How about Takayama as

[Guest Dangerous A]

I think with Takayam's newfound Foleyesque popularity in Japan, that he should be the one who is next as GHC champ. It sure beats Ogawa as champ and there are a ton of money match ups that they can take advantage of.

 

Takayama vs Misawa- Misawa beat him in the tournament finals and Takayama doesn't hold a win over him.

 

vs. Akiyama- Former champ gets rematch for title.

 

vs. Omori- battle of former tag partners

 

vs. Vader- Vader can be ultra stiff and it's Japan's favorite punching bag against Japan's most beloved gaijin.

 

vs. Kobashi- It's Kobashi, dammit! This could be really good because despite the knees Kobashi is still bad ass and Takayama is improving by the minute.

 

What do you think?

[Guest Jubuki]

I'd be surprised if Akiyama does much of anything anytime soon. Have you looked at where he's at on the cards? He's third from the bottom, on the losing end of matches against Sano and Kenta Kobayashi, for cripes sake. He pissed in someone's Rice Krispies.

[Guest Dangerous A]

True, they'd have to build him back up, but what about the other matchups?

[Guest Jubuki]

Omori's in the doghouse, too, Kobashi needs to retire, Vader's possible but probably should be on his way out as well, and Misawa may not challenge if it means he has to lose. That they've built Takayama up to this level is good; that they needed to by scuttling both Omori & Akiyama is disheartening.

[Guest PlatypusFool]

I think Takayama has potential as a champion, and all those matches have weight if built properly IMO. Akiyama REALLY needs building up again, he can be SO good with the right opponent. The problem with NOAH is that all their big names are dying on their feet, and Misawa hasn't put enough stock into creating new stars, so they pretty screwed. Most wrestling feds are having this problem at the moment it seems, with only NJPW actually trying to elevate new guys. Just an observation.

[Guest Black Tiger]

I'd much rather Omori be champion, but as far as Takayama goes I don't think he'd make a bad GHC champ at all. With Takayama working NJ shows he could make deffenses on NJ shows and give NOAH some good exposure.