SEScoops

Category: NJPW

  • Jay White Officially Declared New Bullet Club Leader

    Jay White Officially Declared New Bullet Club Leader

    When “Switchblade” Jay White joined Bullet Club at King of Pro Wrestling this fall, it was made clear he was not the new leader. A few weeks after his defection, White commented that he was not the faction’s leader in a backstage promo.

    https://twitter.com/JJWilliamsWON/status/1053850457263800323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1053850457263800323&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F1012317-jay-white-leader-bullet-club-passionate-promo

    Evidently, something has changed. Today, Bullet Club founding member, Tama Tonga, declared on his social media accounts that White is, in fact, the new Bullet Club leader.

    Jay White Bullet Club Leader

    Jay White was scouted into NJPW and Bullet Club by Prince Devitt in early 2014. Devitt was performing on a VPW show in Australia and was impressed by White. Not long after Devitt’s visit, White received a phone call from Bad Luck Fale, who has a dojo in White’s native New Zealand.

    Arrangements were made for White to train at the New Japan Dojo starting in early 2015. He would leave for excursion to the United States the following year. He would return in time to challenge Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 12. This year at Wrestle Kingdom, White has another top NJPW star opposing him. White, with Gedo in his corner, will take on Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 13. The two have built up an intense rivalry after White spent much of 2018 ruffling feathers from within as a member of CHAOS.

  • Injury Forces Change To Wrestle Kingdom 13 Card

    Injury Forces Change To Wrestle Kingdom 13 Card

    An injury has forced a change to be made to the Wrestle Kingdom 13 pay-per-view (PPV) card. Wrestle Kingdom 13 goes down from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on January 4, 2019. It was recently announced that Michael Elgin suffered a knee injury and has been removed from the pre-show Gauntlet match that will crown the number one contender for the NEVER Six-Man Titles.

    In his place, Yuji Nagata will be teaming up with David Finley and Jeff Cobb for the Gauntlet match. You can check out the updated Wrestle Kingdom 13 card below:

    • IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: (C) Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • IWGP Intercontinental Title Match: (C) Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match: (C) KUSHIDA vs. Taiji Ishimori
    • IWGP United States Title Match: (C) Cody vs. Juice Robinson
    • IWGP Tag Team Title Match: (C) Guerrillas of Destiny vs. The Young Bucks vs. EVIL and SANADA
    • RevPro British Heavyweight Title Match: (C) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Title Match: (C) Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado vs. Roppongi 3K vs. BUSHI and Shingo Takagi
    • IWGP NEVER Openweight Title Match: (C) Kota Ibushi vs. Will

    Pre-Show:

    • Gauntlet Match to determine #1 Contenders for NEVER Six-Man Titles: Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, and Togi Makabe vs. David Finley, Jeff Cobb, and Yuji Nagata vs. Best Friends and Hirooki Goto vs. Killer Elite Squad and Minoru Suzuki vs. Marty Scurll, Adam Page, and Yujiro Takahashi

  • Kenny Omega Says Hiroshi Tanahashi Has Been Wrestling “Like A Coward”

    Kenny Omega Says Hiroshi Tanahashi Has Been Wrestling “Like A Coward”

    Kenny Omega will defend his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13. In many ways, the match has become about Tanahashi’s style of pro-wrestling versus a new style Omega is looking to usher in.

    Omega addressed the sub-plot during a recent interview with NJPW1972.com.

    “I feel like I have given my heart, my soul, all of my passion to this company, but everyone keeps telling me about how Tanahashi’s given up so much,” Omega said.

    “Everyone is evolving. I’ve become an inspiration to everyone, and people are trying to follow my lead. Tana just can’t accept that. He wants to be the leader. He wants to do it in his own way.”

    Kenny Omega on Hiroshi Tanahashi

    Omega would continue to say that Tanahashi relies too much on reminding fans what he has done for the company in the past.

    “Here’s the thing, I have this style that can’t be duplicated,” Omega continued. “It eats Tana up alive, he hates it. Tana speaks to his cult and says, ‘my style is the true style, it’s the right way!” “Do you remember 15 years ago when I saved the company? That was me! That was me! I’m going to do it again! You still believe me, right? Right? Still?’”

    You can read the full interview here.

  • Chris Jericho Promises To End Tetsuya Naito’s Career (Video)

    Chris Jericho Promises To End Tetsuya Naito’s Career (Video)

    Chris Jericho recently posted a video message to his Wrestle Kingdom 13 opponent, Tetsuya Naito. In the video, Jericho promises that January 4th inside the Tokyo Dome will be the last match of Naito’s career.

    Jericho posted the following to his social media channels:

    “It felt good yesterday Naito,” Jericho begins his video. “At Korakuen Hall, after you spit in my face in the New Japan office, I beat the hell out of you with a chair in Korakuen Hall.”

    Jericho was in Japan last weekend for a Wrestle Kingdom press conference. He also made an appearance in Korakuen Hall on the 2nd night of the Road to Wrestle Kingdom, attacking Naito.

    “It’s going to be the last night of your career at Wrestle Kingdom 13 Naito,” he continued. “All of your fans, thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of fans all around the world, will be crying as soon as our match is finished. I’ll still be the IWGP Intercontinental Champion and you will be finished.”

    Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito – IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13

    The Jericho and Naito rivalry goes back to Wrestle Kingdom 12 when Jericho began claiming that his match with Kenny Omega was the real main event. Naito, who wrestled Kazuchika Okada to close the show, took exception to this.

    Jericho defeated Naito for the Intercontinental Championship at Dominion on June 9th. He then successfully defended the title against EVIL at Power Struggle 2018.

  • NJPW Fan Fest Matches, Plus Japanese Legend Not on Wrestle Kingdom Card

    NJPW Fan Fest Matches, Plus Japanese Legend Not on Wrestle Kingdom Card

    New Japan will be heading to the world famous Tokyo Dome on 01/04 for their annual Wrestle Kingdom show. The day before will see a Fan Fest event taking place, the matches confirmed for the show are as follows:

    • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Yuya Uemura & Ren Narita
    • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Tomoaki Honma & Toa Henare
    • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino

    As a side note Wrestle Kingdom 13 will be the first since 1995 that Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger has not performed in. 1995 was the only year since the Tokyo Dome tradition started in 1992 that Liger has not been in the ring for.

    The Wrestling Observer noted that going back even further when Keiichi Yamada actually debuted under the Jushin Liger mask at the first pro wrestling event ever held at the Tokyo Dome. This took place on April 24, 1989. Since then Liger has been on every biggest show of the year for New Japan as the Liger character from 1989 to 2018, with the exception of 1995.

  • Bully Ray: If It Weren’t For Aces & Eights, There’d Be No Bullet Club

    Bully Ray: If It Weren’t For Aces & Eights, There’d Be No Bullet Club

    Bully Ray was revealed as the President of Aces and Eights in 2013. The TNA Wrestling faction was a major angle in the promotion from the summer of 2012 to winter of 2013. During the course of the angle, Bully Ray held the TNA World Championship twice. According to Bully, without Aces and Eights, there would be no Bullet Club.

    Aces and Eights/Bullet Club

    Bullet Club and Aces and Eights do have one former member in common. Luke/Doc Gallows joined Aces and Eights in late 2012 and was a member until the following summer when he left for NJPW. Gallows arrived in New Japan in late 2013 and teamed with Karl Anderson in the World Tag League that year. Anderson and Gallows won the World Tag League and then went on to win the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Kingdom that year.

    Bullet Club debuted in May of 2013, a little under one-year after the debut of Aces and Eights.

    Other notable members of the Aces and Eights faction in TNA Wrestling included: Devon, Ken Anderson, Tito Ortiz, Garett Bischoff, Knux, Taz, D-Lo Brown, Ivelisse, and Wes Briscoe.

    PWI voted the TNA vs Aces and Eights angle as the feud of the year in 2012.

  • The Young Bucks Confirm They Will Not Work G1 Supercard At MSG

    The Young Bucks Confirm They Will Not Work G1 Supercard At MSG

    The Young Bucks finished up with ROH this weekend but there was still speculation they could end up performing on the big ROH/NJPW Madison Square Garden show this spring. Although the Bucks are leaving ROH, they could potentially be contracted NJPW performers come that time.

    According to recent comments from Matt Jackson, however, the Bucks will definitely not be on that show even if they are with NJPW come that time.

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/1075790673117274112

    Cody Says He’s Leaving WrestleMania Weekend To WWE

    Cody doubled-down on his comments about not performing on the Madison Square Garden show either during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.

    “I have a massive amount of respect for Joe Koff and [GM] Greg Gilleland. My exclusivity with Ring of Honor ended a while back and they’ve maintained everything on a handshake deal. I think Greg is a revolutionary in how he allows talent to play with without overproducing,” Cody said. “But I can’t imagine me being on that particular show. After two ‘supercards’ and breaking my back essentially against Kenny last year, it still can’t change the fact that people are in town for WWE.”

    He continued to say he’s performed that weekend for many years but is now leaving it to WWE.

    “After 10 years with WWE doing ’Mania weekend and two more with ROH, I am leaving that weekend for the boys and girls of the WWE.”

  • NJPW Financials for 2018, Plus Update on Wrestle Kingdom Ticket Sales

    NJPW Financials for 2018, Plus Update on Wrestle Kingdom Ticket Sales

    New Japan will be hosting their annual Tokyo Dome show on January 4th. Wrestle Kingdom is the biggest show in the New Japan calendar and 2019’s event looks stellar. Whilst there are no official number New Japan confirmed on Twitter that sales for the show are still ahead of the pace of this year’s show.

    This year’s show featured the big international bout between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho, causing ticket sales to go from 26,192 in 2017 to 34,995 in 2018.

    The Wrestling Observer has also posted an update on New Japan’s financials for 2018. Whilst totals aren’t “official,” the 2018 revenues are “expected to fall at about $43.6 million, up from $35 million last year, a 25 percent increase.” Dave Meltzer attributed the increase to “live event ticket sales, but merchandise in 2018 was four times that of 2013, stemming from the LIJ sales and the U.S. market Hot Topic T-shirt sales.”

    It was also confirmed that the NJPWWorld service is up, with over 100,000 subscribers, compared to 60,000 at the same point last year in mid December.

  • Japanese Wrestling Legend Added To Wrestle Kingdom 13

    Japanese Wrestling Legend Added To Wrestle Kingdom 13

    New Japan has announced that a Japanese wrestling legend will be part of Wrestle Kingdom next month. Yuji Nagata has been added to the pre-show match, replacing Michael Elgin.

    We recently posted on the news that Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger would not be appearing at Wrestle Kingdom. Liger had been part of every Tokyo Dome event since 1989 except for the 1995 iteration. Incidentally Yuji Nagata now appearing means that he maintains a 25 year January 4th appearance streak. This will also be his 31st consecutive New Japan Tokyo Dome card, more than anyone else in history.

    Yuji Nagata was also recently added to the Wrestling Observer’s Hall of Fame. The WO Hall of Fame is notoriously difficult to be added to, giving credence to the level of star and ability of the legendary Nagata.

    Here’s the five teams taking part in the pre-show gauntlet match:

    • Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, & Togi Makabe
    • Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Lance Archer
    • Jeff Cobb, Yuji Nagata, & David Finlay
    • Chuckie T, Beretta, and Hirooki Goto
    • Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, and Yujiro Takahashi

    Here’s the full card for Wrestle Kingdom 13:

    • IWGP Heavyweight Championship
      Kenny Omega (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • IWGP Intercontinental Championship
      Chris Jericho (c) vs Tetsuya Naito
    • Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
      KUSHIDA (c) vs Taiji Ishimori
    • IWGP United States Championship
      Cody (c) vs Juice Robinson
    • RevPro British Heavyweight Championship
      Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs Zack Sabre Jr.
    • IWGP Tag Team Championships
      Guerrillas of Destiny (c) vs The Young Bucks vs. EVIL and SANADA
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
      Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado (c) vs Roppongi 3K vs BUSHI and Shingo Takagi
    • IWGP NEVER Openweight Championship
      Kota Ibushi (c) vs Will Ospreay

  • ROH & NJPW Announce 4th Annual Honor Rising Show

    ROH & NJPW Announce 4th Annual Honor Rising Show

    Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) have announced their fourth annual Honor Rising show for 2019. The two-night affair will kickoff from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan on February 22nd. The official announcement teased usual first-time-ever matches between NJPW and ROH with “top competitors” from each brand.

    The show will take place seven weeks before the historic G1 Supercard from Madison Square Garden on WrestleMania 35 weekend. Check out ROH and NJPW’s official statement on 2019’s Honor Rising show here below:

    “For the fourth consecutive year, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling will join forces to present Honor Rising, two nights of incredible action featuring the stars of ROH and NJPW at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Feb. 22-23.

    “Honor Rising traditionally features first-time-ever matches pitting top competitors from the two companies against one another, as well as tag matches in which ROH and NJPW stars team together. The ROH World Championship has been defended every year at Honor Rising events, which have all been held at Korakuen Hall.”

    No matches have been officially announced for the card as of this writing. However, we’ll keep you updated as more news becomes available.

    Will you be tuning in for ROH and NJPW’s Honor Rising show in February?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMsSahDAoU4

  • NJPW Hype Rev Pro Title Match at Wrestle Kingdom

    NJPW Hype Rev Pro Title Match at Wrestle Kingdom

    We’re just weeks away from New Japan’s biggest event. Wrestle Kingdom 13 will be taking place January 4th from the iconic Tokyo Dome. One of the more under the radar but possible show stealing bouts will see Zack Sabre Jr take on Tomohiro Ishii.

    The match will be contested for Ishii’s Rev Pro British Heavyweight Championship. Ishii recently defended his title against David Starr at the Rev Pro Uprising event. Zack Sabre Jr and his fellow Suzuki-gun stablemates appeared after the match. Minoru Suzuki and ZSJ attacked Ishii and Zack announced that he wanted his rematch. ZSJ only wanted a bout for the British Championship at New Japan’s biggest event.

    NJPW recently released a new edition of their YouTube programme The Wire. The episode features the Rev Pro Title bout and chronicles the journey that both have taken to get to this bout. Ironically both Ishii and ZSJ are two of the most underrated talents in New Japan, their bout could easily be seen as a dark horse for showstealer on January 4th.

    Check out the full show via the tweet below:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi Talks Wrestlers ‘Defecting’ From NJPW

    Hiroshi Tanahashi Talks Wrestlers ‘Defecting’ From NJPW

    New Japan Pro Wrestling were recently featured in Japan’s largest English language newspaper publication. The Japan Times ran an article looking at the ongoing of New Japan in recent years. Several stars of the promotion were interviewed including Hiroshi Tanahashi.

    Tanahashi discussed several on point topics, most notably the recent ‘defections’ to the West and WWE. The article mentions that New Japan are the ‘number 2’ promotion in the world. The article also states that NJPW “often struggles to retain its top stars. With defections to World Wrestling Entertainment an appealing option for up-and-coming wrestlers.” Tanahashi mentioned when asked about the recent moves that “If a wrestler or two leaves, there’s tons of others that are looking to fill the spots available. It’s been this way from the beginning, so there’s little point worrying about it.”

    Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Hangman Page soon likely leaving the independent scene. There are huge opportunities for up and coming talent. New Japan has seen the recent rise of the likes of Juice Robinson, Jay White and the newer young lions like Shota Umino and Toa Henare. We have posted several reports this year on the success of New Japan’s move into more western territories. There are also recent reports that New Japan are looking to bring back some formerly featured stars such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.

  • Kenny Omega Responds To Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Criticism

    Kenny Omega Responds To Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Criticism

    Earlier this year, Hiroshi Tanahashi voiced his criticism of Kenny Omega’s in-ring style. The G1 Climax 28 winner said that only the last 5 minutes of a Kenny Omega match matter because there is no story to them.

    He said Omega’s matches are “like watching a movie with no Kishotenketsu (dramatic arc of traditional Japanese narratives).”

    Omega recently responded in an interview with Rolling Stone Japan. NJPW commentator, Chris Charlton, provided the translation.

    “To suggest that mine is a style that isn’t New Japan is a big problem,” Omega said. “It’s saying Tanahashi’s style, the style that presents himself as the ace, is the only style that’s correct.”

    Omega then takes a shot at his Wrestling Kingdom 13 challenger.

    “I absolutely understand and respect that Tanahashi did so much to pull NJPW out of the dark ages,” Omega continued. “Recently, the ones that have brought us to this awesome level have been Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, and of course, the best bout machine, Kenny Omega.”

    Kenny Omega’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship Reign

    Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the title in a best 2-of-3 falls, no time-limit match in Osaka, Japan on June 6th, 2018. He followed up the win at NJPW Dominion by defeating Cody in his first title defense at the G1 Special in San Francisco. Omega then defeated rival, Tomohiro Ishii, at Destruction in Hiroshima in September. In his latest defense, he defeated Cody and Kota Ibushi in a triple threat match at King of Pro Wrestling.

  • Gauntlet Match Added To Wrestle Kingdom 13 Preshow

    Gauntlet Match Added To Wrestle Kingdom 13 Preshow

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that a 5-team gauntlet match will take place on the Wrestle Kingdom 13 preshow. The winners will earn a title match against the NEVER Openweight 6-Man tag-team championships.

    The 5 teams NJPW has announced for the gauntlet match on the Wrestle Kingdom 13 preshow include:

    • Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, & Togi Makabe
    • Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Lance Archer
    • Jeff Cobb, Michal Elgin, & David Finlay
    • Chuckie T, Beretta, and Hirooki Goto
    • Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, and Yujiro Takahashi

    Additionally, NJPW announced the following matches for the Fan Fest scheduled for January 3rd:

    • Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger vs Yuya Uemura & Ren Narita
    • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs Toa Henare & Tomoaki Honma
    • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida

    Wrestle Kingdom 13 Lineup

    • IWGP Heavyweight Championship
      Kenny Omega (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • IWGP Intercontinental Championship
      Chris Jericho (c) vs Tetsuya Naito
    • Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
      KUSHIDA (c) vs Taiji Ishimori
    • IWGP United States Championship
      Cody (c) vs Juice Robinson
    • RevPro British Heavyweight Championship
      Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs Zack Sabre Jr.
    • IWGP Tag Team Championships
      Guerrillas of Destiny (c) vs The Young Bucks vs. EVIL and SANADA
    • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
      Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado (c) vs Roppongi 3K vs BUSHI and Shingo Takagi
    • IWGP NEVER Openweight Championship
      Kota Ibushi (c) vs Will Ospreay
  • Road To Tokyo Dome Night 2 (12/14) Results

    Road To Tokyo Dome Night 2 (12/14) Results

    New Japan are now on the road to January 4th’s Tokyo Dome show. Wrestle Kingdom is the biggest event in NJPW’s calendar and the traditional ‘Road To’ shows will be taking place this weekend.

    Here’s the results for Night 2 (12/15) from Korakuen Hall:

    • Ren Narita and Teruaki Kanemitsu vs Shota Umino and Ayato Yoshida – This match ended in a time limit draw
    • SHO, YOH and Rocky Romero b. Toa Henare, Tiger Mask and Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger – SHO took the pinfall win following the 3K
    • Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto b. Takashi Iizuka and Minoru Suzuki – Ishii took the win after hitting the Vertical Brain Buster on Iizuka
    • SANADA and EVIL b. Chase Owens and Yujrio Takahashi – SANADA and EVIL took the win after hitting the Magic Killer on Owens
    • Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI and Shingo Takagi b. El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taichi – Naito took the win after hitting Destino on Kanemaru
    • Taiji Ishimori, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale and Jay White b. KUSHIDA, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe and Kazuchika Okada – Loa took the win after hitting Apesh*t on Honma
    • Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi b. Will Ospreay and Hiroshi Tanahashi – Omega and Ibushi took the win after hitting the Golden Trigger on Ospreay

  • Road To Tokyo Dome Night 1 (12/14) Results

    New Japan are now on the road to January 4th’s Tokyo Dome show. Wrestle Kingdom is the biggest event in NJPW’s calendar and the traditional ‘Road To’ shows will be taking place this weekend.

    Here’s the results for Night 1 (12/14) from Korakuen Hall:

    • Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA, Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger and Tomoaki Honma b. Yuya Uemura, Ren Narita, Ayato Yoshida and Toa Henare – Tiger Mask took the win after hitting the Tiger Driver on Uemura
    • Shingo Takagi b. Shota Umino – Takagi took the win after hitting the Last of the dragon
    • Rocky Romero and Hirooki Goto b. Takahashi Iizuka and Minoru Suzuki – Romero rolled up Iizuka with a Schoolboy for the win
    • Tomohiro Ishii, SHO and YOH b. El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taichi – Ishii took the win after hitting the Vertical Brain Buster on Kanemaru
    • Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Taiji Ishimori and Bad Luck Fale b. BUSHI, SANADA, EVIL and Tetsuya Naito – Loa took the win following the Super Powerbomb on BUSHI
    • Kazuchika Okada b. Gedo – Okada took the win over his former manager after hitting the Rainmaker
    • Will Ospreay, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe and Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega – Ospreay took the win after hitting the Storm Breaker on Owens
  • Chris Jericho Responds To Naito’s Remarks, Promises He’s “Not Tranquilo”

    Chris Jericho Responds To Naito’s Remarks, Promises He’s “Not Tranquilo”

    New Japan Pro Wrestling’s YouTube account has uploaded a rebuttal from Chris Jericho addressing Naito’s recent promo. The leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon would insult the current IWGP Intercontinental champion, condescendingly mocking him as he referred to Jericho as an “international superstar.”

    In his response, Jericho (sans makeup) snipes back, introducing himself as “[…] the guy who stole your t-shirt design to make some cash” before showing off that he “made a lot of cash from that, so I thank you.”

    “You know it’s funny,” he mused, “you say no one’s talking about me, but everyone’s talking about you, Naito. Everyone is talking about how Chris Jericho kicked your ass at Dominion. How Chris Jericho left you laying and became the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and I know that’s driving you crazy,” he goaded. “People [are] talking behind your back. Ever since [Dominion], you’ve done nothing of merit.”

    “You’re right, Naito. I’m an international superstar. But what does it matter?” he asked. What does it matter where I’ve been, what I’ve done, what legends I’ve beaten? All that matters is that I’ve beat you. And it bothers you.”

    Closing out his response, Jericho promises that he’s “going to shut you up for good. Your sarcastic, arrogant, little b**** self. Remember I’m not tranquilo, Naito. I’m f****** crazy.”

  • Update On The Evolving Landscape Headed Into 2019

    Update On The Evolving Landscape Headed Into 2019

    As we head into 2019, there are plenty of unanswered questions surrounding what the pro-wrestling landscape will look like in the new year. One of the most burning questions is where will members of the Elite end up?

    Cody, the Young Bucks, Hangman Page, and eventually Marty Scurll (he’s under contract to ROH until the spring) are expected to form the nucleus of the All Elite Wrestling. Still, many members of the Elite are hoping to continue working with New Japan Pro Wrestling next year.

    Will The Elite Continue With New Japan Pro Wrestling?

    What could possibly prevent the Elite from returning to NJPW, is the promotion’s approach to talent-sharing deals. This issue was addressed in the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    “Obviously, both AEW and ROH will want a business relationship with New Japan,” Meltzer wrote. He would continue to say every promotion in the United States would like to have such a relationship.

    “New Japan has blocked its talent from working for Impact, even though Don Callis is an announcer for New Japan, because of the ROH relationship,” he continued. “They have not blocked people from working for MLW.”

    The question then becomes whether NJPW will allow their talent to work for All Elite Wrestling as they do for MLW or if they will block them from doing so, as they have done with Impact Wrestling.

    A possible sign the Young Bucks could be staying occurred this week, however. The popular tag-team announced they are finally being flown first-class to Japan for NJPW shows. This was something the brothers had complained about on their YouTube series in recent weeks.

    “New Japan could work with both AEW and ROH,” Meltzer concluded. “The ball really is in their court.”

    We expect to hear some big announcements out of the Elite camp after New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 event on January 4th.

  • Jim Ross Says He Will Broadcast Wrestling On AXS TV Again

    Jim Ross Says He Will Broadcast Wrestling On AXS TV Again

    Jim Ross addressed some of the speculation regarding his future on this week’s edition of The Jim Ross Report.

    Whether it be with New Japan Pro Wrestling, or perhaps another promotion, Ross is adamant that wrestling fans have not heard the last of him on the AXS TV airwaves.

    “I have not, as far as I’m concerned, broadcast my last match on AXS TV,” Ross said.
    “I’m unable to get back on their air until past the end of March. But I am optimistic that I will, somewhere along the way in 2019, rejoin the team in some capacity.”

    “Just saying, that’s all.”

    Ross is under contract to WWE through March 2019, and his last appearance on AXS TV under his current contract with the network will take place at the end of December, as AXS airs a 10-hour Kenny Omega marathon.

    Ross says that viewers can expect some great content from that broadcast.

    “They sat him down in a hotel in Los Angeles and got some really fresh material about his journey,” Ross said.

    “He’s a very cereberal, unique dude. I have a lot of respect for Kenny Omega.”

    When quoting this transcript, please credit SEScoops.com. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

    Do you expect to hear JR on AXS TV in 2019? Which promotion will he be calling matches for?

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi Named MVP Of The Year By Tokyo Sports, Full List Of Award Winners

    Hiroshi Tanahashi Named MVP Of The Year By Tokyo Sports, Full List Of Award Winners

    Tokyo Sports has named Hiroshi Tanahashi as the MVP Of The Year.

    The publication released the names of the winners of their annual Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards where Tanahashi won the MVP Award with eighteen votes. Kazuchika Okada was second in place with twelve votes and Kenny Omega in the third place with three votes.

    Tanahashi gave the following statement after being selected as the winner of the MVP Award:

    “It is I, 2018’s MVP Hiroshi Tanahashi. Since the final of the G1 Climax, I realized that I have once again become the center of the Wrestling world, whether it was during my fight over the challenger rights contracts or in the lead-up to WK13. I’ve been continually thinking about how to appeal to people who have never seen professional wrestling. In the past, Pro-Wrestling was more broadly known in Japanese culture. The broadcast of “World Pro-Wrestling” every Friday at 8.00pm gave the public the chance to see legends such as Mr. Inoki, Mr. Choshu and Mr. Fujinami come to local gymnasiums and has made Pro-Wrestling more famous as a result. Since I first became champion in 2006, I’ve often said the mic after headlining the main event “Thank you very much for today” or “I love you!” and performed air guitar. There have been some fans, however who have felt “Why is he saying things like that?” but I’ve always tried to reply “I will be f-ing famous!” by demonstrating my in-ring ability. This year, I think, was the first year I actually achieved that goal. Although it is still only half-way through it’s run, movie I starred in has exceeded 100 promotional events and 1,000 media spotlights. It showed the passion of professional wrestling and was able to connect with the general public nationwide. From influencers in the business world to famous people, I’ve spoken to numerous people now who have felt that “Pro-Wrestling is really fun!” I’ve always strived to achieve my goal of “It would be great if I could be famous!” I didn’t expect to win the MVP award, so I’m pleasant surprised. Thank you very much.”

    Tanahashi has won the award three times before, first in 2009, then in 2011 and in 2014.

    Mr. Okamoto of Tokyo Sports explained that the reason for selection of Tanahashi as the winner was his G1 Climax tournament victory, which served as a deciding factor. Another reason cited was the fact that Tanahashi is helping aleviate the image of professional wrestling in Japan by starring in movies and TV shows.

    This is also the sixth straight year a wrestler from New Japan Pro-Wrestling has won the award.

    Additionally, the Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-Jo Hall was awarded the Best Bout Award.

    “Thank you. Since I have won the this award many times, please enter me into the Hall of Fame,” said Kazuchika Okada on his match winning the prize.

    “We’ve done it for the second consecutive year. Even though there is a feeling that the story of Okada and I has ended after having four matches in a year and a half, I want to do it again someday,” Kenny Omega. “These matches have pushed me to the best physical condition of my life and wee were able to accomplish special things together. I’ve been able to combine that classic New Japan style with unpredictable newness. With the upcoming ideological clash at Wrestle Kingdom, we will prove that there is a home for every type of wrestling.”

    Here is the list of all the awards and their recipients:

    • MVP Award
      Hiroshi Tanahashi (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
    • Best Bout Award
      Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
      (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
    • Outstanding Performance Award
      Naomichi Marufuji (Pro Wrestling Noah)
    • Fighting Spirit Award
      Kaito Kiyomiya (Pro Wrestling Noah)
    • Technique Award
      Tetsuya Naito (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
    • Best Tag Team Award
      Shuji Ishikawa and Suwama (All Japan Pro Wrestling)
    • Newcomer Award
      Utami Hayashishita (World Wonder Ring Stardom)
    • Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize
      Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon)

  • Kenny Omega On Which Video Games Inspire Him, Top Game Of 2018

    Kenny Omega who was nominated for the Favorite Celebrity Gamer (Athlete) category for the 2018 Gamers’ Choice Award recently spoke with Geek.com where he discussed video-gaming and revealed which games have given him inspiration.

    Speaking about video game heroes, Kenny named characters from Smash Bros.! like Kirby, Ness, Luigi, Mega Man, Zack Fair, and (maybe) Sans.

    Kenny Omega revealed that Street Fighter has been a very big inspiration for him. But it’s not just limited to fighting games, as he takes inspiration from different types of games like the action horror Resident Evil.

    “For wrestling, I had some obvious Street Fighter ties. Most of them might be from Street Fighter, actually. Hmm, but there are actually a few moves based off of Mother as well. I take inspiration from all sorts of games though –Resident Evil for example. Even though it’s a horror game, I’ve found inspiration in Albert Wesker’s character. Persona and Chrono Trigger too. I tend to try to draw inspiration from games that are timeless, so that way when I apply it to matches they may (hopefully/luckily) end up that way too.”

    The IWGP Heavyweight Champion named Undertale and Monster Hunter World as his favorite games. While on the topic, he also shared his thoughts on the stigma attached with gaming and what advice he has for people who look up to him.

    “Once you focus on your dreams, really home in on your goal, the negativity around you just becomes faint background noise. The journey may be lonely at first, but you’ll meet new friends with the same motivations and the world of ridicule and doubt that you came from won’t even exist anymore.”

  • Nick Jackson Tells Fans, “Enjoy Us While We’re Still Here”

    Nick Jackson Tells Fans, “Enjoy Us While We’re Still Here”

    Correction: Earlier this week, Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks posted a photo on Instagram hyping their upcoming match at WrestleKingdom 13 against the Guerrillas of Destiny and EVIL & SANADA. The caption included the line, “Try to enjoy us while we’re still here. We don’t have much time left!” Our original article stated that Jackson was referring to the Bucks’ time in New Japan. This was an error on our part – Jackson clarified on Twitter that he was referring to their careers, not just their run in NJPW. We have edited the article to reflect this sentiment and apologize to the Young Bucks and our readers for the misinterpretation.

    Nick Jackson Addresses The Young Bucks’ Future

    The Young Bucks were recently added to the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match at the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom 13 event. This decision from NJPW management caused some backlash from fans.

    The match was originally expected to be between the champs and Bullet Club Members Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa and World Tag League winners EVIL & SANADA.

    Since the Bucks did not participate in the World Tag League, a lot of people showed their frustration on this decision online, calling their inclusion to the bout unfair.

    Nick Jackson responded to this backlash from his Instagram account recently and he explained that their inclusion in the match was not their decision. He also advised fans to enjoy while they are still here cause they don’t have much time left:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BrM5jgFBW5j/?utm_source=ig_embed

    The Young Bucks still haven’t confirmed what the future holds for them after Wrestle Kingdom. The Elite has vowed to stick together in 2019. Cody recently revealed that he declined an offer by WWE, a strong indication that the Bucks are not WWE bound either. Stay tuned.

  • Tetsuya Naito Releases Video Mocking Chris Jericho

    Tetsuya Naito Releases Video Mocking Chris Jericho

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has released a new video via their YouTube channel. The video features the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito, addressing his Wrestle Kingdom 13 opponent, Chris Jericho.

    The two will clash for Jericho’s IWGP Intercontinental Championship at NJPW’s January 4th super show.

    Over the course of the video, Naito (who sports face paint similar to what Jericho has been wearing in recent months) mocks his opponent, jabbing at what he considers to be Jericho’s inflated sense of ego by condescendingly referring to him as an “international superstar.”

    “He Wouldn’t Do Anything That Cheap, Would He?”

    Naito proceeds to poke fun at Jericho’s recent use of make-up, stating, “An international superstar wouldn’t put this lame make-up on his face, would he? If he used make-up, he would do it cooler, wouldn’t he?”

    The LIJ leader then suggests in an off-hand way that Jericho has purposely stolen t-shirt ideas in order to profit off a popular design.

    “[…] he wouldn’t rip-off someone else’s t-shirt design to make a little cash,” Naito said. “He wouldn’t do anything that cheap, would he? After all, he’s an international superstar, right?”

    While addressing how Jericho is looked on within the NJPW locker room, the former IWGP Heavyweight champion admitted that “[…] nobody really talks about you. Is it perhaps the nobody’s really that interested in you? The self-proclaimed international superstar, Mr. Chris Jericho.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2d5J5pjjtY

    What did you think of this promo? Do you think Naito vs Jericho could steal the show at Wrestle Kingdom 13?

  • AXS Announce 10-Hour Kenny Omega-Thon

    AXS Announce 10-Hour Kenny Omega-Thon

    AXS has announced that they will be hosting an epic ten-hour “Kenny Omega-thon” special on Friday, December 28th.

    “The Best Bout Machine” has had a stellar few years that easily lend themselves to this quasi-career retrospective.

    From assuming leadership of Bullet Club in 2016 to his feud with Kazuchika Okada solidifying his position amongst NJPW’s main event scene, there’s a lot for Omega to reflect on as he heads towards his Wrestle Kingdom 13 match against Tanahashi on January 4th.

    AXS Press Release

    KENNY OMEGA REFLECTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO BECOMING CHAMPION IN AXS TV’S 10-HOUR ‘KENNY OMEGA-THON’ FRIDAY, DEC. 28 STARTING AT 2pE/11aP

    Los Angeles (Dec. 10, 2018) – Join IWGP Heavyweight Champion and “Best Bout Machine” Kenny Omega as he revisits his journey toward becoming the champion and defending the belt at Wrestle Kingdom 13 as host of the 10-hour “Kenny Omega-thon” special on Friday, Dec. 28 starting at 2pE/11aP on AXS TV.

    The marathon kicks off with Omega’s historic feat as the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the G1 Climax tournament in 2016, which set him on the path to the heavyweight title, and also features Omega’s acclaimed trilogy of matches with Kazuchika Okada; his run as IWGP U.S. Champion, including the highly publicized match with Chris Jericho at last year’s Wrestle Kingdom; and his current reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

    Leading up to AXS TV’s premiere of Wrestle Kingdom 13 on Jan. 4 at 8pE/5pP, the network will air a late-night strip of the best of Wrestle Kingdom on weeknights at 5aE/2aP starting Friday, Dec. 7. Highlights include headlining matches from the last five Wrestle Kingdom Events including: Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi’s trilogy from 2013, 2015 and 2016; Okada’s battles with Tetsuya Naito from 2014 and 2018; Naito vs. Tanahashi from 2017 and many more.

    “Kenny Omega-thon” Schedule (subject to change)
    Friday, Dec. 28 at 2pE/11aP:

    2pE – G1 Climax 26 Final – Kenny Omega vs. Hirooki Goto

    3pE – Wrestle Kingdom 11 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada

    4pE – Dominion 2017 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Okada

    5pE – G1 Special in USA – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final –Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii

    6pE – Wrestle Kingdom 12 – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Chris Jericho

    7pE – New Beginning in Sapporo 2018 – IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Jay White

    8pE – Dominion 2018 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Okada (2 hr)

    10pE – G1 Special in San Francisco – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Cody

    11pE – King of Pro-Wrestling 2018 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Omega vs. Cody vs. Kota Ibushi

    “Best Bout Machine”

    With so many stellar matchups to watch, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy them all over again or, if you’ve never seen them, experience them for the first time and understand why Omega so confidently calls himself the “Best Bout Machine.”

  • New Japan Announces THE NEW BEGINNING USA Tour

    New Japan Announces THE NEW BEGINNING USA Tour

    New Japan has announced that they will be returning to the United States in 2019. The company will be hitting Los Angeles, CA and Charlotte, NC on January 30, 2019 and February 1, 2019.

    NJPW has already put on four events in the States previously. This started with the “G1 Special in USA” which was followed up with three shows in March, July and September of 2018. New Japan has touted the success of their ‘US expansion’ thus far, mentioning amongst other things their LA Dojo. NJPW1972 put a press release for this new tour mentioning the dojo, stating “In March 2018, we established the LA Dojo with Katsuyori Shibata as the head coach. Three young lions have debuted in the US so far.”

    The company has described the New Beginning USA tour as the “third pillar of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s US expansion plan, along with big match production and new talent development.” There are no matches currently confirmed for the tour.

    The times and venues for the two events are as follows:

    • January 30 (Wed) 8:30PM in Los Angeles, CA at the Globe Theatre
    • February 1 (Fri) 7:30PM in Charlotte, NC at the Grady Cole Center

    Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, December 22nd at 10:00AM (PST). More information will be available on NJPW1972.com.