It is a New Year and that can mean only one thing for a fan of Japanese Pro Wrestling. It is Wrestle Kingdom time!
Yes, New Japan returns this yearly Tokyo Dome shows with this year
marking the fifth anniversary for the Wrestle Kingdom show. This year marks the 20th rendition of the January 4th show, first held in 1992, with what is being called an interesting card by most.
So let’s look at what New Japan has in store for us this year with wrestler’s coming in from North America from TNA (Total Nonstop Action), CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) to promotions in Japan like DDT (Dramatic Dream Team), Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1. There is sure to be something for everyone.
——————————————————
New Japan’s biggest event of the year and the biggest bang to the New Year is coming up in just a few short weeks. Today in Japan New Japan has announced the upcoming card for the event with a staggering 13 matches that are aim to show the fans something different as well as showcases many styles throughout the world.
TNA is officially involved in this years Wrestle Kingdom Show and have a few key matches in the event. Below is a video package for all the foreigners in the event.
So as you can see from that there will be a few wrestlers from Mexico up to Canada who will be involved in the event, so let’s check out the card below:
NJPW present Wrestle Kingdom V at Tokyo Dome
Jan. 4th, 2011 (Tues) 17:00
(cards subject to change)
(Pre-A) 1st World Wrestling Inter-Promotional Match: Wataru Inoue, Tiger Mask IV, Tama Tonga & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo
(Pre-B) 2nd World Wrestling Inter-Promotional Match: Kohji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Tagushi vs. Kenny Omega & Taichi (Ishikari)
(1) IWGP Tag Team Championship ~ 3 Way Hardcore Match: “Bad Intentions” Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. vs. “Muscle Orchestra” Manabu Nakanishi & Strongman “Jon Anderson” vs. “Beer Money, Inc.” James Storm & Robert Roode
~ Beer Money hold a pinfall over Bad Intentions and look to make it 2-0 with the IWGP belts also on the line. Muscle Orchestra, even though garner mixed reactions by some, where called the best tag team in Japan this year. New Japan is looking to capitalize on this and is putting them in the IWGP Tag Match as well. Bernard & Anderson definitely have the cards stacked against them, but they are no strangers to 3 Way matches and will look to remain champions.
(2) ROAD TO FANTASTICAMANIA: Jushin Thunder Liger & Hector Garza vs. Mascara Dorada & La Sombra
(3) DEEP SLEEP TO LOSE: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Takashi Iizuka
~ Tenzan returned to the ring in Novemeber and has been looking to become #1 in the promotion again. Though he is no placed with a road block in front of him as his old friend Iizuka is looking to rekindle their feud, which was very notable in 2009. Will Tenzan be able to get passed Iizuka and rise the ranks or will he get stopped dead in his tracks before he even knows what happened?
(4) NJPW－TNA Greatest Showcase: Rob Van Dam vs. Tohru Yano
(5) NO JUSTICE, NO LIFE: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
~ Nagata and Suzuki have history all the way back to the first Wreslte Kingdom show and even though Nagata came out the victor Suzuki has come to want to challenge Nagata again. Both men are known to utilize a shoot style when need be and I suspect to see tons of mat grappling, submissions, and big hits in their encounter.
(6) IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Prince Devitt [c] vs. Kota Ibushi [IWGP Tag Champion]
~ Devitt and Ibushi have met back last June at the the Best of the Super Juniors tournament and had a very solid match. Soon after that win, Devitt became the IWGP Jr Champion and has held the belt firmly around his waist since. Deviit and Ibushi were slated to face again, but Ibushi got injured and ended up facing Ibushi’s main partner Kenny Omega. Ibushi and Omega currently hold the IWGP Tag belts and have already placed themselves as one of the greatest tag teams in Japan. Ibushi though still shines at singles action and this match is sure to be fast, explosive and very entertaining.
(7) NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion I ~ NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion I: Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada vs. Takashi Sugiura & Yoshihiro Takayama
~ Okada has been on an excursion to the USA for almost the entirety of last year and is looking to make an appearance at the Dome to show off some of his newly acquired skills. He returned a few weeks back and made an impact by taking Takayama off of his feet with a German Suplex, but Takayama says he will have to try that again when they are face to face. Goto and Sugiura are no strangers to one another as they had met last year at Wrestle Kingdom IV. Sugiura and Okada also have a history as Suigura delivered a devastating German to the young man that almost put him out of action. Okada will be coming with aiming to prove something, while Goto will be looking to get the win he so desperately needs on the big stage.
(8) TNA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jeff Hardy (TNA) vs. Tetsuya Naitoh
~ TNA is putting their main belt on the line against one of New Japan’s strongest young talents Naitoh. You may recognize him as part of the NO LIMIT team that was in TNA years back, but since then Naitoh has jumped up to heavyweight status and has been showing great strides in being a future contender for the IWGP Championship.
(9) NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion II ~ NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion II: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Go Shiozaki (NOAH)
~ Nakamura and Shiozaki have history in the G1 Climax which saw them both go to a 30 min draw. Nakamura calling himself the best that Japan has to offer cannot sit back and leave an indecisive match go without there being a true winner. So this match is aiming to prove who is the better talent. New Japan’s prodigy or NOAH’s?
(10) Special Singles Match ~ The Absolute Exhaust: Tohgi Makabe vs. Masato Tanaka
~ Tanaka and Makabe have bad blood for one another, especially stemming off a spot, of Tanaka putting Makabe through a table with a Brainbuster on the outside, that almost saw Makabe injured indefinitely. Makabe is looking to get some pay back and is looking to do the same to Tanaka. This match is sure to be hard hitting.
(11) IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Satoshi Kojima [c] vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
~ Kojima and Tanahashi last met one on one at the G1 Climax XX in august which saw Kojima walk away the victor and eventually led him to defeat Makabe for the IWGP Championship a little over a month later. Tanahashi is the ace of New Japan and is up to the challenge to bring the title back around the waist of a New Japan wrestler.
—————————————–
—————————————–
Also through my Main site at Puroresu Spirit, Joshua Shibata and myself offer up our views on the big upcoming show in podcast form. If you can’t get enough of the upcoming card be sure to check out what we have to say and send us any feedback, if you have any?
https://pwponderings.com/puroresuspirit/2010/12/21/puroresu-spirit-podcast-wk-v-pre-show-digest-with-a-bit-of-zero1-for-dessert/
You have any questions related to Japanese Wrestling? Please feel free to send them to me at PuroSpirit@gmail.com or swing by the facebook page at www.facebook.com/PuroresuSpirit.
Also feel free to follow me on twitter for quick updates on the site, news, and current happenings, or my random talking about wrestling in general. www.twitter.com/PuroresuSpirit
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It is a New Year and that can mean only one thing for a fan of Japanese Pro Wrestling. It is Wrestle Kingdom time!
Yes, New Japan returns this yearly Tokyo Dome shows with this year marking the fifth anniversary for the Wrestle Kingdom show. This year marks the 20th rendition of the January 4th show, first held in 1992, with what is being called an interesting card by most.
So let’s look at what New Japan has in store for us this year with wrestler’s coming in from North America from TNA (Total Nonstop Action), CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) to promotions in Japan like DDT (Dramatic Dream Team), Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1. There is sure to be something for everyone.
——————————————————
New Japan’s biggest event of the year and the biggest bang to the New Year is coming up in just a few short weeks. Today in Japan New Japan has announced the upcoming card for the event with a staggering 13 matches that are aim to show the fans something different as well as showcases many styles throughout the world.
TNA is officially involved in this years Wrestle Kingdom Show and have a few key matches in the event. Below is a video package for all the foreigners in the event.
So as you can see from that there will be a few wrestlers from Mexico up to Canada who will be involved in the event, so let’s check out the card below:
NJPW present Wrestle Kingdom V at Tokyo Dome
Jan. 4th, 2011 (Tues) 17:00
(cards subject to change)
(Pre-A) 1st World Wrestling Inter-Promotional Match: Wataru Inoue, Tiger Mask IV, Tama Tonga & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo
(Pre-B) 2nd World Wrestling Inter-Promotional Match: Kohji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Tagushi vs. Kenny Omega & Taichi (Ishikari)
(1) IWGP Tag Team Championship ~ 3 Way Hardcore Match: “Bad Intentions” Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. vs. “Muscle Orchestra” Manabu Nakanishi & Strongman “Jon Anderson” vs. “Beer Money, Inc.” James Storm & Robert Roode
~ Beer Money hold a pinfall over Bad Intentions and look to make it 2-0 with the IWGP belts also on the line. Muscle Orchestra, even though garner mixed reactions by some, where called the best tag team in Japan this year. New Japan is looking to capitalize on this and is putting them in the IWGP Tag Match as well. Bernard & Anderson definitely have the cards stacked against them, but they are no strangers to 3 Way matches and will look to remain champions.
(2) ROAD TO FANTASTICAMANIA: Jushin Thunder Liger & Hector Garza vs. Mascara Dorada & La Sombra
(3) DEEP SLEEP TO LOSE: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Takashi Iizuka
~ Tenzan returned to the ring in Novemeber and has been looking to become #1 in the promotion again. Though he is no placed with a road block in front of him as his old friend Iizuka is looking to rekindle their feud, which was very notable in 2009. Will Tenzan be able to get passed Iizuka and rise the ranks or will he get stopped dead in his tracks before he even knows what happened?
(4) NJPW－TNA Greatest Showcase: Rob Van Dam vs. Tohru Yano
(5) NO JUSTICE, NO LIFE: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
~ Nagata and Suzuki have history all the way back to the first Wreslte Kingdom show and even though Nagata came out the victor Suzuki has come to want to challenge Nagata again. Both men are known to utilize a shoot style when need be and I suspect to see tons of mat grappling, submissions, and big hits in their encounter.
(6) IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Prince Devitt [c] vs. Kota Ibushi [IWGP Tag Champion]
~ Devitt and Ibushi have met back last June at the the Best of the Super Juniors tournament and had a very solid match. Soon after that win, Devitt became the IWGP Jr Champion and has held the belt firmly around his waist since. Deviit and Ibushi were slated to face again, but Ibushi got injured and ended up facing Ibushi’s main partner Kenny Omega. Ibushi and Omega currently hold the IWGP Tag belts and have already placed themselves as one of the greatest tag teams in Japan. Ibushi though still shines at singles action and this match is sure to be fast, explosive and very entertaining.
(7) NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion I ~ NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion I: Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada vs. Takashi Sugiura & Yoshihiro Takayama
~ Okada has been on an excursion to the USA for almost the entirety of last year and is looking to make an appearance at the Dome to show off some of his newly acquired skills. He returned a few weeks back and made an impact by taking Takayama off of his feet with a German Suplex, but Takayama says he will have to try that again when they are face to face. Goto and Sugiura are no strangers to one another as they had met last year at Wrestle Kingdom IV. Sugiura and Okada also have a history as Suigura delivered a devastating German to the young man that almost put him out of action. Okada will be coming with aiming to prove something, while Goto will be looking to get the win he so desperately needs on the big stage.
(8) TNA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jeff Hardy (TNA) vs. Tetsuya Naitoh
~ TNA is putting their main belt on the line against one of New Japan’s strongest young talents Naitoh. You may recognize him as part of the NO LIMIT team that was in TNA years back, but since then Naitoh has jumped up to heavyweight status and has been showing great strides in being a future contender for the IWGP Championship.
(9) NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion II ~ NJPW vs NOAH Battle Combustion II: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Go Shiozaki (NOAH)
~ Nakamura and Shiozaki have history in the G1 Climax which saw them both go to a 30 min draw. Nakamura calling himself the best that Japan has to offer cannot sit back and leave an indecisive match go without there being a true winner. So this match is aiming to prove who is the better talent. New Japan’s prodigy or NOAH’s?
(10) Special Singles Match ~ The Absolute Exhaust: Tohgi Makabe vs. Masato Tanaka
~ Tanaka and Makabe have bad blood for one another, especially stemming off a spot, of Tanaka putting Makabe through a table with a Brainbuster on the outside, that almost saw Makabe injured indefinitely. Makabe is looking to get some pay back and is looking to do the same to Tanaka. This match is sure to be hard hitting.
(11) IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Satoshi Kojima [c] vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
~ Kojima and Tanahashi last met one on one at the G1 Climax XX in august which saw Kojima walk away the victor and eventually led him to defeat Makabe for the IWGP Championship a little over a month later. Tanahashi is the ace of New Japan and is up to the challenge to bring the title back around the waist of a New Japan wrestler.
—————————————–
—————————————–
Also through my Main site at Puroresu Spirit, Joshua Shibata and myself offer up our views on the big upcoming show in podcast form. If you can’t get enough of the upcoming card be sure to check out what we have to say and send us any feedback, if you have any?
https://pwponderings.com/puroresuspirit/2010/12/21/puroresu-spirit-podcast-wk-v-pre-show-digest-with-a-bit-of-zero1-for-dessert/
You have any questions related to Japanese Wrestling? Please feel free to send them to me at PuroSpirit@gmail.com or swing by the facebook page at www.facebook.com/PuroresuSpirit.
Also feel free to follow me on twitter for quick updates on the site, news, and current happenings, or my random talking about wrestling in general. www.twitter.com/PuroresuSpirit
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This looks like a great card; Devitt v. Ibushi is going to be awesome, as should Nakamura v. Shiozaki.
Hoping Tanahashi wins it back to set up an IWGP title match between himself and Minoru Suzuki. I think that’d be pretty sweet. Knowing NJPW though, they’ll probably have yet another Tenzan/Kojima title match, even though it’s so played out.