1/4 Dome Show Results

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

1. Wataru Inoue & Katsushi Takemura vs. Jado & Gedo went to a draw (15:00) when the time limit expired.

2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Jushin Thunder Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (10:30) with a cradle.

3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask beat Heat © (14:17) with a Tiger suplex hold to become the 47th champion.

4. Amaresu Exhibition Match: Yuji Nagata beat Katsuhiko Nagata (5:00) by 15-11.

5. Minoru Suzuki Pancrase beat Takashi Iizuka (9:45) with a sleeper hold.

6. Satoshi Kojima All Japan beat Osamu Nishimura (19:26) with a lariat.

7. Ron Waterman won an 8 Man Ultimate Royal (21:55). Participants: Yuji Nagata, Blue Wolf, Masayuki Naruse, Toru Yano, Manabu Nakanishi, Mitsuya Nagai, Ron Waterman & Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar

- Round 1: Ron Waterman beat Masayuki Naruse (2:35) by referee stop.

- Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi beat Toru Yano (3:09) with an armlock.

- Round 1: Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar beat Mitsuya Nagai (5:46) with a shoulder hold.

- Round 1: Yuji Nagata beat Blue Wolf (5:49) with a heel hold.

- Semi Final: Ron Waterman beat Manabu Nakanishi (1:02) with a front neck lock.

- Semi Final: Yuji Nagata beat Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar (1:53) by referee stop.

- Final: Ron Waterman beat Yuji Nagata (1:41) with a V1 armlock.

8. Dogfight: Masahiro Chono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Riki Choshu (18:07).

- Masahiro Chono beat Riki Choshu (6:34) with a sliding Yakuza kick.

- Masahiro Chono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (11:33) with an FTS.

9. IWGP U-30 Openweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Hiroshi Tanahashi © (24:45) with a cross armbreaker to become the 2nd champion.

 

 

 

New Japan claimed 46,000 were in attendence but I don't think anyone buys that. They were probably lucky to have half that many people there.

 

The three way booking just confuses me. What was the point of Masahiro Chono winning both of his matches. It just makes Tenzan the Champion look like complete shit. The Nakamura/Tanahashi match might be ok but I don't think I'm going to hold my breath. Tiger Mask as the Junior Champ is cool.

[Guest Black Tiger]

Its pretty much accepted by now that New Japan (all promotions actually) play around with the numbers. So 46,000 is more like 40,000 give or take.

 

The card looked pretty "meh" to me, without much in the way of big matches, you'd expect to see on a Tokyo Dome show, especially the one that's usually the biggest show of the year.

 

I'm not too keen on Tiger Mask as IWGP Jr. Champion, he always seemed like one of the less exciting guys in the division. With Lyger winning his match, it was the only direction to go in, so odds are the title is going back to Lyger.

 

Chono's win makes sense here, only if he challenges Tenzan for the IWGP title down the road and fails. Because that will hopefully establish Tenzan as the top guy.

[SinToxic 0]

I like Tiger Mask but a month ago he was completely unused, 2 weeks ago he was tagging with the young lions and now out of nowhere he wins the longest defended reign of the junior title. Seems like they are watering TM with random accomplishments just so he doesnt dry out and die.

 

I really hope for in this year to see many people get out of NJPW and mobilize into other feds. Mainly the juniors because AJPW has been forced to sign TARU.

[Dandy 0]

Wasn't Brock Lesnar supposed to make an appearance?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

He was there watching it.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

He was there watching it.

I bet that was worth the chunk of change they threw at him for it.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

It is if they came to some agreement that has Lesnar debuting the second his WWF contract expires

[Austin3164life 0]

Inoki introduced the crowd to Lesnar, didn't he?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Nakamura retired the U-30 belt today. So kiss that title goodbye.

[Ace309 0]

Anyone have a breakdown of the scoring in the amateur match? I'm a nerd, and I'm curious how closely if at all they tried to emulate the actual rules (considering there hasn't been a single 5-minute period or periods that added to 5 in years).

 

I know, I'm a nerd.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Nakamura retired the U-30 belt today. So kiss that title goodbye.

Funny....considering that it's been better than the IWGP now for some time....

[SinToxic 0]

Anyone have a breakdown of the scoring in the amateur match? I'm a nerd, and I'm curious how closely if at all they tried to emulate the actual rules (considering there hasn't been a single 5-minute period or periods that added to 5 in years).

 

I know, I'm a nerd.

Yuji won 15-11 in 5 minutes.

 

 

U-30 could have served as a nice little title for the young lions who are quite far from winning either IWGP Jr. or the Heavy strap; Taguchi, Nagao, Yamamoto, Yujiro etc. It would be useless for guys like Shibata or Blue Wolf who will be lost in the roster once again anyway.

[Ace309 0]

Right, I was wondering about a breakdown in scoring.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

I'm sorrym what is the U-30 title? Something like the IC or US belt? And while I'm asking, the IWGP championships are the main New Japan belts, right?

[SinToxic 0]

U-30 was the under 30 years of age belt created by Tanahashi and won by him in a tournament. It was a one man's belt since he held it for almost 2 years and proved to be the "strongest" under 30 wrestler.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Tanahashi v Nakamura was really good stuff, in the ***1/2 range, and if they keep improving, then the same match could hit MOTY levels in a year or so.

 

As for the U-30 title, Nakamura was wanting to seal it, but they are running an angle where Hirooki Goto, one of the better rookies, doesn't want Nakamura to do that, and they have a non-title singles match on 1/23 which they are inferring could determine the fate of the U-30 Title

[{''({o..o})''} 0]

Very glad to have you back.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Can you guys fill me in on some questions I have about these results? I have been out of the loop with all of Japan's promotions lately and am interested.

 

2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Jushin Thunder Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (10:30) with a cradle.

 

How's Liger working now? Showing his age? Considerably slower? Still fast-paced? More matwork? What's his finish.

 

3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask beat Heat © (14:17) with a Tiger suplex hold to become the 47th champion.

 

Which Tiger Mask # are we up to, identity?

 

4. Amaresu Exhibition Match: Yuji Nagata beat Katsuhiko Nagata (5:00) by 15-11.

 

Yuji Nagata was incredibly awful in the States in the late 90's. Has his style changed? Is he better? I usually see people complain his work is overrated.

 

7. Ron Waterman won an 8 Man Ultimate Royal (21:55). Participants: Yuji Nagata, Blue Wolf, Masayuki Naruse, Toru Yano, Manabu Nakanishi, Mitsuya Nagai, Ron Waterman & Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar

- Round 1: Ron Waterman beat Masayuki Naruse (2:35) by referee stop.

- Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi beat Toru Yano (3:09) with an armlock.

- Round 1: Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar beat Mitsuya Nagai (5:46) with a shoulder hold.

- Round 1: Yuji Nagata beat Blue Wolf (5:49) with a heel hold.

- Semi Final: Ron Waterman beat Manabu Nakanishi (1:02) with a front neck lock.

- Semi Final: Yuji Nagata beat Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar (1:53) by referee stop.

- Final: Ron Waterman beat Yuji Nagata (1:41) with a V1 armlock.

 

Ultimate Battle Royal? That's h2o Waterman, how has he faired? Developed significant skill? Been re-contacted by WWE since they released him? Why is Nagata in another bout?

 

8. Dogfight: Masahiro Chono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Riki Choshu (18:07).

- Masahiro Chono beat Riki Choshu (6:34) with a sliding Yakuza kick.

- Masahiro Chono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (11:33) with an FTS.

 

Are three-way matches common now in Japan? Chono, Tenzan, and Choshu must be really, really old now. I remember Chono was alright back in 92, and quite boring in 97-98 (in the States), he must be heavily deteriorated by now? Ok to watch?

 

9. IWGP U-30 Openweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Hiroshi Tanahashi © (24:45) with a cross armbreaker to become the 2nd champion.

 

U-30 Openweight Title? Who are these guys, whats their background/gimmick/story?

[SinToxic 0]

2. Liger is fine by my standards, maybe because I always liked him but since he turned heel he was able to hide some of his more visible flaws by mainly being a stiff brawler who rarely takes it to the air and even uses chairs outside the ring. His hyped-up single matches are still very enjoyable.

 

3. That's Tiger Mask 4 who was trained by the original TM and Great Sasuke. Debuted in 95 and joined New Japan in 2002. Does great justice to the Tiger Mask legacy but sometimes (like many other juniors in New Japan) suffers from lousy booking.

 

4. One reason why Nagata might have been awful in the States is because he didnt have that many talented people to work with. Outside of Ultimo Dragon all his other WCW matches were worthless. I would say that his isnt the same as he was in 2001 and 02 obviously but Nagata is still very good. If you wanna see a recent crazed Nagata watch his bloodfest against Sasaki from last year.

 

7. I dont know why Waterman was let go by WWE since he was 10 times better than all of their big men. Might have been his age. I'm guessing Nagata was booked twice so he could lose to Waterman with people feeling that he was somewhat tired from the previous match with his bro.

 

8. 3 way matches arent common in NJ, maybe more common in Osaka Pro and other indies. Chono is pretty banged up, had forgettable - to - crap matches at the last year's G1.

 

9. U-30 is an under 30 years of age concept title created and held initially by Tanahashi who with Nakamura is billed as the future ace of the company. Nakamura is a shoot lover while Tanahashi is short of amazing with good all roundness and look.

[Sass 0]

For the most part, New Japan's booking has been crap in some way this year. The Heavyweight title is on the same level as the WWE title was in '99 with it's title changes. Disastarous.

 

However, Tanahashi and Nakamura getting the top spot did manage to provide some major pub coverage for their match and the way they performed in the ring. I haven't seen the match yet but it's my understanding that it was either the best or 2nd best match on the show. Both guys are decent workers and are also two of the better Young Lions to have graduated from the New Japan dojo in recent time.

 

Yeah, it sounds like just another weak 1/4 show though.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

However, Tanahashi and Nakamura getting the top spot did manage to provide some major pub coverage for their match and the way they performed in the ring. I haven't seen the match yet but it's my understanding that it was either the best or 2nd best match on the show. Both guys are decent workers and are also two of the better Young Lions to have graduated from the New Japan dojo in recent time.

I've seen most of the matches on the Dome Event, and it was easily the best match of those that I've seen from that night. It was really good, very crisp, everything was well executed, and it was a treat to watch. Tanahashi and Nakamura, more Tanahashi, are really good young workers, and if they improve as well as they have done so far, a rematch at next year's Dome Event would probably by near or at MOTY levels.

[Sass 0]

Only if it's for the belt. Otherwise, this will be like the Chono and Koshinaka feud that didn't wind up improving either guy's rep in the ring.

 

Chono is going to go down as one of the most short sighted and selfish bookers of the last 20 years after his reign ends. Tenzan has been booked so badly that it should be considered criminal.

 

The title match should have had Tenzen vs. Chono. Time is running out for Chono in the ring and he should have just done the job on the *biggest* show New Japan runs during the year. Giving Tenzen his big win on their next 5/04 show or something is stretching things out too far.