next Dream Gate contender. Masato Yoshino, Jimmy Susumu, Don Fujii, and Big R Shimizu are the four men. BTW Mad Blankey Fujii is magic.

**Cewsh** · January 6th, 2015, 4:06 PM

First post updated with Ringo's list.

**Hero!** · January 8th, 2015, 2:47 PM

How you guys doing? I'm gonna rewatch the battle of the Bobbys since the live experience always throws things off. So far, I've got done: Tana/Okada, Doering/Shiazaki, Atec Warfare, and Roode/Lashley III. How're y'all doing? Don't let yourselves get behind :P

**Matthew** · January 8th, 2015, 2:54 PM

i watched two of those.

i'll watch more but give me some resources.

**Hero!** · January 8th, 2015, 2:57 PM

Which do you need?

**Matthew** · January 8th, 2015, 2:58 PM

Doering/Shiazaki, Atec Warfare

**Hero!** · January 8th, 2015, 3:11 PM

My PMs are full, so I skyped it. Anyone else need anything?

I'm doing a write-up on every match too. You can read that on my blog here: http://theunpunchedcard.com/category...tch-challenge/

We'll see how short the write-ups get as the year goes on, LOL.

**Cewsh** · January 8th, 2015, 3:22 PM

I'm queuing up Lashley/Roode right now.

**Hero!** · January 8th, 2015, 3:29 PM

I'm watching all of impact to look for myself because I am a total queen.

**Ringo** · January 8th, 2015, 3:57 PM

Enjoyed AZTEC WARFARE. Can't really go wrong with a match like this. Morrison and Puma look like the top two as usual vying for that number one spot, Muertes and Ryck are big threats, Fenix got a good run, enjoyed Chavo's involvement and Blue Demon's return. Good.

1. Tanahashi vs. Okada, NJPW WK9
2. Doering vs. Shiozaki, AJPW 1/3
3. Aztec Warfare, LU 1/7

Still got Bobby v Bobby III because I went to sleep.

**Ringo** · January 8th, 2015, 9:47 PM

Roode/Lashley was okay. Quite enjoyed it. Nothing particularly memorable but the crowd was good and they looked like they were trying.

1. Tanahashi vs. Okada, NJPW WK9
2. Doering vs. Shiozaki, AJPW 1/3
3. Aztec Warfare, LU 1/7
4. Roode vs. Lashley, TNA 1/7

**Defrost** · January 9th, 2015, 12:04 AM

Watching the Triple Crown match I am reminded how much I hate the Go Flasher. Especially when Shiozaki teased far more interesting moves like the wrist clutch manslaughter and Burning Hammer.

**Cewsh** · January 9th, 2015, 12:06 AM

I still have trouble seeing Go as anything other than a weird Voltron created from all the All Japan guys trying to make him their protege at the same time. I've yet to see him establish a style that stands out as his own and it makes him hard to enjoy. After all these years, I still have no idea who Go Shiozaki is outside of the last son of King's Road.

**DDT** · January 9th, 2015, 10:54 AM

To me, that's what makes Shiozaki compelling; it's almost a weird kung-fu story where all the Masters on the Mountain have trained him in their Secret Arts, and he goes on to reclaim their legacy. It is a losing battle, but one that honor compels him to fight. Enter SUWAMA, the man trained at the temple the Mountain Masters abandoned long ago, seeking to reclaim its legacy after it was abandoned. The two should be friends, but instead a bitter rivalry has developed, and they are on a continual crash course for each other as we, the audience, sadly look on even as we viscerally enjoy what they do to each other.

(How wrestling looks in DDT's head)

**Mills** · January 9th, 2015, 1:52 PM

I've got my rankings a bit different so far, but that's just me.

1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Aztek Warfare
3. Doering/Shiozaki
4. Roode/Lashley

**Hero!** · January 9th, 2015, 1:55 PM

I won't be ranking the matches. Maybe i'll do a top 10 at the end of the year, but that's it.

**Cewsh** · January 9th, 2015, 1:57 PM

I think i'll keep a ranking, just since it's unlikely i'll be doing writeups for all of them.

1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Aztek Warfare
3. Lashley/Roode
4. Shiozaki/Doering

**Mills** · January 9th, 2015, 1:58 PM

I'm probably going to drop it eventually, but it was more off of what Ringo had. I'm really enjoying the Lucha Underground product as a whole and am excited to see what happens as the brand progresses what becomes of the guys.

**Cewsh** · January 9th, 2015, 2:02 PM

I like the idea of keeping a gigantic rankings of these matches just for reference.

**Ringo** · January 9th, 2015, 2:28 PM

Yeah, I'll keep it going. Might start just splitting the list up into tiers and chucking a match in a given tier after I watch it.

A good start to the year. I liked Lashley/Roode the least but it still had a pretty big time feel in that venue as main event of the relaunch. Tanahashi/Okada is a modern classic and the other two were very good. What a bunch of matches we've got coming up over the next month as well:

Brock/Cena/Rollins
Marufuji/Kojima
Tanahashi/Styles
NXT spoiler

**Defrost** · January 9th, 2015, 2:48 PM

I don't know if this is going to cover the KO-D Title, but that's the one I am most looking forward to. HARASHIMA vs Kota Ibushi in the Saitama Super Arena is going to be aweseome.

**DDT** · January 9th, 2015, 4:58 PM

If we're covering fucking TNA, there's no reason we shouldn't be covering a promotion that doesn't have to give tickets away for free.

**Ringo** · January 9th, 2015, 5:06 PM

Cewsh isn't keen because he says DDT isn't so much about titles (which I assume is fairly accurate) but sounds like the rest of us are covering it.

**Hero!** · January 9th, 2015, 5:14 PM

Everyone can cover whatever they want. I'm personally doing:

NJPW
AJPW
NOAH
DDT
WWE
NXT
IMPACT
ROH
Lucha Undergrund
CHIKARA

I'm on the fence about DG. I'm doing write-ups for all every match and I don't follow DG that much nor do I have an interest in it like I do with NOAH and DDT. ROH and IMPACT are more of just a social experiment. LU/CHIKARA are easy because there's so few defense and obviously WWE and NJPW are my companies to watch anyway.

**Defrost** · January 9th, 2015, 7:22 PM

Ala carte is good because you couldn't pay me to sit through one second of TNA.

**Hero!** · January 9th, 2015, 7:36 PM

TNA didn't want you as a fan anyway.

**Ringo** · January 13th, 2015, 9:57 AM

Next up for Go and the Triple Crown is... ZEUS.

I hear Trevor Lee is getting a shot at the PWG Title.

And while I've never had any compulsion to watch Evolve or DGUSA, I'm almost tempted to add the Evolve belt to this thing with Galloway, Thatcher, Lee, Gulak and Busick (and Ricochet!) involved now.

**Hero!** · January 13th, 2015, 10:15 AM

Well DGUSA is done, but their title is now an Evolve exclusive belt, so both of those belts should be defended at all the same shows.

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 13th, 2015, 10:18 AM

I'll be going out of my way to see Trevor Lee get his legendary shot!

I also got through Aztec Warfare.

**Defrost** · January 13th, 2015, 6:03 PM

I just watched my first episode of Lucha Underground. Holy shit that Aztec Warfare match was awesome. It was the best kinda Royal Rumblish match I have seen in years.

With what I've watched I'd go

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada IWGP Title Wrestle Kingdom 9
Aztec Warfare Lucha Underground Title Lucha Underground 1/7
Joe Doering vs Go Shiozaki - AJPW 1/3

**Ringo** · January 13th, 2015, 6:06 PM

Give the last(?) episode a watch. There's two 10 man matches that are bags of fun and Danny Trejo is at ringside high-fiving wrestlers after they do topes. It was great.

**Hero!** · January 13th, 2015, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by Defrost

I just watched my first episode of Lucha Underground. Holy shit that Aztec Warfare match was awesome. It was the best kinda Royal Rumblish match I have seen in years.

why don't you ever listen to me when I say something is good? Stop fighting me on stuff.

**Hero!** · January 13th, 2015, 8:42 PM

Someone please lemme know when Marufuji/Kojima shows up online.

**Mills** · January 15th, 2015, 4:23 PM

Time to refresh my list at least, Zayn and Neville had a very good match which the biggest detriment was that it wasn't their last match.

1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Aztek Warfare
3. Zayn/Neville
4. Doering/Shiozaki
5. Roode/Lashley

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 15th, 2015, 7:00 PM

Don't know if anyone's gotten around to seeing the first Lucha Underground title defense from this week's episode, but it is a whopper. Here are my thoughts from the MOTY thread.

I guess I'll go ahead and rank these, so here's what I'm thinking so far from what I've watched.

1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Puma/Fenix
3. Aztec Warfare

**Mills** · January 15th, 2015, 7:05 PM

I'm watching that episode a bit later today, ive heard great things about the title defense though

**Hero!** · January 15th, 2015, 7:27 PM

Bout to watch Zayn/Neville and Puma/Fenix. Will be posting up my thoughts later.

**Defrost** · January 15th, 2015, 7:29 PM

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada IWGP Title Wrestle Kingdom 9
Aztec Warfare Lucha Underground Title Lucha Underground 1/7
Joe Doering vs Go Shiozaki - AJPW 1/3
Prince Puma vs Fenix - Lucha Underground 1/14

Puma vs Fenix was really good. I wouldn't say MOTY level. Like maybe ***1/2. Awesome finish.

**Ringo** · January 15th, 2015, 7:39 PM

Puma/Fenix was really enjoyable. Bought into that spot at the end where Puma caught him on the rope run. Good episode in general really.

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada, WK9
2. Joe Doering vs. Suwama, AJPW 1/3
3. Aztec Warfare, LU 1/7
4. Prince Puma vs. Fenix, LU 1/14
5. Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley, TNA 1/7

**Defrost** · January 16th, 2015, 2:52 PM

Next Dream Gate. Challenger in spoiler tag in case anyone wants to see today's show unspoiled

2/5/2015 Tokyo, Korakuen Hall
-Open the Dream Gate Championship Match: BxB Hulk vs.

**Ringo** · January 16th, 2015, 3:12 PM

Cool, did you watch that show yet? Chatter on Twitter I saw suggested it was really good.

Update, don't click if there's something you don't want spoiled obvs.

**Defrost** · January 16th, 2015, 4:48 PM

Have not watched it yet

**Hero!** · January 16th, 2015, 6:26 PM

Just finished the NXT title match and Neville/Zayn.

Any word that NOAH title match showing up yet, boys? How long do DG matches take to get up?

**Defrost** · January 16th, 2015, 6:37 PM

Well if you can get Nico Nico to work you can watch DG live. Otherwise today's show was already on XWT hours ago.

**Hero!** · January 16th, 2015, 6:43 PM

I don't have XWT anymore. They locked me out for like a week of inactivity.

**Ringo** · January 16th, 2015, 6:46 PM

Want an invite?

**Ringo** · January 16th, 2015, 6:46 PM

I got ONE left.

**Defrost** · January 16th, 2015, 6:46 PM

It'll be on the usual dailymotion eventually.

**Hero!** · January 16th, 2015, 6:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ringo

Want an invite?

Um. Yes please.

**Ringo** · January 16th, 2015, 6:52 PM

PM me your email, chum.

**Defrost** · January 17th, 2015, 1:39 AM

Marufuji vs Kojima

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e...-720p-hd_sport

**Defrost** · January 18th, 2015, 6:54 PM

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada IWGP Title Wrestle Kingdom 9
Aztec Warfare Lucha Underground Title Lucha Underground 1/7
Joe Doering vs Go Shiozaki - AJPW 1/3
Prince Puma vs Fenix - Lucha Underground Title Lucha Underground 1/14
Naomichi Marufuji vs Satoshi Kojima - GHC Title NOAH 1/10

I thought Marufuji vs Kojima was pretty meh. They had some good stuff in the beginning and end, but the middle dragged something fierce for me. Maybe watching it after the awesome Dangan Yankees vs TMDK match hurt too.

**Ringo** · January 21st, 2015, 4:22 PM

Announced:

**Hero!** · January 21st, 2015, 4:25 PM

Excellent. One of my all-time favorite matches is the 4-way survival match between Joe, Daniels, Gibson, and Punk.

**Mills** · January 21st, 2015, 4:29 PM

the elimination one with Gibson going full spirit of 76 return? That match was the perfect end to the Summer of Punk

Also, this has to be Briscoe retaining unless theyre pulling the trigger on Ciampa

**Ringo** · January 21st, 2015, 4:31 PM

Might get Alberto/AJ on that show too as they are both announced and the only other singles wrestlers currently listed as appearing are Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal. DO IT, ROH.

**Mills** · January 21st, 2015, 4:32 PM

Originally Posted by Ringo

Might get Alberto/AJ on that show too as they are both announced and the only other singles wrestlers currently listed as appearing are Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal. DO IT, ROH.

Theyre going Del Rio/Lethal

**Ringo** · January 21st, 2015, 4:32 PM

Ugh, fuck that.

**Mills** · January 21st, 2015, 4:35 PM

yeah, Del Rio needs to be ROH champion in the next 3-6 months. It's not like Joe/Angle in TNA where Angle winning really damaged TNA, Del Rio is walking in the best guy on the roster and Briscoe is only champ because Elgin is F'ing crazy and Adam Cole (BABAY!) is hurt. Get Del Rio that title and have him feud with AJ for a year

**Ringo** · January 22nd, 2015, 8:17 AM

Watched Marufuji/Kojima. Yeah, not good.

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada, WK9
2. Joe Doering vs. Suwama, AJPW 1/3
3. Aztec Warfare, LU 1/7
4. Prince Puma vs. Fenix, LU 1/14
5. Sami Zayn vs. Adrian Neville, NXT 1/14
6. Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley, TNA 1/7
7. Naomichi Marufuji vs. Satoshi Kojima, NOAH 1/10

**Mills** · January 22nd, 2015, 5:20 PM

Caught up with Lucha Underground, the match with Puma and Fenix was pretty good. I could see Fenix in a WWE ring eventually as long as they get the Mystico taste out of their mouth
1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Aztek Warfare
3. Zayn/Neville
4. Prince Puma vs. Fenix
5. Doering/Shiozaki
6. Roode/Lashley

**Mills** · January 23rd, 2015, 1:16 AM

Not sure if anyone else watched this, but Briscoe defended the ROH title vs. Matt Taven on the last show. It was a solid match, Taven personally just doesn't do it for me honestly. Honestly, I can't remember if I've ever enjoyed a Mat Taven match. It wasn't bad, it was just there.I'll be watching Marufuji/Kojima after last night's Lucha Underground.

1. Tanahashi/Okada
2. Aztek Warfare
3. Zayn/Neville
4. Prince Puma vs. Fenix
5. Doering/Shiozaki
6. Briscoe/Taven
7. Roode/Lashley

**Psycho666Soldier** · January 23rd, 2015, 3:39 AM

Was that on the TV Show?

**Mills** · January 23rd, 2015, 3:43 AM

yeah, from Saturday, at least in my area.

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