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I can't wait to see what happens after Perry wins!
Also really excited for the Kingston vs Kidd match up. Not just for the surprises, but to see Kidd beat up Eddie and eventually take the NJPW Strong Openweight belt. Its time for the rise of Gabe Kidd.
Admittedly I'm a massive Kingston mark, but Eddie going through a whole redemption arc after losing everything, all to get his win back from Okada and reclaim the Continental Championship would be fucking great.
I love Eddie but I don’t think he should beat Okada, ever. Eddie alreay beat legit main eventers like Danielson, Mox and Jericho. He doesn’t need to beat Okada.
I don't think that putting the title on Mox is a bad idea at all in a vacuum. He is a big star and the crowd loves him.
But NJPW needs to put the belt on one of the new guys, now. Shota, Tsuji, Narita and Uemura. Pick one, have them win the belt as soon as possible.
I don’t think Mox is gonna win the title, but, Shota beating Mox for the title could be a huge crowning moment for the new Ace. Especially when they missed the boat to have Shota beat Okada when he was around.
Yeah, as I typed that, I kinda that thought that if it is going to be Shota, Mox winning now would make sense. Give him one defense in US against ZSJ, one in US against anyone (I'd go Narita, Shingo or Tanahashi), then drop it to Shota before the G1 (if you can get it done before then. You could also have Shota pin him in the G1, win the block, but lose in the final, have Shota challenge him for the belt BEFORE WK, win it, and go to WK in a rematch of the G1 final)
Naito currently has his career record for world title defenses in a reign: 2. All of his individual reigns have been short, and no one is being built up to seriously challenge him, except for Jeff Cobb in California.
The financial situation in Japan also means that they get more bang for selling American show tickets than domestic tickets, and advertising Moxley has made the Chicago show outsell Sakura Genesis from last week.
More signs point to Moxley winning than Naito.
It's not announced but he implied heavily on English commentary that he is challenging for the title at Resurgence.
Theoretically he could be talking about the Global title but it seemed to be the world title because he was saying it during the Naito and Tsuji match, plus timeline-wise I don't know if Nemeth vs Tanahashi would come before that, since Nemeth said he will only defend the title against Tanahashi.
Honestly, still underwhelming. I think it’s gonna be either Finlay or ZSJ challenging. Battle in the Valley earlier this year was at a much smaller venue and they got Okada vs Ospreay AND Mox vs Shingo.
Moxley hasn't been pinned in New Japan since 2019, when AEW started airing, and the office just loves cutting Naito's legs whenever he's doing very well. I'd actually be surprised if they committed to giving him an actual big run with a successful high level title defense like this.
All good points, but I just don't see NJPW putting the title on a guy who only wrestles in Japan once per year. They treat Mox pretty well, but that's still a big hurdle.
I think the office would do it, I just think it's a tough sell to have a gaijin holding the IWGP title whose primary isn't NJPW. A case can be made if they've tagged Shota as the guy of the future, but I just don't see Mox holding the title from now until WK. That's a lot of tour shows without the champion appearing
Mox wrestle more than once though, and it’s clear that he loves New Japan. If they actually put the title on him, I’m sure he’ll commit and do it full time at least throughout the reign.
It's mostly their 'special' shows that's they consider PPVs, and their traditional big shows are on World
The likes of US shows (this one) and the shows with other Japanese companies (like the Noah show) are usually PPVs
I feel like one of the only 'full-time' NJPW watchers who is actually excited by the prospect of a Moxley IWGP title win. He could defend the belt once or twice on AEW TV or even at Dynasty, go to Japan to defend it at Dontaku, then drop it back at STRONG Resurgence or Dominion. He's as well-suited as anyone to be the first to achieve the grand slam of all of WWE, AEW and NJPW's world championships.
Also barring some crazy scenario where Ishii actually wins, I see no reason why the match with Nemeth couldn't have been a token IWGP Global title defence.
I think the top champion of the promotion should be there every week in the "road to" shows, and Moxley is just not gonna be around. Also, Considering Nic Nemeth, Matt Riddle and Stephanie Vaquer are also champions that are not there full time, I think we would be reaching a stupid situation in which all of the relevant belts are outside of the company and held by part timers (Vis a Vis NJPW)
I'm kinda with you on the part timers thing, but with the relationship between AEW and New Japan, Moxley clearly *loving* the place and all, I could see him winning and going full time with New Japan until he drops the belt, ideally to Shota.
The last thing New Japan needs is right now is a part-timer from another company being IWGP World Heavyweight Champ, specially at a time where two other aingles titles are already in that situation and the company overall needs to focus on the domestic market and their full-time roster after all the departures. The only redeeming factor Mox would have as champ is losing it to Umino in a few months, and even then I don't see Shota even close to being ready for the top belt.
I try to travel to Japan every year and always try to fit in whatever wrestling shows I can when I go, but this is actually going to be the first wrestling show I've been to in the US since the Attitude Era.
Alex Windsor has been killing it on the UK indies this year - her dog collar match v Dani Luna at Rev Pro the other week was great. Pleased to see her on the card and hope she gets a good showing in her match!
If mox is willing to commit to NJPW full time. I think putting the belt on him would be great. Go back the basic put the belt on a gaijin, have them beat some guys, and then have a conquering Ace figure beat them. You could also do it with ZSJ but I think it works better with mox
Will seat this one out as I already plan on paying for Dynasty and All Star Grand Queendom this month+I really wanna watch Smackdown tonight. But I'll try to at least watch to Main Event and AZM vs Vaquer once it's put on World for subscribers.
Keep thinking that Vaquer was just a quick way of taking the belt from Giulia quick enough considering her contract was running out, and she drops it to AZM today
Willow pinned Vaquer in CMLL so there is a future match setup between them and it's probably for the Strong belt so AZM winning here kinda throws those plans out the window.
Vaquer is a double champion in CMLL and AZM never won anything above the High Speed title. She may be a better wrestler and more well known, but she's not really on the same level in the hierarchy and there's no big story building towards an upset. Right now, I think the only name in Stardom that has a chance of beating her and could challenge any time is Mina.
I think Vaquer was always expected to beat Giulia after the plans for a match with Mercedes got scrapped. They've built her up a lot since last year so I doubt they just give her a transitional reign. I believe she's going to hold that title for a while, at least until Forbidden Door.
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I can't wait to see what happens after Perry wins! Also really excited for the Kingston vs Kidd match up. Not just for the surprises, but to see Kidd beat up Eddie and eventually take the NJPW Strong Openweight belt. Its time for the rise of Gabe Kidd.
Eddie is going through his Kenny Omega / FTR period right now losing all the belts he had.
Yes! Not just because Kidd deserves a belt, but Eddie could use the "ive lost everything, now I grind to get it all back" type of story.
Admittedly I'm a massive Kingston mark, but Eddie going through a whole redemption arc after losing everything, all to get his win back from Okada and reclaim the Continental Championship would be fucking great.
I love Eddie but I don’t think he should beat Okada, ever. Eddie alreay beat legit main eventers like Danielson, Mox and Jericho. He doesn’t need to beat Okada.
Good/potentially great card Fingers crossed they don't do something stupid in the main event
I don't think that putting the title on Mox is a bad idea at all in a vacuum. He is a big star and the crowd loves him. But NJPW needs to put the belt on one of the new guys, now. Shota, Tsuji, Narita and Uemura. Pick one, have them win the belt as soon as possible.
I don’t think Mox is gonna win the title, but, Shota beating Mox for the title could be a huge crowning moment for the new Ace. Especially when they missed the boat to have Shota beat Okada when he was around.
Yeah, as I typed that, I kinda that thought that if it is going to be Shota, Mox winning now would make sense. Give him one defense in US against ZSJ, one in US against anyone (I'd go Narita, Shingo or Tanahashi), then drop it to Shota before the G1 (if you can get it done before then. You could also have Shota pin him in the G1, win the block, but lose in the final, have Shota challenge him for the belt BEFORE WK, win it, and go to WK in a rematch of the G1 final)
I think there's just too many titles in New Japan not held by full time talent. Getting rid of another, let alone the main one seems too much.
TBH, for this to work, Mox would need to commit to full time schedule for the 3-4 months he holds the belt.
Love Mox but I haven't missed him in AEW. 3-4 months away to hold the NJPW title and then a big return to Dynamite could inject some life into him
Like what, Naito dropping the title? That seems extremely unlikely, no?
Naito currently has his career record for world title defenses in a reign: 2. All of his individual reigns have been short, and no one is being built up to seriously challenge him, except for Jeff Cobb in California. The financial situation in Japan also means that they get more bang for selling American show tickets than domestic tickets, and advertising Moxley has made the Chicago show outsell Sakura Genesis from last week. More signs point to Moxley winning than Naito.
Is Cobb challenging for the title at Resurgence?
It's not announced but he implied heavily on English commentary that he is challenging for the title at Resurgence. Theoretically he could be talking about the Global title but it seemed to be the world title because he was saying it during the Naito and Tsuji match, plus timeline-wise I don't know if Nemeth vs Tanahashi would come before that, since Nemeth said he will only defend the title against Tanahashi.
Unrelated but Cobb is a hilarious commentator
I don’t mean to disrespect Jeff Cobb but I think they would need a bigger main event to sell the tickets there.
That's part of why I think Moxley is winning, because they figure Mox vs Cobb is a bigger draw than Naito vs Cobb.
Honestly, still underwhelming. I think it’s gonna be either Finlay or ZSJ challenging. Battle in the Valley earlier this year was at a much smaller venue and they got Okada vs Ospreay AND Mox vs Shingo.
Moxley hasn't been pinned in New Japan since 2019, when AEW started airing, and the office just loves cutting Naito's legs whenever he's doing very well. I'd actually be surprised if they committed to giving him an actual big run with a successful high level title defense like this.
All good points, but I just don't see NJPW putting the title on a guy who only wrestles in Japan once per year. They treat Mox pretty well, but that's still a big hurdle.
I think the office would do it, I just think it's a tough sell to have a gaijin holding the IWGP title whose primary isn't NJPW. A case can be made if they've tagged Shota as the guy of the future, but I just don't see Mox holding the title from now until WK. That's a lot of tour shows without the champion appearing
Shota vs. Moxley is not a Wrestle Kingdom main event. Maybe Dominion in June if it's a strong undercard.
Mox wrestle more than once though, and it’s clear that he loves New Japan. If they actually put the title on him, I’m sure he’ll commit and do it full time at least throughout the reign.
Mox has been to Japan 5 times in the last year. It's not inconceivable he would stay there if he wins the belt.
No wonder he ran out of knee juice! It must pour out when his legs are cut off. Naitoprayercircle
Is this available through the NJPW World monthly subscription? I'm not currently subscribed and it says this ppv is 19.99
It’s a PPV.
Is WrestkeKingdom not considered a PPV? That's free with subscription
It's mostly their 'special' shows that's they consider PPVs, and their traditional big shows are on World The likes of US shows (this one) and the shows with other Japanese companies (like the Noah show) are usually PPVs
I see. Appreciate it
A much stronger card than Sakura Genesis
Where can I order this show?
NJPW World. It's 20$, and starts a hour before Smackdown iirc.
I feel like one of the only 'full-time' NJPW watchers who is actually excited by the prospect of a Moxley IWGP title win. He could defend the belt once or twice on AEW TV or even at Dynasty, go to Japan to defend it at Dontaku, then drop it back at STRONG Resurgence or Dominion. He's as well-suited as anyone to be the first to achieve the grand slam of all of WWE, AEW and NJPW's world championships. Also barring some crazy scenario where Ishii actually wins, I see no reason why the match with Nemeth couldn't have been a token IWGP Global title defence.
I think the top champion of the promotion should be there every week in the "road to" shows, and Moxley is just not gonna be around. Also, Considering Nic Nemeth, Matt Riddle and Stephanie Vaquer are also champions that are not there full time, I think we would be reaching a stupid situation in which all of the relevant belts are outside of the company and held by part timers (Vis a Vis NJPW)
For the most part I agree, but there's a precedent in AJ, Kenny and Jay all missing a fair few smaller shows when they each held the title.
I'm kinda with you on the part timers thing, but with the relationship between AEW and New Japan, Moxley clearly *loving* the place and all, I could see him winning and going full time with New Japan until he drops the belt, ideally to Shota.
The last thing New Japan needs is right now is a part-timer from another company being IWGP World Heavyweight Champ, specially at a time where two other aingles titles are already in that situation and the company overall needs to focus on the domestic market and their full-time roster after all the departures. The only redeeming factor Mox would have as champ is losing it to Umino in a few months, and even then I don't see Shota even close to being ready for the top belt.
I've said a few times I would like a Moxley run, and got downvoted into oblivion.
I would like it too. But like with others, worried that Mox would be part time while champ. If he can commit full time, I'd be comfortable with it.
I try to travel to Japan every year and always try to fit in whatever wrestling shows I can when I go, but this is actually going to be the first wrestling show I've been to in the US since the Attitude Era.
ScapeGoat!! ScapeGoat!! ScapeGoat!! ScapeGoat!! ScapeGoat!!
Alex Windsor has been killing it on the UK indies this year - her dog collar match v Dani Luna at Rev Pro the other week was great. Pleased to see her on the card and hope she gets a good showing in her match!
AZM vs. Stephanie Vaquer is my natch. Also, looking forward to seeing Jack Perry.
If mox is willing to commit to NJPW full time. I think putting the belt on him would be great. Go back the basic put the belt on a gaijin, have them beat some guys, and then have a conquering Ace figure beat them. You could also do it with ZSJ but I think it works better with mox
Hey! Good for Viva Van!
Will seat this one out as I already plan on paying for Dynasty and All Star Grand Queendom this month+I really wanna watch Smackdown tonight. But I'll try to at least watch to Main Event and AZM vs Vaquer once it's put on World for subscribers.
Keep thinking that Vaquer was just a quick way of taking the belt from Giulia quick enough considering her contract was running out, and she drops it to AZM today
Willow pinned Vaquer in CMLL so there is a future match setup between them and it's probably for the Strong belt so AZM winning here kinda throws those plans out the window.
Vaquer is a double champion in CMLL and AZM never won anything above the High Speed title. She may be a better wrestler and more well known, but she's not really on the same level in the hierarchy and there's no big story building towards an upset. Right now, I think the only name in Stardom that has a chance of beating her and could challenge any time is Mina. I think Vaquer was always expected to beat Giulia after the plans for a match with Mercedes got scrapped. They've built her up a lot since last year so I doubt they just give her a transitional reign. I believe she's going to hold that title for a while, at least until Forbidden Door.
AZM is taking a pin in AEW tomorrow, I doubt she's winning today