Tag: NJPW

Michael Elgin Says His Comments About Jeff Cobb Were “Unacceptable”

michael elgin jeff cobb comments unacceptable smell njpw

NJPW wrestler Michael Elgin is apologizing for comments he made about tag partner Jeff Cobb in a leaked text conversation, saying they were “unacceptable.”

For those who missed it, a conversation leaked out last month showing Elgin making disparaging comments towards a woman accusing one of his students of sexual assault. The woman in question also released a portion of the conversation in which he bashed Cobb.

Now, Elgin has put out a statement saying: “I made some comments about Jeff Cobb that were unacceptable. At the time of this conversation I had a lot going on and took it out on Jeff Cobb unfairly. Not only is he a great performer, he is one of the nicest and most kind hearted people I’ve ever met in my career.”

Adding, “I’ve spoken to him and other colleagues directly and hope they accepted my apology. He deserves praise for his performance and he is a true asset to any company he’s involved in, I truly hope he becomes a big part of NJPW this year.”

Big Mike also put out a more lengthy statement this weekend about the disparaging comments he made towards the woman. Read it in full below (since his tweets are now protected).

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

NJPW Fantastica Mania 2018 And New Beginning Cards Revealed

The next set of live shows to take place on NJPW World is Fantastic Mania 2018 on January 19, 21, and 22. This is a co-promotional tour between NJPW and CMLL from Mexico. On nights two and three there will be a four-team CMLL Brother Tournament, where brothers will team up, single elimination style. You can check out the full cards for the next three events below:

Fantastica Mania 2018 (January 19 – 4:30am ET / 1:30am PT)

* Fuego vs. Okumura

* Dragon Lee, Hirai Kawato, Satoshi Kojima, and Star Jr. vs. BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, and Tetsuya Naito

* Atlantis, Drone, Mistico, and Volador, Jr. vs. Barbaro Cavernario, Disturbio, Puma, and Ultimo Guerrero

* Angel de Oro (c) vs. Cuatrero (CMLL World Middleweight Championship)

* Sanson vs. Soberano Jr. (c) (Mexican National Welterweight Championship)

* Gran Guerrero vs. Niebla Roja (c) (CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship)

Fantastica Mania 2018 (January 21 – 4:30am ET / 1:30am PT)

* Disturbio and Puma vs. Drone and Star Jr.

* Fuego, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Soberano, Jr. vs. Okumura and Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH)

* Atlantis, Hirai Kawato, KUSHIDA, and Satoshi Kojima vs. BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, and Tetsuya Naito)

* Angel de Oro and Niebla Roja vs. Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero) (CMLL Brother Tag Team Tournament First Round Match)

* Cuatrero and Sanson vs. Dragon Lee and Mistico (CMLL Brother Tag Team Tournament First Round Match)

* Barbaro Cavernario vs. Volador Jr. (c) (NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship)

Fantastica Mania 2018 (January 22 – 4:30am ET / 1:30am PT)

* Disturbio and Puma vs. Fuego and Ryusuke Taguchi

* Chaos (Rocky Romero, SHO, & YOH) and Okumura vs. Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA, Star, Jr. and Tiger Mask IV

* CMLL Brother Tag Team Tournament Loser’s Bracket Match

* Atlantis and Hirai Kawato vs. Barbaro Cavernario and Gedo (Kawato’s last match before going on foreign excursion)

* Drone, Soberano, Jr., and Volador, Jr. vs. BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, and Tetsuya Naito

* Rush vs. Satoshi Kojima

* CMLL Brother Tag Team Tournament Finals

– NJPW has also revealed the full cards for their New Beginning shows on January 27, January 28, and February 10. Night one’s main event is Hiroshi Tanahashi defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Minoru Suzuki. Night two will have IWGP US Champion Kenny Omega vs. Jay White. In February, they will feature Will Ospreay (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship), Hirooki Goto (c) vs. EVIL (NEVER Openweight Championship), and in the main event, Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. SANADA (IWGP Heavyweight Championship). Below are the full cards:

New Beginning in Sapporo Night One (January 27 – 4am ET / 1am PT)

* Katsuya Kitamura vs. Michael Elgin

* Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Tiger Mask IV vs. El Desperado, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku, Takashi Iizuka, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru

* Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano

* Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Roa (c) vs. Henare, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Togi Makabe (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship)

* Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page, and Marty Scurll vs. David Finlay, Juice Robinson, and Kota Ibushi

* Will Ospreay and YOSHI-HASHI vs. Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito

* Gedo, Hirooki Goto, and Kazuchika Okada vs. BUSHI, EVIL, and SANADA

* Jay White, SHO, and YOH) vs. Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson

* Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki (IWGP Intercontinental Championship)

New Beginning in Sapporo Night Two (January 28 – 1am ET / 10pm PT – still the 27th, for people on the west coast)

* Juice Robinson vs. Katsuya Kitamura

* Jushin Liger, Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino, and Tiger Mask IV vs. El Desperado, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru

* Leo Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano

* Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Roa vs. Henare, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Togi Makabe

* Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin vs. Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Iizuka

* Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page, and Marty Scurll vs. David Finlay, Kota Ibushi, and KUSHIDA

* Gedo, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, and YOSHI-HASHI vs. BUSHI, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito

* Roppongi 3K (SHO and YOH) vs. Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) (c) (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship)

* “Switchblade” Jay White vs. Kenny Omega (c) (IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship)

New Beginning in Osaka (February 10 – 3am ET / 12am PT)

* Katsuya Kitamura vs. Yuji Nagata

* Roppongi 3K (SHO and YOH) vs. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru

* “Switchblade” Jay White, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano vs. David Finlay, Juice Robinson, and Michael Elgin

* Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku, and Takashi Iizuka vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Togi Makabe

* BUSHI vs. Gedo

* Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI

* Hiromu Takahashi vs. Will Ospreay (c) (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)

* EVIL vs. Hirooki Goto (c) (NEVER Openweight Championship)

* Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. SANADA (IWGP Heavyweight Championship)

NJPW Touring Australia, Chris Jericho Teases Sticking Around NJPW

NJPW announced for the first time ever they will be touring in Australia. They will have a total of four shows: February 16 (Adelaide), 17 (Melbourne), 18 (Sydney), and 19 (Perth). Tickets will go on sale beginning on January 12 at 9am local time in Australia.

 

Chris Jericho posted some fan art that included, “New Japan is Jericho.” In the caption, Jericho wrote, “Hmmm, that’s got a nice ring to it….maybe I’ll stick around for awhile?” After attacking Naito, we know he’s going to be sticking around for at least one more match. As noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the working idea is to have the Jericho vs. Naito at the upcoming NJPW USA: Strong Style Evolved show on March 25th in Long Beach, California at the Walter Pyramid.

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW Owner Wants To Work With WWE?

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NJPW Owner, Takaaki Kidani, spoke to Tokyo Sports about some future goals he has with NJPW. @STRIGGA of Purolove.com provided the translations. Kidani hopes to continue filling out the Tokyo Dome, eventually filling the seats in the outfield, but to do that he’ll need more young Japanese stars, and a heavyweight star in his twenties. Between a rising fan base and sales in 2018, Kidani continued that NJPW will have more money to pay wrestlers and are looking to continue to bring in wrestlers who had a relationship with WWE until “the other side” says “let’s get along.” Clearly, bringing in Chris Jericho had a positive impact on the company’s bottom line and overseas exposure as NJPW has already lined him up to face Tetsuya Naito.

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW 2018 Schedule

NJPW is already rolling out their schedule for a majority of their major shows in the first half of 2018. Among the dates, the biggest news is for the three finals shows of the G1 Climax, NJPW will return to Budokan Hall for the first time in over 15 years. Budokan Hall can hold around 15k fans. Below is a list of the noted shows:

* The New Beginning in Sapporo (January 27 and 28)

* The New Beginning in Osaka (February 10)

* NJPW 46th Anniversary (March 6)

* New Japan Cub Final 2018 (March 21)

* USA: Strong Style Evolved (March 25)

* Sakura Genesis 2018 (April 1)

* Wrestling Hi No Kuni 2018 (April 29)

* Wrestling Dontaku 2018 (May 3 and 4)

* Best of the Super Juniors – Opening Show (May 18)

* Dominion in Osaka (June 9)

* G1 Climax 28 Opening Shows (July 14, 15, and 16)

* G1 Climax 28 Closing Shows (August 10, 11, and 12)

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW New Year Dash Results 1/5/18

Nagata, Tenzan, Nakanishi & Kojima def. Oka, Yagi, Umino & Narita @ 7:10 via Kojima lariat on Umino
The young lions tried to start their 2018 on the right foot with a win. The attacked all the veterans from behind and dumped all but Tenzan to the outside. Unfortunately, once all the veterans gained their composuer, the young lions paid the price. Fine match but wasn’t anything different than we saw from this pairing last year.

Iizuka, Taichi, Kanemaru, Deperado & Taka def. Liger, Tiger, Makabe, Henare & Kawato @ 8:49 via Desperado Pinche Loco on Kawato
Lots of the same ‘ol typical Suzuki-Gun brawling on the outside. Makabe tried to maintain order but was unable. Tiger, Liger and Kawato hit a series of their finishers onto Desperado but the pin was broken up, leading to Suzuki-Gun isolating Kawato and picking up the win. Post-match, Kawato is hit with Iizuka’s Iron Fingers from Hell. New year, same match.

Jay White def. Katsuya Kitamura @ 7:31 via Blade Runner
Alright, something new to sink our teeth into. They started off great by having White cut off Kitamura’s offense by attacking the leg to a great amount of jeers. Ultimately they ended up going about two minutes longer than they should have. Kitamura had one more comeback than he should have and they resulted in a flat finish. White gave the young lion a little too much offense.

Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks def. Cheeseburger & Roppongi 3K @ 11:19 via Meltzer Driver on Cheeseburger
The goofy comedy match you’d expect out of Kenny and the Bucks at Korakuen. Matt and Yoh played up their back injuries from yesterday and Kenny was all bandaged up. Silly little match, nothing significant but the type of thing fans of the Bucks get a kick out of seeing. I’ve become increasingly impressed with Sho. The way he carries himself like a big deal is awesome.

Cody, Scurll, Yujiro, Owens & Leo def Ibushi, KUSHIDA, Juice, Taguchi & Finlay @ 13:18 via Cody American Nightmare on Finlay
The match was good but this was all about the post-match. As for the match, this was clearly the best of the show to this point. There was a lot of goofiness mixed with strong, fun wrestling. Now for the post-match. After Cody got the win, he and Bullet Club went after Ibushi. Just as Cody was about to use a chair, Omega rushed in for the save. He sent his stable to the back and took the mic. His message was that he was tired of the in-fighting occurring within Bullet Club and the solution to their problems is Jay White. He invited Jay to come out and join the Bullet Club. Without much hesitation, Jay put the shirt on and gave Omega a hug. He then transitioned the hug into the Blade Runner and took the shirt off. Omega was unable to recruit the Switchblade, who is now the next challenger for the US Championship. These are the types of moments that make people tune into New Year Dash. Real good, memorable moment.

NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship Match
Fale, Tama & Tanga def. Ishii, Yano & Beretta (c) @ 14:39 via Tama Gun Stun on Beretta
A rematch of yesterday’s gauntlet finals, the titles swap yet again. Typical of this championship, this is just a filler title to make shows feel more significant than they truly are. The match itself was good, on par of yesterday’s match, not special but a good match when compared to anything else on this show. Beretta and Tama have now traded pins on back-to-back nights. This may signal a New Japan Cup match between the two in March.

Suzuki, Sabre, Archer & Smith def. Tanahashi, Elgin, Hanson & Rowe @ 11:36 via Killer Bomb on Hanson
Suzuki debuted his newly clean-shaved head, a real bizarre sight to see. It looks like his next target is Tanahashi and let me tell you, I’m ALL IN on that one. For the second straight night War Machine are defeated, meaning those NXT rumors are likely true and this was their last tour with New Japan. Another good match, this show has hit a groove after the White/Kitamura match. Nothing has been blow away but plenty of matches good enough to make the show pass with relative ease. Post-match Suzuki-Gun beat down Tanahashi as Suzuki holds the IC belt high. Sign me up!

Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Hiromu & BUSHI def. Okada, Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Ospreay & Gedo @ 13:50 via Naito Destino on YOSHI-HASHI 
Hell of a post-match in this one to close out the show. Once Naito picked up the win, Hiromu delivered Time Bomb to Ospreay, EVIL gave EVIL to Goto and SANADA locked Skull End on Okada. Those very well end up being the feuds to come in the near future. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! After his speech, Chris Jericho attacks Naito from behind. The two have a big pull apart brawl to end the show. People were wondering where Naito goes after the loss to Okada and now we have the answer. Both of Wrestle Kingdom’s unsuccessful main event challengers are destined to have a meeting. Very cool ending to this year’s New Year Dash.

Each year the purpose of the New Year Dash is to reset from the year previous and set up the current year’s feuds. This year we got the set up of Naito/Jericho, Tanahashi/Suzuki, Omega/White, Ospreay/Hiromu as well as possible Goto/EVIL and Okada/SANADA matches.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 Results

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Check out the full results for Wrestle Kingdom 12 below:

Wrestle Kingdom 12

January 4, 2018
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan

Pre-Show

New Japan Rumble 
Masahito Kakihara pins Cheeseburger to win the Rumble

Main Card

IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship
The Young Bucks defeat Roppongi 3K (SHO and YOH) to become 7-time IWGP Junior tag team champs

The Bucks hit a Meltzer Driver before Nick forced YOH to tap with a sharpshooter.

NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
Chaos (Beretta, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano) defeat Bullet Club (Toma Tonga, Bad Luck Fale and Tanga Loa) (c), War Machine and Michael Elgin, Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi and Takashi Iizuka) and Taguchi Japan (Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi and Togi Makabe)

Suzuki-gun moves on after Sabre Jr. gets the technical submission on Rowe with a triangle choke to eliminate the team of War Machine and Elgin. Yano is responsible for eliminating Suzuki-gun immediately. Yano eliminates Taguchi Japan. Beretta hits the Dudebuster on Toma Tonga and we have new 6-man tag team champs.

Special Singles Match
Kota Ibushi defeats Cody

Kota got the pinfall after hitting a Kamigoye and a Phoenix Splash.

IWGP Tag Team Championship
SANADA and EVIL defeat Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) (c)

SANADA and EVIL hit the Magic Killer and SANADA hit a Muta moonsault to get the pinfall on Davey Boy Smith. Three title changes so far in three title matches.

NEVER Openweight Championship (Hair vs. Hair Match)
Hirooki Goto defeats Minoru Suzuki (c)

Goto hits Goto Revolution to get the victory and we have a new champ. Goto sets up a chair for Suzuki to cut his hair but Suzuki wants his own chair and he wants to shave his head himself. He does just that and slams his shaven hair on the chair before exiting the ring.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (Four-Way Match)
Will Ospreay defeats Marty Scurll (c), KUSHIDA and Hiromu Takahashi

Ospreay hits the OsCutter on Scurll to get the pin and become a 2-time IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion.

IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeats Jay White

Tanahashi becomes the first champion to retain on the show after hitting High Fly Flow.

IWGP United States Championship
Kenny Omega (c) defeats Chris Jericho

Omega hits the One Winged Angel on a steel chair to get the pinfall. This match delivered on so many levels. Jericho put on the performance of a lifetime at 47-years-old and Kenny, well, he just continues to be the Best Bout Machine as advertised.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Kazuchika Okada (c) defeats Tetsuya Naito

Okada retains after hitting a Rainmaker that appeared to KO Naito. He countered a Destino in a jumping Tombstone piledriver before the final Rainmaker to seal the deal. Okada’s historic reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion continues.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 1/4/18

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In the U.S., the event starts with the pre-show late Wednesday night (11 p.m. PT) / early Thursday morning (2 a.m. ET) depending on your time zone. The pre-show match should start around 11:30 p.m. PT/2:30 a.m. ET with the main show kicking off shortly after.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

IWGP United States Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Chris Jericho

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Jay White

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship: Marty Scurll (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay

NEVER Openweight  Championship – Death Match – Hair vs Hair/ Nobody at Ringside: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Hirooki Goto

IWGP Tag Team Championship: Killler Elite Squad (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) vs. EVIL & SANADA

Cody vs. Kota Ibushi

NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship – Gauntlet Match: Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Juice Robinson & Togi Makabe vs. Beretta, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii vs. War Machine (Hanson & Raymond Rowe) & Michael Elgin vs. Taichi, Takashi Iizuka & Zack Sabre Jr.

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Roppongi 3K (c) vs. The Young Bucks

(Pre-Show) New Japan Rumble

 

AXS TV will air Wrestle Kingdom 12 starting this Saturday night with a WK 12 special that will showcase the event’s three headlining championship matches: IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. G1 CLIMAX 27 Tournament Champion Tetsuya Naito, and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White.

AXS TV will continue its coverage of Wrestle Kingdom 12 following the special over five episodes Friday nights starting Jan. 12 at 8pE/5pP.

 

I won’t post the Wrestle Kingdom 12 results until Monday.

Jim Ross Returning To AXS TV In 2018 For NJPW

axs tv jim ross jr njpw announcing commentary

AXS TV announced that Jim Ross will continue calling the action for NJPW programming in 2018, despite also being under contract with WWE.

The announcement was made via press release and it notes that he and Josh Barnett will kick off the new year doing commentary for the Wrestle Kingdom 12 special on January 6.

Good Ole JR was quoted saying, “I’m excited to be returning to AXS TV and with my partner Josh Barnett we look forward to another exciting year with AXS TV and their NJPW programming. NJPW has some of the finest athletes in the world performing for them and it’s an honor to be able to add a narrative to their bouts.”

JR reportedly signed a two-year deal with WWE for a “specific number of dates” when he returned for WrestleMania this year. He also did commentary for the Mae Young Classic.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

We previously reported two weeks ago that JR verbally agreed to a contract extension with AXS TV.

Chris Jericho And Kenny Omega Brawl At Wrestle Kingdom 12 Press Conference (Video)

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Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega took part in a press conference earlier this morning, which you can watch in the video below, to promote their upcoming match at WrestleKingdom 12 on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. Omega addressed the media first, and spoke for about 18 minutes before leaving.

Jericho made his way out next. Jericho only got to speak for about 3 minutes before he was attacked by Omega. They brawled briefly before being pulled apart as Jericho cursed. Jericho finally regained his composure and addressed the crowd again.

“This is going to be a match that you have never seen in New Japan,” Jericho said while breathing heavily. “This is not about five stars, seven stars, this is not about how many times you can go for your finishing move. This is a fight, it’s a war, it’s Alpha vs. Omega and Kenny, you are going to get the s–t kicked out of you, do you understand me?

“I’ve been to Japan sixty times,” Jericho continued. “This match is the most important match I’ve ever had in Japan!”

An irate Jericho also cursed at someone in the crowd, calling him “f–kface” before saying that he would prove that he’s the best in the world at Wrestle Kingdom 12. He finished by saying that their bout would be Omega’s last match ever in New Japan.

As noted, Jericho made a surprise appearance and attacked Omega at the NJPW World Tag League Final on Monday in Fukuoka. After Omega and The Young Bucks had defeated YOH, SHO & Rocky Romero, the lights went out and a video from Jericho aired, who congratulated Omega on his victory. When the lights came back on, Jericho was in the ring and planted Omega with a Code Breaker. He then hit Omega in the face with the U.S. title belt. By the time the melee was over, he had also a referee and announcer Don Callis. Jericho continued his attack on Omega and busted him open before the Young Bucks finally hit the ring and Jericho retreated to the back.

Source: WrestlingINC