Wrestling Chatter

Hi guys, I think I've already made it clear how excited I am for this year's Best of Super Jr tournament. However, in the midst of my excitement, I forgot all about the fact that it was a combined tour with World Tag League, probably because we didn't hear any announcements about the line-up - until now! Just like the BoSJ, this tournament is going to in a single block format and is full of some of your favourite tag teams in Japan. Without further ado, here is my preview of the 2020 World Tag League! FinJuice (Juice Robinson and David Finlay) Will New Japan fans be treated to another round of Happy Beers from last year's World Tag League winners? Well, I'm just happy to see them both teaming together again in Japan. David Finlay and Juice Robinson are the epitome of what a babyface is and just radiate this positive energy despite all the obstacles in front of them. Since they started teaming together, they've both had a career rejuvenation with their best frien...

Hi guys, So I first wrote this post almost 5 months ago and because of a certain worldwide pandemic, I couldn't really do anything with it after New Japan cancelled all of their events.  However, I'm over the moon after NJPW announced that they were going to start putting on shows again and returning with the New Japan Cup next week. What's even more exciting is that they've changed it up a bit and sort of combined the New Japan Cup with the BOSJ giving us a mix of matches between Jrs and Heavyweights. Normally, you might see the odd Jr, but this is a distinct split between the divisions. Because of the times we're in, the brackets also have a distinct lack of Gaijins due to travel restrictions but the bracket is still amazing and all I've had to do is make some adjustments to matches.   So, with all that said and done, here' s a look at the New Japan Cup first-round matches. Like last year, because the field is so huge, I'm going to look at ...

Hi guys, We're almost half way through the 2019 and with Summer approaching, that can only mean one thing: NJPW G1. For those of you who don't know what the G1 tournament is, let me try and explain it in a nutshell: There are 20 men in two blocks of ten who fight against each other over a series of matches. The winners of the block (the one with the most wins) will battle each other on the final night. Whoever wins, gets a briefcase entitling them to a main event title match at the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom the next year. Unlike other briefcases, the winner of this tournament can lose his opportunity before the title match takes place. Block A Kazuchika Okada v Hiroshi Tanahashi I don't think crowds in NJPW will ever get tired of seeing the Rainmaker and the Ace going at it in a single's match. This is probably one of the best rivalries in the history of the company and, even as new friends..., the match is going to be throttle and no one is going to...

Hi guys, After a week (in which I started my new intensive journalism course), I'm back for a preview of the New Japan Cup which is always exciting and really full on with the schedule! Like all the other tournaments, I'm going to run down all the participants who've been announced and the possible match ups that I'm mega looking forward too! With all the guys chasing Jay White for his title, the stakes are massive! I was initially going to do the usual ‘look at each competitor’ thing, but the card's so stacked and there’s 24 competitors. So I’ve decided to look at them in terms of first matches. They changed it up this year by putting most of the heavyweights which is nice! Also, I’ll split this preview into two posts because there’s so much to write about - I don’t want to blow your mind. Hope you enjoy! Yuji Nagata v Tomohiro Ishii When this match was announced, I was literally over the moon considering what happened at Iizka's retirement show. Both...

Hi guys, I hope you can all guess what this blog post is going to be about and so I am going to introduce you to part one of my unofficial guide to New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestlers in one sentence. If it doesn't make sense (and I don't see how it doesn't) then here's a run down: I'm going to describe each member of every NJPW faction in one sentence. Just a note before you read it: take it all with a pinch of salt because they're not meant to be serious and I'm just having a bit of fun. Either you'll get my humour and laugh along or you'll hate me - it's up to you how you take it! I'll also be doing it in two separate posts because I know too much of my humour will be too much for some of you and it's also a lot to read so I'd much rather do two separate ones... so enjoy! Taguchi Japan (my favourite faction) Ryusuke Taguchi - Coach pervert who likes hitting people with his funky weapon ass Hiroshi Tanahashi - Dad with beauti...

Hi guys, My last post basically summarised the last few weeks of G1 action and it all ended after a crazy 3 nights in Budokan! It's been an amazing G1 this year and the last three days didn't disappoint, so here's a look at the last 3 days of this years tournament and what the future holds for the company! The first two nights had the usual tag match/ block match setup! Night one started off well with some amazing tag matches, including LIJ v Suzuki Gun and Chaos v Taguchi Japan. The match most of us were looking forward to managed to be ruined by Tongan interference - the Bullet Club Elite v Bullet Club Elite in the lead up to Kenny v Kota. The match started off all fun and games but, before it could heat up, it ended in a no contest... it really just backs up my grievances with how they've done this BC OG v Elite storyline - I think I'm just done with it... Night two which was probably as crazy and mental as the first night, if not more! We started the ni...

Hi guys, It's been a crazy few weeks of this years NJPW G1 Climax and it's been so exciting for me because it's the first time watching this tournament when it happens! So, in the lead up to the final two block days and the final on the 12 Aug at Budokan Hall, here's my review of the last few weeks, including some of the highlights, the storytelling and what I expect from the last few days of matches! Even though I'll probably do another post with my top 5 matches of the ENTIRE G1, this tournament really has had some amazing matches in the first few weeks! We've had the pure beauty of matches like Okada v Naito, Ibushi v Ishii, Ishii v Kenny and Jay White v Tanahashi, which were all just pure brutal wrestling that made me want to hide behind my pillow. There's been matches that have surprised me at how invested I got into them like Sanada v Ibushi and Ibushi v Juice Robinson. I don't think there's been one match where I've been bored o...

Hi guys, I think one of the things that is unique about New Japan is the importance of factions - Jay White said it perfectly in January after he returned from excursion, you need to be in a faction to get momentum in the company! All of New Japan's factions are so strong and important to the storylines so they're probably one of my favourite things about the company! In the midst of the G1 where faction loyalties are tested *or turned to ash ehem Jay White*, I thought it'd be a perfect time for me rate the factions and these are all personal opinions! 1. Taguchi Japan/ NJPW Main Unit I know people might think this is crazy rating but, by god, I love a bit of Taguchi Japan! I think these guys are such an underrated faction because they're never really at the forefront of storylines together, but the lack of drama and stuff shows how strong a faction they are. That's not even thinking about the members of the group who are some of the best in the whole compa...