67 more
King Koopa
He's just a Sexy Kurt
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Post by 67 more on Jun 5, 2018 5:08:55 GMT -5
Anyone know how long the show should be? I think Dominion last year was a bit over five hours, so definitely be ready to invest in some caffeine if you're in North America and feel like watching it live. But that won't "feel" as long as it sounds; the action is pretty non-stop so it'll feel a lot quicker than you might think. Thankfully, I'm in the UK. Just wondering so I can make plans after.
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
Posts: 85,736
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Post by chrom on Jun 5, 2018 10:31:19 GMT -5
Show will be starting at 3am
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Post by corndog on Jun 5, 2018 12:16:43 GMT -5
Okada winning is the easiest path to Naito (unless Gedo has 100 percent kicked him into Nakamura role) and thus making up for lame 2018 NJPW, imo. Good point, but the other problem is getting the IC title off of Naito as well. Also, it just feels like a weird time to put the belt on Omega.
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Post by corndog on Jun 5, 2018 12:18:19 GMT -5
Anyone know how long the show should be? I think Dominion last year was a bit over five hours, so definitely be ready to invest in some caffeine if you're in North America and feel like watching it live. But that won't "feel" as long as it sounds; the action is pretty non-stop so it'll feel a lot quicker than you might think. There is no way I am watching this live. It will have to be done in parts and Okada/Omega will most likely have to be watched on it's own or at best with Naito/Jericho.
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
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Post by chrom on Jun 5, 2018 22:53:10 GMT -5
Taichi has stated that if he wins the NEVER Title he wants to defend it against Junior Heavyweights he still has a grudge with
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
Posts: 85,736
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Post by chrom on Jun 6, 2018 11:44:13 GMT -5
As reported Osaka-jo Hall is sold out so we can expect almost twelve thousand fans in attendance for it.
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Post by BRAINFADE on Jun 7, 2018 0:58:42 GMT -5
Re: Ospreay/Hiromu- even though I'm really hyped for this match, I can't help but feel that Gedo may have slightly booked himself into a corner here. On one hand, Ospreay is having this incredible reign as junior champion that I think still has a bit of mileage left, with matches against Ishimori and possibly even Rey still on the table. But on the other, Hiromu has so much momentum coming out of his BoSJ win. He is over like a motherf***er right now, so do you strike while the iron is hot?
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Post by Some Baritone guy IS REDEEMED! on Jun 7, 2018 1:48:39 GMT -5
Re: Ospreay/Hiromu- even though I'm really hyped for this match, I can't help but feel that Gedo may have slightly booked himself into a corner here. On one hand, Ospreay is having this incredible reign as junior champion that I think still has a bit of mileage left, with matches against Ishimori and possibly even Rey still on the table. But on the other, Hiromu has so much momentum coming out of his BoSJ win. He is over like a motherf***er right now, so do you strike while the iron is hot? Wrestle Kingdom 12. Enough said.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jun 7, 2018 1:49:41 GMT -5
As per usual it's tough to pick winners here, but I'll try my hand at the title matches and try to explain why I'm leaning that way (spoilered in case you don't want to hear my reasoning because you think I might spoil some ideas you'd rather not even consider going into the show): Jr. Tag Titles - {Spoiler}I'm picking RP3K, if only because the story of them finally learning how to overcome the type of cheating Suzuki-gun does was featured during the spring, and now they each beat one of the champions during singles competition during BoSJ. The story seems clear: SHO and YOH are incredibly talented, thus able to win the belts so early in their returns, but now they've grown as all-around performers. Plus you have to figure a new challenger team could be on the horizon, and there'd be more excitement around a challenge against SHO and YOH. That said, I also wouldn't bat an eye if Despy and Ol' Drunk Uncle Nobu hang on by the skin of their teeth to make up for their BoSJ losses, but that's the vibe I get. Pick - RP3K NEVER Title - {Spoiler}My first instinct is that I've got Goto retaining; dude's returned to form this year so far, and I also don't see NJPW booking a title change in a super rare three-way title match that isn't a weird Brock Lesnar situation. Plus it's Taichi's first rodeo going for that belt, so I think they'll hold off just a bit before he gets strapped up, which I think is something that's very much in his future. Elgin has no momentum right now, which could be an argument for giving him the belt, but eh, don't think so. Then again...isn't a three way the perfect type of setting for a dirty, scheming jerk like Taichi to swoop in and pick the bones of a downed fighter, winning while avoiding the worst of the battle and then acting as if he won due to superior skill and strength? So my second instinct is Taichi, and I know the guessing rule is "go with your gut" but I think I have to go with that second opinion. Only other consideration is if they put the belt on Taichi to avoid having Goto and Elgin holding the belt during G1, but I don't think that'll be the biggest factor at play. Pick - Taichi Tag Titles - {Spoiler}The Bucks winning ANY titles in any promotion never surprises me, but I'll again defer to this being the Bucks' first attempt at heavyweight gold and thus them getting that "you don't just win on your first try!" loss (let's just ignore the obvious exceptions like Okada, Hiromu, RP3K, etc.). EVIL's injury derailed the LIJ title run here, so it'd be nice if they hang on and get a chance to really run with the belts. So yeah, champs retain, but Bucks solidified as heavyweight contenders. Pick - LIJ Jr. Heavy Title - {Spoiler}Good God this one's tough. Ospreay has carried himself amazingly as champ, Hiromu is on fire and super over, it feels like Ospreay still needs to face Ishimori and Mysterio but Hiromu could easily carry the division, as well. Kind of a coin flip situation, and with that being the case I'll just straight up guess that Ospreay retains. That said...I did like how they decided to slightly mirror the small main event storyline with this one, as Ospreay was all smiles after the BoSJ final saying he was more concerned about Ishimori, but is happy now because he knows he can beat Hiromu. Champion's hubris becomes his undoing? Could easily be, but I'll abide by my coin flip. Sidenote: the lineup for BoSJ this year was stronger than it's been for awhile, so for crying out loud can we please have more featured juniors' feuds and matches going forward, please? I know, ACH, Sabin, and Dragon Lee aren't staying, and Tiger Mask still has prelim dad duties, but the talent array is only growing now, particularly with the new crop of Young Lions, so let's strike and grow the damn thing. Pick - Ospreay IC Title - {Spoiler}I'm still kind of confused why the belt went on Naito in the first place, especially with the fun run Suzuki was having, but things would start to fall into place better for me if Jericho were to swoop in and win it off him, thus leading to a Cow Palace encounter and/or other complications ahead of and potentially during G1 season. A lot could hinge on what Gedo wants to do with the main event WK 13 storyline, as the guys most lined up to win G1 aren't usually holding the major singles titles. I'll say Jericho goes old school Bullet Club here: nasty, offensive gaijin stomps into Japan and sports entertains all over the damn place and cheats Naito out of his title...Naito doesn't care about the belt, but does care about being shown up and about being swindled. Would also keep up Naito's relative futility streak at Osaka-Jo. Pick - Jericho Heavy Title - {Spoiler}Something I love about NJPW booking, and what's been obvious in all my predictions, is that they don't really create the "well, so-and-so HAS to win this one now, right?" booking scenario. Yes, there are times when one guy winning over another feels fated or thoroughly expected (Okada dethroning Tanahashi at WK 10, the way a lot of us felt about Naito going into WK 12), but there's seemingly always a good counter-reason why it'd be perfectly reasonable to expect the other guy to pull it out, instead, especially since it's clear they make most of these decisions with a plan in mind and aren't just playing the WWE style game of "Oh, the crowd expects HIM to win? Put the other guy over, that'll show 'em, damnit!", even as the story dies on the vine with no places to go (hi, Wrestlemania 34, how've ya been?). With this in mind: Omega could readily win. If he loses here it's hard to imagine him getting to challenge Okada again during this reign, and an Omega title win may well boost sales for the San Francisco show as it becomes his western hemisphere champion's homecoming. They're also telling the story that Kenny has finally accepted that Okada is a better "pure" or natural wrestler than he is, but he's willing to work harder to overcome him, setting up a Rocky vs. Apollo situation (credit Rasslin' Rantin' on YouTube for the comparison) as Okada has spent his previous near month away fishing and resting up while Kenny trains like a maniac. BUT(!)...it's Kazuchika-goddamned-Okada. You don't bet against the Rainmaker. Plus, he's THIS close to matching Kenta Kobashi's record for holding a Japanese championship in a major promotion, and you just know Gedo's aware of it. Kenny is the one opponent Okada hasn't really beaten; yes, he won at WK 11, but it was arguably the one defense he's had where the story afterward wasn't Okada himself, but his opponent, and that has irked him ever since. Getting a draw last year and losing at G1 only made it worse, necessitating this moment. I dread possible outside interference, but I HIGHLY doubt that'll impact the outcome directly. All of the stuff I've written, I'm going against my own advice and betting against the Rainmaker; Kenny gets it done. Pick - Omega One thing I don't have to spoiler...Juice is pinning Switchblade again, and by God Juice is bringing home that sweet, sweet US gold come July in San Fran, baby.
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Post by BRAINFADE on Jun 7, 2018 2:06:55 GMT -5
Re: Ospreay/Hiromu- even though I'm really hyped for this match, I can't help but feel that Gedo may have slightly booked himself into a corner here. On one hand, Ospreay is having this incredible reign as junior champion that I think still has a bit of mileage left, with matches against Ishimori and possibly even Rey still on the table. But on the other, Hiromu has so much momentum coming out of his BoSJ win. He is over like a motherf***er right now, so do you strike while the iron is hot? Wrestle Kingdom 12. Enough said. It is eerily similar. I think it's a slightly different situation though as we're not talking about the heavyweight title and the ace of the company. Either way, I'm hyped for the match amd not really too fussed who wins.
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Post by cabbageboy on Jun 7, 2018 9:13:40 GMT -5
Ugh, why did I have to read this stupidity about Kobashi's 735 day Noah reign? Because now that would be the last lame record for Okada to break, even though it's not like the GHC title is remotely near the IWGP in prestige (well it might have been close when Kobashi had it in the early 21st Century). I still think the only way Okada can retain here is if there is an immediate rematch in San Francisco where Omega goes over. That would put Okada a few days past this silly 735 mark.
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Post by BRAINFADE on Jun 7, 2018 13:53:32 GMT -5
So I'm just going to put this out there- what if Okada and Omega are messing with us with this no time limit stip? Everybody is talking about how they could lose the crowd by going too long, but I don't know, I have a feeling they could go under sixty.
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
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Post by chrom on Jun 7, 2018 13:58:36 GMT -5
Jericho has arrived in Japan for Dominion
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Post by EZ: Brainy Bae on Jun 7, 2018 14:25:11 GMT -5
So I'm just going to put this out there- what if Okada and Omega are messing with us with this no time limit stip? Everybody is talking about how they could lose the crowd by going too long, but I don't know, I have a feeling they could go under sixty. For them to do the draw last year they (ingeniously) had Hiromu/KUSHIDA go 2 minutes. I agree that it being under 60 minutes is more likely than the opposite, but if any duo could go further than that and make it interesting it's definitely these two. EDIT: Scratch that, it was a different event. In that case I can still see them going 60+ but only with a style closer to the Draw match-up. The blazing pace of the third matchup wouldn't work here since they each wanted to put the other quickly away after a grueling G1
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Convoy
El Dandy
Rusev admits to being a sex addict to large applause.
Posts: 7,576
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Post by Convoy on Jun 7, 2018 15:00:47 GMT -5
So I'm just going to put this out there- what if Okada and Omega are messing with us with this no time limit stip? Everybody is talking about how they could lose the crowd by going too long, but I don't know, I have a feeling they could go under sixty. I could definitely see this. They did a similar set-up with Joe/Punk III over a decade ago. After two separate one hour draws, they made the third match a no time limit stipulation. Joe then put Punk away in like 30 minutes to definitively end the series.
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Post by Final Countdown Jones on Jun 7, 2018 16:07:33 GMT -5
So I'm just going to put this out there- what if Okada and Omega are messing with us with this no time limit stip? Everybody is talking about how they could lose the crowd by going too long, but I don't know, I have a feeling they could go under sixty. I think it goes a little past sixty, but I don't think they go under it, given the fact that the match is going to go to three falls and with how much both guys have been protected and built up, I can't see them getting three falls in the time that they couldn't get one at the same show last year.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jun 7, 2018 17:25:51 GMT -5
My first instinct upon hearing "no time limit" was "this isn't going past sixty", and yeah, Joe vs. Punk III definitely shaped that feeling for me.
That said, going two out of three falls? That changes things.
Okada's title matches, on average, are the longest in company history already. The storyline is already there that it's nearly impossible to pin him when you play his long game. The two recent times he's been pinned (vs. EVIL and Kenny) were both in the G1, where they could integrate in-story injuries more easily and Kenny had to beat the clock to keep one of their epic encounters under 30 minutes. He pulled it off...once, while Okada's neck was hurting. The odds that he can do it again against a fully rested Okada are slim.
I do believe we'll get at least one weird fall here, something that's not a straight up pin or submission, but Kenny having to beat Okada twice likely ups the ante on how long it'll go. I see some people tossing stuff around about it going 90 or two hours and I think that'd be ridiculous (not that it couldn't be done (hello, Chris Hero), but it likely shouldn't), but I think something closer to 70 isn't outside the realm of possibility.
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Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Jun 7, 2018 17:38:59 GMT -5
I don't see it going 90, if only because it means you'd have to cut one of the other matches really short to make it fit.
Though I won't complain too bad if they do something like have Hiromu squash Ospreay in less than 5 minutes to take his belt, heh.
(Sorry, I just don't like Ospreay.)
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
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Post by chrom on Jun 7, 2018 18:18:06 GMT -5
Ospreay's hubris and dismissal of Hiromu as an challenger is going to come back to haunt him.
I also see Taichi stealing the NEVER title as well.
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Convoy
El Dandy
Rusev admits to being a sex addict to large applause.
Posts: 7,576
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Post by Convoy on Jun 7, 2018 19:11:08 GMT -5
Random ask to anyone that can spot it:
Trying to find a clear image of the new Taguchi Japan shirt featuring the unit's "roster" on it. Nothing on their Japanese online shop, and all images I've found so far are obscured.
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