Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted July 14, 2002 I found the blocks on Wrestling Viewpoint and I couldn't resist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BigTim2002 Report post Posted July 14, 2002 I fucking swear to all things holy...if Sasaki wins...I will fucking KILL somebody over nyah! GOD! Does the man who does no jobbing HAVE to be in the same block as the man who should rightfully win the tourney in the first place? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Stuart Report post Posted July 15, 2002 Sasaki has done high profile single jobs to Rick Steiner, Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata this year, plus was pinned by Tenzan in a recent tag. He deserves to make *at least* the semi final round. He and Tenzan should make the semis. Despite what people say, I don't think Takayama has any business being a main eventer in New Japan. Okay, he can take a beating in PRIDE and is liked for it, but if he loses every fight in PRIDE, then goes beating New Japan stars, how does that make pro wrestling look? Nagata and Chono or Nakanishi from one, Nagata and Tenzan from the other. Chono vs. Tenzan would be a fine final, as their aborted singles match from at the start of the year (they had to put them back together because Kojima left) needs to go down to establish Tenzan as the top heel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RickyChosyu Report post Posted July 16, 2002 Takayama is the biggest star in NOAH (in good health, that is) and should, therefor, be pushed big in NJPW. That is, if they want this interpromotional deal to mean anything. The guy has already jobbed to Nagata, he deserves a win back over someone important to keep his credibility high. Also, he's got the issue with Chono, so facing Tenzan in the semi's is a totally logical match, since Tenzan is Chono's boy, and all. Tenzan can go on to face Nakanishi or someone else in the finals, hopefully win, and alls well. This could build to a match for the tag titles between Tenzan/Chono and future tag team Takayama/Fujita since Takayama could get a pin back on Tenzan while continuing the feud with Chono. Seems logical to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Stuart Report post Posted July 16, 2002 Takayama is the biggest star in NOAH (in good health, that is) and should, therefor, be pushed big in NJPW. That is, if they want this interpromotional deal to mean anything. The guy has already jobbed to Nagata, he deserves a win back over someone important to keep his credibility high. Also, he's got the issue with Chono, so facing Tenzan in the semi's is a totally logical match, since Tenzan is Chono's boy, and all. Tenzan can go on to face Nakanishi or someone else in the finals, hopefully win, and alls well. This could build to a match for the tag titles between Tenzan/Chono and future tag team Takayama/Fujita since Takayama could get a pin back on Tenzan while continuing the feud with Chono. Seems logical to me. Takayama is a freelancer and says himself that he doesn't represent NOAH, which is why he works New Japan and PRIDE at will. He already got his big payback win, beating the #2 babyface in the company, Nakanishi, on 6/7. He couldn't face Tenzan in the semis because they're in the same group and will meet in the group stage matches. They could meet in the final, which would be anti-productive, as the whole point is for the strongest of Block A to wrestle the strongest of Block B. If they want to establish Sasaki and his SWING-LOWS group, they have to give him credibility, and not even making the semi finals (where he would probably be eliminated) would just kill the threat of this group dead, as it'd be a big match loser and three young lions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RickyChosyu Report post Posted July 17, 2002 Takayama is a freelancer and says himself that he doesn't represent NOAH, which is why he works New Japan and PRIDE at will. He already got his big payback win, beating the #2 babyface in the company, Nakanishi, on 6/7. He couldn't face Tenzan in the semis because they're in the same group and will meet in the group stage matches. They could meet in the final, which would be anti-productive, as the whole point is for the strongest of Block A to wrestle the strongest of Block B. If they want to establish Sasaki and his SWING-LOWS group, they have to give him credibility, and not even making the semi finals (where he would probably be eliminated) would just kill the threat of this group dead, as it'd be a big match loser and three young lions. Then I do have to question the use of Takayama on tours at all. I hadn't been aware that he had denied any representation of Noah, yet. It's kind of sad, considering that how popular he is. I guess that just represents the internal problems with NOAH more than anything, though. I also wasn't aware that he had beaten Nakanishi yet, which is bitter sweet, since Takayama needed the win over Nagata's buddy to get pay back but Nakanishi also needs some credibility when it comes to shooters, which he can never seem to beat. I realize I flubbed on the semi's observation. However, in Sasaki's case, it seems they've already flubbed on him. Still, I can see where you're coming from on wanting to give him and his stable of rookies credibility. At the same time, after the embarising job to Steiner, how credibility can they possibly salvage? I guess the reason I'm most favor of Takayama is that he's a charismatic, popular star who hasn't been screwed over by bad booking yet. He's not that great in the ring, but he can be carried, and he could really improve in New Japan if given the opporunity, I think. Still, Sasaki really needs to look strong more than Takayama. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NoSelfWorth Report post Posted July 20, 2002 I voted for Takayama. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
