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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 2, 2018 10:38:06 GMT -5
For shits and giggles, I'll make a few predictions. I am not really betting the farm on these, just things I could see happening. Omega retains, but in a fashion that leaves room open for a rematch or two for the US touring. Naito wins, possibly with the setup that Okada loses strength on a move after a grueling match to that point, given it's been suggested that they've setup a narrative that the long reign and title defenses have taken their toll on Okada. Naito will either kick out of a Rainmaker, or duck it, hitting him with a Destino to beat him. Tahahashi wins his match to further push Daryl popularity. My prediction for Okada/Naito's ending: {Spoiler}They've spent the past couple of weeks building up Okada having developed a cobra clutch style sleeper, which seems to have served him well in tag matches as a counter to Destino. I'm guessing Naito will attempt to hit Destino, get countered by the sleeper, but eventually land a blow that sets Okada up for the move Naito has only attempted once in the past few years, and hasn't successfully hit since becoming Ingobernable: the Stardust Press. I do think we might get a Rainmaker kickout spot, though; Naito and Omega are the only two guys to kick out of the full ripcord-style Rainmaker over the past couple of years, don't see what Naito couldn't do it again just once. |
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Post by BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps on Jan 2, 2018 10:46:25 GMT -5
I plan to watch WK live, so I'll try to take an early snooze that day.
Okada is easily my favorite wrestler on the planet now, but I'm predicting and hoping for a Naito win. He's massive enough to where I think it'd be unwise for NJPW to not capitalize on his momentum. As incredible as Okada's been over the past two years plus, he can afford to chase LIJ for a while and not lose too much of his overness.
More than likely Omega's retaining, but a Y2J win could open up some interesting ideas.
Were I Gedo, I'd have Jay White win the IC title here, but then again there is a risk in making a former ace look too weak against newer talent. A Tanahashi win wouldn't shock or upset me too much.
I'm all in with Hiromu for the four-way. Team Daryl 4 Life.
Goto's probably winning the NEVER title, but I'm going to be pulling for Suzuki like mad.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 2, 2018 10:53:53 GMT -5
I plan to watch WK live, so I'll try to take an early snooze that day. Okada is easily my favorite wrestler on the planet now, but I'm predicting and hoping for a Naito win. He's massive enough to where I think it'd be unwise for NJPW to not capitalize on his momentum. As incredible as Okada's been over the past two years plus, he can afford to chase LIJ for a while and not lose too much of his overness. More than likely Omega's retaining, but a Y2J win could open up some interesting ideas. Were I Gedo, I'd have Jay White win the IC title here, but then again there is a risk in making a former ace look too weak against newer talent. A Tanahashi win wouldn't shock or upset me too much. I'm all in with Hiromu for the four-way. Team Daryl 4 Life. Goto's probably winning the NEVER title, but I'm going to be pulling for Suzuki like mad. I fully expect Tana's real life injuries to play into that match, which could serve to get Jay some really strong heel heat with the crowd. If they build that story well (and it's Tanahashi, of course he will) I don't think a loss would make the Ace look weak so much as it'd emphasize just how beaten down and hurt he is, which would set up a comeback later in the year, I hope. And yeah, with the NEVER title I probably should've just shortened my prediction to "I hope that whomever wins, something interesting storyline or character-wise happens shortly thereafter." I give Goto and Suzuki a lot of credit for using their final few shows of 2017 to amp up the animosity in the ring, which actually got me on board with wanting to see this match after my initial reaction of "Wait, again? Why?" over it, but if Goto wins there has to be something more that happens besides "haha, now Suzuki has to have his head shaved like all the Young Lions he's tortured", and if Suzuki wins there needs to be something more to it than just "Goto gets disgraced but starts a bald tag team with Ishii." Both guys deserve more than that, and I can't shake the feeling that the overall landscape of NJPW will have some shakeups in 2018, anyway, and this would at least play a part in that. |
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Post by BRAINFADE on Jan 2, 2018 11:36:11 GMT -5
I plan to watch WK live, so I'll try to take an early snooze that day. Okada is easily my favorite wrestler on the planet now, but I'm predicting and hoping for a Naito win. He's massive enough to where I think it'd be unwise for NJPW to not capitalize on his momentum. As incredible as Okada's been over the past two years plus, he can afford to chase LIJ for a while and not lose too much of his overness. More than likely Omega's retaining, but a Y2J win could open up some interesting ideas. Were I Gedo, I'd have Jay White win the IC title here, but then again there is a risk in making a former ace look too weak against newer talent. A Tanahashi win wouldn't shock or upset me too much. I'm all in with Hiromu for the four-way. Team Daryl 4 Life. Goto's probably winning the NEVER title, but I'm going to be pulling for Suzuki like mad. I fully expect Tana's real life injuries to play into that match, which could serve to get Jay some really strong heel heat with the crowd. If they build that story well (and it's Tanahashi, of course he will) I don't think a loss would make the Ace look weak so much as it'd emphasize just how beaten down and hurt he is, which would set up a comeback later in the year, I hope. And yeah, with the NEVER title I probably should've just shortened my prediction to "I hope that whomever wins, something interesting storyline or character-wise happens shortly thereafter." I give Goto and Suzuki a lot of credit for using their final few shows of 2017 to amp up the animosity in the ring, which actually got me on board with wanting to see this match after my initial reaction of "Wait, again? Why?" over it, but if Goto wins there has to be something more that happens besides "haha, now Suzuki has to have his head shaved like all the Young Lions he's tortured", and if Suzuki wins there needs to be something more to it than just "Goto gets disgraced but starts a bald tag team with Ishii." Both guys deserve more than that, and I can't shake the feeling that the overall landscape of NJPW will have some shakeups in 2018, anyway, and this would at least play a part in that. Yeah, I think that Tanahashi's injuries makes this the perfect opportunity to get Jay over strong. I actually wouldn't have the match go too long, maybe ten minutes-fifteen tops- and have Jay win emphatically after having most of the offence. It wouldn't hurt Tana at all because he has the out of his mounting injuries, and it makes a star out of Jay White. |
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Post by corndog on Jan 2, 2018 11:37:44 GMT -5
I plan to watch WK live, so I'll try to take an early snooze that day. Okada is easily my favorite wrestler on the planet now, but I'm predicting and hoping for a Naito win. He's massive enough to where I think it'd be unwise for NJPW to not capitalize on his momentum. As incredible as Okada's been over the past two years plus, he can afford to chase LIJ for a while and not lose too much of his overness. More than likely Omega's retaining, but a Y2J win could open up some interesting ideas. Were I Gedo, I'd have Jay White win the IC title here, but then again there is a risk in making a former ace look too weak against newer talent. A Tanahashi win wouldn't shock or upset me too much. I'm all in with Hiromu for the four-way. Team Daryl 4 Life. Goto's probably winning the NEVER title, but I'm going to be pulling for Suzuki like mad. I fully expect Tana's real life injuries to play into that match, which could serve to get Jay some really strong heel heat with the crowd. If they build that story well (and it's Tanahashi, of course he will) I don't think a loss would make the Ace look weak so much as it'd emphasize just how beaten down and hurt he is, which would set up a comeback later in the year, I hope. And yeah, with the NEVER title I probably should've just shortened my prediction to "I hope that whomever wins, something interesting storyline or character-wise happens shortly thereafter." I give Goto and Suzuki a lot of credit for using their final few shows of 2017 to amp up the animosity in the ring, which actually got me on board with wanting to see this match after my initial reaction of "Wait, again? Why?" over it, but if Goto wins there has to be something more that happens besides "haha, now Suzuki has to have his head shaved like all the Young Lions he's tortured", and if Suzuki wins there needs to be something more to it than just "Goto gets disgraced but starts a bald tag team with Ishii." Both guys deserve more than that, and I can't shake the feeling that the overall landscape of NJPW will have some shakeups in 2018, anyway, and this would at least play a part in that. I agree that Tanahashi's injuries will play a big part in the match. Jay White can work heavily on the knee and arm, which he already has began to do and it doesn't make Tanahashi look weak as much as just beat up. I see Tanahashi taking time off to heal and then coming back to Dominion to redeem himself. As far as building to something interesting from the loser of Goto/Suzuki, I see that more of a possibility with Goto losing. It is the moment, where after failing in big matches before, Goto finally hits rock bottom and it's the push he needs to get to the top. I could see a New Japan Cup win and even a title victory as the end result. Whereas Suzuki a loss can only really serve two purposes, either pushing him back out of New Japan or getting kicked out of his own faction, Kojima style. |
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Post by Mozenrath on Jan 2, 2018 11:40:25 GMT -5
For shits and giggles, I'll make a few predictions. I am not really betting the farm on these, just things I could see happening. Omega retains, but in a fashion that leaves room open for a rematch or two for the US touring. Naito wins, possibly with the setup that Okada loses strength on a move after a grueling match to that point, given it's been suggested that they've setup a narrative that the long reign and title defenses have taken their toll on Okada. Naito will either kick out of a Rainmaker, or duck it, hitting him with a Destino to beat him. Tahahashi wins his match to further push Daryl popularity. My prediction for Okada/Naito's ending: They've spent the past couple of weeks building up Okada having developed a cobra clutch style sleeper, which seems to have served him well in tag matches as a counter to Destino. I'm guessing Naito will attempt to hit Destino, get countered by the sleeper, but eventually land a blow that sets Okada up for the move Naito has only attempted once in the past few years, and hasn't successfully hit since becoming Ingobernable: the Stardust Press. I do think we might get a Rainmaker kickout spot, though; Naito and Omega are the only two guys to kick out of the full ripcord-style Rainmaker over the past couple of years, don't see what Naito couldn't do it again just once. Agreed on that being the final move, though I do think having Naito kick out of the Rainmaker and Okada just completely losing his cool would be good. Not saying he'd outright turn heel, he's too big of a draw for them, but I think Naito making the Ace slip up would be interesting, especially because if Okada loses it to him, I don't think he's getting it back for a good bit, given his stranglehold on the title in recent years. |
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Jan 2, 2018 12:21:20 GMT -5
I know it's bad form to jump in so late in the game, but I'm subscribed now and I have the 4th and 5th off (had to take those days off for family-related reasons anyway), so I'll be watching.
As a first-timer (aside from the free show back from World Tag League), I find myself most interested in seeing Naito and Hiromu in their title matches.
I could kind of take or leave Jericho at this point, but I guess it'll be interesting to see if he pulls anything out that he hasn't been in any of his recent stateside runs.
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Post by Final Countdown Jones on Jan 2, 2018 12:37:34 GMT -5
For shits and giggles, I'll make a few predictions. I am not really betting the farm on these, just things I could see happening. Omega retains, but in a fashion that leaves room open for a rematch or two for the US touring. Naito wins, possibly with the setup that Okada loses strength on a move after a grueling match to that point, given it's been suggested that they've setup a narrative that the long reign and title defenses have taken their toll on Okada. Naito will either kick out of a Rainmaker, or duck it, hitting him with a Destino to beat him. Tahahashi wins his match to further push Daryl popularity. My prediction for Okada/Naito's ending: They've spent the past couple of weeks building up Okada having developed a cobra clutch style sleeper, which seems to have served him well in tag matches as a counter to Destino. I'm guessing Naito will attempt to hit Destino, get countered by the sleeper, but eventually land a blow that sets Okada up for the move Naito has only attempted once in the past few years, and hasn't successfully hit since becoming Ingobernable: the Stardust Press. I do think we might get a Rainmaker kickout spot, though; Naito and Omega are the only two guys to kick out of the full ripcord-style Rainmaker over the past couple of years, don't see what Naito couldn't do it again just once. {Spoiler}I do think we'll see him do and probably hit the Stardust Press, but I think with the story they've been telling the whole time it'll probably be a kickout spot. This whole feud is built on the idea that this Naito isn't the Stardust Genius and that he's something else entirely, and having him successfully hit his old move and fail to get the pin with it speaks to how he wasn't ever good enough. This newer, better Naito is the one who's good enough to beat Okada, and having him succeed with his old move feels to me like a step back for what has all the while been very much his quest to find 'justice' on all the people and elements that wronged him a few years ago. From last WK when he denied Tanahashi even the chance to make the IC title match the main event onward, the story here is built on Naito lashing out against everything, and to have him win with a piece of his past feels like a step backwards on the character development that's made him the star he is now. |
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Jan 2, 2018 13:18:26 GMT -5
My prediction for Okada/Naito's ending: {Spoiler}{Spoiler}They've spent the past couple of weeks building up Okada having developed a cobra clutch style sleeper, which seems to have served him well in tag matches as a counter to Destino. I'm guessing Naito will attempt to hit Destino, get countered by the sleeper, but eventually land a blow that sets Okada up for the move Naito has only attempted once in the past few years, and hasn't successfully hit since becoming Ingobernable: the Stardust Press. I do think we might get a Rainmaker kickout spot, though; Naito and Omega are the only two guys to kick out of the full ripcord-style Rainmaker over the past couple of years, don't see what Naito couldn't do it again just once. {Spoiler}{Spoiler}I do think we'll see him do and probably hit the Stardust Press, but I think with the story they've been telling the whole time it'll probably be a kickout spot. This whole feud is built on the idea that this Naito isn't the Stardust Genius and that he's something else entirely, and having him successfully hit his old move and fail to get the pin with it speaks to how he wasn't ever good enough. This newer, better Naito is the one who's good enough to beat Okada, and having him succeed with his old move feels to me like a step back for what has all the while been very much his quest to find 'justice' on all the people and elements that wronged him a few years ago. From last WK when he denied Tanahashi even the chance to make the IC title match the main event onward, the story here is built on Naito lashing out against everything, and to have him win with a piece of his past feels like a step backwards on the character development that's made him the star he is now. {Spoiler}{Spoiler}
Correct. He will hit the Stardust press but won't win with it. It will be one of those moments of desperation and do anything to win.
I fully expect Naito to have to hit like 5 Destinos to win and he will get to kick out of the full cork rainmaker as well as the "standard rainmaker"
The last time he beat Okada for the belt you saw a debuting Sanada but this time I expect a full clean win for Naito. The biggest to look forward to is how much frustration and heeling will Okada do because there will be some boos on his end and he's played the frustration angle very well. |
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 14:37:58 GMT -5
Dragon Lee has been absent from CMLL for a while as well as this week. He maybe in Japan for NYD like he was last year
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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 2, 2018 15:08:08 GMT -5
Good calls on Naito's moves/characterizations, guys; I could see it go either way, but that's a very compelling case. I fully expect Tana's real life injuries to play into that match, which could serve to get Jay some really strong heel heat with the crowd. If they build that story well (and it's Tanahashi, of course he will) I don't think a loss would make the Ace look weak so much as it'd emphasize just how beaten down and hurt he is, which would set up a comeback later in the year, I hope. And yeah, with the NEVER title I probably should've just shortened my prediction to "I hope that whomever wins, something interesting storyline or character-wise happens shortly thereafter." I give Goto and Suzuki a lot of credit for using their final few shows of 2017 to amp up the animosity in the ring, which actually got me on board with wanting to see this match after my initial reaction of "Wait, again? Why?" over it, but if Goto wins there has to be something more that happens besides "haha, now Suzuki has to have his head shaved like all the Young Lions he's tortured", and if Suzuki wins there needs to be something more to it than just "Goto gets disgraced but starts a bald tag team with Ishii." Both guys deserve more than that, and I can't shake the feeling that the overall landscape of NJPW will have some shakeups in 2018, anyway, and this would at least play a part in that. I agree that Tanahashi's injuries will play a big part in the match. Jay White can work heavily on the knee and arm, which he already has began to do and it doesn't make Tanahashi look weak as much as just beat up. I see Tanahashi taking time off to heal and then coming back to Dominion to redeem himself. As far as building to something interesting from the loser of Goto/Suzuki, I see that more of a possibility with Goto losing. It is the moment, where after failing in big matches before, Goto finally hits rock bottom and it's the push he needs to get to the top. I could see a New Japan Cup win and even a title victory as the end result. Whereas Suzuki a loss can only really serve two purposes, either pushing him back out of New Japan or getting kicked out of his own faction, Kojima style. Agreed, there's a lot more potential to do something with Goto after a loss than Minoru. Even after his "big match chokes" Goto hasn't really had to hit rock bottom yet: he was IC champ in 2015, got to challenge Okada after beating Naito at WK in 2016, came up short, made the New Japan Cup final and lost, joined CHAOS, then made the G1 final; his job was clearly to "make" the top guys for the year, from Okada to Naito to Omega. But none of those losses represented "rock bottom" for him given how quickly he was back in a contending spot. A public shaming that effectively treats him like a young boy? THAT'S rock bottom. Whether he'd go for redemption after that or for a heel turn, I don't know. |
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 15:13:23 GMT -5
Good calls on Naito's moves/characterizations, guys; I could see it go either way, but that's a very compelling case. I agree that Tanahashi's injuries will play a big part in the match. Jay White can work heavily on the knee and arm, which he already has began to do and it doesn't make Tanahashi look weak as much as just beat up. I see Tanahashi taking time off to heal and then coming back to Dominion to redeem himself. As far as building to something interesting from the loser of Goto/Suzuki, I see that more of a possibility with Goto losing. It is the moment, where after failing in big matches before, Goto finally hits rock bottom and it's the push he needs to get to the top. I could see a New Japan Cup win and even a title victory as the end result. Whereas Suzuki a loss can only really serve two purposes, either pushing him back out of New Japan or getting kicked out of his own faction, Kojima style. Agreed, there's a lot more potential to do something with Goto after a loss than Minoru. Even after his "big match chokes" Goto hasn't really had to hit rock bottom yet: he was IC champ in 2015, got to challenge Okada after beating Naito at WK in 2016, came up short, made the New Japan Cup final and lost, joined CHAOS, then made the G1 final; his job was clearly to "make" the top guys for the year, from Okada to Naito to Omega. But none of those losses represented "rock bottom" for him given how quickly he was back in a contending spot. A public shaming that effectively treats him like a young boy? THAT'S rock bottom. Whether he'd go for redemption after that or for a heel turn, I don't know. Like I said, I think the big surprise at NYD would be Goto ousting Okada and taking over Chaos Be fed up with how he become nothing more than a stooge to him and lay him out, and kick out Hashi and others like Ospreay as well from the group, claiming that they are not Okada's towel carriers and they have had enough of him. |
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 16:12:13 GMT -5
Wrestle Festival starts around 10pm tonight
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2018 18:36:09 GMT -5
Okay. To show how terrible I am at this stuff: I just went on NJPW World and their clock says January 3rd.
Is WK tommorow (US time)??
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 18:40:23 GMT -5
Okay. To show how terrible I am at this stuff: I just went on NJPW World and their clock says January 3rd. Is WK tommorow (US time)?? Day after, starts thursday around 3am or so US time. |
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 20:44:01 GMT -5
Interview with the Intercontinental Challenger
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Post by Chainsaw on Jan 2, 2018 20:51:13 GMT -5
Okay. To show how terrible I am at this stuff: I just went on NJPW World and their clock says January 3rd. Is WK tommorow (US time)?? Day after, starts thursday around 3am or so US time. Wednesday going into Thursday, or Thursday going into Friday? I'm terrible trying to figure these things out. I hope it's going to be the former. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2018 20:56:58 GMT -5
Day after, starts thursday around 3am or so US time. Wednesday going into Thursday, or Thursday going into Friday? I'm terrible trying to figure these things out. I hope it's going to be the former. Yes, I'm not the only the one!  That's what I'm confused about. I wasn't sure if was Wednesday night or Thursday night, if that makes sense. Like...Thursday going on Friday or Wednesday night before the sun rises on Thursday. |
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Post by chrom on Jan 2, 2018 21:01:21 GMT -5
After Wednesday night but before Thursday morning
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2018 21:03:30 GMT -5
Wednesday going into Thursday. Japan is thirteen hours ahead of eastern time. So right now it's 11:02AM in Tokyo on January 3rd when I mades post at 0903PM in eastern time.
3AM Eastern on Thursday, January 4th. Just don't let yourself overthink it.
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