Some NJ discussion questions

[Guest Dangerous A]

With Yuji Nagata's win over Kazuyuki Fujita at the 10/14 Dome show, Nagata wins a rematch with Mirko Cro Cop. (not sure if that's a good thing)

 

Do you think that Inoki and Co. will attempt to work the rematch at the Bom-Ba-Ye show where the rumored rematch is to take place?

 

If so, do you think some of Nagata's credibility will be restored in the fans eyes or did his loss at last year's show fuck him permanantly?

 

 

Bob Sapp is now supposed to face whoever is IWGP champion on the 1/4/03 Dome show. Which opponent do you think would be the best draw versus Sapp on this Dome show? Nagata? Fujita? Chono?

[Guest PlatypusFool]

I believe the Nagata / Filipovic match will be a work. Firstly, Nagata has demanded the match be a pro wrestling match (which is basically code for 'worked'), as that is his style, and their last match was battled under Cro Cop's style. Also, Inoki has been singing Nagata's praises pretty loudly after his last couple of title defenses, so he's not going to have anything against him winning either. I don't think there is a chance of Nagata losing this match.

 

As to whether this restores his credibility or not, well that's for the jap fans to decide I'm afraid. If the match is worked very well, and looks like a very believable and convincing win for Nagata, a significant portion of the audience will probably warm to him. On the other hand, if the match is blatently a work, or if it doesn't get enough publicity from the media, it won't help Nagata, or NJPW, vey much at all.

 

Your last question is also influenced by the Filipovic fight. If Nagata has just beat Cro Cop in late December, he would be the very person to fight Sapp, even if it were to lose the title. However, Chono will always be a big name, and is the biggest legend they have, so if Nagata loses, he is probably the best choice. It's quite a long way away, so ask me nearer the time really.

[Guest Black Tiger]

It depends on how much of a work it looks like. If Nagata comes in and throws an exploder of him and then makes him tap out to the Nagata Lock, then the fans will shit all over it.

 

If Nagata charges him and ducks his high kick and takes him to the mat and gets the tap out that way, it looks more legit and helps Nagata draw.

 

Bob Sapp has no chance of ever winning the IWGP title, he is supposed to team with Goldberg in this years Real World Tag League.