Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Reveals “Wrestler Of The Year” And “Woman Of The Year” For 2018

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In a close vote, Becky Lynch topped Ronda Rousey for 2018’s “Woman of the Year”, as voted by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Lynch received 40 percent of the vote, four percent better than Rousey. Asuka and Tessa Blanchard were distant runners-up.

Rousey being selected number one in PWI’s “Woman’s 100” led to Lynch posting some disparaging tweets about PWI – and Publisher Stu Saks in particular. Even though Lynch appeared happy while posing for the PWI cover of the awards issue with the Woman of the Year plaque, she complained about her #11 placement in the “100” throughout much of the photo shoot.

Rousey achieved a near-record 87 percent of the vote in being named “Rookie of the Year”. The widest margin of victory in the 46-year history of the PWI awards was enjoyed by The Giant (Big Show), who garnered 88 percent of the vote for “Rookie of the Year” in 1996.

AJ Styles was named “Wrestler of the Year” for the third straight year. Styles now has earned a total of seven Achievement Awards. Styles earned 46 percent of the votes in the “Wrestler of the Year” category, followed by Kenny Omega (17 percent), Cody (8 percent), and Seth Rollins (7 percent). He also was voted “Most Popular” for the second straight year. The only other wrestler to receive WOTY honors for three straight years is Ric Flair (1984-1986).

Styles and Becky also topped Wrestling Inc.’s Best of 2018 for “Male Wrestler of the Year” and “Female Wrestler of the Year”, respectively.

PWI’s annual year-end issue can be purchased in print or digital formats at pwi-online.com.

Source: WrestlingINC

Wrestling Talent Wars Heating Up, Piper Niven Headed To WWE Soon?

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The talent wars are heating up now that AEW has officially launched. All the top promotions are aware of the free agents, and they are making plays to sign them. Not only are WWE and AEW getting aggressive in signing talent, but you also have New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor trying to sign talents to contracts.

Meltzer noted that there are a lot of people in WWE who are interested in exploring their options with AEW, if not go ahead and sign with them. These talents obviously have to wait until their WWE contracts expire and there is also a “wait and see” feeling to see if AEW works out, and what it becomes.

Scottish women’s wrestler Piper Niven is reportedly signing with WWE soon, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

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Niven, also known to fans as Viper, participated in the 2017 Mae Young Classic and defeated Santana Garrett in the first round. She then defeated Serena Deeb in the second round but lost to Toni Storm in the third round.

Niven is currently signed to World of Sport Wrestling but it’s believed she is headed to WWE once her deal expires. Meltzer notes that All Elite Wrestling wanted to sign Niven but she decided not to sign with them.

Source: WrestlingINC

Backstage News On Chris Jericho’s Status With NJPW

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At Wrestle Kingdom 13, Chris Jericho lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tetsuya Naito in a no disqualification match. In his post-match interview, Jericho was adamant in saying that he was not done with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Jericho also made his intentions clear about wanting to face the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Jericho’s contract with NJPW reportedly expired at Wrestle Kingdom 13, and with the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion recently thanking AEW President / Jacksonville Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan for helping him get tickets to an NFL game, many speculated that Jericho would end up signing with All Elite Wrestling.

During the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed Jericho’s status with NJPW. Meltzer revealed that while Jericho’s contract with NJPW expired at Wrestle Kingdom 13, NJPW really wants to keep him. He noted that Jericho wants to stay with NJPW as well. Dave further said that New Japan wants to book a match between Jericho and Tanahashi in 2019, and with Jericho wanting to stay with the promotion, it is just a matter of both parties agreeing to a new deal.

Source: WrestlingINC

Kenny Omega Expected To Sign With AEW

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Kenny Omega is expected to sign with All Elite Wrestling when his contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling expires at the end of the month, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Nothing can be officially announced until February 1st.

Omega revealed during an interview with Tokyo Sports over the weekend that he would be leaving the promotion when his contract expires on January 31st. Meltzer noted that NJPW found out that Omega was leaving through the interview and were not happy about it. NJPW preferred how KUSHIDA, who is also leaving NJPW and is expected to start with NXT, handled his departure.

As noted earlier this week, NJPW had decided to work with ROH over AEW going forward. Meltzer stated that NJPW “badly” does not want to lose Omega, so it is very likely that NJPW will warm up to working with AEW. It was noted that ROH didn’t want The Young Bucks and Cody Rhodes at the upcoming ROH – NJPW G1 Supercard event at Madison Square Garden on April 6th, even though they are all cordial.

With the current landscape in wrestling, NJPW is now signing talent to longer term deals. AEW had signed Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks to five-year deals. Meltzer noted that Cody and the Bucks did not have to use their own money on the venture.

AEW will be holding their “Double or Nothing” rally in Jacksonville this evening at 5 pm ET at the parking lot of West Club at the TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s expected that several signings and the upcoming Double or Nothing event will be officially announced at the rally. Tonight’s SmackDown will emanate from Jacksonville as well.

Source: WrestlingINC

KUSHIDA Leaving NJPW

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NJPW held a post-Wrestle Kingdom 13 Press Conference yesterday and it was announced that KUSHIDA will be leaving the company at the end of the month and will be heading overseas.

NJPW Announcer Chris Charlton translated some of KUSHIDA’s comments about “heading overseas.”

WWE had reportedly shown interest in the former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, potentially bringing him into NXT.

During his time with NJPW, KUSHIDA was a six-time IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, two-time IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and two-time winner of Best of the Super Juniors.

Source: WrestlingINC

Kenny Omega Says He’s Leaving NJPW

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Kenny Omega spoke with Tokyo Sports and says he’s leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Omega lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi at this week’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 and didn’t make an appearance the next night at NJPW New Year Dash. His contract was reportedly over later this month.

The article noted it’s likely his choices are narrowed down to WWE or All Elite Wrestling. NJPW Announcer Chris Charlton translated some of Omega’s comments about why he’s looking to leave the company.

“I take full responsibility for the loss,” Omega said of his loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom. “There is no real place for me to fit, so it’s best for me not to be in (NJPW). I can’t be there working under Tanahashi. I don’t think he’s surpassed me, don’t think he’s better. If we can, I want to face him again. But I need time away, and not just from New Japan.”

Omega has strong ties to Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks of AEW, which is holding a Double or Nothing rally this Tuesday in Jacksonville, Florida. It was also reported this week that Omega was made a “fantastic offer” by WWE as they look to bring his talent to the WWE Universe.

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW New Year Dash Results 1/5/19

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Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Takayuki Iizuka vs. Yoh, Sho, and Rocky Romero – Winners: Yoh, Sho, Rocky Romero

Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens vs. Toa Henare and Tomoaki Honma – Winners: Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi

Beretta and Chuckie T vs. Juice Robinson and David Finlay – Winners: David Finlay and Juice Robinson via DQ

KUSHIDA, Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb vs. Will Ospreay, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii – Winners: Will Ospreay, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii

NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship: (C) Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Taiji Ishimori (with Jado) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe, and Toru Yano – Winners: Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Taiji Ishimori

Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi helped Bullet Club get the win. Bullet Club accepted Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi back into Bullet Club

Minoru Suzuki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., and El Desperado vs. EVIL, BUSHI, Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, and SANADA – Winners: Minoru Suzuki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., and El Desperado 

Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, and Gedo vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada, and Hiroshi Tanahashi – Winners: Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, and Gedo

 

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 Results

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Number One Contender Gauntlet Match for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Pre-Show): Hirooki Goto, Beretta, & Chuckie T vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe, & Toru Yano vs. Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb, & David Finlay vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Yujiro Takahashi – Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano

NEVER Openweight Championship: (C) Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay – Winner: Will Ospreay

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: (C) Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado vs. Roppongi 3K vs. BUSHI & Shingo Takagi – Winners and new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: BUSHI & Shingo Takagi

RevPro British Heavyweight Championship: (C) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – Winner and new RevPro British Heavyweight Champion: Zack Sabre Jr.

IWGP Tag Team Championship: (C) Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. EVIL & SANADA vs. The Young Bucks – Winners and new IWGP Tag Team champions: EVIL & SANADA 

IWGP US Championship: (C) Cody Rhodes vs. Juice Robinson – Winner and new IWGP US Champion: Juice Robinson

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: (C) KUSHIDA vs. Taiji Ishimori – Winner and new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion: Taiji Ishimori

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White – Winner: Jay White 

IWGP Intercontinental Championship – No DQ: (C) Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito – Winner and new IWGP Intercontinental Champion: Tetsuya Naito

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: (C) Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – Winner and new IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Hiroshi Tanahashi

NJPW Events In London And Texas Announced, 2 Tokyo Dome Shows Next Year For WK14

New Japan made a handful of announcements on Friday before Wrestle Kingdom 13, including plans to run events later this year in Texas and London.

G1 Climax 29 will kickoff July 6th in Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines Center. The company will then head to the UK on August 31st for an event at The Copper Box.

As you’ll recall, this is in addition to their joint show with ROH at Madison Square Garden.

NJPW also announced they’ll be at the Tokyo Dome for two days next year during the weekend of Wrestle Kingdom.

Read New Japan’s full announcement by CLICKING HERE.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Has Reportedly Made A “Fantastic Offer” To Kenny Omega

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Despite Kenny Omega being under contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling until later this month, Dave Meltzer reported on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE made Omega a “fantastic offer.”

With All Elite Wrestling being announced earlier this week, Meltzer noted that Omega is a “wildcard”, as NJPW obviously wants to keep him while AEW wants him as well.

Omega was defending his  IWGP Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13.

Source: WrestlingINC