The Wrestling Thread

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

It was a shame that the spectacle aspect was definitely lower than in previous years. The Jr. Heavyweight title match traditionally has some very cool entrances (Low-Ki as Hitman being the coolest) and while Kenny Omega looked fucking awesome it was nothing he hasn't been wearing in the past few months and Taguchi just looked like Taguchi. Overall it had nothing on last year where Time Splitters arrived in a Delorean, Devitt had the bodypaint and came out of a coffin and Marty Friedman played in Tanahashi. Of course Wrestle Kingdom is about the wrestling primarily unlike Wrestlemania but I still thought they'd be pulling out all the stops to really impress the US market. Nakamura's Adam Ant-meets-Statue Of Liberty entrance gear was the only thing which really stood out in that regard.

[CrappyMike]

I will have to find this at some point.

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

A really cool fan theory about Nakamura's entrance earlier has cropped up. In his promo at Power Struggle in November after beating Shibata he said "all the cards are gone, now I want the joker", after which he gets Pearl Harboured with a German suplex by Ibushi to set up their Wrestle Kingdom match. Ibushi cuts some mocking promos in the build-up (using Nakamura's "yeaoh!" catchphrase etc.), making him the joker. And finally during Nakamura's entrance the faces of everyone he has successfully defended the IC title against appear on the screen as playing cards beginning with Tanahashi as the ace (fitting as "ace" is used to denote the top dog in a Japanese promotion) and ending with himself is dressed as a playing card king.

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

Also, I'm watching the OSW Review episode for Halloween Havoc 95 and had to pause it for laughing so much. And it hasn't even got to the bit with THE YETAY yet. After the Sabu vs JL (Jerry Lynn in a mask) match Sabu's uncle The Shiek does an unplanned spot and throws a fireball at JL.

After the bell has rung. And his man was the winner. Of a jobber cruiserweight match that nobody cared about. That wasn't even part of a feud. Why? Because he's The Shiek and he throws fireballs. And fuck you that's why.

[WrestlingAndMetal]

It's been a while since I watched tna and since I'm going to the show in manchester later this month thought I'd catch up. It's a lame awards recap thing. Not such a wise move there tna don't they film over New Years like wwe?

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

They're not filming TV at the moment as they're changing networks in the US. Starting on Friday nights on a new station middle of this month I think. I'll probably watch the first episode to see how the product is nowadays and if the new production makes the show any more tolerable. Last time I watched it was for the Hardyz vs Dudleys vs Wolves best of series over the summer but couldn't be arsed keeping it up after that. Not really bothered unless they stick the world title on Davey Richards any time soon.

[Jobdone]

Also, I'm watching the OSW Review episode for Halloween Havoc 95

"And Heenan has 12% of a joke about Hogan"

[Applecore]

Changed my source. Gonna watch WK9 tonight

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

Also, I'm watching the OSW Review episode for Halloween Havoc 95

"And Heenan has 12% of a joke about Hogan"

It was probably the funniest episode they've done. I was laughing right from the "Helloooooooo egg-noggers..." bit. Really looking toward to them covering the Rock vs Austin/Invasion arc now.

[Jobdone]

Related to WK9, I think Nakamura might be my new favourite wrestler. So interesting to watch, so many mannerisms and shit, and those knees are insanely brutal.

Also this



I'm gonna go download WK8 if nothing else, to see the entrances

[Applecore]

Man, RAW sucked extra hard after watching WK9 the night before..

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

I think all other pro wrestlers should just retire and this be renamed the Shinsuke Nakamura thread to be honest.


My favourite moment of his from 2014, vs Steen at War Of The Worlds

[Bearstock]

WK9 certainly didn't disappoint.

Excellent show and it was great to have some decent English commentary on it as well.

Think I'm the only one I know who watched it that was cheering for Ibushi and Okada though :p

[Matty_the_Emo_Slayer]

Nah I was definitely behind Okada in the main event. Total respect to Tanahashi but I'm not a fan. He's like the Japanese equivalent of The Rock to me. I was rooting for Nakamura as usual, though I did think beforehand Ibushi going over would have been better booking. It's rare that I would prefer someone over Nakamura, but his upcoming title defense against Yuji Nagata really has me torn.

So it turns out Meltzer agrees with me. Nakamura vs Ibushi got 5 stars and the main event got 4 and 3/4. He's also said they are working on English broadcasts on NJPW World and have someone in talks. I don't think it would be JR, more likely it is Striker or maybe Josh Barnett. He has also said NJPW have either purchased NOAH or are seriously bankrolling them, though I call bullshit on that one.

[Applecore]

I'd seriously start watching regularly if they had a constant English commentator available. I'd be happy with Striker as he was huge in helping JR keep up with what was going on and why.
It was so refreshing to hear commentators just call the action and discuss why the match ups were made instead of the inane bullshit that we get from the RAW team (that said, Booker T was a nice change this week. I realise that he was filling in for Jerry who's had a health issue, but if they could can JBL and keep Booker, that'd be awesome). Plus it was great to hear JR commentating on pro-wrestling again.