Right, I’m going have to work double time to catch up on World Tag League which considering it’s World Tag League and a chore at the best of times is not going to be fun. As usual for NJPW tournaments, I will not be reviewing the undercard because life is too short. Let’s do this!
After a decent, if unspectacular, Super Junior Tag League, New Japan rolled into their final major show of the year, Power Struggle. They’ve put together one hell of a card too, as it’s one of the strongest collections of matches you’re likely to see without the Heavyweight Title being defended. With a section of the NJPW fanbase in a bit of a grump recently, this might be what they need to turn the mood around.
Day three of the New Japan Cup and on paper, tonight’s matches look like the most exciting so far. Even the one that has YOSHI-HASHI in it has a certain Kota Ibushi to make up for his lack of charisma. Throw in Zack Sabre Jr’s war against Naito’s hat, and we’re onto a winner. Let’s dish out some stars.
Full disclosure, this is the second time I’ve written a review of night two of Honor Rising. The first one vanished from my drafts’ folder, a situation I am not best pleased about. Therefore, with the undercard being a bit unexciting don’t hold it against me if I rush through some of it. We all know why we’re here don’t we? Let’s dish out some stars.
It’s the night after Wrestle Kingdom and all through Korakeun Hall, new stories are stirring and I’ve got nothing more.
That will be my last Christmas themed intro I promise.
If you’re getting into New Japan for the first time, look at New Year Dash as being their Raw after WrestleMania. It’s when NJPW hit the reset button and set up the storylines that are going to take them into the New Year. Which makes it pretty damn exciting. Let’s dish out some stars.
It’s time. I’m not going to bother with a preamble. It’s January 4th and New Japan are in the Tokyo Dome. We all know what that means. Let’s dish out some stars.
Forget Christmas and New Year, it’s Wrestle Kingdom season, and that is the most wonderful time of the year. New Japan is all set for their biggest show of the year, and it looks likely to be their biggest version of their biggest show in quite a while.
Which means that a lot of people will be watching for the first time. A year ago, I did the same thing at Wrestle Kingdom 11. That decision kickstarted my love of New Japan. However, there’s no denying that a lack of context took a bit of sparkle off that show. Going back to it with what I know/have seen now, it is even better.
So, with that in mind, this is a beginner’s preview to Wrestle Kingdom. I’m not only going to focus on who I believe should win each match and why, but also how we got here. I hope it proves useful.
Naito must be fed up with this by now. Credit: NJPW
It’s the final stop before Tokyo. If you aren’t on board now, well, to be honest, you can still watch. You just won’t be up on the storylines. Dammit, I’ve lost control of this intro. I’m going to get on with it. Let’s dish out some stars.
We’re on the Road to Wrestle Kingdom, every night I’m hugging my IWGP Title. Yea that didn’t work. Anyway, we’re back in New Japan and it’s not for a World Tag League show. Bless the wrestling gods. Nope, it’s the final build-up to the Dome and gosh darn it I’m excited. Let’s dish out some stars.
B Block may have been the saviour of this year’s World Tag League, but I shan’t pretend I’m sad to say goodbye. This has been a long old tournament, and the quicker it’s done, the better. Christ, what a grump. Let’s dish out some stars.