The Reality of Wrestling: The Japanese Wrestling Scene
By Phil Clark
October 29, 2006 was a big day in the history of Japanese pro wrestling. Not because of the matches on the cards that were held that day, but because of what these cards may symbolize for the promotions holding them. For the first time in a long time, Japan’s three major wrestling promotions (All-Japan, New Japan, and NOAH) held major cards on the same day. NOAH had their sixth Budokan Hall show of the year this one headlined by Marufuji/KENTA for the GHC Title. All-Japan ran Fukouka International Center for the first time in a while headlined by Minoru Suzuki’s first Triple Crown defense. And New Japan presented their Kobe Explosion Wars series at Kobe World Hall. All the events had something to appeal to the masses and each had an interesting (and unorthodox) main-event showing that all Japanese feds may be planning for the future.
P.C. Says: While NOAH won the attendance battle, New Japan may have came out the big winners of 10/29
I will more than likely get resistance from other writers on the Puro scene for this opinion, but I believe it is true. While most will look and say that since NOAH had another successful (for a one-match card) Budokan show they were the big winners, New Japan did themselves a service with this past Sunday’s card at Kobe. While NOAH may have ensured their future with Marufuji/KENTA doing well on top, New Japan may be moving towards theirs; a future that was very much uncertain after Lesnar’s departure in July.
The Chono-gun/Simon angle is obviously a take on the Austin/McMahon angle, but if the purpose is to get Shinsuke Nakamura over as the next ace, then it’s worth it; if it’s another Chono ego-f*ck, then no thanks. So far, the motive is uncertain in this case as Nakamura’s comeback and alignment with Chono has gotten him some well-needed attention in his first tour back with New Japan. However, with Choshu’s assist to Simon and GBH’s (Tenzan’s group) rescue of Simon from Chono-gun, this storyline is left with no direction, but infinite possibilities.
The whole card was full of promise from New Japan as well. Akebono seems to be fitting in the role of entertainment attraction instead of wrestler. I’ll admit, even though I hate him, it is fun to see him in his own Tiger Mask mask. Koji Kanemoto was a hit in his hometown, as the “Golden Team” seemed to get a momentum boost with their well-received tag match against Minoru and Millano Collection AT. AT also seems to be a well-liked outsider for New Japan as he has been since starting to tour with New Japan during the G-1 tournament. Nagata’s role as captain for his team in my opinion has solidified him as being back in the world title picture, which could be a reward from New Japan as Nagata seems to have had quite the year match-wise as his matches with Kanemoto, Tanahashi, and Giant Bernard (that’s not a typo) have been given a lot of praise.
So, lets look at this equation: AT as a new hot outsider, Akebono finally becoming entertaining instead of a fake title contender, the “Golden Team” formation not being a complete bust, and the possibility of Tanahashi/Nagata for the gold=promise for New Japan.
All-Japan sadly seemed to be the big loser of the day. Their card only drew 3,300 and a lot of the blame can rest on Muto for not booking himself or Kojima in the Triple Crown Match against Minoru Suzuki, but instead booking RO’Z. That’s right, both members of Three Minute Warning have had Triple Crown title matches as the title itself has seemed to taken quite the hit in the last couple of years as All-Japan has found classic TC title matches and legitimate contenders hard to come by. I’m willing to bet that the “dream tag” between MUTAJIRI and Kojima & Kaz Hayashi drew the majority of the crowd as that really was the only match –other than the Kondo/NOSAWA Jr. Title match–that had any real drawing power. However, the dream tag did get rave reviews so something seemed to be salvaged from the show and more Tajiri in All-Japan could help them especially if he chooses to participate in their February Sumo Hall show.
Finally, let’s look at the main-events and see what they tell us about the direction of all three companies. First, New Japan: Tenzan’s miracle win in the Kobe Explosion Wars Final does mean that New Japan may be booking him effectively for the first time since 2003. That is a good thing as his title match against Tanahashi a few weeks ago did help draw the biggest Sumo Hall crowd this year for New Japan and a match now against Nakamura has the potential to draw a lot more than it did back in 2003. Also, with both being booked well for a change, a Nagata/Tenzan match on a big New Japan show shouldn’t be too much to ask. Suzuki’s match with RO’Z didn’t come off that well (as was expected) and letting it go 23 minutes was part of the problem. The other part is that RO’Z was the challenger for the belt. However, Muto can’t lose focus with Suzuki’s title reign because of this. Suzuki could still have title matches against Sasaki, Muto, and Kojima. With all of these, the feuds and backstories are already there and all All-Japan would have to do is remind the fans of these backstories. These matches could draw and would be the perfect opportunity to get the belt off him and say that All-Japan got the most they could out of Suzuki’s reign. However, Marufuji/KENTA has shown that NOAH may not have been reaching for something when they put the belt on Marufuji. If the 15,000 number stands (it probably won’t), this is a HUGE accomplishment for both men; even if the paid number ends up being 11,000 or 12,000, it’s still an accomplishment. NOAH now can say that they are building towards their future and things in the GHC Title division just got better as Marufuji can now be considered legitimate, KENTA is a future title holder, Morishima is a future title holder, and a second Rikio reign could be a good idea in the future believe it or not.
The Reality is…NOAH is still #1. Whether or not the claimed number stands, they will be seen as the real winners of 10/29 by the Japanese press and by just about everybody. Granted, they should be as Marufuji/KENTA II could be the match of the year winner when the Tokyo Sports wrestling awards come out in about a month. However, New Japan has been gaining more and more momentum since Lesnar’s departure as shows have been getting better reviews, tours and big shows have been more well-received by the fans and Riki Choshu’s booking of many people has improved drastically as compared to the beginning of the year. All-Japan has officially lost all momentum they were able to get with the successful Hase Retirement show, but with the Real World Tag League coming and the prospect of TenKoji/Kawada & Muto, All-Japan still has a lot going for them. The tricky part now, is actually getting these things to work.
PLUGS
Read Ditch’s Puro Pulse this week and see what he has to say about 10/29.
