NJPW New Beginning/Battle In The Valley

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Figured might as well tie these two events together since BITV has already got a match announced with Mercedes Vs Kairi 

[chrom]

Mercedes vs Kairi has lead to the show becoming nearly sold out.

[Convoy]

New Beginning’s big shows are being split yet again, with Nagoya, Sapporo (x2) and Osaka being the sites this year. Expect the championship matches to be split among them. At this point they’ve hinted at:

Okada/Shingo
Shingo/O-Khan
Omega/Cobb
ZSJ/Ishii
Bishamon/TMDK
Hiromu/YOH
Tama/ELP
Catch 2/2/J4G
Ospreay/Taichi
Naito/Umino
White/Hikuleo
Tana/KENTA
House of Torture/Narita-Suzuki-Despy

That’s quite a way to start the year, even if a couple take place stateside.

[chrom]

Battle in The Valley will be airing on Fite and New Japan World.

[ANuclearError]

Hmm, this is interesting. Not gonna lie, I've not paid attention to STRONG, but from the outside it seemed to find its niche. Wonder if its an issue with translation or something.

This from last year adds some fuel to the fire.

Seen some people think that ROH/Honor Club is a factor.

[Fundertaker]

In that same thread there's a tweet from Ohbari saying the STRONG will be "rebuilt" next year, so probably a relaunch of sorts at/after the Philly shows? Maybe they found a network for the show but need higher production values hence this?

[chrom]

That is curious.

[HMARK Center]

Jan 7, 2023 11:30:25 GMT -5 Fundertaker said:

In that same thread there's a tweet from Ohbari saying the STRONG will be "rebuilt" next year, so probably a relaunch of sorts at/after the Philly shows? Maybe they found a network for the show but need higher production values hence this?

Given the Jay White/Hikuleo "Loser Leaves Japan" match plus the buzz around Tony Khan likely working with NJPW on the revamped Honor Club, it definitely sounds like something's in the works. I liked Strong well enough, but there were always some limitations to its format; probably didn't help that it got off the ground during the pandemic.

Curious if it'll finally end up with the IWGP US title as the main belt of the promotion, with the Strong NEVER titles for the midcard and tag scenes and the IWGP Women's title for matches involving Stardom wrestlers and other women, but maybe with more of a touring/tournament schedule instead of a weekly taping block.

[chrom]

They are taping Strong tonight so these are the last tapings before the relaunch.

[clifford]

Very happy with all the feuds/title matches being set up at the moment.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Jan 6, 2023 22:56:37 GMT -5 Convoy said:

New Beginning’s big shows are being split yet again, with Nagoya, Sapporo (x2) and Osaka being the sites this year. Expect the championship matches to be split among them. At this point they’ve hinted at:

Okada/Shingo
Shingo/O-Khan
Omega/Cobb
ZSJ/Ishii
Bishamon/TMDK
Hiromu/YOH
Tama/ELP
Catch 2/2/J4G
Ospreay/Taichi
Naito/Umino
White/Hikuleo
Tana/KENTA
House of Torture/Narita-Suzuki-Despy

That’s quite a way to start the year, even if a couple take place stateside.

As per tradition, Bishamon reign will probably be really short 

WTL/WK winners don't have long runs 

[HMARK Center]

Jan 7, 2023 15:30:48 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Jan 6, 2023 22:56:37 GMT -5 Convoy said:

New Beginning’s big shows are being split yet again, with Nagoya, Sapporo (x2) and Osaka being the sites this year. Expect the championship matches to be split among them. At this point they’ve hinted at:

Okada/Shingo
Shingo/O-Khan
Omega/Cobb
ZSJ/Ishii
Bishamon/TMDK
Hiromu/YOH
Tama/ELP
Catch 2/2/J4G
Ospreay/Taichi
Naito/Umino
White/Hikuleo
Tana/KENTA
House of Torture/Narita-Suzuki-Despy

That’s quite a way to start the year, even if a couple take place stateside.

As per tradition, Bishamon reign will probably be really short 

WTL/WK winners don't have long runs 

I'm curious how it goes this time: going by both commentary (albeit English, so they may not get the same talking points as the Japanese team) and the post-match comments it does seem like they really wanted to play up this year that Bishamon has kind of taken the next step as a team, ironing out almost all of the "awkwardness" of a newer team that they won in spite of the previous year. If that's the case, they might want to keep them strapped up a bit longer to build up their legitimacy a bit more...but at the same time it's easy to imagine putting the belts on TMDK, who really broke out during Tag League. Either way, since Tag League I've had a bit of a better feeling about the tag straps than I have in awhile, but we'll see what the future holds, there's been stops and starts with getting them to feel more important before.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Jan 7, 2023 15:53:50 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

Jan 7, 2023 15:30:48 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

As per tradition, Bishamon reign will probably be really short 

WTL/WK winners don't have long runs 

I'm curious how it goes this time: going by both commentary (albeit English, so they may not get the same talking points as the Japanese team) and the post-match comments it does seem like they really wanted to play up this year that Bishamon has kind of taken the next step as a team, ironing out almost all of the "awkwardness" of a newer team that they won in spite of the previous year. If that's the case, they might want to keep them strapped up a bit longer to build up their legitimacy a bit more...but at the same time it's easy to imagine putting the belts on TMDK, who really broke out during Tag League. Either way, since Tag League I've had a bit of a better feeling about the tag straps than I have in awhile, but we'll see what the future holds, there's been stops and starts with getting them to feel more important before.

I think giving Bishamon a decent reign would be good as it also basically continues to full the arc of Yoshi-Hashi as well who I hope get some type of NEVER or US title run at some point

Tag team scene I think they are going tp put some more focus on since they do have a few teams who are ready. TMDK will def get tag title run some time this year. This could go either way, either we get a decent long run on one team or probably get a mix match. Assuming Ospreay is up next, can't see them passing up Cobb/O-Khan getting tag run as well 

[chrom]

Valley tickets are almost gone.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 7, 2023 16:04:43 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Jan 7, 2023 15:53:50 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I'm curious how it goes this time: going by both commentary (albeit English, so they may not get the same talking points as the Japanese team) and the post-match comments it does seem like they really wanted to play up this year that Bishamon has kind of taken the next step as a team, ironing out almost all of the "awkwardness" of a newer team that they won in spite of the previous year. If that's the case, they might want to keep them strapped up a bit longer to build up their legitimacy a bit more...but at the same time it's easy to imagine putting the belts on TMDK, who really broke out during Tag League. Either way, since Tag League I've had a bit of a better feeling about the tag straps than I have in awhile, but we'll see what the future holds, there's been stops and starts with getting them to feel more important before.

I think giving Bishamon a decent reign would be good as it also basically continues to full the arc of Yoshi-Hashi as well who I hope get some type of NEVER or US title run at some point

Tag team scene I think they are going tp put some more focus on since they do have a few teams who are ready. TMDK will def get tag title run some time this year. This could go either way, either we get a decent long run on one team or probably get a mix match. Assuming Ospreay is up next, can't see them passing up Cobb/O-Khan getting tag run as well 

I can't really picture YOSHI-HASHI being a US title guy, but definitely could see him getting the NEVER at some point, which also would be a point of interesting since Goto and Ishii both have strong associations with the title, so there could be a bit of tension there. Not outright hostility, but maybe one of them wondering if they're seeing him succeed where they once did and no longer are.

[HMARK Center]

Jan 7, 2023 18:46:32 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Jan 7, 2023 16:04:43 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

I think giving Bishamon a decent reign would be good as it also basically continues to full the arc of Yoshi-Hashi as well who I hope get some type of NEVER or US title run at some point

Tag team scene I think they are going tp put some more focus on since they do have a few teams who are ready. TMDK will def get tag title run some time this year. This could go either way, either we get a decent long run on one team or probably get a mix match. Assuming Ospreay is up next, can't see them passing up Cobb/O-Khan getting tag run as well 

I can't really picture YOSHI-HASHI being a US title guy, but definitely could see him getting the NEVER at some point, which also would be a point of interesting since Goto and Ishii both have strong associations with the title, so there could be a bit of tension there. Not outright hostility, but maybe one of them wondering if they're seeing him succeed where they once did and no longer are.

I've long wanted to see Goto and Ishii unite as two bruisers who've hit middle age, realize they've fallen into the role of gatekeepers for the main event, and just say "@#$% it, let's decapitate everybody" as strong style heels wrestling a more "vintage NJPW" style.

But I also don't think they'll be looking to break up Bishamon any time soon, and doing my above idea while keeping those two together would require turning YOSHI heel, which I highly, highly doubt is in the cards, dude's got too much underdog babyface energy the crowd has grown to appreciate.

In the meantime, I'm still mulling over how this whole thing with Jay vs. Hikuleo plays out. There's now more buzz out there about WWE being interested in the Tongan brothers, but there's also still the clear "Jay wants to spend more time at home" thing, so I'm still leaning towards Jay losing the match. In that case, though...does Hikuleo go over cleanly, or do you book it so that someone in Bullet Club decides to go mutinous and intentionally costs Jay the match? I know most people wouldn't go for this right now, but as much as western fans roll their eyes at them, House of Torture seems to be genuinely over with the home crowd in Japan in their current role, but their recent booking has also had them broken down to their lowest possible level, which implies they're getting lined up to be rebuilt to some degree. If, say, EVIL decided that now was the time to rid himself of Jay while attempting to consolidate power within BC? Well, it'd be during a time when NJPW seems less focused on bringing in new gaijin, which could open the door to Japanese leadership in BC...yeah, not sure I'd go that far with it, but it's something to mull over.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 7, 2023 20:32:25 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

Jan 7, 2023 18:46:32 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I can't really picture YOSHI-HASHI being a US title guy, but definitely could see him getting the NEVER at some point, which also would be a point of interesting since Goto and Ishii both have strong associations with the title, so there could be a bit of tension there. Not outright hostility, but maybe one of them wondering if they're seeing him succeed where they once did and no longer are.

I've long wanted to see Goto and Ishii unite as two bruisers who've hit middle age, realize they've fallen into the role of gatekeepers for the main event, and just say "@#$% it, let's decapitate everybody" as strong style heels wrestling a more "vintage NJPW" style.

But I also don't think they'll be looking to break up Bishamon any time soon, and doing my above idea while keeping those two together would require turning YOSHI heel, which I highly, highly doubt is in the cards, dude's got too much underdog babyface energy the crowd has grown to appreciate.

In the meantime, I'm still mulling over how this whole thing with Jay vs. Hikuleo plays out. There's now more buzz out there about WWE being interested in the Tongan brothers, but there's also still the clear "Jay wants to spend more time at home" thing, so I'm still leaning towards Jay losing the match. In that case, though...does Hikuleo go over cleanly, or do you book is so that someone in Bullet Club decides to go mutinous and intentionally costs Jay the match? I know most people wouldn't go for this right now, but as much as western fans roll their eyes at them, House of Torture seems to be genuinely over with the home crowd in Japan in their current role, but their recent booking has also had them broken down to their lowest possible level, which implies they're getting lined up to be rebuilt to some degree. If, say, EVIL decided that now was the time to rid himself of Jay while attempting to consolidate power within BC? Well, it'd be during a time when NJPW seems less focused on bringing in new gaijin, which could open the door to Japanese leadership in BC...yeah, not sure I'd go that far with it, but it's something to mull over.

I would accept EVIL as BC leader, just, please move him away from the strict Dick Togo formula of constant, tedious interference.

[XIII]

Jan 6, 2023 21:02:41 GMT -5 chrom said:

Mercedes vs Kairi has lead to the show becoming nearly sold out.

I wonder how they book this. Kairi has just gotten the belt and it’s (one of/the first) match that Mercedes will have outside of the WWE. Can’t really see either losing here. Should be interesting.

[john84]

Just ordered Battle of the Valley. Another reason to look forward to my Birthday

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Jan 7, 2023 20:32:25 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

Jan 7, 2023 18:46:32 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I can't really picture YOSHI-HASHI being a US title guy, but definitely could see him getting the NEVER at some point, which also would be a point of interesting since Goto and Ishii both have strong associations with the title, so there could be a bit of tension there. Not outright hostility, but maybe one of them wondering if they're seeing him succeed where they once did and no longer are.

I've long wanted to see Goto and Ishii unite as two bruisers who've hit middle age, realize they've fallen into the role of gatekeepers for the main event, and just say "@#$% it, let's decapitate everybody" as strong style heels wrestling a more "vintage NJPW" style.

But I also don't think they'll be looking to break up Bishamon any time soon, and doing my above idea while keeping those two together would require turning YOSHI heel, which I highly, highly doubt is in the cards, dude's got too much underdog babyface energy the crowd has grown to appreciate.

In the meantime, I'm still mulling over how this whole thing with Jay vs. Hikuleo plays out. There's now more buzz out there about WWE being interested in the Tongan brothers, but there's also still the clear "Jay wants to spend more time at home" thing, so I'm still leaning towards Jay losing the match. In that case, though...does Hikuleo go over cleanly, or do you book is so that someone in Bullet Club decides to go mutinous and intentionally costs Jay the match? I know most people wouldn't go for this right now, but as much as western fans roll their eyes at them, House of Torture seems to be genuinely over with the home crowd in Japan in their current role, but their recent booking has also had them broken down to their lowest possible level, which implies they're getting lined up to be rebuilt to some degree. If, say, EVIL decided that now was the time to rid himself of Jay while attempting to consolidate power within BC? Well, it'd be during a time when NJPW seems less focused on bringing in new gaijin, which could open the door to Japanese leadership in BC...yeah, not sure I'd go that far with it, but it's something to mull over.

Been wanting and calling for this for the last few years

Ishii/Goto we will f*** everyone up in our path tag team would be insane