SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
The following is the latest in a new series of weekly in-depth articles exclusive to PWTorch which will help put in perspective major wrestling promotions with a weekly overview, looking at news and roster developments, results, future line-ups, social media activity, key interviews, plus a timely commentary at the end. We will be featuring similar features on other promotions each week and each will be updated weekly.
•Top Stories of the Week
- In the biggest news of the week, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega is stepping away from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In a article posted on the Tokyo Sports website through translation, Omega is quoted as saying, “There is no real place for me to fit, so itís best for me not to be in (NJPW). I canít be there working under Tanahashi. I donít think heís surpassed me, donít think heís better. If we can, I want to face him again. But I need time away, and not just from New Japan.î Omega goes on to further say, “If I go to WWE, the fans there will be pleased, and the fans there will be pleased if I go to AEW. I want to be in a place where Kenny is going to be “happy”. Omega is officially contracted to NJPW through the end of January.
- In other huge news, former IGWP Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho has officially signed with All Elite Wrestling. Jericho signed his contract in front of AEW President Tony Khan on Jan. 8 following the AEW “Double or Nothing” Rally in Jacksonville, Florida. The one major difference between the news of Omega and Jericho is that media sources have stated that Jericho’s AEW contract will allow him to continue to work with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
- Wrestle Kingdom 13 is in the books and as previously mentioned, “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega is the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Eight championship matches took place at WK13 and eight new champions were crowned! If you missed Wrestle Kingdom 13, you can check out the replay on NJPW World and FITE.
- Former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA will wrestle his final match for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on Jan. 29 against current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 3 in Tokyo, Japan. KUSHIDA’s last match for NJPW will be his first ever singles match against Tanahashi in the eight years he has been part of the company. While it is rumored that KUSHIDA is heading to the WWE by various media outlets, at a NJPW conference on Jan. 7, KUSHIDA commented, “As mentioned previously by Mr. Sugabayashi, I will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the end of January. Regarding this choice and decision, it was one made with the full co-operation and understanding of Mr. Kidani, Mr. Meij and Mr. Sugabayashi. It was a very big decision in my life and Iím thankful they understood. As for the future, I would like to see the wide world of professional wrestling with my own eyes, from one end of the earth to the other.”
- Speaking of departures, it was also announced at the Jan. 7 press conference that the “Hatred Monk” Takashi Iizuka will wrestle his final match ever on Feb. 21 at NJPW New Japan Road – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan. While he has not held a championship in NJPW in a very long time, he is a former three time IWGP Tag Team Champion and won the G1 Tag League in 2000 with “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata. Iizuka has been a member of the Suzuki-gun stable since 2014 and made his debut with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1986.
- While KUSHIDA, Kenny Omega and Takashi Iizuka are saying “Sayonara” to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, two members of the roster are signing multi-year deals. Current IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Juice Robinson has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the company while NJPW competitor and commentator Rocky Romero officially announced on Twitter that he’s signed a new multi-year deal.
- Full schedules for Fantastica Mania 2019, The New Beginning in Sapporo, Road to The New Beginning and The New Beginning in Osaka have been announced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling. You can check those out on the official English website of NJPW at NJPW1972.com.
- With the quick sellouts of both nights of The New Beginning USA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has added a third show in the series. On top of Los Angeles on Jan. 30 and Charlotte on Feb. 1, The New Beginning USA – Night 3 will take place on Feb. 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tickets for the show in Nashville officially go on sale on Jan. 15 at 10:00 a.m.
- This week’s edition of NJPW Lioncast, exclusive to PWTorch.com, features full reviews of Wrestle Kingdom 13 and New Year Dash! You can check it out HERE.
- This Week in NJPW History saw Big Van Vader defeat Tatsumi Fujinami for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Jan. 17, 2001 in Yokohama, Japan at NJPW New Year Dash 1991.
•Live Event Results
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 Fan Festa 2019 in Tokyo, Japan
Jan. 3, 2019
Studio Coast at Tokyo, Japan
Aired on NJPW World
(1) Tiger Mask & Jyushin Thunder Liger defeated Yuya Uemura & Ren Narita by pinfall after Tiger Mask pinned Uemura in Lions Gate Special I
(2) Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata defeated Toa Henare & Tomoaki Honma by pinfall after Nagata pinned Henare in Lions Gate Special II
(3) Tencozy (Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan) defeated Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida by pinfall after Kojima pinned Umino in Lions Gate Special III
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
Jan. 4, 2019
Tokyo Dome at Tokyo, Japan
Aired on NJPW World & FITE
(1) Ryusuke Taguchi & Toru Yano & Togi Makabe defeated David Finlay & Jeff Cobb & Yuji Nagata & CHAOS (Chuckie T & Beretta & Hirooki Goto) & Suzuki-gun (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Minoru Suzuki) & “The Villian” Marty Scurll & Yujiro Takahashi & “Hangman” Adam Page in a No.1 Contender Gauntlet Match for NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (Pre-Show)
Order of Appearance:
(1) “The Villian” Marty Scurll & Yujiro Takahashi & “Hangman” Adam Page
(2) David Finlay & Jeff Cobb & Yuji Nagata
(3) CHAOS (Chuckie T & Beretta & Hirooki Goto)
(4) Suzuki-gun (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Minoru Suzuki)
(5) Ryusuke Taguchi & Toru Yano & Togi Makabe
Order of Elimination:
(1) David Finlay defeated Yujiro Takahashi by pinfall with a roll-up
(2) David Finlay defeated Chuckie T by pinfall with a roll-up
(3) Lance Archer defeated David Finlay by pinfall after hitting the Killer Bomb
(4) Toru Yano pinned Davey Boy Smith Jr. by pinfall with a roll-up
(2) “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay defeated “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi by pinfall with the Storm Breaker to win the NEVER Openweight Championship
(3) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI) defeated Suzuki-gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) & Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH w/Rocky Romero) by pinfall after Takagi hit SHO with the Last of the Dragon to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
(4) Zack Sabre Jr. (w/Taka Michinoku) defeated “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii by submission with the “Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last; The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness” to win the RPW British Heavyweight Championship
(5) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) defeated Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa w/Bad Luck Fale & “Master Heater” Jado) & The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) by pinfall after SANADA pinned Matt Jackson with the Moonsault to win the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
(6) “The Flamboyant” Juice Robinson defeated “The American Nightmare” Cody (w/Brandi Rhodes) by pinfall with Pulp Friction to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
(7) “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori defeated KUSHIDA by pinfall with the Bloody Cross to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship
(8) “Switchblade” Jay White (w/Gedo) defeated “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada by pinfall with the Blade Runner
(9) Tetsuya Naito defeated Chris Jericho by pinfall with the Destino to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
(10) “The Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega (w/The Young Bucks) by pinfall with the High Fly Flow to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
NJPW New Year Dash
Jan. 5, 2019
Korakuen Hall at Tokyo, Japan
Aired on NJPW World
(1) Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH & Rocky Romero) defeated Suzuki-gun (Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer & Takashi Iizuka) by pinfall after YOH pinned Iizuka
(2) Bullet Club OG (Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi) defeated Toa Henare & Tomoaki Honma by pinfall after Owens pinned Henare
(3) FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson) defeated Best Friends (Chuckie T & Beretta) by disqualification
(4) CHAOS (“The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay & Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii) defeated KUSHIDA & Jeff Cobb & Yuji Nagata by pinfall after Ospreay pinned KUSHIDA
(5) Bullet Club OG (Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Toru Yano & Togi Makabe by pinfall after Loa pinned Makabe
(6) Suzuki-gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & SANADA & “King of Darkness” EVIL & Tetsuya Naito) by pinfall after Taichi pinned Naito
(7) Bullet Club OG (Gedo & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White) defeated YOSHI-HASHI & “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada & “The Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi by pinfall after White pinned YOSHI-HASHI
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 1
Jan. 11, 2019
EDION Arena at Osaka, Japan
Aired on NJPW World
(1) Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) & Templarino defeated Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Audaz by pinfall after Templarino pinned Audaz
(2) Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Forastero defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger & Flyer & Titan by submission after Forastero made Titan tapout
(3) OKUMURA & Sanson defeated Atlantis Jr. & Atlantis by pinfall after OKUMURA pinned Atlantis Jr.
(4) Cuatrero & Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero defeated Angel de oro & Dragon Lee & Mistico by pinfall after Cuatrero pinned Angel de oro
(5) Namajague & Barbaro Cavernario & Caristico defeated KUSHIDA & Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. by pinfall after Caristico pinned Volador Jr.
(6) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Terrible defeated Fujin & Raijin & Toa Henare & Satoshi Kojima by pinfall after BUSHI pinned Fujin
•Upcoming Major Show Line-ups
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 2
Jan. 12, 2019
Texport Imabari at Ehime, Japan
- KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi & Audaz vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) & Templarino
- Flyer & Titan vs. Taichi & Forastero
- Tiger Mask & Atlantis Jr. & Atlantis vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & OKUMURA & Sanson
- Soberano Jr. & Angel de oro & Mistico vs. Cuatrero & Barbaro Cavernario & Ultimo Guerrero
- Jyushin Thunder Liger & Dragon Lee & Volador Jr. vs. Namajague & Gran Guerrero & Caristico
- Fujin & Raijin & Toa Henare & Satoshi Kojima vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Terrible
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 3
Jan. 13, 2019
KBS Hall at Kyoto, Japan
- Jyushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi & Audaz vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) & Templarino
- KUSHIDA & Angel de oro vs. Taichi & Cuatrero
- Atlantis Jr. & Flyer & Atlantis vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & OKUMURA & Sanson
- Soberano Jr. & Titan & Mistico vs. Forastero & Barbaro Cavernario & Ultimo Guerrero
- Tiger Mask & Dragon Lee & Volador Jr. vs. Namajague & Gran Guerrero & Caristico
- Fujin & Raijin & Toa Henare & Satoshi Kojima vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Terrible
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 4
Jan. 14, 2019
Gifu Industrial Hall at Gifu, Japan
- Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Audaz vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) & Templarino
- Flyer & Angel de oro vs. Taichi & Cuatrero
- KUSHIDA & Atlantis Jr. & Atlantis vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & OKUMURA & Sanson
- Soberano Jr. & Titan & Dragon Lee vs. Forastero & Barbaro Cavernario & Gran Guerrero
- Jyushin Thunder Liger & Volador Jr. & Mistico vs. Namajague & Caristico & Ultimo Guerrero
- Fujin & Raijin & Toa Henare & Satoshi Kojima vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Terrible
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 5
Jan. 16, 2019
Makuhari Messe at Chiba, Japan
Airs at 5:00 a.m. ET on NJPW World
- KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi & Titan vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori) & Forastero
- Fujin & Raijin vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI)
- Audaz & Soberano Jr. & Angel de oro vs. Namajague & OKUMURA & Barbaro Cavernario
- Toa Henare & Satoshi Kojima vs. Tetsuya Naito & Terrible
- Tiger Mask & Jyushin Thunder Liger & Caristico vs. Templarino & Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero
- Atlantis Jr. & Atlantis vs. Cuatrero & Sanson in a CMLL Family Tag Tournament 2019 1st Round Match
- Dragon Lee & Mistico vs. Flyer & Volador Jr. in a CMLL Family Tag Tournament 2019 1st Round Match
NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 6
Jan. 18, 2019
Korakuen Hall at Tokyo, Japan
Airs at 4:30 a.m. ET on NJPW World
- 1st Round Winner vs. 1st Round Winner in the CMLL Family Tag Tournament 2019 Finals
- Soberano Jr. vs. Barbaro Cavernario
- Satoshi Kojima & Toa Henare & Fujin & Raijin vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“The Dragon” Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Terrible in the “Black Cat Memorial” Match
•Upcoming Events
- 01/12/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 2 in Ehime, Japan
- 01/13/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 3 in Kyoto, Japan
- 01/14/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 4 in Gifu, Japan
- 01/16/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 5 in Chiba, Japan
- 01/18/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 6 in Tokyo, Japan
- 01/20/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 7 in Tokyo, Japan
- 01/21/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 8 in Tokyo, Japan
- 01/26/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 1 in Saitama, Japan
- 01/28/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 2 in Tokyo, Japan
- 01/29/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 3 in Tokyo, Japan
- 01/30/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 4 in Miyagi, Japan
- 01/30/2019: NJPW The New Beginning USA – Night 1 in Los Angeles, California
- 02/01/2019: NJPW The New Beginning USA – Night 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina
- 02/02/2019: NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo – Night 1 in Hokkaido, Japan
- 02/02/2019: NJPW The New Beginning USA – Night 3 in Nashville, Tennessee
- 02/03/2019: NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo – Night 2 in Hokkaido, Japan
- 02/06/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 5 in Nagano, Japan
- 02/07/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 6 in Aichi, Japan
- 02/08/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 7 in Mie, Japan
- 02/09/2019: NJPW Road to The New Beginning – Night 8 in Osaka, Japan
- 02/11/2019: NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka in Osaka, Japan
- 02/21/2019: NJPW New Japan Road – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan
- 02/22/2019: NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2019 – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan
- 02/23/2019: NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2019 – Night 2 in Tokyo, Japan
- 02/27/2019: NJPW New Japan Road – Night 2 in Okinawa, Japan
- 03/01/2019: NJPW Anniversary Tour 2018 – Night 1 in Saitama, Japan
- 03/02/2019: NJPW Anniversary Tour 2018 – Night 2 in Nagano, Japan
- 03/04/2019: NJPW Anniversary Tour 2018 – Night 3 in Fukushima, Japan
- 03/06/2019: NJPW Anniversary Event in Tokyo, Japan
- 03/08/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan
- 03/09/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 2 in Aichi, Japan
- 03/10/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 3 in Hyogo, Japan
- 03/11/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 4 in Kagawa, Japan
- 03/13/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 5 in Okayama, Japan
- 03/14/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 6 in Nara, Japan
- 03/16/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 7 in Tokyo, Japan
- 03/17/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 8 in Tokyo, Japan
- 03/20/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 9 in Shizuoka, Japan
- 03/21/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 10 in Shizuoka, Japan
- 03/23/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 11 in Niigata, Japan
- 03/24/2019: NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 – Night 12 in Niigata, Japan
- 04/06/2019: NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard in New York, New York
•Latest TV Highlights: NJPW on AXS TV (01/04/2019)
Wrestle Kingdom 13
Jan. 4, 2019
Tokyo Dome at Tokyo, Japan
Originally aired on NJPW World & FITE
- (1) Tetsuya Naito defeated Chris Jericho by pinfall to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
- (2) “The Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega (w/The Young Bucks) by pinfall to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
•Latest TV Highlights: NJPW on AXS TV (01/11/2019)
Wrestle Kingdom 13
Jan. 4, 2019
Tokyo Dome at Tokyo, Japan
Originally aired on NJPW World & FITE
- (1) “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay defeated “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi by pinfall to win the NEVER Openweight Championship
- (2) “Switchblade” Jay White (w/Gedo) defeated “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada by pinfall
•NJPW in the Media
History of CHAOS part 4: Top Heavy
Highlights from WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th)
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [pre-show match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [1st match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [2nd match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [3rd match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [4th match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [5th match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [6th match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [7th match]
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 in TOKYO DOME (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [8th match]
Tanahashi’s WK13 Victory speech – WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 (January 4th) – Post-match Interview [9th match]
Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast – 01/04 Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast With Jason Powell (Episode 39): NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 review with Will Pruett: LINK
Highlights from NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th)
NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th) – Post-match Interview [1st match]
NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th) – Post-match Interview [2nd match]
NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th) – Post-match Interview [3rd match]
NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th) – Post-match Interview [4th match]
Taichi declares war on LIJ! – NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th) – Post-match Interview [6th match]
Jay White and BULLET CLUB brutalize Tanahashi! – NEW YEAR DASH!! (January 5th)
Dragon Lee VS Kamaitachi : 2016.1.24 CMLL WORLD SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – Monday Free Match
RADICAN’S 1/4 NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 PPV REPORT – Okada-White, Jericho-Naito, Omega-Tanahashi main event
PWTorch VIP AUDIO 1/6 ñ Elite Repeat Podcast: Roundtable discussion of Being the Elite episodes 50-52 and a history of Bullet Club departures
Highlight of NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING 2018
NJPW 2019 Big Match Schedule!
WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 Press Conference (January 7th)
“No need to worry, Iíve got this!” The new IWGP Heavyweight champion Tanahashi is confident about his title defense against Jay White! Plans to take his tag-team with Okada “One step further”: LINK
Kenny Omega is wrestling’s biggest free agent and WWE has a challenger: LINK
Killing The Town: Love from Japan at WrestleKingdom with Ted Irvine: LINK
After Wrestle Kingdom – Being The Elite Ep. 133
All Elite Wrestling “Double or Nothing” Rally – Part 1
All Elite Wrestling “Double or Nothing” Rally – Part 2
The Jim Ross Report: AEW breakdown with Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin: LINK
King Of Sports – New Japan Podcast – 29: WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 and New Year Dash Review: LINK
History of BULLET CLUB Part 4: Civil War
•LATEST “TALKING HONOR” PWTORCH LIVECAST COVERING ROH
“Real World Champions.” This week Emily Fear and Harley R. Pageot discuss everyone gunning for Jay Lethal’s world title, whether Christopher Daniels has actually retired or not and if Shane Taylor benefits, Kelly Klein as a fighting champion, the dominance of Jeff Cobb, and a softer side to Beer City Bruiser. Plus: an addressing of the strange ending to last week’s episode.
-On Apple Podcasts HERE
-Or search “PWTorch” or “Pro Wrestling Torch” on your podcast app of choice
•Social Media Scene
https://twitter.com/BUSHI_njpw/status/1081163259284119552
1-1 #njwk13 pic.twitter.com/w5Y7C0UX9t
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) January 4, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsM0AoIHeU8
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsNb5-5lgVp
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsNNpZyAIel
https://twitter.com/DBSmithjr/status/1081524065804800000
Okada’s pants!?#fuckem! pic.twitter.com/atyOvo0gac
— TheUnderboss (@TOKSFALE) January 5, 2019
Assassin. pic.twitter.com/ezFKCkuZEn
— “A̶e̶r̶i̶a̶l̶ Assassin” Will Ospreay (@WillOspreay) January 6, 2019
"The End of The Tale"
Kenny cannot fight The Final boss … Continue???#NJPWFanart pic.twitter.com/LU1dJcXkPv— FAT TAPLA [タプラ] (@D_TaPla) January 6, 2019
Believe this.
This is the first time me & Pac have been in the same building together at @RevProUK Cockpit pic.twitter.com/xfFgByrCV6
— “A̶e̶r̶i̶a̶l̶ Assassin” Will Ospreay (@WillOspreay) January 6, 2019
In the spirit of WrestleKingdom and New Years Dash…. lets have some fun shall we…. go ahead and try to figure out why I was saying to @WillOspreay and give it a good caption…… and GO!!!! pic.twitter.com/we2XSZlS5h
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) January 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/azucarRoc/status/1082123018309009408
Buffalo Brothers Car Accident Recovery Fund https://t.co/4vPOWTXYGx
— Switchblade (@JayWhiteNZ) January 7, 2019
“It’s been a crazily fulfilling 8 years” – KUSHIDA announces his retirement from NJPW at the end of January. A question from Tanahashi leads to tears.
Read the full article on the NJPW official English website:https://t.co/cliI7hrw76#njpw #njnbg pic.twitter.com/FoXBNGI0BZ
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 7, 2019
— BUSHI (@BUSHI_njpw) January 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/azucarRoc/status/1082314350126280704
Bummed and happy at the same time! @KUSHIDA_0904 is the man! You are gonna do good wherever you go! Sorry I wasn’t fast enough to go back in time! Maybe in the future we try again! pic.twitter.com/G82xYI4awP
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) January 7, 2019
#PubertyChallenge 2010 – 2019 pic.twitter.com/FA8KNcZiIA
— “A̶e̶r̶i̶a̶l̶ Assassin” Will Ospreay (@WillOspreay) January 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/JayWhiteNZ/status/1082867918231228421
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsaY9vUHp_n
あと少しゼァ‼️ https://t.co/ISrbH3ifza
— 永田裕志 (@nagata769) January 10, 2019
ZACK vs PAC. pic.twitter.com/jXAj76Ku3j
— ZSJ. Ⓥ (@zacksabrejr) January 10, 2019
Never forget @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/7YEib6mAnG
— “A̶e̶r̶i̶a̶l̶ Assassin” Will Ospreay (@WillOspreay) January 10, 2019
I am so excited for and proud of everyone involved in @AEWrestling. Biggest change to wrestling since Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions, imo. https://t.co/A2o0eWX8t5
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) January 10, 2019
Absolutely! https://t.co/fmrQPMG1KQ
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) January 10, 2019
100% facially accurate ZSJ plush toys now available made by friend of animals @superfun5000.
My proceeds are going to @retreatrescue whilst the rest are headed to Stray Haven & Rancho Relaxo!https://t.co/4wuRXs4Ysm pic.twitter.com/xRYYensoTN
— ZSJ. Ⓥ (@zacksabrejr) January 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/azucarRoc/status/1083499097091276805
https://www.instagram.com/p/BseeXttF1b2
— BUSHI (@BUSHI_njpw) January 11, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfefNWnYyd
•Closing Commentary
Well, I didn’t get a perfect 10-0 with my Wrestle Kingdom 13 predictions, but I did manage to go 8-2!
WK13 was an absolutely awesome event with over four hours of wrestling action holding my attention for the entire event. While Jericho vs. Naito was an amazing match, I would have to say my top three Wrestle Kingdom 13 matches were Okada vs. White, Ibushi vs. Ospreay, and Omega vs. Tanahashi. I would put those three matches up against any three matches for any promotion in the entire world for MOTY candidates. If you haven’t had the chance to watch the event yet, do yourself a favor and order the replay.
With Wrestle Kingdom 13 officially in the books, it means huge changes to the NJPW roster. KUSHIDA is on his way out, Iizuka is retiring, Jericho has officially signed with All Elite Wrestling alongside Cody, “Hangman” Page, and The Young Bucks. The biggest surprise of the past week, however, has been the news of Kenny Omega “stepping away” from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Omega, much like Jericho, knows how to create a buzz on the internet. Simply google the last time he was a free agent, his appearance for PCW in Winnipeg this past October, or his match against a nine-year old girl. I’m 100% confident he’ll sign with All Elite Wrestling when his contract with NJPW expires, and I’m 1000% confident his contract will be similar to Jericho’s, where he’ll be able to wrestle in NJPW once he signs with AEW.
So what’s that mean for NJPW and AEW?
On Saturday, April 6th, 2019, NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City featuring talent from both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Ring of Honor. The Young Bucks have publicly stated they won’t be part of the show, while members of the ELITE have recently said their goodbyes to ROH and now seemingly NJPW. All Elite Wrestling is on the verge of becoming the hottest promotion in Pro-Wrestling in 2019, while ALL IN was one of the hottest shows of 2018. It sold out an arena without matches being announced. Sound familiar?
Google “ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard” and see what comes up.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Ring of Honor sold out the “World’s Most Famous Arena” for G1 Supercard without matches being announced. The biggest non-WWE wrestling show in modern history taking place at MSG and we’re supposed to believe that the ELITE, a group that has been part of the heart and soul of both NJPW and ROH the past several years, won’t be a part of it? Expect the ELITE to invade the ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard show this coming April.
Finally, I’d like to take this time to send my thoughts and prayers out to the Buffalo Brothers. Kevin Blackwood, Daniel Garcia, Kevin Bennett, and Puf are independent wrestlers that were traveling back from Montreal, Quebec to Buffalo, New York after performing for FLQ Wrestling on Saturday, January 5th. On the morning of Sunday, January 6th, as they were close to home, their vehicle hit a patch of black ice and the car spun out of control and hit a guardrail. After seeing pictures of the vehicle after the accident, they are all lucky to be alive. I’ve seen all four of these guys wrestle countless times, performing for fans that appreciate everything they do no matter what city they perform in. While they sacrifice and risk their bodies inside the ring, as fans we know they’re real human beings outside of the ring. They’re sons, nephews, brothers, uncles, husbands, and fathers performing for fans across the world, giving us everything they have to offer as a performer.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help support the Buffalo Brothers. Talent and fans from around the world, including former IWGP Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho, have donated to the fund. If you have the ability to make a donation, please do so at https://www.gofundme.com/buffalo-brothers-car-accident-recovery-fund.
#GetWellBuffaloBrothers
NOW CHECK OUT OTHER WEEKLY OVERVIEWS HERE.
OR JUMP TO LAST WEEK’S WWE OVERVIEW: WEEKLY OVERVIEW – NJPW (thru 1/1): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.