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:
-New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced that Pro Wrestling Guerilla founder Excalibur is set to call the last three nights of action of World Tag League 2018 alongside Kevin Kelly. On top of being the main voice behind all of PWG’s shows, Excalibur helped call ALL IN this past September.
-While staying with commentary, “Eggshells: Pro Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome” author Chris Charlton recently announced on Twitter that he’s officially set to announce at Wrestle Kingdom 13. Charlton will join Kevin Kelly and Don Callis at the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4, 2019.
-Wrestle Kingdom 13 is just under five weeks away and if you are not a subscriber of NJPW World, you now have another option to watch the event. FITE.tv just announced that they will be airing WK13 live across their platforms for just $34.99 US. Five matches have been officially been announced by NJPW including “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against G1 Climax 28 winner Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event.
-With every major wrestling news website across the world reporting on the “All Elite Wrestling” trademarks last week, how do you create even more of a buzz the following week? You interview CM Punk about the news. MMAFighting.com recently interviewed the disgruntled former WWE Champion focusing on several topics including the news of AEW.
-When asked if he was interested in being part of the promotion, Punk stated, “I think at this point that whatever those guys decide to do will be great for them and their families. If I was asked what I would do or what I would say to them — because they could obviously go to WWE whenever they want — it’s just a matter of is this what’s best for your family? And I think we live in a time now where WWE is not the end-all, be-all. I don’t think it has been for quite some time. I think the stigma that it is is still there and probably will persist for many, many years. But enough people have been there and left that can, I guess, extoll the knowledge of, ‘Hey, you know what, the place ain’t all that.’” Punk goes on to state, “…If those guys all go and start their own thing, more power to them. Let me bring it full circle again, I’m not actively pursing really much of anything. I’m just kind of floating. And it’s a nice thing to be able to do and just kind of float and hang out and if somebody wants to pick up the phone like Dave Sholler did and call me up and say, ‘Hey, we really think you’d be good at this and we want you to be a part of your company,’ they can call me up and make an offer. That has remained to be seen. Pro wrestling is not on my radar.”
-After ten nights of NJPW World Tag League 2018, here are your current standings:
- Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) 12 Points | 6 Wins 1 Loss
- CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) 10 Points | 5 Wins 2 Losses
- Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) 10 Points | 5 Wins 2 Losses
- Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) 10 Points | 5 Wins 2 Losses
- Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) 8 Points | 4 Wins 3 Losses
- FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) 8 Points | 4 Wins 3 Losses
- K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) 8 Points | 4 Wins 3 Losses
- “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb
- 8 Points | 4 Wins 3 Losses
- “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi 6 Points | 3 Wins 4 Losses
- Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) 6 Points | 3 Wins 4 Losses
- Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) 6 Points | 3 Wins 4 Losses
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare 4 Points | 2 Wins 5 Losses
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi 2 Points | 1 Win 6 Losses
- Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino 0 Points | 0 Wins 7 Losses
(This week’s edition of NJPW Lioncast, exclusive to PWTorch.com, features continuing coverage, match opinions and analysis of World Tag League 2018. You can check it out HERE.)
-This Week in NJPW History saw Antonio Inoki, founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, defeat Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship on Nov. 30, 1979 in Tokushima, Japan. A rematch for the title went to a no contest on Dec. 6, 1979 and Inoki vacated the title the very same day. Due to Inoki vacating the championship, the WWE record books show no mention of Inoki winning the title at all.
•Live Event Results:
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 5
Nov. 23, 2018
Culttz Kawasaki at Kanagawa, Japan
(1) Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defeated Yuya Uemura & Yota Tsuji by pinfall after Loa pinned Tsuji
(2) Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) & K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Ren Narita & Tomoaki Honma & Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) by pinfall after Taichi pinned Narita
(3) Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) defeated Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino by pinfall after Chuckie T pinned Umino in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(4) Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) defeated Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi by pinfall after Suzuki pinned Nakanishi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(5) FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) defeated “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb by pinfall after Robinson pinned Cobb in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(6) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) defeated Togi Makabe & Toa Henare by pinfall after EVIL pinned Henare in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Hirooki Goto) defeated “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi & Kota Ibushi by pinfall after Yano pinned Takahashi
(8) CHAOS (SHO & YOH & Kazuchika Okada) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) by pinfall after Okada pinned BUSHI
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 6
Nov. 24, 2018
Kuki City Gymnasium at Saitama, Japan
(1) Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura fought to a 10-minute time limit draw
(2) “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb defeated Shota Umino & Manabu Nakanishi by pinfall after Cobb pinned Umino
(3) Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) defeated Ayato Yoshida & Yuji Nagata by pinfall after Suzuki pinned Yoshida
(4) Tomoaki Honma & Toa Henare & Togi Makabe defeated Ren Narita & FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) by pinfall after Henare pinned Narita
(5) “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) by pinfall after Page pinned Taichi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(6) Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) defeated Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) by pinfall after Kojima pinned Loa in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) defeated K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) by pinfall after Yano pinned Archer in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(8) CHAOS (SHO & YOH & Chuckie T & Beretta & Kazuchika Okada) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & SANADA & “King of Darkness” EVIL & Tetsuya Naito) by pinfall after Okada pinned BUSHI
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 7
Nov. 25, 2018
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium at Aichi, Japan
Aired on NJPW World
(1) “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino by pinfall after Takahashi pinned Yoshida in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(2) Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi defeated CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) by pinfall after Yano pinned Nakanishi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(3) “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb defeated Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) by pinfall after Elgin pinned Kojima in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(4) FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) defeated Togi Makabe & Toa Henare by pinfall after Finlay pinned Henare in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(5) CHAOS (SHO & YOH & Kazuchika Okada) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) by pinfall after Okada pinned BUSHI
(6) Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defeated Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) by pinfall after Tonga pinned Iizuka in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) by pinfall after Archer pinned Chuckie T in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(8) Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) by pinfall after ZSJ pinned EVIL in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 8
Nov. 26, 2018
Komatsu City Suehiro Gymnasium at Ishikawa, Japan
(1) Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) defeated Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino by pinfall after Taichi pinned Yoshida in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(2) K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi by pinfall after DBS Jr. pinned Nakanishi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(3) “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Togi Makabe & Toa Henare by pinfall after Takahashi pinned Henare in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(4) Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) defeated Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) by pinfall after Suzuki pinned Chuckie T in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(5) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) defeated Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) by pinfall after SANADA pinned Tenzan in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(6) CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) defeated FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) by pinfall after Ishii pinned Finlay in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb defeated Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) by pinfall after Cobb pinned Loa in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(8) Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) defeated CHAOS (SHO & YOH & Kazuchika Okada) by pinfall after Naito pinned YOH
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 9
Nov. 28, 2018
Mito Municipal Gymnasium at Ibaraki, Japan
(1) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) defeated Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino by pinfall after SANADA pinned Yoshida in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(2) Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) defeated Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi by submission after ZSJ made Nakanishi tapout in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(3) Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) defeated Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) by pinfall after Beretta pinned Kojima in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(4) Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) defeated FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) by pinfall after Suzuki pinned Finlay in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(5) “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb defeated Togi Makabe & Toa Henare by pinfall after Elgin pinned Henare in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(6) CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) defeated “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi by pinfall after Yano pinned Takahashi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defeated K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) by pinfall after Tonga pinned DBS Jr. in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(8) Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) defeated CHAOS (SHO & YOH & Kazuchika Okada) by pinfall after Naito pinned SHO
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 10
Nov. 29, 2018
Korakuen Hall at Tokyo, Japan
Aired on NJPW World
(1) “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb defeated Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino by pinfall after Cobb pinned Yoshida in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(2) FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) defeated Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi by pinfall after Robinson pinned Nakanishi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(3) Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) defeated K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) by pinfall after Tenzan pinned DBS Jr. in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(4) Togi Makabe & Toa Henare defeated Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) by disqualification in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(5) Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defeated “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi by pinfall after Loa pinned Page in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(6) Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) defeated Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) by pinfall after ZSJ pinned Iizuka in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(7) Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) defeated CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) by pinfall after SANADA pinned Yano in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
(8) Bullet Club OG (“Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White) defeated KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi by pinfall after Ishimori pinned KUSHIDA
•Upcoming Major Show Line-ups
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 11
Nov. 30, 2018
Korakuen Hall at Tokyo, Japan
Airs at 4:30 a.m. ET on NJPW World
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) vs. FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Rocky Romero & KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White)
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 12
Dec. 2, 2018
EDION Arena Osaka at Osaka, Japan
Airs at 2:00 a.m. ET on NJPW World
- Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino vs. K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Rocky Romero & KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White)
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 13
Dec. 3, 2018
Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium at Kochi, Japan
- Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) vs. K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Rocky Romero & KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White)
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 14
Dec. 4, 2018
Kobe Sanbo Hall at Hyogo, Japan
- Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) vs. Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Rocky Romero & KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White)
NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 15
Dec. 6, 2018
Yamagata Big Wing at Yamagata, Japan
- Ayato Yoshida & Shota Umino vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- “Hangman” Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi vs. K.E.S. (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Los Ingobernables de Japon (“King of Darkness” EVIL & SANADA) vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) in a World Tag League 2018 Tournament Match
- Rocky Romero & KUSHIDA & Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club OG (Gedo & “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale & “Switchblade” Jay White)
•Upcoming Events
11/30/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 11 in Tokyo, Japan
12/02/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 12 in Osaka, Japan
12/03/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 13 in Kochi, Japan
12/04/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 14 in Hyogo, Japan
12/06/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 15 in Yamagata, Japan
12/07/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 16 in Akita, Japan
12/09/2018: NJPW World Tag League 2018 – Night 17 in Iwate, Japan
12/14/2018: NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan
12/15/2018: NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome – Night 2 in Tokyo, Japan
01/04/2019: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo, Japan
01/05/2019: NJPW New Year Dash in Tokyo, Japan
01/11/2019: NJPW presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 – Night 1 in Osaka, Japan
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
02/02/2019: NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo – Night 1 in Hokkaido, Japan
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
02/22/2019: NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2019 – Night 1 in Tokyo, Japan
02/23/2019: NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2019 – Night 2 in Tokyo, Japan
03/02/2019: NJPW Anniversary Tour 2018 – Night 1 in Nagano, Japan
03/04/2019: NJPW Anniversary Tour 2018 – Night 2 in Fukushima, Japan
04/06/2019: NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard in New York, New York
•Latest TV Highlights: NJPW on AXS TV (11/23/2018)
G1 Climax 28 – Night 18
Aug. 11, 2018
Tokyo, Japan at Nippon Budokan
Originally aired on NJPW World
(1) Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito by pinfall in a G1 Climax 28 (B Block) Tournament Match
(2) Kota Ibushi defeated “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega by pinfall in a G1 Climax 28 (B Block) Tournament Match
•NJPW in the Media
SLAM! Wrestling: Juice Robinson thriving in New Japan: LINK
The Recount: History of the BULLET CLUB – Part One: Shoot Style: LINK
Notsam Wrestling 213 – Wade Keller & Wrestling Newsletter History: LINK
EGGSHELLS Podcast Companion: 2011 w/ Mike Sempervive: LINK
Raymond Rowe, Hanson vs Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr. WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2017 – Monday Free Match: LINK
PWTorch VIP AUDIO 11/25 – WKH – Ask the Editor: Is Becky vs. Ronda vs. Charlotte more appealing now for WM, is ROH in danger if New Japan deal falls through and All Elite begins, how can WWE avoid screwing up Drew, which WWE mid-carders could benefit from New Japan stint: LINK
“The Exorcism of Cody Rhodes” – Being The Elite Ep. 127: LINK
“He didn’t win. I won, just like I said I would” – Interview with Chris Jericho, Part 1: LINK
NOV 29,30 Tanahashi & Okada tag finally! LINK
Katsuyori Shibata – California Dreamin’: Documentary of the LA Dojo #5: LINK
“Naito is a coward!” – Interview with Chris Jericho, Part 2: LINK
PWTorch VIP AUDIO 11/28 – The Fix w/Todd Martin (pt. 2 of 2): Mailbag edition including advice for AEW launch, is Velveteen Dream paying tribute to Hogan, how many of today’s WWE roster makes HOF, Cena backstage rep, Rousey, Sunny legacy, much more: LINK
The Wire: IWGP Jr. Championship Match at WK13: LINK
•LATEST “TALKING HONOR” PWTORCH LIVECAST COVERING ROH
“Ladder War VII.” This week Harley R. Pageot and Emily Fear discuss the announcement of SCU vs. The Young Bucks vs. The Briscoes in Ladder War VII, outline why they think Christopher Daniels is retiring, look at what is likely the complete Final Battle card, and explain why filming segments outside of the arena can be so beneficial.
-On Apple Podcasts HERE
-Or search “PWTorch” or “Pro Wrestling Torch” on your podcast app of choice
•Social Media Scene
https://twitter.com/gamerschoicetv/status/1064997646694109184
Great cause for homeless families & vets. Check it out! https://t.co/d9quFjkrQG
— The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) November 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/KarlAndersonWWE/status/1065347667423842307
11月25日（日）19時より初回放送！
内藤哲也がJ SPORTS「広島東洋カープ2018優勝特番」のナレーションを担当！ https://t.co/wOnms9qLFt#njpw pic.twitter.com/gVWrcuuy3h— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) November 24, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqk-1fvlCw-
Next time we film an episode at the Staples Center. https://t.co/aJIyz19GpY
— The Young Bucks (@NickJacksonYB) November 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1067257917559074816
— BUSHI (@BUSHI_njpw) November 27, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqrhsgRFY1F
2019 makes 30 years of Dome wrestling, and #njwk13 is the last Dome show of the Heisei era.
Today I got confirmation I’ll be announcing on the show. For Japan, pro wrestling and me personally, it’ll be historic.— chris charlton (@reasonjp) November 28, 2018
BREAKING! @ShutUpExcalibur will join @njpwworld commentary alongside @realkevinkelly on Dec 6, 7 and 9!#njpw #njpwwtl pic.twitter.com/4wm5p848Dt
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) November 28, 2018
— BUSHI (@BUSHI_njpw) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/XavierWoodsPhD/status/1067831175060828160
Couldn’t agree more! You folks have the power so let’s snag a victory for pro-wrestling! (I promise I’ll give Creed visitation rights for the trophy after I win) https://t.co/pxS1KNk5gR
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) November 28, 2018
12月発売！世界中で人気のフィギュアシリーズ「BE@RBRICK SERIES 37」にケニー・オメガ選手が登場!!https://t.co/Qo8gKMe9zn#njpwshop pic.twitter.com/GQLUVZLBz1
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) November 29, 2018
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•Closing Commentary
The Rainmaker. The Ace.
Two of the biggest names in the history of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and for the first time in history, they’re fighting on the same side. With the handshake heard around the world, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi, bitter rivals, shocked wrestling fans by forming an alliance against “Switchblade” Jay White and Bullet Club OG on Night 8 of NJPW Road to Power Struggle on Oct. 27, 2018.
Okada is a former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion while Tanahashi is a former seven-time champion. Okada is 31 years old while Tanahashi is 42 years old. Tanahashi is fighting for his eighth IWGP Heavyweight Championship against current champion Kenny Omega while Okada is looking for revenge against White at Wrestle Kingdom 13. Here’s where it gets interesting.
Bitter rivals, newly formed alliance, both fomer IWGP Heavyweight Champions. Okada used to be champion. He used to have an alliance with Gedo. He used to be the dominant leader of CHAOS. While he’s still leader of CHAOS, Gedo turned his back on Okada and Okada hasn’t seen the championship in almost six months. Tanahashi on the other hand, a former bitter rival of Okada, has not only remained dominant in NJPW, he won the G1 Climax 28 briefcase. Guess what else he did? He beat White to retain the briefcase at King of Pro-Wrestling back in October.
WK13 takes place on Jan. 4, 2019 and if Okada loses his match against White, will we see “The Rainmaker” snap on “The Ace” before the show ends? If Tanahashi is on the verge of winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, will Okada stop him from doing so? If Tanahashi wins his eighth title, will Okada attack him post-match?
While this newly formed alliance has wrestling fans around the world hyped, this newly formed alliance was also a bitter feud for the better part of six years. These two staples of NJPW wanted to destroy each other on a regular basis, especially when it came to championships. Just because they shook hands doesn’t mean they’ve destroyed their hatred for one another simply due to a common enemy. Remember, who saved who on Oct. 27, 2018.
Whether or not we see Tanahashi walk away with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13 isn’t guaranteed. What is guaranteed? Okada turning his back on Tanahashi in 2019 before the end of January.
You don’t win friends with salad and the last time I checked, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship was prime rib.
#OKADAxTANAHASHI
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