Ramblings of an Englishman

This could be a big year for wrestling. Tanahashi and Cena retired and we are likely to see the end of the careers of the likes of AJ Styles and Tiger Mask. This is combined with TNA's bigger TV deal, AEW continuing to roll through (and they just ended up with a TV deal in South Korea) it's a big year. But as the title of this post says it is about New Japan Pro Wrestling. We are 2/2 for positive shows this year and will be starting the New Beginning tour later this month. I think as the third biggest wrestling company in the world it is odd to say they need a rebuilding year but I think it is needed. New Japan will start by using the celebrity of Aaron Wolf as a main hook in shifting tickets while using the increased eyes to establish it's top of the card. Look seeingly it's working and if it's a good move then it's a good move but I think by the time we hit January 4th 2027 New Japan should be fully formed in this new era. I personally just want to note a few ...

We are now on January 6th as of the time I begin writing this. Two days removed from Wrestle Kingdom and two days removed from the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi. Man what an emotional match and ceremony for one of if not the all time great that left me pretty emotionally drained for the RevPro show I was at after. It’s a curious time for New Japan now they have to put all their ducks in a row. I am however cautiously optimistic for the future coming out of New Years Dash. Of course the return of the V4 heavyweight title is a good move I love that belt and its history. We need to see how the history of the titles work I’d just merge the world heavyweight title lineage into it. The same way I didn’t like forgetting the history of the heavyweight title I am the same with the world heavyweight title. That belt is the legacy and history of the likes of Ospreay, Shingo, ZSJ, Moxley, SANADA, Takeshita & Goto as well as additional world title reigns of Okada, Naito & Jay White. All t...