Wrestling has had some crazy moments before, but rarely a week full of crazy moments from almost every major player. It's January 8th and so much crazy and unexpected stuff has happened in the last few days. Somehow, NJPW, WWE and TNA all made huge headlines this week for both good and bad things. I don't usually do recaps but this week has been so crazy I had to put together some of all the crazy stuff.
On January 4th New Japan presented Wrestle Kingdom 10 and it was wonderful. Incredible matches. The one that stole the show was obviously AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura because who didn't want to see the Phenomenal One take on the King of Strong Style. There were other great matches on the card too. Kazuchika Okada solidified himself as the new Ace when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi. It was a great show.
January 5th the WWE Network finally launches in Japan. After 2015s rise of Hideo Itama (KENTA) in WWE and their live event in Japan WWE has finally put some focus on the country. With WWE launching the network in Japan, they are competing with the world's second largest company New Japan who already has New Japan World in both the United States and Japan. At this point it seems like a normal week with both of these things being scheduled for months. Then shit went crazy.
January 5th Kenny Omega defeats Shinsuke Nakamura when AJ Styles failed. Afterwards AJ Styles and the Young Bucks come to celebrate with Kenny Omega. At which point Kenny Omega hits a Styles Clash on AJ Styles after a Super Kick from the Young Bucks. AJ Styles was kicked out of Bullet Club the exact same way as Prince Devitt now known as NXTs Finn Balor. Kenny Omega announces that he is the new leader of The Bullet Club and is moving up to the heavyweight division to challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Championship.
Who would have thought TNA would make news on January 5th too? Not I. TNA made it's debut on Pop TV. It's ratings were down 65% from their last 9pm episode on Destination America. However they were still up 5% from their last episodes on Destination America when moved to 11pm. Not really a big deal when you know it'll take people a little while to catch on to the move. But, that's not why they're here. TNA was spending all the money. Live show. Then James Storm shows up out of nowhere. Storm was last seen quitting TNA and making appearances for WWE. Somehow TNA kept this a secret and apparently paid him over $100,000 guaranteed money. He's not the only person cashing those TNA checks either. Mike Bennet and Maria also made their debut and from what people say. They were paid a pretty penny as well. Additionally EC3 is now TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Also TNA now has their episodes cataloged on the Pop TV website. Something Destination America wouldn't do. Moving On.
January 6th the rumors start flying. AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson would all be jumping from New Japan to WWE. It was all just rumors then WWE posted a tweet about the possibility and posted a link on their site. Then the internet went crazy. Sasha Banks asked Nakamura to join her and Team B.A.D. in the Banks Club. Finn Balor, formerly of Bullet Club poses outside WWE offices in Bullet Club gear waiting on other Bullet Club members. While rumors are still flying and contracts are being debated. Meanwhile nobody has any clue what's going on despite what they say. However you have to admit if it's true Vince McMahon has some balls to pull a talent raid on NJPW right after their biggest show and launch the network in Japan at the same time.
January 7th and news hits that John Cena was injured. This brings WWE's injured list to: John Cena (Shoulder - Required Surgery), Seth Rollins (Knee - Required Surgery), Randy Orton (Continued Shoulder Issues), Tyson Kidd (Neck injury - Indefinitely out), Daniel Bryan (Concussions can't be treated by Senzu Beans), Sting (Neck - may require surgery), Sin Cara (Dislocated Shoulder), Wade Barrett (Neck), Nikki Bella (Neck), Cesaro (Neck), Sami Zayn (Shoulder), Hideo Itami (Shoulder), Konnor (Shoulder), Alex Riley (Maybe Neck, Mostly Pride), Undertaker (Old), Darren Young (Quad). Every singles division and tag team champ from Wretlemania 32 is out injured. This could be the first time Randy Orton doesn't compete at a Wrestlemania since his debut. It is the first time Cena won't compete at a Wrestlemania since his debut. Wrestling may be "fake" but it's hell on the body. Now is the time for WWE to push the midcard and make new stars. But they won't.
Today is January 8th. I have no idea what will happen today. If something crazy happens I will update this. But it's been a crazy week.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
On January 4th New Japan presented Wrestle Kingdom 10 and it was wonderful. Incredible matches. The one that stole the show was obviously AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura because who didn't want to see the Phenomenal One take on the King of Strong Style. There were other great matches on the card too. Kazuchika Okada solidified himself as the new Ace when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi. It was a great show.
January 5th the WWE Network finally launches in Japan. After 2015s rise of Hideo Itama (KENTA) in WWE and their live event in Japan WWE has finally put some focus on the country. With WWE launching the network in Japan, they are competing with the world's second largest company New Japan who already has New Japan World in both the United States and Japan. At this point it seems like a normal week with both of these things being scheduled for months. Then shit went crazy.
January 5th Kenny Omega defeats Shinsuke Nakamura when AJ Styles failed. Afterwards AJ Styles and the Young Bucks come to celebrate with Kenny Omega. At which point Kenny Omega hits a Styles Clash on AJ Styles after a Super Kick from the Young Bucks. AJ Styles was kicked out of Bullet Club the exact same way as Prince Devitt now known as NXTs Finn Balor. Kenny Omega announces that he is the new leader of The Bullet Club and is moving up to the heavyweight division to challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Championship.
Who would have thought TNA would make news on January 5th too? Not I. TNA made it's debut on Pop TV. It's ratings were down 65% from their last 9pm episode on Destination America. However they were still up 5% from their last episodes on Destination America when moved to 11pm. Not really a big deal when you know it'll take people a little while to catch on to the move. But, that's not why they're here. TNA was spending all the money. Live show. Then James Storm shows up out of nowhere. Storm was last seen quitting TNA and making appearances for WWE. Somehow TNA kept this a secret and apparently paid him over $100,000 guaranteed money. He's not the only person cashing those TNA checks either. Mike Bennet and Maria also made their debut and from what people say. They were paid a pretty penny as well. Additionally EC3 is now TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Also TNA now has their episodes cataloged on the Pop TV website. Something Destination America wouldn't do. Moving On.
January 6th the rumors start flying. AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson would all be jumping from New Japan to WWE. It was all just rumors then WWE posted a tweet about the possibility and posted a link on their site. Then the internet went crazy. Sasha Banks asked Nakamura to join her and Team B.A.D. in the Banks Club. Finn Balor, formerly of Bullet Club poses outside WWE offices in Bullet Club gear waiting on other Bullet Club members. While rumors are still flying and contracts are being debated. Meanwhile nobody has any clue what's going on despite what they say. However you have to admit if it's true Vince McMahon has some balls to pull a talent raid on NJPW right after their biggest show and launch the network in Japan at the same time.
January 7th and news hits that John Cena was injured. This brings WWE's injured list to: John Cena (Shoulder - Required Surgery), Seth Rollins (Knee - Required Surgery), Randy Orton (Continued Shoulder Issues), Tyson Kidd (Neck injury - Indefinitely out), Daniel Bryan (Concussions can't be treated by Senzu Beans), Sting (Neck - may require surgery), Sin Cara (Dislocated Shoulder), Wade Barrett (Neck), Nikki Bella (Neck), Cesaro (Neck), Sami Zayn (Shoulder), Hideo Itami (Shoulder), Konnor (Shoulder), Alex Riley (Maybe Neck, Mostly Pride), Undertaker (Old), Darren Young (Quad). Every singles division and tag team champ from Wretlemania 32 is out injured. This could be the first time Randy Orton doesn't compete at a Wrestlemania since his debut. It is the first time Cena won't compete at a Wrestlemania since his debut. Wrestling may be "fake" but it's hell on the body. Now is the time for WWE to push the midcard and make new stars. But they won't.
Today is January 8th. I have no idea what will happen today. If something crazy happens I will update this. But it's been a crazy week.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
Tags:
Wrestling
We need more of your pro wrestling recaps!Funny af lmfao!
ReplyDeleteOnly if crazy things keep happening.
DeleteThat Daniel Bryan and Alex Riley rib got me. Now I just can't wait for Lucha Underground to start back up.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not sure it's just his neck anymore. It's gotta be pride at this point.
Delete