Yuji Nagata dethroned...

[Guest Memphis]

Last night at NJPW's Tokyo Dome Show 'ULTIMATE CRUSH' Yoshihiro Takayama beat Yuji Nagata with a German suplex hold to become the 32nd IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

 

Also, due to the fact Tenzan became the number one contender at 'ULTIMATE CRUSH' this leads to Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Yoshihiro Takayama for the IWGP Title at NJPW's next big show.

 

Discuss

[Guest TheGame2705]

Well I'm glad to see they had Nagata keep that belt long enough to break the record then job it off as soon as he hit the goal. On the flipside, I'm glad they're building up Takayama strong again.

[Guest Rob Edwards]

I have mixed feelings about a guy who got over by being beaten up winning the belt, surley from Inkoi's shoot obsessed point of view it makes no sense to put the belt on a guy who got hammered by Sapp who in turn got hammered by Cro Cop, especially if he's aiming for a legitimate image

 

If it's just a transition to Tenzan though I'm more than happy

[Guest Black Tiger]

Considering that right after the title win, NJPW started an angle where Takayama wants to merge the titles and seal the IWGP Title, it's a pretty safe bet that Tenzan's FINALLY winning the title.

[Guest Rob Edwards]

Any reviews up anywhere yet?

 

good to see Inkoi/Chono and co have finally realised what people have been saying for a while, better late than never I guess

[Guest AnnieEclectic]

this is off topic, but I must say I respect anyone that puts a pic from "Battle Royale" in their sig. Good show (Y)

 

-Annie

[Guest mach7]

Considering that right after the title win, NJPW started an angle where Takayama wants to merge the titles and seal the IWGP Title, it's a pretty safe bet that Tenzan's FINALLY winning the title.

Actually I think it was Hisashi Shinma who suggested "sealing" the IWGP title. It looked like Tenzan's appearance quickly shot it down, as well.

 

Takayama has already said that he would like to defend the title outside of New Japan [if New Japan allows him to], so I don't think it will be a big angle. I could be wrong, though. Who knows?

[Guest Memphis]

I was actually hoping Nagata would hold on so we could see Nagata/Tenzan again, with Hiroyoshi finally going over. However, Takayama/Tenzan could be interesting.

 

Rob - The only review/results up I have found are at Strong Style Spirit

 

M

[EL DANDY~!]

Besides getting his ass whooped, Takayama has been able to adapt to many different styles. I suspect that his match with Tenzan will be very good, and that Tenzan going over would be very nice for NJPW. I still have a Triple Crown theory that SHOULD have worked, but that would involve an invasion of NOAH, so I'm not so sure that will happen...

[Guest PlatypusFool]

Takayama is a very good wrestler, probly the best Japanese heavyweight wrestling at the moment, and a damn good choice for champion. However, I think it's a shame that both Nagata and Chono lost to people affiliated at least somewhat with NOAH on the same show, it doesn't exactly show NJPW as being strong. However, if another big name NOAH star loses to Nagata then it'll be ok.

 

As for Tenzan, I don't really like him, he's just not very good, all he brings to the table is passion, but Nagata and Nakanishi also bring that in spades. Right now, I'd have Tenzan lose to Takayama, Nakanishi to win the G1 Climax and go on to defeat Takayama for the title, and then for Tenzan to win it off Nakanishi later on after more growth.