Is Anyone Else a Pro-Wrestling Fan?

[Rivvy Elf]

Acknowledge me.

If you recognize those two words, you know what storyline I'm following in professional wrestling.

[Daolun]

Just finished Wrestle Kingdom Night 2 in Yokohama, New Japan x Pro-Wrestling NOAH.

I'm a long lapsed New Japan fan, I haven't enjoyed the company fully since 2013. However I've loved NOAH since I first saw Marufuji vs KENTA in 2006, easily the greatest match to ever exist in my mind. So I get to walk into this with a fun perspective. My experiences with Okada over the past few years have been big let downs. I find him pretty uninspiring for the most part. He's had some great matches, but he isn't a suitable replacement for Tanahashi so far.

The Soya vs Sanada match was... not good. But I've never liked Sanada whether it was AJPW, Wrestle-1, TNA or the brief times I saw him in New Japan. Similar to Okada there is nothing at all unique or special about him. No move he does has a unique flair only belonging to him. His presence isn't special. He doesn't inspire me to want to cheer for him.

Despite my dislike of Okada he was apart of my most anticipated match of the night, Okada/Makabe vs Kiyomiya/Inamura. I wanted these four in singles matches against the opposing person, but it is as clear as day we are getting that! This match was short, but the ending was absolutely perfect. A stiff kick to the face by the ace of NOAH to Okada's ugly face to bust him open. A brawl on the outside that was downright vicious. The match is thrown out and Kiyomiya under a hail of boos, for the first time in his entire career, calls Okada a coward and demands a singles match. I am beyond excited for this. Kaito's reign as GHC Champ has been getting better and better with each match. THIS Okada felt special. This angry and violent Okada. This Okada felt like he deserved to succeed Inoki. We're going to see something special when they finally meet in a singles. Maybe Muto's retirement at the dome? Maybe Wrestle Kingdom? Either way, THIS is the big money match in Japan now.

Diamond Ring rematch 11 years in the making between Katsu and Shingo was probably the best match on the card, and I expected no less out of those two. Katsuhiko Nakajima is simply untouchable as a striker. Everything he does is vicious and connects. You feel it. Shingo is intense and his lariats are a thing of beauty. Putting them together was the best possible match-up.

Kenoh vs Naito was amazing, although the finish was the worst possible idea with them not pull a draw at least. Naito is remarkably washed and he isn't the Naito of 2016 who, for a brief moment, reignited my enjoyment in NJPW only for Okada to pull the rug out. However in this match Naito reached down and pulled out that old self. He and Kenoh had such a fun match from start to finish. Kenoh is so good at being an angry shit head, and the petty build for this was hilarious.

So what did I think overall? I loved it. I can't wait for the fallout and the next show. Whenever we get the proper rematches from here, I will absolutely make sure to watch it live again.

[Mikhail]

Just finished Wrestle Kingdom Night 2 in Yokohama, New Japan x Pro-Wrestling NOAH.

I'm a long lapsed New Japan fan, I haven't enjoyed the company fully since 2013. However I've loved NOAH since I first saw Marufuji vs KENTA in 2006, easily the greatest match to ever exist in my mind. So I get to walk into this with a fun perspective. My experiences with Okada over the past few years have been big let downs. I find him pretty uninspiring for the most part. He's had some great matches, but he isn't a suitable replacement for Tanahashi so far.

The Soya vs Sanada match was... not good. But I've never liked Sanada whether it was AJPW, Wrestle-1, TNA or the brief times I saw him in New Japan. Similar to Okada there is nothing at all unique or special about him. No move he does has a unique flair only belonging to him. His presence isn't special. He doesn't inspire me to want to cheer for him.

Despite my dislike of Okada he was apart of my most anticipated match of the night, Okada/Makabe vs Kiyomiya/Inamura. I wanted these four in singles matches against the opposing person, but it is as clear as day we are getting that! This match was short, but the ending was absolutely perfect. A stiff kick to the face by the ace of NOAH to Okada's ugly face to bust him open. A brawl on the outside that was downright vicious. The match is thrown out and Kiyomiya under a hail of boos, for the first time in his entire career, calls Okada a coward and demands a singles match. I am beyond excited for this. Kaito's reign as GHC Champ has been getting better and better with each match. THIS Okada felt special. This angry and violent Okada. This Okada felt like he deserved to succeed Inoki. We're going to see something special when they finally meet in a singles. Maybe Muto's retirement at the dome? Maybe Wrestle Kingdom? Either way, THIS is the big money match in Japan now.

Diamond Ring rematch 11 years in the making between Katsu and Shingo was probably the best match on the card, and I expected no less out of those two. Katsuhiko Nakajima is simply untouchable as a striker. Everything he does is vicious and connects. You feel it. Shingo is intense and his lariats are a thing of beauty. Putting them together was the best possible match-up.

Kenoh vs Naito was amazing, although the finish was the worst possible idea with them not pull a draw at least. Naito is remarkably washed and he isn't the Naito of 2016 who, for a brief moment, reignited my enjoyment in NJPW only for Okada to pull the rug out. However in this match Naito reached down and pulled out that old self. He and Kenoh had such a fun match from start to finish. Kenoh is so good at being an angry shit head, and the petty build for this was hilarious.

So what did I think overall? I loved it. I can't wait for the fallout and the next show. Whenever we get the proper rematches from here, I will absolutely make sure to watch it live again.

I forgot all about it but thanks for the reminder. I'll watch it next week and then promptly cancel my NJPW World subscription.

Glad to hear that the show was good though. Does this mean you're going to stop badmouthing NJPW now?

[Daolun]

Not a chance because without the NOAH talent this would've been another boring and uninspiring New Japan show that would create no new fans.

[Daolun]

Great Muta Final "Bye Bye" is absolutely well worth the watch. Easily tops Wrestle Kingdom in Yokohama.

We also got the full card announcement for Keiji Muto's retirement at Tokyo Dome next month and it looks incredible.

[Rivvy Elf]

Did anybody else see the Tribal Court today? Marvelous storytelling they're doing with the Bloodline

[Daolun]

The Royal Rumble is tonight. It's usually the only WWE show I tend to watch because I have good memories of the Rumble match.

I barely recognize anyone in WWE anymore, but I'll always throw my support at some random no-name jobber to win for the lulz.

[SunXia]

I don't watch a lot of wrestling anymore, funny enough how wrestling fans responded to Lita's "affair" with Edge because of Matt Hardy making more of it than it was, completely turned me off.

I'd stopped watching by the time she retired because she didn't look comfortable doing that, be a bit like running with the personal lives of Stone Cold and Debra, its tasteless!!

But of course seeing Becky Lynch's rise has been nice, I tracked her storylines over the years, little bit of Irish narcissism there, and if it wasn't nice seeing Becky Lynch get to co-champ with a hero of hers!!

Love it!!

[MusouSpammer90]

Been a fan since I was 3 lol, I can be a bit of a Mark.

[Daolun]

My top five matches of the year as of 11/1/2023

1: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Kento Miyahara - Pro Wrestling NOAH One Night Dream.
If you stiff strike exchanges, a wild crowd and over ten years of history then this match is for you. Peak perfection from start to finish. Nakajima is my undisputed GOAT and Kento's control of a crowd is masterful.

2: Kaito Kiyomiya vs KENOH - Pro Wrestling NOAH The New Year 2023
These two had a massive fucking gripe with their world title match going on second under Great Muta vs Shinsuke Nakamura, but holy f••• did they deliver. From the wild Falcon Arrow to the outside, the hard dive Kaito took, the stiff strikes, the innovative moves never seen before like Kaito's mix of a Tiger Suplex and Tiger Driver to honor Misawa. They had everything to prove, and they did that and more.

3: Rika Tatsumi vs Miu Watanabe - Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Grand Princess 23
The secondary title in TJPW continues to be better than the top belt. Rika and Miu are made for each other, whether they're tag teaming or fighting. My god, what a war with some fun and unique spots. The choke to count the swing was genius. TJPW has this (well deserved, thankfully) reputation as the 'friendly girl' promotion, but when push comes to shove they blow Scardom out of the water.

4: Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus vs GUNTHER - Wrestlemania
Normally I hate multiman matches because they're usually just a bunch of dudes doing flips and waiting around for others to do flips. These three don't flip. They just beat the f••• out of each other. It was violent and fun. The modern day King's Road basically. Very fun match.

5: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs KENOH - Pro Wrestling NOAH Sunny Voyage 2023
These two always make magic together. Two of the best strikers in the game throw live rounds. Both exceedingly dangerous men doing what they do best. I'll never get tired of their strike exchanges, the bobbing and weaving, leading with the right leg, counters. Its as close to a real fight as you can get without it being boring like one.