Anyone here into NJPW?

I haven't watched wrestling for over 15+ years and I have next to no interest in the current WWE but due my interest In Tiger Mask, Kinnikuman and Japan in general I thought I would check it out.

Here's a promo for an upcoming show this Monday night.



and here's the guy that got me hooked.

YeeeeaaaaOOOOOOHHHH, haven't watched since WK last year, but love Kenny "The Cleaner" Omega and the King of Strong Style, my dream is to play NES games with Omega one day.

Any Lucha Underground fans? It shows on El Rey network. I saw a few - kind of fun with some crazy action. Here are a couple scenes I shot off of the TV. I had to do multiple takes because I kept saying "ooooooooh"!

I haven't seen much of Kenny Omega. I'll have to watched some of his older matches on NJPWWorld.

Nakamura is definitely the king! I don't think he will be headlining WK in Jan but I would love to see him up against AJ Styles

Cant say I've ever seen any from this promotion. That kick was pretty crazy though! Any big matches you recommend watching?

I don't know anything about it, but I am familiar with Kenny Omega, ha. Mainly because he is from Winnipeg, and has an interesting story. He actually broke into the Japan scene by sending a tape he made of himself in a mock fight to Kota Ibushi (whom he was a big fan of) as a way of a challenge. It worked, and he got invited to join DDT. His self-professed love of manga, video games, and cartoons is great. He comes off as a really down-to-earth guy in interviews, and really loves and appreciates what he does.

Here is an NHK segment on him, for anyone interested:

its worth watching just for the Robert Rodriguez directed cut scenes in between matches =P

Thanks for the youtube link Steve. Not only do I now share the dream of Bryan but I've also got 6 seasons of Japanology to watch.



Definitely peaked my interest, Thanks!

Oh my god a Wrestling thread?!

Lucky underground is amazing. Best wrestling show in ages. And njpw is doing awesome stuff right now. Both great gateway options for new watchers.

Not that I can specifically direct you too. Prince Puma always puts on a fun match.

Shit yeah wrestling that isn't WWE!

I just bought front row passes to a Ring of Honor show coming to Atlanta. Even if you aren't into wrestling everyone should try and go once. It is fun as Hell.

Lucha underground is more like an episodic tv show then regular wrestling weeklies. I'd recommend starting at the beginning. But the grave consequences match was a highlight for me. But it's partly due to the story built over time. And the ultima lucha episodes are the perfect season finale.

I'm finding it hard enough keeping up with NJPW right now. I don't have access to American cable down here in NZ but there is a show with english commentary (Josh Barnett) on AXS TV in which they have just begun covering Wrestle Kingdom 9 (Japanese Wrestlemania) from January. That's a great starting point if anyone out there wants to check out NJPW.

Lucha Underground sounds like fun though. I'll definitely add it to my list of things to check out. Thanks!