[3venflow]

SANADA left LIJ after beating Naito today and joined Just 4 Guys, who are now Just 5 Guys. I didn't see this coming and it leaves an opening in LIJ that I could see a returning Yota Tsuji taking up. SANADA did need some kind of change and I guess he will be the de facto leader of this group ahead of Taichi. It could also be a giveaway that he's winning the NJC.

Anyway, there's crossover potential here.

 

[BigCy]

Not a bad show. Lukewarm on SANADA going to J4(5)G. They were supposed to all be equal or whatever and not a faction but now they're turning into a faction lol. It's literally almost all of Suzuki-gun so it's kind of dumb but whatever I guess. On the flip side SANADA did need a change and LIJ was kind of top heavy with Naito and Shingo already. I'm guessing SANADA vs Finlay finals now with SANADA winning and we get to see Okada vs SANADA #8. I actually think Davis is the better wrestler of Aussie Open. Didn't think Davis would win here so I'm guessing Ospreay was supposed to beat EVIL and go to the semi's vs SANADA.

Davis vs EVIL - 6.0 / 10 - I actually liked this match even though shenanigans and what not it played out well with both factions eating each other up.

Naito vs SANADA - 6.9 / 10 - Pretty good stuff here also. Some good exchanges and SANADA breaking off from LIJ.

 

[thorwold]

Turning heel is probably just what Sanada needs to get over the top, if he is ever going to get over the top. It's crazy they've taken this long to get... Presumably, to it.

Happy for Davis, he's great to watch. Love them bigging up the Stan Hansen comparisons on commentary.

Kyle Fletcher is the real star of all this so far for me though. Two matches with two guys who are not exactly guarantees of anything, and he had a really good match with each of them. Aussie Open's days as a tag team might be numbered.

 

[TD Stinger]

I skipped to the end of Evil vs. Davis considering most of Evil's match end in shenanigans. But I will say, at least these shenanigans were fun with United Empire coming in for the save with Ospreay playing the cheerleader with his injury. It was a case of when Attitude Era run ins can work well and lead to a hot finish. Doesn't happen often with House of Torture but it worked here.

Naito vs. Sanada was pretty good overall. I liked Sanada in the spots where he got fired up, which made more sense towards the end. Sanada leaving LIJ at the end was surprising but welcomed. I have grown so tired of "stoic and cool" Sanada so to see him show some personality here was very welcomed. It was time for a shake up and I think this will only lead to good things for Sanada. Can we change then name now though? "Just 5 Guys" seems like too much of a gag to be taken as seriously as they should.

Turning heel is probably just what Sanada needs to get over the top, if he is ever going to get over the top. It's crazy they've taken this long to get... Presumably, to it.

I don't know if I'd classify what Sanada did as "turning heel". He beat Naito clean and even in leaving LIJ, he didn't attack anyone. He was dismissive of his now former stablemates but he didn't come across as over the top "bad" to me.

 

[thorwold]

I skipped to the end of Evil vs. Davis considering most of Evil's match end in shenanigans. But I will say, at least these shenanigans were fun with United Empire coming in for the save with Ospreay playing the cheerleader with his injury. It was a case of when Attitude Era run ins can work well and lead to a hot finish. Doesn't happen often with House of Torture but it worked here.

Naito vs. Sanada was pretty good overall. I liked Sanada in the spots where he got fired up, which made more sense towards the end. Sanada leaving LIJ at the end was surprising but welcomed. I have grown so tired of "stoic and cool" Sanada so to see him show some personality here was very welcomed. It was time for a shake up and I think this will only lead to good things for Sanada. Can we change then name now though? "Just 5 Guys" seems like too much of a gag to be taken as seriously as they should.



I don't know if I'd classify what Sanada did as "turning heel". He beat Naito clean and even in leaving LIJ, he didn't attack anyone. He was dismissive of his now former stablemates but he didn't come across as over the top "bad" to me.

You’re right, he still displayed more personality than I’ve ever seen from him, so it looks like it’s for the best either way.

 

[TD Stinger]

Not much to speak of for the 2 matches today. I will say Finlay & Shota got really good by the end, and the closing sequence was great. And Tama & Goto were on their way to something pretty good before it abruptly ended.

Final 4 of Sanada, Davis, Tama, and Finlay, which is certainly an interesting group to be the Final 4. Though we know Ospreay would have been in there had he not gotten hurt. At this point I'm pretty convinced Sanada is winning the whole thing now, unless we're going that far with Finlay.

 

[BigCy]

Finlay beats Tonga for the NEVER strap shot at Sakura Genesis. (We'll probably also get ZSJ vs Umino for the TV strap.)

SANADA beats Davis.

SANADA beats Finlay and we get Okada vs SANADA (yet again) for the World Strap at Sakura Genesis. Finlay still looks good going to the final and his push is complete and he gets the NEVER strap at SG.

I'm actually going to put my balls out and say that SANADA beats Okada for the strap and Okada gets it back at Dominion or KOPW and carries it into WK. SANADA gets seen as a major player to fill in for White.

Finlay vs Umino - 6.1 / 10 - Ok match here.
Goto vs Tonga - 5.7 / 10 - Ok match here too.

Overall this tourney has been very average with a couple good matches and a couple not so good.

 

[3venflow]

The final is a battle of the repackaged, Finlay vs. SANADA. I could really see either winning it and challenging Okada, but I'm going for SANADA. I don't think either is beating Okada but there is something to be gained in defeat to the final boss of New Japan.

SANADA debuted a new look, no more dye. BTW, I love the way his new finisher seemed designed as a counter to the Destino to get him past Naito. This is the type of storytelling I love, subtle and thoughtful.

 

[BigCy]

I think the final has potential to be good. Still going with SANADA here. If Finlay wins I don't think he beats Okada but I'll still throw my chips into SANADA beating Okada. I think Finlay might have been the red herring and it's actually SANADA that takes White's place. I like SANADA's new look. Looks more serious than the scruffy lion thing he had going on. I almost see a young Chono in his features and demeanor now.

Davis vs SANADA - 5.8 / 10 - Some ok exchanges, seemed like a short match.

Tonga vs Finlay - 5.6 / 10 - About the same.

Lol, I think most of the matches in this tourney have been around the 5.5-6.5 range as far as ratings imo. So far ZSJ vs Umino is the match of the tournament.

 

[RainmakerV2]

Finlay LOL

 

[TD Stinger]

Thought Tama/Finlay and Sanada/Davis from the Semifinals were pretty fun. Finlay/Tama especially had a nice closing exchange. And seeing Sanada start to change his look was nice too. Kind of hope he changes his music eventually too.

Sanada vs. Finlay is an interesting Final. Seems like it has to be a Sanada win. Having Finlay go this far this soon would be a bit much. I like him as a talent but he needs some more time to grow out of being a Jay White cosplayer. Sanada on the other hand has been closer to the top mix before so it won't feel forced to put him at the top, even if he's losing to Okada at Sakura Genesis.

 

[3venflow]

Finlay definitely has a Jay-ish look, but his wrestling style is different. It's early days and like Jay had himself, there'll be trouble trying to fit in as the new BC leader. There is such a lineage to live up to. At one point, the idea of Jay White headlining the Tokyo Dome seemed preposterous.

It's not like they had many options. Pre-AEW, there'd probably be a big name on the free agent market like when AJ was available. Now Gedo has to develop another foreigner into an upper tier star and hope WWE/AEW doesn't sweet-talk him out of Japan too once everything clicks for him.

 

[3venflow]

SANADA wins but this promo video piqued my interest. Who could it be? Yuya returning with a new gimmick? A new foreigner? BRYAN DANIELSON (dragon = fire)?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1638111340001923072

 

[3venflow]

Man, SANADA vs. Finlay was an absolute snoozer especially by the high standards of NJPW tournament finals. It just felt very meh.

On the other hand, Hiromu vs. Lio Rush RULED. A career best from what I have seen of Lio.

 

[RainmakerV2]

Man, SANADA vs. Finlay was an absolute snoozer especially by the high standards of NJPW tournament finals. It just felt very meh.

On the other hand, Hiromu vs. Lio Rush RULED. A career best from what I have seen of Lio.

Its Finlay dude. Losing White and Ibushi has hurt them. They're in scramble mode trying to reset the main event.

 

[TD Stinger]

Hiromu vs. Lio was a great match. Told a good initial story of Lio using his quickness to allude Hiromu before Hiromu overpowered him. And from there it did kind of devolve into big move/kickout, big move/kickout but man it was exciting. Made me think a couple times that Lio might actually pull it off.

Sanada vs. Finlay was fine, nothing special. I don't think it's an indictment on either guy as both of them had great matches during the tournament with different opponents. But Sanada won, thankfully. And although I've never been high on Sanada vs. Okada in the past, I am intrigued by this match up. I really liked their exchange after the match where Sanada tried to get a little cute and care free on the mic, and Okada kind of big leagued him in return, lol. I think it's been long enough since they faced each other in a match like this where it feels fresh.

 

[BigCy]

SANADA wins but this promo video piqued my interest. Who could it be? Yuya returning with a new gimmick? A new foreigner? BRYAN DANIELSON (dragon = fire)?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1638111340001923072

Oh ok no one knows lol. I was beginning to think I was dumb because I didn't know who it was. There's a lot of military symbolism in this. Had a beast looking thing at the end. Who's all on excursion? Just Yuya?

Man, SANADA vs. Finlay was an absolute snoozer especially by the high standards of NJPW tournament finals. It just felt very meh.

On the other hand, Hiromu vs. Lio Rush RULED. A career best from what I have seen of Lio.

I didn't think the final was too bad but Hiromu vs Lio was the better match.

Lio vs Hiromu - 7.5 / 10 - Solid popcorn style wrestling throughout (hey when you're watching at 2x speed and they're fast juniors it looks like popcorn popping.)

SANADA vs Finlay (lol) - 6.4 / 10 - Ok match but definitely not Cup Final worthy.

I'm going to be the hold out and still throw my chips in on SANADA beating Okada. I think this will be the way they get him into the big league top 4 or 5 status. They need a replacement for White which is why I think they chose him to lead a new stable and be a top contender. If E-freaking-VIL can win the world strap then SANADA should have a cup of coffee with it. Finlay will just be a NEVER/TV/US title guy most likely. Maybe Naito beats SANADA for the strap or Okada gets it right back at Dominion or KOPW.

 

[3venflow]

If SANADA did win the belt, it'd be transitional I think. New Japan won't want him as their centerpiece guy (IWGP Title match) at Forbidden Door, which is their biggest brand exposure to the USA now. Okada and Naito are much more sellable assets.

It still puzzles me why they did away with the IC Title. It had a strong lineage and is perfect for someone like SANADA right now.

 

[BigCy]

If SANADA did win the belt, it'd be transitional I think. New Japan won't want him as their centerpiece guy (IWGP Title match) at Forbidden Door, which is their biggest brand exposure to the USA now. Okada and Naito are much more sellable assets.

It still puzzles me why they did away with the IC Title. It had a strong lineage and is perfect for someone like SANADA right now.

Yeah that's a good point actually. He'd have to lose it right back at Dominion to Okada or Naito since Dominion is usually around June 10th or so and FD is on the 25th of June I believe. The only other option if they do give SANADA the belt and want him with it at FD is to have the AEW title main event the evening and have the IWGP belt be the semi-main. Of course then there's nothing saying they HAVE to put the IWGP or AEW World Titles up for the line.

I didn't mind them losing the IC title but then why just bring in the US and TV belt lol. But yeah the IC had a 1B status to it since it was mainly upper midcard / main event level talent that had it. In its place they tried to elevate the NEVER and US belts and it kind of worked but kind of flopped too. They might be taking on too many belts at this point. The TV Title wasn't necessary and looks hideous and the US is fine (although it also doesn't look that great, better than the TV title at least) if they would actually have NJPW guys having it and actually defending it.

 

[thorwold]

Just caught up with the Finals. It was a nice show, all very watchable, nothing spectacular but Hiromu and Lio certainly the highlight.

Very, very happily surprised by the result of the final, I thought for sure they were going to use this to try turning Finley into the new Jay White, but the leadership thing between him and ELP makes more sense with him losing.

Sanada much more worthy of this, even if he's likely just going to lose to Okada again, at least they usually always put on a good one. I'm working under the assumption that they're building to Okada and Ospreay for the title in January, and I don't think Okada should be dropping it before then, especially as giving Sanada one of those lame win-it-and-lose-it-on-the-first-defense reigns would do him zero favours.