***Official Pro Wrestling Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[Bogart]

Why is Cena one of the best? He takes a complete diss at him, the fan catching his shirt and throwing it back at him, and in a split second turns it into the best part of his promo, giving a cheap pop to the "toughness" of the crowd, and a quick shout out to Biggie and Jay Z. Has the Brooklyn crowd eating it up.

 

[travdogg]

Why is Cena one of the best? He takes a complete diss at him, the fan catching his shirt and throwing it back at him, and in a split second turns it into the best part of his promo, giving a cheap pop to the "toughness" of the crowd, and a quick shout out to Biggie and Jay Z. Has the Brooklyn crowd eating it up.

On the flip side, he's also the worst, because he berates his opponent into a championship match because "John Cena says so" and if you don't agree to whatever he wants, you are both a coward and not a man. Ugh, WWE faces, where everybody is a jerk and consequences never matter.

 

[Tom Servo]

Why is Cena one of the best? He takes a complete diss at him, the fan catching his shirt and throwing it back at him, and in a split second turns it into the best part of his promo, giving a cheap pop to the "toughness" of the crowd, and a quick shout out to Biggie and Jay Z. Has the Brooklyn crowd eating it up.

On the flip side, he's also the worst, because he berates his opponent into a championship match because "John Cena says so" and if you don't agree to whatever he wants, you are both a coward and not a man. Ugh, WWE faces, where everybody is a jerk and consequences never matter.

I guess when you're hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder with Vince, John Cena says so = Vince McMahon says so.

 

[Bogart]

Why is Cena one of the best? He takes a complete diss at him, the fan catching his shirt and throwing it back at him, and in a split second turns it into the best part of his promo, giving a cheap pop to the "toughness" of the crowd, and a quick shout out to Biggie and Jay Z. Has the Brooklyn crowd eating it up.

On the flip side, he's also the worst, because he berates his opponent into a championship match because "John Cena says so" and if you don't agree to whatever he wants, you are both a coward and not a man. Ugh, WWE faces, where everybody is a jerk and consequences never matter.

Is there a single wrestler in the history of wresting that didn't use that tactic? Flair, Hogan, HBK, Rock, Austin. I can think of promos by all of these guys that do the exact same thing.

I'm more offended by Big Show "announcing" his entry into the Royal Rumble.

 

[travdogg]

Why is Cena one of the best? He takes a complete diss at him, the fan catching his shirt and throwing it back at him, and in a split second turns it into the best part of his promo, giving a cheap pop to the "toughness" of the crowd, and a quick shout out to Biggie and Jay Z. Has the Brooklyn crowd eating it up.

On the flip side, he's also the worst, because he berates his opponent into a championship match because "John Cena says so" and if you don't agree to whatever he wants, you are both a coward and not a man. Ugh, WWE faces, where everybody is a jerk and consequences never matter.

Is there a single wrestler in the history of wresting that didn't use that tactic? Flair, Hogan, HBK, Rock, Austin. I can think of promos by all of these guys that do the exact same thing.

I'm more offended by Big Show "announcing" his entry into the Royal Rumble.

But none of those guys, with the exception of Hogan(who I always disliked for the same reason), were constantly talked about as guys who are supposed to be role models to children. I'm 100% fine if somebody like Kevin Owens is doing things like this, he's supposed to be a jerk, but the guy who they go out of the way to promote as the guy children should be emulating and looking up to, being a crybaby whenever he doesn't get his own way, and then always being rewarded for it, just really rubs me the wrong way.

As an aside, I don't have children, but I would think this would bother me even more if I did have kids who watched wrestling. I'm always kind of amazed how parents of kids who watch wrestling and are Cena fans, are seemingly 100% ok with his characters actions. Then again, when I was a kid, I had Bret Hart, who was basically the exception to all those names you listed above, as a guy who never acted like that or took any shortcuts, at least until he turned heel. So, maybe because of how good he was, I've set the role model for kids bar too high? That said, and granted NXT is basically a seperate entity, but Bayley and Sami Zayn are both characters who are always taking the high road.

 

[Jeremy]

The opening segment didn't really work, but I liked the rest of the show. Based on the twitter polls I'd seen, it appears I was in the minority.

I love what they're doing with Kevin Owens. Nothing wrong at all about an out of control or cocky wrestler losing focus and being the victim of an upset. It didn't hurt Razor Ramon when it happened to him vs 123 Kid back in the day, and it won't hurt Owens. He'll destroy Neville next time they meet. The follow up on that was excellent. You can't sell a beatdown any better than Dean Ambrose did. I'm very interested in that feud.

Becky and Sasha had a nice match. I think the women's division is slowing starting to pick up steam. Less Bella, more NXT grads is a very good thing.

Loved to see John Cena back. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but he was sorely missed. He really is a cut above everybody else, save maybe Taker or Lesnar. You really have to see a Raw live to appreciate the presence he has. He has the crowd eating out of his hands in one way or another.

Didn't love seeing Big Show back. That segment looked promising until his music hit, then "oh crap".

I like the progress Reigns is making as well. He seems to have really found his character. Did a nice job improvising with Vince when the crowd tried to hijack the promo with their inane chants. If that segment fell flat, I don't think it was his fault. Him holding the microphone for the cop was pretty funny.

 

[Tom Servo]

WELLLLLLL....IT'S THE BIGGGGG SHOOOOOWWW!!!!

The cue for everyone to hit the bathroom.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

 

[Jeremy]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

That reminds me, did anyone else notice Vince using one of his own taboo words? He actually said "that's my championship BELT". My understanding is that he doesn't allow the wrestlers to call it a belt, but rather a "championship".

That's a good list, but my money is on Lesnar to win the Royal Rumble, though I haven't heard if he's booked on the show or not.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

That reminds me, did anyone else notice Vince using one of his own taboo words? He actually said "that's my championship BELT". My understanding is that he doesn't allow the wrestlers to call it a belt, but rather a "championship".

That's a good list, but my money is on Lesnar to win the Royal Rumble, though I haven't heard if he's booked on the show or not.

Brock doesn't need to go through the Rumble. He simply gets a shot if he demands one.

 

[Bogart]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

This potential list shows just how deep the roster is right now. Even the best Rumbles of the Attitude Era really only went 10-15 deep, then ALOT of filler.

 

[Tom Servo]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

That reminds me, did anyone else notice Vince using one of his own taboo words? He actually said "that's my championship BELT". My understanding is that he doesn't allow the wrestlers to call it a belt, but rather a "championship".

That's a good list, but my money is on Lesnar to win the Royal Rumble, though I haven't heard if he's booked on the show or not.

Brock doesn't need to go through the Rumble. He simply gets a shot if he demands one.

I would agree, but if you want to help put over the eventual winner (if it's not Cena), then Lesnar would be a good guy to use. Downside is there's nothing for Lesnar in it.

 

[Keith R]

I thought the opening segment started really hot. Vince working straight up racist/I used your family to line my billionaire pockets heat was intense and smart. It also throws back to all of the family history WWE worked on last time they pushed Roman towards the top.

With Roman carrying the belt, the Rumble is going to be an open field. Guys like Big Show and Kane give the match some credibility even though they aren't going to win...it'll mean more for the winner to go through long-term upper/mid carders than simply tossing quasi jobbers like R Truth and Miz. Can we guess the Rumble entrants?

Contenders (4): Cena, Ambrose, Owens, Wyatt

Tier 2 contenders (3): Sheamus, Del Rio, Rusev

Longshot contenders (4): New Day (3), Ziggler

Threatening non-contenders (6): Big Show, Kane, Wyatt family (3), Ryback,

Somewhat interesting filler (8): Usos (2), Miz, Neville, Kalisto, Stardust, Golddust, Breeze

That's 25 guys...add a few surprises like Jericho and ECW/NXT guys, and it should be a really fun event.

That reminds me, did anyone else notice Vince using one of his own taboo words? He actually said "that's my championship BELT". My understanding is that he doesn't allow the wrestlers to call it a belt, but rather a "championship".

That's a good list, but my money is on Lesnar to win the Royal Rumble, though I haven't heard if he's booked on the show or not.

Brock doesn't need to go through the Rumble. He simply gets a shot if he demands one.

I would agree, but if you want to help put over the eventual winner (if it's not Cena), then Lesnar would be a good guy to use. Downside is there's nothing for Lesnar in it.

Someone eliminating Lesnar at the RR would be HUGE. Lesnar has competed in exactly 1 RR match - which he won, in 2003. Eliminating him would be a first. At the same time, throwing him over the top rope <<< pinning him, so Lesnar loses nowhere near as much luster as the person eliminating him gains.

Do I expect this to happen? No. But it makes perfect sense.

 

[Eminence]

Big Show!

 

[KiddLattimer]

And then they job out Owens in a 10-second match. I tapped out.

Good thing LU comes back on 1/27 so I can watch some real wrestling.

Owens needs heat. Yeah, he got pinned in a fluke. The story is the escalation of the beat down over two segments. Owens is supposed to be dangerous...he should feel more dangerous after tonight.

Agreed, love what they did with Owens this week... Completely out of control, runs from fight, comes out if nowhere again to smash Ambrose through a table then stand there with an almost orgasmic look on his face from taking him out... Top notch heel work here

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Looks like Mike Bennett and Maria are debuting for TNA this Tuesday.

I thought they put out a pretty good vignette on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjOlMG1swP0

I don't understand why these vignettes don't happen anymore these days across wrestling. I distinctly remember the Razor Ramon and Val Venis vignettes that came on weeks in advance before their debuts. Nowadays we get Tyler Breeze debuting cold......and people have no reason whatsoever to care. They assume BOATLOADS of people watched him on NXT

And he's already ruined. May as well cut the guy already.

 

[Tom Servo]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.



Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

 

[GoFishTN]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

From what I've seen they did about 15K buys, which was 5K above their break even number. So they had some success, but maybe it just wasn't worth their time?

US fans can stream it on NJPW World if they want to see it.

 

[Tom Servo]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

Why in the blue hell would Nakamura do that? Guy rocks Japan and has everything he could possibly wants. Why would he trade that for bingo halls of the WWE minor leagues? Dumb rumor.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.


Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

Why in the blue hell would Nakamura do that? Guy rocks Japan and has everything he could possibly wants. Why would he trade that for bingo halls of the WWE minor leagues? Dumb rumor.

Big stage? Reportedly the nxt brand is being entertained as ramping up to arenas.

 

[Tom Servo]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

Why in the blue hell would Nakamura do that? Guy rocks Japan and has everything he could possibly wants. Why would he trade that for bingo halls of the WWE minor leagues? Dumb rumor.

Big stage? Reportedly the nxt brand is being entertained as ramping up to arenas.

NJPW is much bigger than wrestling at a clown college broadcasting on a subscription service seen by 60,000 people.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.


Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

Why in the blue hell would Nakamura do that? Guy rocks Japan and has everything he could possibly wants. Why would he trade that for bingo halls of the WWE minor leagues? Dumb rumor.

Big stage? Reportedly the nxt brand is being entertained as ramping up to arenas.

NJPW is much bigger than wrestling at a clown college broadcasting on a subscription service seen by 60,000 people.

wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see an hour of nxt on USA on Tuesday or Wednesday in the next 18 months. As it stands, the net has 1.3 million subs, I think north of 900k in North America. If the money is comparable I could see him being motivated to do it but who knows. It's also a step away from the big dance.

I'm with you on the love for him, but he would be over like rover but they've never pushed a non English speaker to the moon in recent years.

He could be the great muta of this generation though. Work so good he doesn't have to talk.

Heyman and nakamura? Oh baby!!

 

[Brady Marino]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

With GFW, they were really restricted on time. WrestleKingdoms are usually major affairs with elaborate entrances and such. Past WKs have gone as long as 5 hours. By broadcasting it exclusively on NJPWWorld for the North America market, they get that freedom back.

There will be English commentary with Kevin Kelly (former WWF/current RoH) and Matt Striker (former WWE/current Lucha Underground) with Yoshi Tatsu (whose neck is borked courtesy of AJ Styles) doing Japanese translations.

I do highly recommend NJPWWorld, especially for WK and the G1 Climax. Website does have English translations, but it's via Google and it still can be a bit of a challenge at times.

 

[Tom Servo]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

With GFW, they were really restricted on time. WrestleKingdoms are usually major affairs with elaborate entrances and such. Past WKs have gone as long as 5 hours. By broadcasting it exclusively on NJPWWorld for the North America market, they get that freedom back.There will be English commentary with Kevin Kelly (former WWF/current RoH) and Matt Striker (former WWE/current Lucha Underground) with Yoshi Tatsu (whose neck is borked courtesy of AJ Styles) doing Japanese translations.

I do highly recommend NJPWWorld, especially for WK and the G1 Climax. Website does have English translations, but it's via Google and it still can be a bit of a challenge at times.

The 3 am start time is one thing, but I have to be at work at 7 so that does pose a problem.

 

[Brady Marino]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 takes place early Monday morning in America. AJ Styles now gets a shot at

Shinsuke Nakamura's IWGP Intercontinental belt. I love Nakamura's ring presence and style...almost to the man-crush level.

Jay Lethal also defends the ROH title against former champ Michael Elgin. NJPW has created the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles which will be awarded to either Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) or Toru Yano & the Briscoes.

Why didn't this get a us ppv push this year?Read some rumors hhh wants nakamura for nxt soon

With GFW, they were really restricted on time. WrestleKingdoms are usually major affairs with elaborate entrances and such. Past WKs have gone as long as 5 hours. By broadcasting it exclusively on NJPWWorld for the North America market, they get that freedom back.There will be English commentary with Kevin Kelly (former WWF/current RoH) and Matt Striker (former WWE/current Lucha Underground) with Yoshi Tatsu (whose neck is borked courtesy of AJ Styles) doing Japanese translations.

I do highly recommend NJPWWorld, especially for WK and the G1 Climax. Website does have English translations, but it's via Google and it still can be a bit of a challenge at times.

The 3 am start time is one thing, but I have to be at work at 7 so that does pose a problem.

True. Probably best to just watch it later that night, but if it's as long as they're saying it could be, might be a two night event for us!

 

[Tom Servo]

Wrestle Kingdom 10 results

Spoiler

• Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Jado vs. Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Satoshi Kojima vs. Tiger Mask vs. Yuji Nagata in the New Japan Rumble. JADO WINS

• Young Bucks defeat reDRagon, Matt Sydal & Ricochet & Roppongi Vice via pinfall on Rocky Romero following More Bang for Your Buck to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team champions

• Toru Yano & Briscoes defeat Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi) via pinfall following a Doomsday Device on Tonga to become NEVER Openweight six-man tag champs

• Jay Lethal defeats Michael Elgin via pinfall following Lethal Injection (and Book of Truth shot) to retain the ROH World championship

• KUSHIDA defeats Kenny Omega via pinfall (roll through on the One-Winged Angel attempt by Omega) to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion

• GBH (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) defeat Bullet Club (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) via pinfall following a top rope Kokeshi headbutt and King Kong Knee Drop on Gallows to become the new IWGP tag team champions

• Hirooki Goto fought off Los Ignoberables interence and defeated Tetsuyta Naito via pinfall following Shouten Kai

• Katsuyori Shibata defeats Tomohiro Ishii via pinfall following a PK to become the new NEVER Openweight champion

• Shinsuke Nakamura defeated AJ Styles via pinfall following two Boma Ye knee strikes to retain his IWGP Intercontinental championship

• Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi via pinfall following THREE Rainmakers to retain his the IWGP Heavyweight championship

 

[1234]

WK10 was a really good show. The last three matches are incredible.

Only complaint is the sameness of the interference/jumping the start of match in the first half of the show but the second half delivered in a big way.

Plus, King Haku in Bullet Club.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Nakamura, Styles and other bullet club guys have reportedly given their notice to NJPW

Business is about to pick up. Please let Nakamura be Nakamura though.

 

[1234]

Nakamura, Styles and other bullet club guys have reportedly given their notice to NJPW

Business is about to pick up. Please let Nakamura be Nakamura though.

Nakamura, Styles, Anderson and Gallows are headed to WWE.

 

[Tom Servo]

Nakamura, Styles and other bullet club guys have reportedly given their notice to NJPW

Business is about to pick up. Please let Nakamura be Nakamura though.

Nakamura, Styles, Anderson and Gallows are headed to WWE.

 

[Tom Servo]

Nakamura, Styles and other bullet club guys have reportedly given their notice to NJPW

Business is about to pick up. Please let Nakamura be Nakamura though.

Nakamura, Styles, Anderson and Gallows are headed to WWE.

Also, Nakamura is not a Bullet Club member.

 

[1234]

Nakamura, Styles and other bullet club guys have reportedly given their notice to NJPW

Business is about to pick up. Please let Nakamura be Nakamura though.

Nakamura, Styles, Anderson and Gallows are headed to WWE.

Meltzer. Tama Tonga seems to be going as well.

 

[Brady Marino]

Here. No mention of Tonga, but he is exactly what WWE would want.

"Swagsuke" should be awesome, but I hope he's not pigeonholed into a pure comedy role a la Tajiri.

I've been dying to see Styles in a WWE ring, so this is great.

Machine Gun Anderson is one of the most underrated guys in wrestling, IMO. He'll do well in WWE.

Gallows is a dumpster fire.

 

[Bogart]

A Heath Slater/Bo Dallas/Adam Rose/Curtis Axel faction??

Sign me up.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

That segment showed why Axel & Rose don't see air time. Just awful on the mic. Axel, calm down on the heavy breathing so people can actually understand you.

Like the group, but leave the talking for Bo Dallas and Heath Slater.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

That segment showed why Axel & Rose don't see air time. Just awful on the mic. Axel, calm down on the heavy breathing so people can actually understand you.

Like the group, but leave the talking for Bo Dallas and Heath Slater.

I thought they were being extra weird intentionally. We'll see if they get enough time together to go for a New Day vibe.

 

[Bogart]

That segment showed why Axel & Rose don't see air time. Just awful on the mic. Axel, calm down on the heavy breathing so people can actually understand you.

Like the group, but leave the talking for Bo Dallas and Heath Slater.

I thought they were being extra weird intentionally. We'll see if they get enough time together to go for a New Day vibe.

#SocialOutcasts

Makes perfect sense. Kind of reminds me of the Zack Ryder Internet presence. 1.2 million Twitter followers combined. Let them do the heavy lifting during the day on social media. Give them 10 mins a night on RAW, see what happens. Give them a moment in the Royal Rumble.

There can never be too many factions.

 

[Bogart]

Just when you think we can't get a Roman Reigns Royal Rumble victory....

 

[Brady Marino]

For those who have asked about stories making the rounds that a number of talents that work regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling have given notice and will be leaving the company, we are told that those stories are partially correct but the idea that anyone has signed with WWE is, as of this writing, not correct at all.
The WWE signing part is one of the versions of the story that are making the rounds but to be clear, no sources within WWE have been able to confirm that, as of this evening, there have been any signings of any of these talents.

In the case of AJ Styles, he was not under a New Japan contract. Styles is obviously in demand and there is obviously interest in him from just about every promotion, but according to several sources, he has not signed anything with anyone. Within the last week or two, ROH had removed posters featuring AJ Styles for upcoming events and replaced them with new posters sans Styles. It is believed he finished up with ROH at Final Battle.

The two other big names bandied about are The Bullet Club's Karl Anderson and Doc/Luke Gallows. In the case of Gallows, he was not under New Japan contract. Anderson's deal expires towards the end of the month. It is believed that their departure is more to clear the deck in case there is interest elsewhere for them, but they have not signed anything. They are still being advertised for future ROH dates.

The final name being discussed is the current IWGP Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura. In Nakamura's case, the belief is that while he has expressed interest in seeing what his future might hold outside NJPW, that discussions between he and New Japan may not have completed and what his final decision may be remains up in the air. We have heard stories going back a year that WWE officials, after seeing him on a tape of the 2015 WrestleKingdom PPV, had expressed interest in him. The idea that Nakamura was signed by WWE already just isn't feasible given the visas and other paperwork required for WWE to hire him, but it's within the realm of possibility to be sure. It's just as possible Nakamura and New Japan will come to terms on a new deal. For Nakamura, nothing is set in stone.

There were a number of people in and around New Japan, including some of the principals involved, who were very angry the story leaked before talents had finished up their dates, specifically since the business is so well protected by those in Japan.

Obviously, with all the talk and conjecture, one would think that tonight's New Japan show in Korakuen Hall could be about as newsworthy about as must-see as last night's WrestleKingdom Dome show was.

PWinsider (get your AdBlocker ready)

 

[Smack Tripper]

A Heath Slater/Bo Dallas/Adam Rose/Curtis Axel faction??

Sign me up.

this was legitmately my favorite part of the night, apart from Vince's vasodilated guns

 

[wazoo11]

Just when you think we can't get a Roman Reigns Royal Rumble victory....

Wait, I thought Santino was going to win.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

I've been watching rasslin all my life. That said, I may poop myself when Finn Balor gets called up. Can't think of a better spot, than the Royal Rumble.

 

[Jeremy]

Good show last night. I especially enjoyed the first hour. Reigns vs Authority, Owens/Ambrose, and Becky/Charlotte all have my interest. Really nice promo by Reigns. Short and to the point, which is what he's best at. What he lacks in verbal skills, he makes up for with his body language and facial expressions.

Big Show vs Ryback provided the perfect opportunity for me to finish the dishes.

I enjoyed the new jobber faction. We'll see how that goes. I like the concept.

Was great to see Jericho again, although the returning legend bit is losing it's impact since they've done it too frequently. Crowd seemed only mildly into it. But he's my favorite of all time, so I marked out.

The main event was a little messy, but I always enjoy it when Reigns goes into pissed off mode. Nice new wrinkle to his character. I'm not sure how I feel about him defending in the RR. I didn't like it at first, but it could provide an opportunity for him to drop the belt without getting pinned, and you probably want your top babyface as the challenger going into WrestleMania.

 

[1234]

NJPW New Year Dash had a huge angle last night.

Kenny Omega and Bullet Club turned on AJ Styles. Styles appeared to bid the crowd farewell after.

 

[Tom Servo]

For those who have asked about stories making the rounds that a number of talents that work regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling have given notice and will be leaving the company, we are told that those stories are partially correct but the idea that anyone has signed with WWE is, as of this writing, not correct at all.
The WWE signing part is one of the versions of the story that are making the rounds but to be clear, no sources within WWE have been able to confirm that, as of this evening, there have been any signings of any of these talents.

In the case of AJ Styles, he was not under a New Japan contract. Styles is obviously in demand and there is obviously interest in him from just about every promotion, but according to several sources, he has not signed anything with anyone. Within the last week or two, ROH had removed posters featuring AJ Styles for upcoming events and replaced them with new posters sans Styles. It is believed he finished up with ROH at Final Battle.

The two other big names bandied about are The Bullet Club's Karl Anderson and Doc/Luke Gallows. In the case of Gallows, he was not under New Japan contract. Anderson's deal expires towards the end of the month. It is believed that their departure is more to clear the deck in case there is interest elsewhere for them, but they have not signed anything. They are still being advertised for future ROH dates.

The final name being discussed is the current IWGP Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura. In Nakamura's case, the belief is that while he has expressed interest in seeing what his future might hold outside NJPW, that discussions between he and New Japan may not have completed and what his final decision may be remains up in the air. We have heard stories going back a year that WWE officials, after seeing him on a tape of the 2015 WrestleKingdom PPV, had expressed interest in him. The idea that Nakamura was signed by WWE already just isn't feasible given the visas and other paperwork required for WWE to hire him, but it's within the realm of possibility to be sure. It's just as possible Nakamura and New Japan will come to terms on a new deal. For Nakamura, nothing is set in stone.

There were a number of people in and around New Japan, including some of the principals involved, who were very angry the story leaked before talents had finished up their dates, specifically since the business is so well protected by those in Japan.

Obviously, with all the talk and conjecture, one would think that tonight's New Japan show in Korakuen Hall could be about as newsworthy about as must-see as last night's WrestleKingdom Dome show was.

PWinsider (get your AdBlocker ready)

This I can believe. Styles' not signing with anyone may simply mean he wants to take some time off. He has been quite the globe trotter recently and with a young child, I can see some down time to spend with the baby.

With Nakamura, I can't see him in WWE - it may happen - I just can't see it. The last great Japanese star over here IIRC was the Great Muta and for the most part he had Gary Hart as his mouthpiece. The problem - aside from traveling 300+ days per year - is what kind of gimmick do you give him when he needs a manager? He's not a brute that can intimidate people. He's not a high-flyer per se. Color me skeptical.

 

[Brady Marino]

The Bullet Club turned on AJ Styles during the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dash event in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan this morning with Kenny Omega taking control and leadership of the group. This was Styles' last scheduled appearance for the company.
Omega went on to defeat IWGP Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a tag match, setting up a future title challenge. Obviously, should Nakamura indeed finish up, the company needs to move the belt and it appears Omega, obviously in for a major push in 2016, is the most likely candidate.

 

[1234]

Meltzer said Styles and Nakamura signed for "main roster" money and there could be a debut as soon as the Royal Rumble.

 

[Tom Servo]

Meltzer said Styles and Nakamura signed for "main roster" money and there could be a debut as soon as the Royal Rumble.

I would think so. If I were either of those guys, I'm not signing to work bingo halls for NXT.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Yeah Styles wouldn't be going to WWE if he weren't making huge money.

He was making a real nice chunk of change in TNA.