Cody is such a 90's WCW mark that I bet he's been waiting to do that his whole career.

I was always waiting for him to win the US Title and bring the old belt back.

Ibushi has been announced for the G1 Climax. Fuck yeah.

Ibushi as Ibushi? Interesting.

I was thinking about the Climax earlier today. I'm not entirely sure Omega will even end up going for the IWGP Heavyweight belt. They can run Okada/Omega in the G1 as the hotly anticipated match. Omega as US Champion makes a lot of sense for their expansion, and him working elsewhere on the card ideally gives New Japan two hot title matches instead of just one.

Could see Okada vs. Ibushi headling, if Ibushi is ready to sign and get serious, having established his anime character for them to license. But he could also just be there to prop up some interest and have some stellar-ass fucking matches.

So Omega vs. Okada is confirmed for the last night of the Block stages, isn't it? Given that, it would make sense for it to be a nail-biter. I could see Okada having 12 points and Omega having 13, or something like that. So in the event of a draw, Omega wins the Block, but Okada can still take it if he wins.

I could actually see Okada already having the block sewn up, but Kenny finally beats him when it means nothing, but then has the story that Okada can be beaten.

The champ hasn't won in years, so I could see Okada winning it all since he's like Cena and Reigns in one at this point, but Omega is his only black mark in the whole competition.

That would actually be really cool.

Block A is way more exciting anyway in terms of actual matches. Assuming Omega or Okada win it, I hope Ibushi, Tanahashi, Naito or Yoshi-Hashi take it because that will be a helluva final.

I'd love an Ibushi V Omega final, they're the best together. The Golden Shower finisher

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly...jkvio4_250.gif

And this shit

http://i.imgur.com/G8u4jCf.gif

I can see Tanahashi's block being closer in terms of points.

If they do Ibushi-Omega, its probably not happening till Wrestle Kingdom and as NJPW best way to convince Omega to stay.

An interesting idea going around the net involves NJPW doing a Naito-Omega feud with both the G1 and G1 Special. Have them be in the finals for both tournaments and split the results as a way to give both guys a G1 rub.

I could see that. I don't really have New Japan's booking style as pinned down as I do American styles, but I can see an Omega vs. Naito final for the US Title. Naito wins, after beating Ishii earlier in the night. Omega continues the story of being the bridesmaid and refocuses for the G1. Naito holds the US Title until Wrestle Kingdom, where Ishii avenges his tournament loss and becomes the second champion.

I do think that they will go with Okada vs. Omega at Wrestle Kingdom. It just seems like their hottest vibe going right now. Four in the space of the year might be stretching it though. I dunno, I can just see them going with Omega winning the IWGP belt there.

Just watched the Dominion special on AXS tv that had Naito vs Tanahashi and Omega/Okada 2. While I dont think it was better than the Wrestle Kingdom match it was damn good. Was shocked but also glad it ended as a draw. Really lookung forward to the live show tomorrow.

Oh wow, are the American specials tomorrow?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Okada loved <a href="https://twitter.com/innoutburger">@innoutburger</a> so much he got it again for lunch today <a href="https://t.co/pbvIiHLL9o">pic.twitter.com/pbvIiHLL9o</a></p>&mdash; ProWrestlingSheet (@WrestlingSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingSheet/status/880945973924704257">July 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Cody probably preparing some sort of master plan for winning the IWGP title that involves Okada being distracted with a platter of In-N-Out burgers.

As cool As it would be I can't see Cody winning the title..

Cody is a good worker, but IWGP title holders have been world class performers. Cody isnt there yet.

At this point, they're so desperate to break into America in a big way that they're just throwing shit at the wall, so anything is possible. I mean, you've got Mr. Ace V Mr. Ass.

If they think Cody Rhodes IWGP champion would get eyeballs on them, they may just do it.

It wouldn't shock me, but I don't think it will happen. Or, if it does, Okada wins the belt back fairly quickly.

EXCELLENT!!

The argument is there, but for once as a fan I can honestly say for myself that I have no idea who can win and that's PERFECT for me!

Last time they put the title on someone for marketing reasons it kickstarted a nose dive that njpw has yet to fully recover from, even with all their current success.

The current situation is different, but I still don't know if njpw would be willing to do it, after all their work reestablishing that the iwgp title goes to those that deserve it.

Holy shit. Okada/Shibata was brutal. First half was classic mat wrestling but did that ever change. They absolutely beat the hell out of one another and that headbutt was brutal.

Shibata :(

Yeah it sucks and I always enjoy a Shibata match but if that's his last match ever its one he can be proud of.

Is it certain they learnt from that though?

I'd love to see New Japan put out a video game. One that is crafted to be an excellent wrestling game that captures hearts and imaginations. Shibata could be a huge part of that, and he could even help train up your young boy to fight in an online G1 Climax against other personalized wrestlers.

Random thought, but when it comes to exposure, it'd be a good way to get some. Throw in a 6-month New Japan World membership for those who pre-order. You can unlock videos of full-length matches as you play, and there can be a "LARIOTO! Mode," where you and your drunk buddies can record your own commentary over the top and send them to people.

Anyone gonna watch the NJPW special tonight

I've been really tempted to get New Japan World and do so, but I think I'm going to hold off right now. I'm thinking the G1 might be my New Japan introduction.

It's apparently also airing live on the US cable channel "AXS TV" if you have that... I just found out

I'm in Australia, but thanks for the tip.

Yeah, but not til I get off work at 10

Going to bed so will watch tomorrow, but good to know Rosanne is watching

Roseanne Barr @therealroseanne

NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING IS LITTT!!!!!!!!!!!! @JRsBBQ @JoshLBarnett #BuckPost

https://mobile.twitter.com/therealro...64350312275969

lol wut

John Goodman's opinion is more relevant to me.

Here is the card for New Japan's Lion's Gate Project 7:

* Yuji Nagata vs. Go Asakawa
* Yoshi-Hashi vs. Koji Iwamoto
* Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomoyuki Oka
* Dick Togo vs. Hirai Kawato
* Dinosaur Takuma & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsuya Kitamura & Manabu Nakanishi
* Taka Michinoku vs. Tetsuhiro Yagi
* Syota Umino vs. Ren Narita

Do I have this right in assuming that Lion's Gate is sort of an "old versus young" type show, in order to showcase newer talent against the older guard. If so, I think I genuinely have more interest in that show than the G1 Special stuff.

Fucking amazing to me that Taka Michinoku and Dick Togo are still wrestling.

Pretty much, but it's young talent from other companies as well as new japan. I'm interested too, since I haven't followed the japanese indies in a long time.

Part of the attraction of Japanese wrestling, for me, is the freshness. Fresh Japanese wrestling, therefore, has a strong appeal. Just for the novel aspect.