🦁 NJPW - Wrestle Kingdom 18

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First time ever a Coffin Match is being held in New Japan

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Due to what happened today, Noah announced a ten man elimination match will be held at The New Year on January 2nd.

Shota Umino, Ryohei Oiwa, Shuji Kondo, Daiki Inaba and Junta Miyakaki will face House of Torture

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Tomorrow's show is free to watch for all

[Convoy]

Shoutout to bringing a coffin out and hyping a match with it on the same card as an actual memorial.

Interesting CMLL/NJPW news bits:

- Soberano Jr. announced that he has signed a one-year contract with New Japan, similar to the deal that Titán has, so he will spend more time in Japan next year. Assuming he starts at Fantastica Mania and does 2-3 tours in the year like Titán. Curious where he aligns, as he is now rudo in CMLL and even attacked Atlantis Jr. on the last show of World Tag League.

- He also mentioned making a new faction in CMLL, and outright named Zandokan Jr. as the first person he would like to add. Zandokan keeps talking about doing what he can to join LIJ, and that remains his priority in 2024, but why not take these two and Andrade and make a new Los Ingobernables? The “current” Nuevos Ingobernables in CMLL is winding down as members are joining Los Barbaros.

- Atlantis Jr. is also eyeing a return to NJPW next year, naming the G1 as his goal. He is focused on gaining the ability to participate (almost his exact translated phrasing), and after the WTL the luchadores had, I’m all for their return.

There has been a lot of chatter on personnel changes and potential storylines post-Wrestle Kingdom, but as much as the yen is down, luchadores still make bank working in Japan and can be a valuable addition the roster. Both Daga and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. both just announced that they will be heavily focused on NOAH in 2024 instead of AAA, as other examples. I’m all for NJPW bringing in CMLL talent and focusing on Asian expansion rather than whatever they’re currently doing with STRONG/AEW. Which seems to echo their own sentiments per the October business report.

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Only heel faction in New Japan for him to join right now is Bullet Club and United Empire

[Rudy Gobert Fadeaway]

Me checking in for the first time in months finding out about Whiskey Bottle Ladder Match and TJP set to wrestle in a 6 Man Casket Match

[ANuclearError]

Dec 21, 2023 15:47:30 GMT -5 chrom said:

Only heel faction in New Japan for him to join right now is Bullet Club and United Empire

A CMLL guy would be a good fit for United Empire, fits their international vibe.

I had the realisation earlier that due to 2024 being a leap year, the 2025 January 4th show will fall on a Saturday, so I do wonder if we fall into the "save a big match/moment for main eventing that show" like we did with Naito beating Okada.

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Kato or Murashima will get their first win tomorrow

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Kato got the first win of his career in the opener teaming with Makabe

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Callum looked real good in his match with Ishii

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War Dogs win the coffin match

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It's a 6-5 record between Tanahashi and Sabre

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Hiromu is doing commentary

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Tanahashi and Okada taped up from yesterday's title defense

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Okada bullying Fujita

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I don't even know what to call that hold

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Okada and Tanahashi win

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Main Event is next

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Naito made good on his vow to headline this years Wrestle Kingdom.

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The KOPW Trophy was restored and presented to Taichi