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New Japan's second edition of Fighting Spirit Unleashed took place on Sunday at California, with an intriguing set of matches building towards Wrestle Kingdom 13 and set of events before that. The card headlined by a match between CHAOS factions Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada versus the Golden Lovers (Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega).
While the event lacked the urgency of last years tournament to crown the inaugural IWGP United States champion. The event had some intriguing developments for the future of New Japan, especially on American shores. It included two title changes and built to a whole host of possible matches for next weeks King of Pro Wrestling and next months Power Struggle.
New Japan is soaring high with each man leaving its mark, but more importantly some form of notes for the future. There's a lot to unpack with this event, most of all the idea that New Japan is definitely doing all it can to appeal to not just a faithful American audience but a mainstream one as well.
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Like with anything in wrestling today, front and center were the Elite!
#10. JR Needs to Hang Up his Cowboy Hat
Somehow the lack of Josh Bartnett by his side made Good Ol' JR that much worse. Sharing commentary duties with Bartnett the last time New Japan was in American shores, he sounded better for it and worse as well. Yet here Jim's inadequacies clearly showed especially with Kevin Kelly on the other end.
Kelly feels lively and he knows what he's talking about. In retaliation to which, Jim Ross has not only lost a step but also seems unconcerned about having authenticity in his calls and information of the product. It's sad to admit this, but maybe it's finally time for Ross to call it a day. It's best as neither he nor Jerry Lawler has been on top in the past years and neither should they be commentating without the other.
His mistakes notwithstanding, Ross also regresses into a very 90s mode of storytelling that while very exciting is still tinged with just nostalgia. It doesn't help that it can't match the New Japan storytelling. Somehow Kelly has an insightful idea on how to call Japanese action in English. Let's hope JR sees the light and retires before he becomes another washed up has been of wrestling.
#9. World Tag League and Super Jr. Tag Tournament is starting to Shape Up
As usual with a card like this, New Japan featured a hell of different tag team contests including the main event. It made for an interesting statement with the two division of tag team tournaments coming up.
Fighting Spirit began with a six-man tag between Taguchi Japan and Roppongi 3k. 3K will look to once more reclaim their Junior's tag titles through the tournament and become back to back winners. Rysuke Taguchi and ACH are bound to team up, while Liger prepares to challenge for the titles itself with Tiger Mask against Suzuki Gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado).
These are not the only teams or tournament to look forward to. The World Tag League is forming into a stellar event, especially with the title change on the show. With Wrestle Kingdom packed, this is a chance for units of Suzuki Gun (KES as well as Suzuki and Sabre) to make it, facing down their current rivals LiJ (EVIL and Sanada). Chase Owens and Adam Page are gelling well as a team, most likely joined by guest competitors The Addiction.
Along with this, you can count Best Friends, Yano/Ishii and maybe even the Golden Lovers (Omega and Ibushi) adding to one hell of a tournament.
#8. Jushin 'Thunder' Liger Might Just Walk in as Champion come to Wrestle Kingdom 13
While Suzuki Gun has done a fine job holding down the IWGP Junior Tag division in the absence of a heel force like the Young Bucks. The team of Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Desperado might be from the outside looking in, come Wrestle Kingdom 13. They defend against the team of Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and Tiger Mask.
The interesting aspect of this is that Liger and Mask might win the titles as a huge approval for the veterans who've paved the way for Juniors, specifically Liger. Seeing Liger walk into Wrestle Kingdom in a title match will provide an added shot in the arm for the dwindling Juniors tag division.
This is especially true if predictions come to fruition and Roppongi 3K take a stance by the side of Jay White, in his new era. This will give the older lions to face the young hungry ones in a fascinating dynamic come Wrestle Kingdom. To be honest it'd be more fun than having some Suzuki Gun shenanigans at play.
#7. The Samurai Comes Unhinged
Hirooki Goto has built an intriguing rivalry with the new ROH Television Champion Jeff Cobb over the few months. This has added a new edge to Goto that just begins to grow, with the two hoss's colliding not only hard but with spite thanks to Cobb's crass mic skills. This came into play during the six-man tag match between Cobb, Chris Sabin and Flip Gordon versus CHAOS (Hirooki Goto and Best Friends [Chuckie T and Beretta])
Goto seemed pretty much on edge through the contest and while it might have to do with the funkier Best Friends. He definitely did not enjoy being on the losing end of another match. Cobb had words for Goto, especially questioning where his title was. Earlier in the year, the two met for Goto's NEVER Openweight Championship.
Having lost his title to Taichi and feeling directionless, New Japan is going deeper into the ideal of Goto being a choker when it comes to big match situations. This has seen the normally staid Samurai grow erratic. It's no coincidence this happens with the complete falling apart of CHAOS. Goto might just go Ronin and find himself breathing with the Switchblade.
#6. Switchblade has White Hot Heat!
Speaking of whom, Jay White is on unbelievable fire. Sure this statement may come from a mark for the man, but despite his lack of great matches since returning from excursion; Jay White is building to something amazing. What critics fail to understand is that White performs to character, which means taking any and every ruthless shortcut to beat the competition.
The same came in his tag match against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kushida, with Gedo by his side as a new manager to star team. Gedo adds an extra dimension that allowed White to score a pin over Tanahashi. Not Kushida, White pinned Tanahashi in a match where his team seemed like the likely loser let alone if Tanahashi was to .lose Kushida could have taken the pin.
It shows how special White is for New Japan and the willingness of Tanahashi to get him over. It also helped to solidify his heel run, thanks to an outside assist by Gedo. Yet credit where credit is due it came down to White's brilliance in embodying the Switchblade, which now makes him one of the best heels in the business. That reaction by the fans spelled pure hate, you have to give it to him for that; it's not easy in this day and age.
#5. Ospreay is Definitely Going Heavyweight
The speculation reached fever pitch this past week but as best possible without really being said, it is all confirmed. Will Ospreay is undoubtedly headed to the heavyweight division and his loss to perennial rival Marty Scurll confirms this.
The two squared off in another thrilling contest for a spot in the finals to crown a new IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion. The finals will now take place at King of Pro Wrestling between Kushida and Marty Scurll, while Ospreay seeks his new direction. His challenge against Kota Ibushi and the ensuing sign of weight gain does these rumors favor.
If this is the case and Ospreay does end up in the Heavyweights, it's hopeful that this is his last match. He and Scurll remain tied together forever and to go out on such a high, would be thrilling. At the same time, the Ibushi match is a dream contest to look forward to, hopefully at the Tokyo Dome.
#4. Are Young Bucks Ready for World Tag League?
With a back injury plaguing Matt Jackson since the start of this year, and the Young Bucks working wonders as champions it seemed that the duo might not make it to World Tag League. Though almost always including its champions in a tournament to determine contenders, the Bucks could take this much-needed break.
Then New Japan decides to throw a wrench into the works, having them lose the title to Guerillas of Destiny. To be fair, it's a smart choice to continue the build of this ELITE and Firing Squad civil war. It also helps give the Bullet Club OG's in a feud that feels somewhat start and stop.
Yet will then the Bucks take the long journey of the World Tag League, with his back problems it could add a major hurdle for Matt and maybe truly get them over as fighting faces. Now on the light side of an ongoing war, this could give the tag team match a great story come to Wrestle Kingdom 13 and the first WTL win for the deserving heavyweights.
#3. Juice Needs A Boost
That must have really hurt, at the precipice of the G1 Climax tournament Juice Robinson was on an all-time high. He'd captured the IWGP US championship on home soil and was set to partake in the greatest wrestling tournament for his second time, having beat world champion Kenny Omega the previous year.
Then the tournament happened, Juice lost quite a few matches setting him up with new challenges. He could have gone on to maintain an intriguing streak of defenses, instead, a missing Cody returned to question if Juice had truly become as great as claimed. It set up an impromptu US title match for Fighting Spirit.
In it, Juice has once more failed to live up to the hype, falling prey to a sneaky and ruthless Cody. This puts Cody as a double champion vying a third while Juice is forced to question what is next for him. Either a redemptive arc is in order, or he needs an attitude adjustment (not the Cena kind).
#2. Rain Falls on The Rainmaker
The beauty of how Kazuchika Okada's booking is handled is that you can't put it past New Japan to try to sneak him back into title contention. This became the running thread of an exhilarating tag team main event. Ishii and the Rainmaker could vie for a title shot against Omega if they could pin him. That both could make it much more wicked, considering the issues within CHAOS.
Of course, that wasn't the case proving NJPW are very astute in their storytelling and character beats. Okada has a long way to go prior to his redemption. In fact, something tells me he may not become champion the next year also. It would give him the drive to return to the main event. For next years Wrestle Kingdom it isn't possible, the door being closed with a phenomenal win by the Golden Lovers.
Okada will now be looking from without at the main event, but with his own issues to resolve of course. His breakdown and final run put a big question on how the developing CHAOS story shall unravel. Jay White has a shot at Tanahashi's main event but there are no doubts destiny beckons for the Switchblade and Rainmaker to collide.
#1. The ELITE Rule Wrestling!
There's quite a lot to unpack with this one. Now rid of CHAOS biting at his feet, Omega can look forward to new challenges to his championship on the road to Wrestle Kingdom 13. One of these is a promised fight with his Golden Lover Kota Ibushi. It shockingly happens next week and not in the way that is.
If Kenny Omega is to face Hiroshi Tanahashi, then their story must address the question of Kota Ibushi. He has tied with both men, with Tanahashi questioning Ibushi about his discipline and friendship with Omega which holds him back. It's a potent point that is the thread drumming at the erratic and erotic bond of Omega and Ibushi.
To add an intriguing wrinkle to it, the as always sneaky Cody has wormed his way into the title match. It adds a rare three-way to a New Japan event, saving the Ibushi-Omega rematch for later down the line. Cody's antics also hint that despite their reconciliation, he's still not lost his nature to want to connive and show up Omega.
This three-way match at King of Pro Wrestling in just a few days promises interesting explosions especially for the three men involved and the fate of New Japan. What's more crazy is that the three men are of one faction, truly proving that the ELITE has arrived.
The world awaits on their final decisions come contract expiry (except the as always freelancing Kota Ibushi). This match will make a statement on it. Wrestling is changing thanks to the Elite, the the Elite!
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