NJPW G1 Climax Days 3, 4 and 5 (21st, 22nd and 23rd July) Review

The matches are coming thick and fast and keeping up with the G1 now feels as much like a challenge as a pleasure. Thankfully, it’s far from a chore as New Japan continue to deliver a sensational in-ring product. This is a catch-up as we round up days 3, 4 and 5 and it’s also going to be the moment where I tap out on the undercard. I did watch it, but it all blurs together and one tragic incident aside, I don’t have much to say. Anyway, on with the puro!

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24/07/2017 0

NJPW G1 Climax 27 Day 2 (July 20th) Review

After a fantastic opening night of the G1 Climax from Block A, it was Block B’s turn to step up to the plate. It’s perhaps the weaker of the two, but there’s still a hell of a lot of talent on show, and once again New Japan had a card perfectly capable of delivering match of the year contenders. So let’s start dishing out those stars.

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20/07/2017 1

NJPW G1 Climax 27 Day 1 (July 17th) Review

It’s beginning to look a lot like G1… Yup, it’s that time of the year, folks. If you are into the puro, wrestling is about to take over your life. Whether you’re planning on watching every second (no cheating, that includes the undercard) or dipping in and out when you hear Ishii has done something amazing or Okada went and did Okada stuff again, it’s hard not to be excited for what’s to come. If for some reason you weren’t, then I can’t imagine that apathy extended past night one. New Japan did what New Japan does and put on one hell of a show. Here is that, but in a lot more words.

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18/07/2017 0

10 Observations From New Japan’s G1 US Special

There aren’t any pictures up of the second night yet, so these all come from the first. Credit: NJPW

For months now we’ve been building up to New Japan invading America. For one weekend, the wrestling in Long Beach got a little bit puro, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to call it an unqualified success. We got some brilliant wrestling, a little bit of storytelling and a new champion crowned. So here are ten things we observed when New Japan came to Long Beach.

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03/07/2017 0

New Japan Are Taking The Ass Man To Long Beach

screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-08-15-18-1497593738-800 — Can Okada get genius out of three-star Rhodes?

After months of build up, New Japan has announced the first batch of matches for their G1 Special (which has nothing to do with the G1) in Long Beach next month. On the first and second of July American fans (plus anyone who decided to make the journey) will be treated to two nights of wrestling featuring the incredible talents of Okada, Omega, Naito and… Billy Gunn.

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20/06/2017 0

10 Observations From Dominion

Spit in my eye and call me Shirley because New Japan Pro Wrestling has done it again. This was one hell of an event, and I’d go as far as saying Dominion might be the best show I’ve seen from them yet. If you like wrestling and aren’t watching NJPW right now, you are doing it wrong. It’s like loving rock music but only listening to Shinedown. Sure, it has guitars, but you’re just punishing yourself. With that in mind, here are ten things we picked up on at Dominion.

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12/06/2017 0

10 Observations From Best Of The Super Juniors

ss3_6244 — Sometimes you just need to punch them in the face. Credit: NJPW

I’m worried friends. On January 4th I decided this would be the year that I got into New Japan. Around six months later, they may well have ruined all other wrestling for me forever. Holy shit is this company good. This Best of the Super Juniors tournament was a joy from start to finish, and I don’t think I can put into words quite how much fun I’ve had watching it. Despite that, I’m going to try and take you through 10 observations I had from BOSJ as a whole.

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05/06/2017 0

Jushin Thunder Liger

5-1-5 — Things did not look good for Liger.

Jushin Thunder Liger has always been a mystery to me. Growing up I never watched WCW, and I’ve only got into Japanese wrestling in the last six months. Liger, therefore, was a distant God. Someone who I caught glimpses of but who was shrouded in mystery beneath his mask. I respected his obvious talent, and I was sure there was a reason he was as loved as he was, but on an emotional level he was locked away under that full body suit. Cold and untouchable. That is until the last few weeks.

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01/06/2017 1

10 Observations From Dontaku

Okada tombstones the big man. Credit: NJPW

Following the disappointment of Payback – although some people liked that show more than me – it’s easy to drop into a wrestling related mood. Many a time a bad show can leave you feeling like you can’t be arsed anymore. Thankfully, that’s when New Japan tend to step up to the bat. While, as is the case with most New Japan shows, there were plenty of tag matches to get through before you hit the juicy stuff, Dontaku was a good to occasionally great few hours of pro wrestling and here’s what we thought while we enjoyed it.

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04/05/2017 0

10 Observations From Sakura Genesis

There was a very real danger that Sakura Genesis would get lost in the shuffle. The week after WrestleMania most of us are suffering from wrestling fatigue and it would be easy to decide this was a show you could miss. If that’s a decision you made, then I’m here to tell you to sort your life out. Sakura Genesis put everything WWE did to shame, and New Japan continued to prove themselves the best wrestling company in the world. While this card was far from perfect there wasn’t a true dud to be found and here are ten things that we noticed during this brilliant night of wrestling.

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11/04/2017 0