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Post by Tea & Crumpets on Jan 7, 2019 2:32:53 GMT -5
Chris Charlton is reporting the following stories... *Kota Ibushi is off the next tour as he recovers from his concussion *KUSHIDA will be leaving New Japan when his contract finishes on January 31 *Takashi Iizuka of Suzuki-Gun has announced his retirement, with a ceremony scheduled for February 21 So Kushida probably has his last match on Road to New Beginning, or at New Beginning in the US. They need to do something big for his send off, which kind of leaves a huge hole in the Junior Division, especially with Takahashi hurt. Ospreay seems to still be considered a Junior Heavyweight at least. Yeah KUSHIDA leaving is a loss, but also the potential of him moving up to heavyweight and wrestling fresh guys was exciting to me and I'd have rather seen him do the Ospreay thing than Ospreay. And if he goes to WWE as expected, I'd be very surprised if he's used in any capacity other than "It's that quirky Japanese cruiserweight Kushida, he loves to have fun on 205 Live with Tozawa Maggle!"
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chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 28,071
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Post by chazraps on Jan 7, 2019 2:57:04 GMT -5
Please refresh my memory, I know he hasn't for quite a while now, but why did Tama drop the Facepaint?
Was revisiting some 2015 stuff and remembered how menacing and otherworldly he looked in it.
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Post by Display Name on Jan 7, 2019 3:05:53 GMT -5
Please refresh my memory, I know he hasn't for quite a while now, but why did Tama drop the Facepaint? Was revisiting some 2015 stuff and remembered how menacing and otherworldly he looked in it. Yeah, I don’t understand why he dropped it. It was the most interesting thing about him.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 7, 2019 6:27:01 GMT -5
Kushida leaving is a major sad face for me. If it turns out he's leaving because the NJPW office just couldn't promise him a run against heavyweight opponents (not necessarily a full move to the HW division, just a chance to work at least the NEVER division or maybe a G1) then I'm going to be pretty pissed, but if it's because he wants to tour the world more, which he hinted at, and simply feels it's now or never in his career to do that, then best of luck to him, and I hope he signs for AEW instead of WWE.
I'm sure it's in the speculation thread, too, but they're hinting at Omega leaving, but in a way that seems much more like a work.
Iizuka's been around since the late 80s, dude's earned a nice sendoff. Would be fun if for his final match he reverts into the technical wrestler he used to be and gains his sanity back. Hope like hell I can look anywhere near that strong when I get to my 50s.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Jan 7, 2019 7:16:35 GMT -5
It's not for lack of trying. They've been attempting to give him singles pushes for 2 and a half years now and the dude just kinda sucks! It's almost impressive how disappointing he is. He has the look, has the charisma, the cool factor, and the in ring is just okay it's just it don't all come together for him when the time comes for him to shine Just seemed like for almost 2 damn years they were teasing something big with him and 1st year people bought into it but you had the excuse it was too soon. The next year it's like okay he's ok but I can't see him taking that big step up and being a threat but we shall see They pulled the trigger, gave him the push and he's clearly not that guy. He's a great supporting guy in a group and fills a good role but i'm sure NJPW is very disappointed with how over 2 years of keeping him above level ended up turning out
Agreed with most points, though I feel saying Tama flat out “sucks” is too far a stretch. I save that accusation for the Enzos or the Brie Bella’s of the industry. The kind of wrestlers who don’t know how to execute basic moves or can’t put a match together. Tama is just a decent midcarder who doesn’t quite have main eventer tools.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 7, 2019 8:09:42 GMT -5
He has the look, has the charisma, the cool factor, and the in ring is just okay it's just it don't all come together for him when the time comes for him to shine Just seemed like for almost 2 damn years they were teasing something big with him and 1st year people bought into it but you had the excuse it was too soon. The next year it's like okay he's ok but I can't see him taking that big step up and being a threat but we shall see They pulled the trigger, gave him the push and he's clearly not that guy. He's a great supporting guy in a group and fills a good role but i'm sure NJPW is very disappointed with how over 2 years of keeping him above level ended up turning out
Agreed with most points, though I feel saying Tama flat out “sucks” is too far a stretch. I save that accusation for the Enzos or the Brie Bella’s of the industry. The kind of wrestlers who don’t know how to execute basic moves or can’t put a match together. Tama is just a decent midcarder who doesn’t quite have main eventer tools. Yeah, and for all the talk that Tama "blew his chance" to rise higher, I think he's in a good spot where he is, and GoD got progressively better as a team over time, anyway. Dude's in the circa 2015-2016 Karl Anderson role now, and it suits him.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Jan 7, 2019 8:28:29 GMT -5
Agreed with most points, though I feel saying Tama flat out “sucks” is too far a stretch. I save that accusation for the Enzos or the Brie Bella’s of the industry. The kind of wrestlers who don’t know how to execute basic moves or can’t put a match together. Tama is just a decent midcarder who doesn’t quite have main eventer tools. Yeah, and for all the talk that Tama "blew his chance" to rise higher, I think he's in a good spot where he is, and GoD got progressively better as a team over time, anyway. Dude's in the circa 2015-2016 Karl Anderson role now, and it suits him. I feel like Karl had more upside in singles matches, but yeah, it's close enough. I hope he's content with that, and I hope they don't waste a slot on him a third G1 in a row, but that's a ways off, so who knows who will be in the next one. Okay, "waste" is a strong word, but underwhelming a few years ago is at least more acceptable than if we have him, Jay, and other guys using lowblows and chairs most every match like it's 1999. One guy doing it is acceptable, but not like 4 of them in one tournament.
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
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Post by chrom on Jan 7, 2019 10:10:48 GMT -5
Juice Robinson has signed a new contract with New Japan
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Post by YAKMAN is ICHIBAN on Jan 7, 2019 10:21:50 GMT -5
I appreciate when a wrestler puts in a career like Iizuka, but good lord will I not miss his current day presence on the shows.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2019 10:26:34 GMT -5
Juice Robinson has signed a new contract with New Japan Not surprising, but still glad to hear it. Juice is the man. He keeps getting better and better as a wrestler, and he's one of the most authentic babyfaces out there. Not many people could make his schtick work in enjoyable, endearing way. Also, Tana and Juice are both holding major Championships. Wholesome Seki-gun bois at the top of the mountain. 😭
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chrom
Backup Wench
Master of the rare undecuple post
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Post by chrom on Jan 7, 2019 10:32:29 GMT -5
I appreciate when a wrestler puts in a career like Iizuka, but good lord will I not miss his current day presence on the shows. No one will
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Post by EoE: Well There's Your Problem on Jan 7, 2019 10:59:15 GMT -5
Juice Robinson has signed a new contract with New Japan Good stuff. It’s hard to believe that the dirty stinkin’ hippie that nobody liked in the place that liked EVERYONE, the Full Sail Arena, is now legit big in Japan. Like, is he actually their top North American gaijin now? It’d be White overall, but he’s from New Zealand, then probably Sabre Jr. from England, then Juice.
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Post by YAKMAN is ICHIBAN on Jan 7, 2019 11:50:18 GMT -5
Juice Robinson has signed a new contract with New Japan Good stuff. It’s hard to believe that the dirty stinkin’ hippie that nobody liked in the place that liked EVERYONE, the Full Sail Arena, is now legit big in Japan. Like, is he actually their top North American gaijin now? It’d be White overall, but he’s from New Zealand, then probably Sabre Jr. from England, then Juice. If Omega leaves, I don't really see another argument for ranking them. Ospreay is not far behind Juice though I don't think but, again, not NA.
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Jan 7, 2019 11:53:04 GMT -5
He has the look, has the charisma, the cool factor, and the in ring is just okay it's just it don't all come together for him when the time comes for him to shine Just seemed like for almost 2 damn years they were teasing something big with him and 1st year people bought into it but you had the excuse it was too soon. The next year it's like okay he's ok but I can't see him taking that big step up and being a threat but we shall see They pulled the trigger, gave him the push and he's clearly not that guy. He's a great supporting guy in a group and fills a good role but i'm sure NJPW is very disappointed with how over 2 years of keeping him above level ended up turning out
Agreed with most points, though I feel saying Tama flat out “sucks” is too far a stretch. I save that accusation for the Enzos or the Brie Bella’s of the industry. The kind of wrestlers who don’t know how to execute basic moves or can’t put a match together. Tama is just a decent midcarder who doesn’t quite have main eventer tools. Saying he sucks wasn’t my wording tho as I said he’s got the factors you want but he’s just okay which is fine because it’s still a good spot He’s a lower tier Karl Anderson but he’s always going to be in the tag title hunt and there is nothing stopping them from putting him back in singles around the U.S. title if they want to try the singles run again
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Jan 7, 2019 11:55:39 GMT -5
Juice Robinson has signed a new contract with New Japan Good stuff. It’s hard to believe that the dirty stinkin’ hippie that nobody liked in the place that liked EVERYONE, the Full Sail Arena, is now legit big in Japan. Like, is he actually their top North American gaijin now? It’d be White overall, but he’s from New Zealand, then probably Sabre Jr. from England, then Juice. North American, yes. Overall, he’d be behind White and ZSJ on the Gaijin list in general but that’s a nice carve for yourself compared to where you started and where you came from Hopefully, he gets a decent run
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Convoy
El Dandy
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Posts: 7,565
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Post by Convoy on Jan 7, 2019 12:01:17 GMT -5
Very proud of Juice's time in New Japan. It's really the most organic YL-to-star story, as we got to watch him grow into his current form. Now all I need to see is a solid showing in the G1 - have him land in the 8-10 point range at least.
I'll miss Iizuka, but I am a SZG apologist. Hope he gives a showing similar to the WTL match with ZSJ/Taichi. When he locked in the sleeper, you'd think Rikidōzan came back to life with that pop.
KUSHIDA is a weird one to me. As great as he was in the ring, he is a failed ACE for the junior division. He really never took off or garnered sympathy as much as New Japan wanted, even with years of putting him physically next to Tanahashi hoping for the comparison to rub off. Some of that was booking decisions, but he still was booed against many of his opponents and had crowds leaving (or just not showing up) at times. Don't get me wrong - I'll miss him too, but I can see why New Japan did not want to put him with heavyweights or in the G1. They couldn't trust him to be believable at that level or (more importantly) draw fans to see him in that role. It was best that he move on at this point.
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Post by corndog on Jan 7, 2019 12:49:43 GMT -5
Kushida leaving is a major sad face for me. If it turns out he's leaving because the NJPW office just couldn't promise him a run against heavyweight opponents (not necessarily a full move to the HW division, just a chance to work at least the NEVER division or maybe a G1) then I'm going to be pretty pissed, but if it's because he wants to tour the world more, which he hinted at, and simply feels it's now or never in his career to do that, then best of luck to him, and I hope he signs for AEW instead of WWE. I'm sure it's in the speculation thread, too, but they're hinting at Omega leaving, but in a way that seems much more like a work. Iizuka's been around since the late 80s, dude's earned a nice sendoff. Would be fun if for his final match he reverts into the technical wrestler he used to be and gains his sanity back. Hope like hell I can look anywhere near that strong when I get to my 50s. It would be nice to see Iizuka go back to his old self for his last match. Personally, I think his last match should be against Minoru Suzuki, which was Suzuki's first match.
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Fundertaker
El Dandy
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Post by Fundertaker on Jan 7, 2019 12:55:31 GMT -5
Kushida leaving is a major sad face for me. If it turns out he's leaving because the NJPW office just couldn't promise him a run against heavyweight opponents (not necessarily a full move to the HW division, just a chance to work at least the NEVER division or maybe a G1) then I'm going to be pretty pissed, but if it's because he wants to tour the world more, which he hinted at, and simply feels it's now or never in his career to do that, then best of luck to him, and I hope he signs for AEW instead of WWE. I'm sure it's in the speculation thread, too, but they're hinting at Omega leaving, but in a way that seems much more like a work. Iizuka's been around since the late 80s, dude's earned a nice sendoff. Would be fun if for his final match he reverts into the technical wrestler he used to be and gains his sanity back. Hope like hell I can look anywhere near that strong when I get to my 50s. It would be nice to see Iizuka go back to his old self for his last match. Personally, I think his last match should be against Minoru Suzuki, which was Suzuki's first match. He needs to let his hair grow before that though.
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Post by HMARK Center on Jan 7, 2019 13:43:15 GMT -5
Very proud of Juice's time in New Japan. It's really the most organic YL-to-star story, as we got to watch him grow into his current form. Now all I need to see is a solid showing in the G1 - have him land in the 8-10 point range at least. I'll miss Iizuka, but I am a SZG apologist. Hope he gives a showing similar to the WTL match with ZSJ/Taichi. When he locked in the sleeper, you'd think Rikidōzan came back to life with that pop. KUSHIDA is a weird one to me. As great as he was in the ring, he is a failed ACE for the junior division. He really never took off or garnered sympathy as much as New Japan wanted, even with years of putting him physically next to Tanahashi hoping for the comparison to rub off. Some of that was booking decisions, but he still was booed against many of his opponents and had crowds leaving (or just not showing up) at times. Don't get me wrong - I'll miss him too, but I can see why New Japan did not want to put him with heavyweights or in the G1. They couldn't trust him to be believable at that level or (more importantly) draw fans to see him in that role. It was best that he move on at this point. You're not wrong about how KUSHIDA's ace push was handled (way too ham-fisted) and that things fell short on that front, but I was of the mind that getting him in against more heavies would've helped a lot of those issues. I think a bit part of the problem was simply that the crowd was aware that he had done everything there was to do in the division already; putting him in a new environment might've given him a fresh coat of paint in the crowd's eyes and a new lease on life where he wouldn't be expected to be an ace or a major draw, since he'd be in the underdog role more often.
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Post by Feargus McReddit on Jan 7, 2019 13:50:02 GMT -5
What makes stuff weirder with KUSHIDA is that he faced Ishii in OTT at the National Stadium in October which seemed to be more of an unintended audition for how he'd do in the heavyweight division (which was a really fun match by the way) so it seemed weird to let them have that booking if there wasn't some kind of plan to move him up at some point.
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