The Puro Thread

[FedEx227]

http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2013/10/14/new-japan-king-of-pro-wrestling-review/

The 2012 version of King of Pro Wrestling was notable for several reasons. It was the first ever New Japan worldwide iPPV offering. It was also the runaway best wrestling show of 2012, and many feel it was one of the greatest top to bottom pro wrestling shows in history. One year later, and New Japan is still riding a wave of momentum as the hottest promotion on the planet, with an unprecedented run of amazing PPV shows (including WrestleKingdom VII, which only three months later supplanted KoPW as the latest “greatest show ever” in the eyes of many puro fans), the rise of a true superstar in Kazuchika Okada, and reports of an increase in profits of 500% over the previous year.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

^all time great match inside that review

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I feel like Okada-Tanahashi VI is Flair-Steamboat in Chicago. They've had all of these amazing matches, but there is a penultimate one, and this one was it.

Really really liked Nakaumra-Marufuji and liked Ishii-Shibata.

There was a bit too much filler on the show to be a Show of the Year contender, especially when NJPW has had so many good shows this year. But at the top, two awesome main events.

To be incredibly fair here, on some level, I feel like having yet another epic Tanahashi-Okada match at a big show like KoPW two and a half months before the Dome Show does a bit of a disservice to Okada-Naito...there is just no chance Naito can hold up his end of the deal to make that match rival what those two do in the ring. Its like I'd rather see another Tanahashi-Okada match.

Also, Nakamura-Suzuki makes my pants get tight. Warner, are they going to face off at Dome or is that going to be sammiched between this and Dome?

 

[FedEx227]

I agree with your point about re: another epic before the dome, but that's more indicative of just how far below these guys Naito is. I think that's what you're saying and I agree that NJPW did a bit of a disservice but that's the fundamental issue with this Naito push, it's hard to sell us that he's ready to not only challenge for the title but become champion.

It would seem weird for NJPW to intentionally put Okada in mediocre (impossible — so let's say "good") matches leading to Naito just so people don't realize that he's not on the same level.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I agree with your point about re: another epic before the dome, but that's more indicative of just how far below these guys Naito is. I think that's what you're saying and I agree that NJPW did a bit of a disservice but that's the fundamental issue with this Naito push, it's hard to sell us that he's ready to not only challenge for the title but become champion.

It would seem weird for NJPW to intentionally put Okada in mediocre (impossible — so let's say "good") matches leading to Naito just so people don't realize that he's not on the same level.

I understand why they want Naito in the main event at Dome...they want him to be a top guy...but if you're going to do that, you can't have him clearly being shown up before the show by the two real stars.

Okada has been delivering for almost two years now, I'm not saying you put him up against Captain New Japan or anything, but they've had Okada under the radar a bit before KoPW, then you have him go in there with Tanhashi and you realize how not in this league Naito is, and Naito isn't bad...but he's not HERE.

It is very hard to nitpick NJPW, but with this Naito push, I just have to. I just see so much more on the table here...especially a Okada-Nakamura match, which is the next big money match they have on the table after Okada-Tanahashi. Naito is just down on the card, to me and even if you want to push him hard, having him not be the "buzz guy" on events leading up to the big match at Dome seems a little off to me. Naito is just page six material, even after G1, when he won...the buzz was all of the OTHER matches that happened at the event and the event in general. Now, leading up to Dome, the buzz is going to be this Okada-Tanahashi match.

 

[FedEx227]

I thought this was interesting. This is a guy on reddit who's been asking me some NJPW questions as he's trying to get into the promotion:

"Relative newcomer to NJPW and out of all the rising stars and big players, Naito seems like the most forced. Love Devitt, Okada, Tanahashi, etc but Naito, I just don't see the appeal."

That's not a hardcore guy, that's not someone from this forum just someone trying to get into the product yet he echoes a lot of what we've said. He's being force-fed without really clicking, he's not special in any discernible way in a company literally filled the brim with special workers/characters.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Naito is eating a fucking Rainmaker clean in the middle on 1/4. I'm convinced. This Okada win shows me that they are all in on the m'fn RAINMAKER, and they are trusting him to carry Dome. Would have been the safe move to headline with Tanahashi, and not only are they not doing that, but now he can no longer challenge for the title per the stips (although im not sure if that just means against Okada, I have to find a translation).

Look larry, its been my theme all along and last night just reaffirmed it, but Naito just isn't at their level, I agree. But I trust Okada to have a fantastic match with Naito at Dome. For all the Naito bashing I do, that's in comparison to the two savants ahead of him. He's still very good. And he's over.

But speaking of over, NAKAMURA. God damn man, he was way more over than Naito, and that Nak/Okada match HAS TO HAPPEN. Maybe this sneaky stip in the Suzuki match is foreshadowing..he has to join Suzuki-gun if he loses. I don't know. But everything they do has a greater purposes, even if its not obvious at first.

Fuck, I took a nap and im still pumped up from that show. What a satisfying & shocking finish.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I thought this was interesting. This is a guy on reddit who's been asking me some NJPW questions as he's trying to get into the promotion:



That's not a hardcore guy, that's not someone from this forum just someone trying to get into the product yet he echoes a lot of what we've said. He's being force-fed without really clicking, he's not special in any discernible way in a company literally filled the brim with special workers/characters.

As I said on the podcast, he is clearly not over in the West.

But he's over in Japan, and that's who's buying tickets and 99% of the iPPV's. So I can't kill them for the push, it's just something we have to live. Okada/Naito is the next great rivalry, same age, same generation.

 

[FedEx227]

After reading reviews and looking at the buzz i'm seeing Okada over Naito as well. There's no reason for him to beat Tanahashi unless that's where you're going to go (which I said on the podcast). If he beats him that makes sense because you now have Naito still on the chase and you can still get the :fap:-worthy Nakamura/Okada.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I don't hate Naito...I think he's good and I think he'll have a good match against Okada...but we're talking **** in comparison to Match of the Year Candidate that would have taken place with Okada v. Tanahashi or Nakamura. I just think he's a good upper mid-card guy right now, but main eventing Dome? Eh.

 

[FedEx227]

As I said on the podcast, he is clearly not over in the West.

But he's over in Japan, and that's who's buying tickets and 99% of the iPPV's. So I can't kill them for the push, it's just something we have to live. Okada/Naito is the next great rivalry, same age, same generation.

Well yeah, the crowd is definitely into him but we in the West aren't connecting. I know it doesn't matter but it's still an interesting discussion point. I'm just having trouble getting in the mindset that he's going to have truly special matches like we've been seeing lately. I don't think here's there and it's not just in comparison to Okada/Tanahashi but that 2nd level as well (Devitt, Nak, etc.)

 

[FedEx227]

I don't hate Naito...I think he's good and I think he'll have a good match against Okada...but we're talking **** in comparison to Match of the Year Candidate that would have taken place with Okada v. Tanahashi or Nakamura. I just think he's a good upper mid-card guy right now, but main eventing Dome? Eh.

Yup. He's fine but I see him BELOW the Nakamura level. That's not really a slight but in a company with more than a handful of really special guys, he's not special.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Plus I think Naito is one of those guys who is best in the chase position. It's like, you'll pull like hell and get behind Tommy Dreamer to win the title, but then once he gets it, you immediately want it off of him. Tommy Dreamer is at his best coming up short and fighting his ass off in the process. Naito is similar, at least least right now. He's a chase guy.

 

[FedEx227]

Agreed. I'm totally fine with that. I'm hesitant to put the strap on him.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

"Road to Power Struggle" 10/25/13, iPPV, $15

Super Jr. Tag Tournament will be held on 10/25 & 11/6 at Korakuen in the Oct. Tour "ROAD to POWER STRUGGLE".
On 10/25, the 1st round matches are held - iPPV to all over the world ! - http://www.ustream.tv/njpw for $15

The Young Backs (Nick & Matt Jackson) vs Beretta & Brian Kendrick
Jushin Liger & Liger Tiger Mask vs Jado & Gedo
KUSHIDA & Yohei Komatsu vs Valiente & BUSHI
Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs TAKA Michinoku & Taichi

Plus all of the heavyweights will be on the show, mostly in tags I am presuming. No word on 11/6, I will assume iPPV as well.

 

[FedEx227]

I could get down with Bucks vs. Beretta/THE Brian Kendrick

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

The Bucks are part of Bullet Club and presumably this isn't a one off.

This is great news, and exactly the jolt the junior tag division needed.

 

[FedEx227]

Watching KoPW now. When Warner said Naito's submission wasn't over, he was putting it lightly that thing is a god damn crowd killer at this point.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Watching KoPW now. When Warner said Naito's submission wasn't over, he was putting it lightly that thing is a god damn crowd killer at this point.

He should have won every G1 match with it to establish it. Why he waited this long is beyond me. As noted by a twitter follower when I brought this point up, is that Okada used the Red Ink all through the New Japan Cup last year in order to get the move over. Meanwhile, Naito, who is the supposed "pro wrestling genius" based on his shoot reputation for building matches and understanding psychology, had done the worst job possible getting the Pluma Blanca over.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Also, Yujiro carried the KoPW match. He was great. Very underrated.